HIMACHAL PRADESH
Schools in rural areas lack computers, infra
Several government schools, especially those in rural areas, still lack basic facilities such as the availability of computers and information communication technology (ICT) labs. This is despite the fact that the state Education Department has allocated a budget ranging from Rs 15 lakh to Rs 44 lakh to select schools for improving their infrastructure.
While a budget of Rs 60 crore has been provided to select schools in the state, others face discrimination as they lack even the basic facilities such as white boards, computers, etc.
The Swaran Jayanti Utkrisht Vidyalaya Yojana and the Swaran Jayanti Gyanodaya Cluster Sreshtha Vidyalaya were among ambitious schemes that were announced by Chief Minister Jai Ram Thakur in 2020-2021 to improve the quality of education in government schools.
INTERNATIONAL
UNESCO Joins USO India For Water Conservation Programme
The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) has joined USO India and Toonz Media Group to develop a water-saving awareness program for students. Highlights:
For the water saving plan, the students made an animated video, which will be unveiled on the occasion of World Water Day on March 22, 2021. -“Water wise plan” for students. The program is organized in cooperation with the National Clean Ganges Regiment, Water Digest Magazine, United Schools Organization of India (India) (USU) and Toonz Media Group.
Water wise plan: The water saving plan was initiated by UNESCO New Delhi in September 2020. The program was initiated for school children in India. The program encourages school children aged 6-14 to submit story ideas and cartoons in response to India’s growing water crisis.
The plan is divided into three phases. It aims to increase the creativity of students and raise their awareness of water conservation and sustainable use. Since the program was launched, approximately 17,000 students from 43 schools across India have participated in the program.
NATIONAL
National Pharmaceutical Pricing Authority (NPPA) Price Regulation
National Pharmaceutical Pricing Authority (NPPA) included 81 drugs into Price Regulation. NPPA fixed the prices of 81 medicine, including generic antidiabetics, so that patients can enjoy the benefits due to patent expiration. Highlights:
The National Pharmaceutical Pricing Authority (NPPA) was established in 1997 as an affiliated office of the Department of Pharmaceuticals (DoP) of the Ministry of Chemicals and Fertilizers.
National Pharmaceutical Pricing Authority is an independent regulator of drug pricing and ensures that drugs are available and access at an affordable price. Functions and responsibilities:
To implement and enforce the provisions of the Drugs (Price Control) Order according to the powers granted to it.
Handle all legal matters arising from the decision of the Authority.
Monitor the supply of medicines, identify shortages (if any), and take remedial measures.
Collect/maintain data on the production, export and import of the market share of a single company, and the profitability of the company for bulk drugs and preparations.
Conduct and/or sponsor research related to drug/ pharmaceuticals pricing.
Advise the central government on changes/revisions to drug policies.
Highlights of Gandhi Peace Prize
The Ministry of Culture stated that the Indian government has awarded Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman to the Gandhi Peace Prize 2020. The 2019 Peace Prize was awarded to the late Sultan Qaboos bin Said Al-Said His of Oman. Highlights:
The Peace Prize was awarded before the Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi (Narendra Modi) planned to visit Dhaka on March 26, 2021. He will participate in the celebration of the 100th birthday of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman (Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman).
He was the first president and later became the prime minister of Bangladesh. He is called the “father of the nation” or “Mujib”. He was assassinated on August 15, 1975. Sultan Qaboos, the winner of the Gandhi Peace Prize in 2019, is the longest-serving leader in the modern Arab world. He died in January 2020. The last two years of this year (i.e. 2019 and 2020) won the Peace Prize. In 2018, it was announced for the past four years.
The Gandhi Peace Prize is the International Holy Land Peace Prize, named after Mahatma Gandhi.
Permanent Indus Commission to Meet in New Delhi
The two countries announced the full resumption of diplomatic relations and announced that the two countries will hold their first meeting within three years of the ” Permanent Indus Commission” on March 22, 2021. Commission dealing with water rights in the Indus River.
Standing India Committee:
This is a bilateral committee composed of officials from India and Pakistan. The committee was created to implement and manage goals. It outlines the agenda of the Indus Waters Treaty.
Indus Water Treaty: This is a water distribution treaty between India and Pakistan. The treaty is supported by the World Bank. The treaty provides for the use of available water in the Indus River and its tributaries. On September 19, 1960, Indian Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru and Pakistani President Ayub Khan signed the treaty in Karachi. The treaty controls the waters of the three eastern rivers, namely Beas, Ravi and Sutlej.