UTTARAKHAND

A lot yet desired to boost tourism in Uttarakhand

Despite the tourism sector being the financial backbone of Uttarakhand’s economy, a lot still remains to be done in the sector. Majority of the tourism projects announced in the state over the last two years are either in the pipeline or yet to be started. Very few have been fully completed.

While the tourism department has been successful in getting 1,514 homestays registered across the state under the Deen Dayal Upadhyay Homestay Project, it is still far behind the stipulated target of having 5,000 homestays by 2020. The progress on the CM’s ambitious ‘13 districts, 13 new destinations’ project has remained slow too, whereas the Mussoorie-Dehradun ropeway project is crawling at a painful pace even though MoUs have been signed.

INTERNATIONAL

● International Day for the Elderly is observed on 1 October

International Day for the Elderly is observed on 1 October. The day aims to raise awareness of the opportunities and challenges of ageing in today’s world. It also highlighted the important contributions that are made by older people make to society.

A study says that almost 700 million people are over the age of 60. Over 20% (2 billion) of the world’s population, will be 60 or older by 2050. In the developing world, the increase in the number of older people will be the greatest. Currently, Asia is the region with the largest number of older persons.

The 2019 theme for International Day for the Elderly is the Journey to Age Equality. The theme aims to raise awareness about issues affecting the elderly, such as senescence and elder abuse. The theme falls in line with the UN’s principle of Leaving No-One Behind for sustainable development.

● State Bank of India becomes first Indian bank to have office in Australia’s Victoria

State Bank of India opened its Melbourne office to become the first Indian bank to have a branch in the Australian state of Victoria. The Melbourne office will assist the growing trade and investment relations between Victoria and India and is the outcome of the state’s 10-year India Strategy our shared future.

This investment by India’s largest commercial bank is a testament to our thriving financial services sector and our highly skilled workforce.
The two-way merchandise trade between Victoria and India was to the tune of 1.76 billion Australian dollars in 2018.

● India ranks 44 in the World digital competitiveness rankings

According to a global report, India has ranked 44th in World digital competitiveness rankings in 2019. India stood 48th rank in the year 2019. India has made various improvement in terms of knowledge and future readiness to adopt and explore digital technologies.

Also, according to the IMD World Digital Competitiveness Ranking 2019 (WDCR), with great advancement in the technology sub-factor level, India holds the first position in telecommunications investment.

The ranking list is produced by the IMD World Competitiveness Center. The rankings are based on various measures including the capacity and preparedness to adopt and explore digital technologies as a key driver for economic transformation in business, government and wider society.
WDCR examines three factors for the evaluation of an economy. The factors namely:
♦ knowledge, the capacity to understand and learn the new technologies and
♦ technology, the competence to develop new digital innovations
♦ future-readiness, the preparedness for the coming developments.

The US ranked first as the world’s most digitally competitive economy.

NATIONAL

Kerala leads the School Education Quality Index

The School Education Quality Index, SEQI prepared by NITI Aayog was launched by NITI Aayog Vice Chairman and CEO in New Delhi.

Kerala has bagged the number one rank followed by Rajasthan in overall performance.

In incremental performance ranking, Haryana is number one followed by Assam and Uttar Pradesh.

In small states category, Manipur has claimed the top spot followed by Tripura and Goa in overall performance.

Air Chief Marshal Rakesh Bhadauria takes charge as IAF Chief

Air Chief Marshal Rakesh Kumar Singh Bhadauria took charge as the 26th Chief of the Indian Air Force.

He succeeds Air Chief Marshal BS Dhanoa, who retired after 41 years of service in the IAF.

Air Marshal Bhadauria was commissioned in the fighter stream of the Indian Air Force in June 1980 and has held various command, staff and instructional positions.

● Centre launched the first Indigenous Fuel Cell System on CSIR Foundation Day

Centre unveiled the first Indigenous High-Temperature Fuel Cell System on the occasion of CSIR Foundation Day at New Delhi. It was unveiled by the President of India, Shri Ram Nath Kovind. It was developed by the Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) in partnership with Indian industries under India’s flagship program named New Millennium Indian Technology Leadership Initiative (NMITLI).

The Cell would replace Diesel Generating (DG) sets and help reduce India’s dependence on crude oil. The Fuel Cells is in line with India’s mission of replacing diesel with green and alternate fuels.

The 5.0 kW fuel cell system generates power using methanol/bio-methane along with heat and water as bi-products for further use. The power generated will amount to greater than 70% efficiency, which is not possible by other sources. Fuel Cells are based on High-Temperature Proton Exchange Membrane (HTPEM) Technology.

● MietY, NeGD, and NLIU signs MoU to implement an Online Capacity Building Programme

National eGovernance Division (NeGD), Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) and the National Law Institute University (NLIU), Bhopal signed an MoU at New Delhi on 30 September.

The MoU aims to implement an Online Capacity Building Programme on Cyber Law, Crime Investigation and Digital Forensics through NeGD Learning Management System (LMS). The increase in cybercrimes has posed a major challenge for the Law Enforcement Agencies (LEA).

The major objective of the programme is to enable Police Officers, State Cyber Cells, Law Enforcement Agencies, Prosecutors and Judicial Officers to acquire the requisite skills to deal with Cyber Forensics cases effectively according to the Indian Cyber Law. It should also adopt global best practices, standards, and guidelines.

NeGD in collaboration with NLIU Bhopal has taken the initiative to offer 9 months Online PG Diploma Course in Cyber Law, Crime Investigation & Digital Forensics to 1000 officials. The courses will be offered through its Learning Management System (LMS).

The program will be implemented under the Digital India Programme.

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