Environment Conservation
Green Hydrogen Initiatives

Relevance IN - Prelims ( about Green Hydrogen initiatives) + Mains ( GS II International organisations + regional grouping + GS III Environment conservation)
What's the NEWS

• India is all set to host a two day summit on Green Hydrogen initiatives on 22^nd June, 2021 involving the BRICS nations.
• The prestigious event offers a platform to share their respective Green Hydrogen initiatives and views on how to take it to the next level in their own countries.
• The online event will be held via a video conference and will conclude on 23^rd June.

Know! more about the event

• The event will be anchored by India's largest power producer and one of the global energy majors, NTPC Ltd , a Maharatna CPSU under Ministry of Power.
• The virtual summit will bring the best brains, policy makers and major stakeholders from the BRICS nations deliberating and discussing at length the future of Hydrogen in the energy mix.

The benefits of Hydrogen

• As the world rapidly moves to decarbonise the entire energy system, hydrogen is poised to play a vital role and build on the rapid scale-up of renewable resources across the world.
• Hydrogen when produced by electrolysis using renewable energy is known as Green Hydrogen which has no carbon footprint.
• This gives Hydrogen the edge over other fuels to unlock various avenues of green usage.
• Green hydrogen has innumerable applications. Green Chemicals like ammonia and methanol can directly be utilized in existing applications like fertilizers, mobility, power, chemicals, shipping etc.
• Green Hydrogen blending up to 10% may be adopted in CGD networks to gain widespread acceptance.
• Further scaling up with greening of hard to abate sectors (like steel and cement) through hydrogen is to be explored.
• Many countries have brought out their strategies and defined targets and roadmaps based on their resources and strengths.

Social Justice
Establishment of five 'Divyangta Khel Kendras'
Relevance IN - Prelims ( about ADIP Scheme + ALIMCP + role of DEPwD) + Mains ( GS II Social Justice)
What's the NEWS

• Union minister for Social Justice and Empowerment has decided to establish five 'Divyangta Khel Kendra' in different parts of country, out of which Ahemdabad City is identified to open one of such facilities.

Samajik Adhikarita Shivir

• The Minister for Social Justice and Empowerment Virtually addressed the ‘Samajik Adhikarita Shivir' for distribution of aids and assistive devices to ‘Divyangjan' under the ADIP Scheme of the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment, Government of India
• The Shivir was organized by the Department of Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities (DEPwD) in association with ALIMCO
• The Assessment camps for identification of Divyang beneficiaries were conducted under ADIP scheme by ALIMCO
• Different types of assistive devices which are to be distributed among identified Divyangjan registered during assessment camps
• The camps are conducted under the Scheme of Assistance to Disabled Persons (ADIP) for Purchase/Fitting of Aid/Appliances. ADIP is one of the most popular schemes for providing assistive aids and appliance to Divyangjans, and is organized by Artificial Limbs Manufacturing Corporation of India (ALIMCO), a Public Sector Undertaking under the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment.

Artificial Limbs Manufacturing Corporation of India (ALIMCO)

• It is a Schedule ‘C' Miniratna Category II Central Public Sector Enterprises, registered under Section 8 (Not for Profit motive) of the Companies Act 2013, (corresponding to Section 25 of the Companies Act, 1956) is functioning under the Administrative Control of Ministry of Social Justice & Empowerment, Department of Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities.
• It is 100% owned Govt. of India Central Public Sector Enterprises with an objective of benefiting the persons with disability to the maximum extent possible by manufacturing Rehabilitation Aids for persons with disabilities and by promoting, encouraging and developing the availability, use, supply and distribution of Artificial Limbs and other Rehabilitation Aids to the disabled persons of the country.
• Profitability is not the motive of the operations of the Corporation and its main thrust is in providing better quality of Aids & Appliances to larger number of disabled persons at reasonable price.
• The Corporation started manufacturing artificial aids in 1976. It has four Auxiliary Production Centres (AAPCs) situated at Bhubaneswar (Orissa), Jabalpur (M.P.), Bengaluru (Karnataka), Chanalon (Punjab) and Ujjain.
• The Corporation is the only manufacturing company producing various types of assistive devices under one roof to serve all types of disabilities across the country.

International
First Indian Navy, EU naval force exercise on in Gulf of Aden
Relevance IN - Prelims ( about EUNAVFOR exercise + SHADE + 'Information Fusion Centre
What's the NEWS

• The maiden Indian Navy and European Union Naval Force (EUNAVFOR) exercise began in the Gulf of Aden
• A total of five warships from four navies were participating in the two-day exercise
• Concurrently, a virtual "Information sharing Exercise" was conducted between the Indian Navy's Information Fusion Centre for Indian Ocean Region and Maritime Security Centre-Horn of Africa
• INS Trikand, mission deployed for anti-piracy operations, is participating in the exercise.
• The EUNAVFOR and the Indian Navy converged on multiple issues, including counter-piracy operations and protection of vessels deployed under the charter of World Food Programme
• The two sides also have regular interaction through SHADE (Shared Awareness and De-confliction) meetings held annually in Bahrain.
• This engagement underscores the shared values as partner navies, in ensuring freedom of seas and commitment to an open, inclusive and a rules-based international order

Shared Awareness and De-confliction (SHADE)

• It is an international operational counter piracy platform, convened in Bahrain aimed to encourage partners for sharing information, assessing the evolution of trends, best practices and to de-conflict operations amongst counter-piracy actors in the Gulf of Aden, the Gulf of Oman and the Western Indian Ocean.
• The first meeting, entitled ‘Shared Awareness and Deconfliction' was held in Bahrain in December 2008 and is attended by a variety of nations and organizations involved in operations to counter piracy , such as the Combined Maritime Forces (CMF) and EU NAVFOR Somalia, which are operating in the Area.
• Since 2017 SHADE meets twice a year in Bahrain, chaired alternatively by CMF and EU NAVFOR Somalia.
• The international shipping industry is a key stakeholder in SHADE meetings. International organizations active in the maritime domain in the region such as WFP and UNODC also attend the SHADE meetings.
• In 2017 a similar platform, SHADE MED, was established in relation to maritime security operations working to prevent illegal immigration in the Mediterranean sea.
• On the 3rd and 4 November 2020, CMF and EU NAVFOR Somalia co-hosted the 47th Shared Awareness and De-confliction (SHADE) Conference.
• It was the first occasion in 11 years, that this event was convened virtually, as a result of the restrictions imposed by the COVID-19 pandemic.

Information Fusion Centre

• The Indian Navy established the 'Information Fusion Centre -- Indian Ocean Region (IOR) in 2018 to effectively keep track of the shipping traffic as well as other critical developments in the IOR under a collaborative framework with like-minded countries.
• The IFC-IOR stems from the importance of the Indian Ocean to world trade and security, and the need for the various maritime nations and organisations to collaborate towards enhancing maritime safety and security on the seas of this region.
• In addition to utilising the collective wisdom and resources towards addressing myriad challenges in the region, IFC-IOR will help interface and integrate, wherein, all partners and stakeholders would benefit from each other's best practices and expertise.
• The IFC has been established at Gurugram, India and is collocated with Information Management and Analysis Centre which is jointly administered by the Indian Navy and Indian Coast Guard.
• IFC-IOR is established with the vision of strengthening maritime security in the region and beyond, by building a common coherent maritime situation picture and acting as a maritime information hub for the region.
• Establishment of IFC- IOR would ensure that the entire region is benefitted by mutual collaboration and exchange of information and understanding the concerns and threats which are prevalent in the region.
• The information Exchange at the IFC-IOR would be initially undertaken by virtual means, using telephone calls, faxes, emails and video conferencing over internet.
• Subsequently, to enable better interconnection, quicker analysis of information and provide timely inputs, the IFC-IOR would host Liaison Officers from partner countries.
• Additionally, towards enhancing capability building, the IFC-IOR would undertake conduct of exercises and training capsules in maritime information collection and sharing.
• The setting up of IFC-IOR underscores the governmental approach and effort towards Security and Growth of All in the Region (SAGAR).

Indian Ocean Region

• The Indian Ocean Region, in view of its strategic location as also being home to a vast majority of world's population, can be considered as the economic highway that drives global commerce.
• With over 75% of the world's maritime trade and 50% of daily global oil consumption passing through the region; IOR is vital to world trade and the economic prosperity of many nations.
• The IOR is also a fragile environment, with threats such as maritime terrorism, piracy, human and contraband trafficking, illegal and unregulated fishing, arms running and poaching being prevalent. Hence, facilitating a conducive environment to undertake legitimate maritime activities in this region is a necessity.

Defence
FLEET AWARDS FUNCTION
Relevance IN - Prelims ( about Fleet Awards Function 2021 and Eastern and Western fleet)
What's the NEWS

• Fleet Awards Function 2021 was held to celebrate the operational achievements of the Eastern Fleet during the last year on 19 Jun 21.

Fleet Awards Function 2021

• Fleet Awards Function marks the culmination of the Operational Cycle of the Eastern Fleet and recognises accomplishments of the ‘Sword Arm' of the Eastern Naval Command(ENC).
• As compared to previous years, the Fleet Awards Function was held as a modest event with full observance of COVID protocols.
• The function culminated with the distribution of sixteen coveted trophies covering the overall spectrum of maritime operations.
• INS Sahyadri was adjudged as the Best Ship of the Eastern Fleet amongst Capital ships, INS Kamorta as the Most Spirited Ship for displaying indomitable spirit and grit whilst undertaking a plethora of challenging missions and Best Corvette trophy as won by IN Ships Kiltan and Khukri amongst Corvettes and similar classes of ships.
• The Eastern Fleet ships participated in several major bilateral and multilateral exercises such as Malabar-20, La Perouse, PASSEX with various navies and undertook Op Sahayam and Mission SAGAR for delivery of HADR stores and Op Samudra Setu for evacuation of stranded Indian citizen from overseas.
• In the second wave of COVID-19 as Op Samudra Setu II, Eastern Fleet ships acted as the mainstay for enhancing oxygen delivery to the Eastern seaboard emphasising its role as a professional and credible force.

Eastern Fleet

• The Eastern Fleet is a Naval fleet of the Indian Navy.
• It is known as the 'Sword Arm' of the Eastern Naval Command.
• It is headquartered at Visakhapatnam, Andhra Pradesh on the east coast of India.
• It is a part of the Eastern Naval Command and is responsible for the naval forces in the Bay of Bengal and parts of the Indian Ocean.

Tribal Affairs
NISHTHA-National initiative for School Heads' and Teachers' Holistic Advancement Program

Relevance IN - Prelims ( about NISHTHA programs) + Mains ( GS II Social Justice + welfare shames for the vulnerable section of population)
What's the NEWS

• To fulfill the long-standing vision of Ministry of Tribal Affairs (MoTA) to achieve academic excellence in Eklavya Model Residential Schools (EMRSs), 120 EMRS teachers and principals from 3 states completed a 40 days' NISHTHA-National initiative for School Heads' and Teachers' Holistic Advancement Program, a national flagship program of NCERT on 19th June 2021.

NISHTHA programs

• The capacity building program is aimed to build competencies among teachers and school principals and Improving Quality of School Education through Integrated Teacher Training.
• MoTA has recently collaborated with National Council of Educational Research and Training (NCERT), which a national apex education body for several programmatic initiatives and interventions, for conducting such programs across 350 functional EMRS schools across the country.
• This was the first batch of 120 EMRS teachers and principals from 3 states, namely Himachal Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh and Chhattisgarh.
• The training was conducted in an online mode, adopting a blended approach. While the course material, activities, projects were shared on NISHTHA online portal, the live-interactive sessions with esteemed faculty members from NCERT were held through VC platform.
• NISHTHA programs to be conducted in the coming months. The internal EMRS resources of teachersand principals shall be the torch bearers for achieving academic excellence in EMRS school education.

NISHTHA : National Initiative for School Heads' and Teachers' Holistic Advancement

• NISHTHA is a capacity building programme for "Improving Quality of School Education through Integrated Teacher Training".
• It aims to build competencies among all the teachers and school principals at the elementary stage.
• The functionaries (at the state, district, block, cluster level) shall be trained in an integrated manner on learning outcomes, school based assessment, learner - centred pedagogy, new initiatives in education, addressing diverse needs of children through multiple pedagogies, etc.
• This is being organized by constituting National Resource Groups (NRGs) and State Resource Groups (SRGs) at the National and the State level who will be training 42 lakhs teachers subsequently.
• A robust portal/Management Information System (MIS) for delivery of the training, monitoring and support mechanism has been infused with this capacity building initiative.
• Keeping in view the COVID-19 pandemic situation, it is now planned to organise SRG and Teachers training in online mode.
• The first online training for the SRGs of state of Andhra Pradesh will be launched on 16 July, 2020.

The main expected outcomes from NISHTHA are:

• Improvement in learning outcomes of the students.
• Creation of an enabling and enriching inclusive classroom environment
• Teachers become alert and responsive to the social, emotional and psychological needs of students as first level counselors.
• Teachers are trained to use Art as pedagogy leading to increased creativity and innovation among students.
• Teachers are trained to develop and strengthen personal-social qualities of students for their holistic development.
• Creation of healthy and safe school environment.
• Integration of ICT in teaching learning and assessment.
• Developing stress free School Based Assessment focused on development of learning competencies.
• Teachers adopt Activity Based Learning and move away from rote learning to competency based learning.
• Teachers and School heads become aware of new initiatives in school education.
• Transformation of the Heads of Schools into providing academic and administrative leadership for the schools for fostering new initiatives.

Other Capacity Building Training programs taken by the Ministry

• NISHTHA Program is part of various Capacity Building Training programs undertaken By Ministry.
• From 25^th May to 5^th June, 2021 a 10 days "Unbox Tinkering - ATL Teacher Training Program" was also organized in coordination with Atal Innovation Mission, NITI Aayog, IBM and Learning Links foundation for 60 EMRS Heads, Teachers and ATL incharges from 12 States.
• During the program, there were series of discussion and simulation sessions which allowed open learning and exchange of ideas on wide ranging topics like computational thinking, Arduino Basics-Coding to Design Thinking etc.

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