Headlines at a Glance – 18th September 2021
EAM S. Jaishankar meets Chinese counterpart Wang Yi in Dushanbe
External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar on Thursday conveyed to his Chinese counterpart Wang Yi that progress in the disengagement process in eastern Ladakh was essential for restoration of peace and tranquillity and that it is the basis for the development of overall ties. At a meeting on the sidelines of the annual summit of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) in Dushanbe, the two foreign ministers exchanged views on global developments. It is understood that the developments in Afghanistan figured in the talks. The border standoff between the Indian and Chinese militaries erupted on May 5 last year following a violent clash in the Pangong lake area and both sides gradually enhanced their deployment by rushing in tens of thousands of soldiers as well as heavy weaponry.
SOURCE: The Indian Express
Railways to train 50,000 youths under the Rail Kaushal Vikas Yojana
The Railways will train 50,000 youths in the age group of 18 to 35 years over the next three years as part of the Rail Kaushal Vikas Yojana, which was launched by Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw on Friday. Under the scheme, youths will be provided training in industry relevant skills in Railway Training Institutes, according to a statement issued by the national transporter. The Rail Kaushal Vikas Yojana (RKVY) will contribute to the mission towards Atmanirbhar Bharat and is also a part of the series of initiatives in the Azadi ka Amrit Mahotsav, it said. Training programmes will be conducted in four trades like electrician, welder, machinist and fitter, and participants shall be provided 100 hours of training in 75 Railway Training Institutes, which have been shortlisted around the country.
SOURCE: The Hindu
PM participates in the Council of Heads of State of SCO Meeting
Prime Minister Narendra Modi will on Friday lead the Indian delegation and virtually address the plenary session of the annual Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) summit, held in Tajikistan’s capital Dushanbe. External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar will represent India at the 21st SCO meeting, where world leaders are expected to extensively debate on the Afghan crisis, its internal and external implications, and issues pertaining to regional security. This is the first SCO meet that is being conducted in a hybrid format – in-person and virtual – and the fourth where India will participate as a full-fledged member.
SOURCE: Hindustan Times
Defence Ministry sets up expert committee for review of NCC
The Ministry of Defence has constituted a High-Level Expert Committee for a comprehensive review of the National Cadet Corps (NCC). The committee’s effort will be to make NCC more relevant in changed times. The Terms of Reference of the Committee broadly provide for suggesting measures which can empower NCC cadets to contribute more effectively towards nation building and national developmental efforts in various sectors. The committee will propose measures for gainful engagement of its Alumni for betterment of the organisation as a whole. Former Member of Parliament Baijayant Panda will head the committee. Cricketer Mahendra Singh Dhoni, former Minister Colonel (Retd) Rajyavardhan Singh Rathore, industrialist Anand Mahindra among others are members of the committee.
SOURCE: The Hindu
NITI Aayog for building 500 ‘healthy cities’ to fight Covid-like crisis
A Central sector scheme to build 500 ‘healthy cities’ in the next five years, along with a thorough revamp of town-planning acts in states are the need of the hour to meet future challenges of urbanisation, a NITI Aayog panel on ‘Building Urban Planning Capacity in India’ said in its latest report. The report was released on Thursday. NITI Aayog said the Central sector scheme for building 500 healthy cities in the next five years will have to be worked out by the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs in consultation with states and Union Territories. Releasing the report, NITI Aayog Vice-Chairman Rajiv Kumar emphasised the need to reduce carbon footprint in urbanisation and said that urban India will be powering the country’s economic growth.
SOURCE: Business Standard
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