Union Rural Development Secretary Shri Nagendra Nath Sinha (10th March 2022) chaired a webinar promoting the ‘Captive Employer’ initiative under the Deen Dayal Upadhyaya Grameen Kaushalya Yojana (DDU-GKY). More than 16 Sector Skill Councils participated in today’s webinar, which also saw participation from more than 180 stakeholders.

Speaking at the webinar, Shri Sinha reiterated that through captive employer projects, industry requirements shall get addressed. He also pointed out that it will be a significant boon for the industry and that they must make optimum use of the opportunity. In addition, he also mentioned that sensitive treatment is to be provided to rural youth coming from rural backgrounds. Industry must work on the emotional and adaptive needs of the candidates as their welfare is of paramount importance.

About Captive Employment

‘Captive Employer’, is a first of its kind initiative aimed at addressing the vision of a dynamic and demand-based skilling ecosystem catering to the requirements of industry partners assuring sustainable placements for rural poor youth. The initiative is a shot in the arm for the DDU-GKY programme, assuring post-training placement of candidates for a minimum of six months with a minimum CTC of Rs 10,000/-.

The model will allow the industry to source trainees as per their requirement with active support from States/UTs and train them as per the requirement of their own organizational/industry/ subsidiaries /operational need and provide candidates with assured placement. It will also allow employers to select rural youth and skills & deploy them in one of their establishment/subsidiaries.

An REoI has been floated on 1st Feb 2022, to empanel such ‘Captive Employers’ and the first Pre-proposal meeting regarding the same was organised on 21st Feb 2022 under the Chairpersonship of Joint Secretary (Rural Skills), Ministry of Rural Development (MoRD) in order to provide the information on queries of Prospective Captive Employers. More than 125 prospective employers attended the pre-proposal meeting.

About Deen Dayal Upadhyaya Grameen Kaushalya Yojana (DDU-GKY)

Deen Dayal Upadhyaya Grameen Kaushalya Yojana (DDU-GKY) launched on the 25th of September 2014, is a nationwide placement-linked skill training program funded by the Ministry of Rural Development (MoRD), Government of India (GoI). DDUGKY seeks to build the placement linked skills of the poor rural youth and place them in wage employment across various sectors of the economy. The programme has an outcome led design with guaranteed placements for at least 70% trained candidates and is moving towards minimum mandatory certification.

The DDU-GKY programme is being implemented in 27 states and 3 UTs for rural poor youth with an emphasis on placements. More than 871 Project Implementation Agencies (PIAs) are training rural poor youth in close to 611- job roles through more than 2381 training centres. Cumulatively 11.44 lakh youth have been trained and 7.15 lakh youth have been placed till 31st Jan 2022.

NHPC Limited, India’s premier hydropower company and a ‘Mini Ratna’ Category-I Enterprise of the Government of India has paid an interim dividend of Rs. 933.61 crore to the Government of India for the financial year 2021-22 on March 4th 2022.

The dividend payout bank advice was presented to Shri R.K. Singh, Hon’ble Union Minister of Power, New and Renewable Energy by Shri A.K. Singh, CMD, NHPC on March 10th 2022 in the presence of Shri Alok Kumar, Secretary (Power) Government of India and Shri Y.K. Chaubey, Director (Technical), Shri R.P. Goyal, Director (Finance), Shri K.K. Goel, Executive Director (Finance) and Shri Sanjay Kumar Madan, Executive Director (Finance) from NHPC.

NHPC had already paid Rs. 249.44 crores to the Government of India during the current fiscal 2021-22 on account of the final dividend for the financial year 2020-21. Thus, NHPC has paid a total dividend of Rs. 1183.05 crore to the Government of India during the financial year 2021-22.

The Board of Directors of the Company in its meeting held on 11th February 2022 had declared an interim dividend at the rate of Rs. 1.31 per Equity share i.e. 13.10% of the face value. NHPC today has more than eight lakh shareholders and the total interim dividend pay-out for the financial year 2021-22 worked out to Rs. 1315.90 crore.

The Company had paid an interim dividend of Rs. 1.25 per share with a total outflow of Rs. 1255.63 crore for the financial year 2020-21 in addition to a final dividend of Rs. 0.35 per share with a total outflow of Rs. 351.58 crore. Thus, a total dividend of Rs. 1.60 per share with a total outflow of Rs. 1607.21 crore had been paid for the financial year 2020-21.

On the occasion of 132ndFoundation Day of Archives, the National Archives of India of Culture Ministry organized an archival exhibition entitled ‘Instruments of Accession & Merger: The Journey of Integration’ under the aegis of Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav.Smt. Meenakashi Lekhi, Minister of State for Culture External Affairs inaugurated the exhibition today.

National Archives of India organizes an archival exhibition on the occasion of 132nd Foundation Day of Archives under Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav

On the occasion Smt. Meenakashi Lekhi said history is history, not everything may be likeable or agreeable about it, but still, it is necessary to read and write our history to strengthen our roots and lay the foundation for the future. She further remarked that this exhibition exhibits our history, the documents that helped in the construction of India, documents of all states and those of the princely states have also been displayed in the exhibition. She further added it is important to depict, read or write and understand the facts which led to and laid the foundation of Modern India.

It is necessary to read and write history to strengthen our roots and lay a foundation for the future: Smt. Meenakashi Lekhi
The exhibition Instruments of Accession & Merger: The Journey of Integration’ is based on original documents, it is an endeavour to showcase the story of accession and merger through a presentation of original archival public documents and cartographic records, which include material from the Public Record Series, especially from the Ministry of states. The exhibition showcases valuable information from NAI records, repositories, library collections that unfold the drama and action of the unification and merger by signing of the Instrument of Accession and the implementation of the modalities of the Instrument of Merger of small princely states.

The Union Minister of Ayush and Ports, Shipping & Waterways Shri Sarbananda Sonowal inaugurated the International Conference on “Diet and Nutrition in Unani Medicine for Good health & well-being” in Srinagar. On this occasion, the Minister announced that the Regional Research Institute of Unani Medicine will be developed as a Centre of Excellence. The MoS for Ayush and WCD Dr Munjpara Mahendrabhai also attended the conference.

Speaking at the occasion, Shri Sarbananda Sonowal said that the importance of a balanced and nutritious diet is key to a healthy life and prevention as well as treatment of disease. Unani physicians recommend treatment by suitable modifications in diet before treatment with drugs. Shri Sarbananda Sonowal said that in this regard, the Ministry wants to upgrade the Regional Research Institute of Unani Medicine into an Ayush Center of Excellence in Ilaj bill-Tadbir (Regimental Therapy). The Minister informed the World Health Organization and Ministry of Ayush has published Benchmarks for the Training of Unani Medicine and this document will address the aspects like training requirements for good-quality Unani medicine services.

The inaugural session witnessed the release of conference souvenir and eight books published by the CCRUM, the release of two Unani e-books developed by the National Institute of Indian Medical Heritage functioning under CCRAS at Hyderabad, distribution of YCB certificates to felicitate yoga instructors, exchange of Yoga MoU and live yoga performance, the release of CCRUM Apps and presentation of NABH Accreditation Certificate to RRIUM Srinagar. With the launch of mobile apps on Single Unani Drugs, Unani treatment guidelines and know your temperament application, the Union Minister was appreciated all stakeholders as it was the first of its kind initiative of CCRUM, Ministry of Ayush in the field of Unani Medicine.

In his address, Dr Munjpara Mahendrabhai said that Unani Medicine provides detailed guidelines for healthy food habits to maintain health and prevent diseases. He lauded the role of the Ayush system in immunity enhancement through drugs and medicinal foods and fighting against COVID-19. He also appreciated the contributions of CCRUM in research and development in Unani Medicine.

The titles of the CCRUM books released are ‘Orientation Guidelines for Community Health Officers (Under Unani Stream)’, ‘Antiarthritic Plants in Unani Medicine’, ‘Hepatoprotective Plants in Unani Medicine’, ‘Glimpses of Activities and Achievements of Central Council for Research in Unani Medicine’, ‘Advanced Analytical Methods for Quality Control of Unani Drugs – Araqiyat (Distillates)’, ‘Riyad al-Adwiya (Urdu translation)’ ‘Adwiya Kabidiyya: Qadeem-o-Jadeed Tahqiqat ki Raushni mein’, ‘National Formulary of Unani Medicine, Vol. IV, 2nd Edition’.

Deep Nordic ApS, a Copenhagen, Denmark-based technology company acquired a majority stake in AQFIT, an Indian tech startup based in Delhi. It is a fast-growing consumer brand in the smart wearable and audio industry.

Deep Nordic ApS is developing advanced wearable technology products across the globe and in the Indian market; the bet has been placed on the outstanding AQFIT team. Deep Nordic ApS also plans to use India as a manufacturing base for local and international market products in the future.

AQFiT fundamental values of ‘Originality, Quality, Experience, and Service’ are reflected in each of its products. AQFiT is committed to developing gadgets that promote a healthy lifestyle and include unique designs to meet the needs of users all around the world. The company’s research and development departments are cutting edge. This investment strengthens AQFiT’s mission of contributing to a healthy future in which innovation and technology are in sync with human values.

On commenting on this collaboration, Mr Michael Bruun-Larsen, Director, Deep Nordic Aps, said, “We are elated to share the great news with everyone, that we have partnered with AQFIT. Originating from Delhi, the AQFiT brand has proven itself viable and capable to grow fast in the wearable and audio segments in the Indian market, from talent alone.”

Over the next two years, Deep Nordic Aps acquired a majority stake in AQFiT, to support marketing, supply chain, and R&D in AQFIT, to become one of India’s top three smart wearable companies.

Deep Nordic ApS supports AQFiT’s aim of assisting in the development of a healthy future in which innovation and technology are in harmony with human values. The strategic partnership will yield technology ahead of the market and state of art manufacturing infrastructure.”

Danish Ambassador to India, H.E. Freddy Svane, said, “This investment is a prime example of strategic collaboration between Denmark technology expertise and Indian talent empowering health and smart living locally. There will be trade enhancement and efficient bilateral relations between the two countries. The strategic partnership will result in cutting-edge technologies and manufacturing facilities in India. India’s start-up AQFIT will benefit immensely from technology advancement and foray into IoT and specialized wearable products.”

Manish Pengoriya, Co-Founder and Director, said, “The strategic collaboration between the AQFIT & Deep Nordic will build a strong relationship between the two countries. The strategic partnership will also emphasize the made in India incentive announced by the Finance minister in the recent budget for smart wearable and audio products.”

Sanjeev Singh, Co-founder and CEO of AQFIT, said, “Our Customer First approach and Quality Offering was a key parameter for this investment and with this new collaboration we continue to build outstanding quality and technology-driven products to our customers across India and beyond. This collaboration further helps us to expand our distribution footprint across our channels, especially offline and Large Format Retail. Our team is quite excited about this collaboration.”

In its constant endeavour to empower and extend support to budding women entrepreneurs from various walks of life, Ghoshak, an organisation that empowers small and medium businesses (SMBs) across India, has joined hands with Matrangal, a Chennai-based platform that works towards exclusively helping women entrepreneurs to create a brand identity through the promotion and generation of business by way of empowering each other.

The Ghoshak-Matrangal partnership came into effect on March 8,2022, International Women’s Day, at an event which had Ma. Subramanian, Minister of Health and Family Welfare, Government of Tamil Nadu, addressing women entrepreneurs. The event was attended by Karunanithi J, MLA, T-Nagar; Mylai T Velu, MLA, Mylapore; Sai Dhanshika, film actress; and Akshara Reddy, Miss Super Globe – World 2019, and actress-model.

In tune with the way technology has been penetrating every sphere of life, Chennai-based Ghoshak has enabled more than 15,000 small and medium sized businesses in India. From creating an online store, booking appointments, digital payments, inventory management, and offering discounts, Ghoshak’s plug-and-play technology solutions enable shop owners to sell from anywhere and everywhere. Saas-based startup Goshak was founded by Rajesh Subramanian in 2020.