by Editor | Aug 29, 2024 | News, Politics
New Delhi: India and Russia on Wednesday discussed the use of space monitoring technologies for risk forecasting and emergency response during the second meeting of their joint commission on the cooperation in the field of emergency management in Moscow, a government statement said.
During the meeting, both sides signed a working plan of the commission which will be implemented during 2025-26, it said.
“Both the countries agreed to implement this Plan during 2025-2026 and also decided to continue the exchange of the best practices and lessons learnt in the field of Disaster Management,” the statement said.
The Indian delegation, led by Minister of State for Home Affairs Nityanand Rai, and the Russian side under Kurenkov Aleksandr Vyacheslavovich, Minister of the Russian Federation for Civil Defence, Emergencies and Elimination of Consequences of Natural Disasters (EMERCOM of Russia) held the second meeting of the Commission in Moscow on Wednesday.
During the meeting, three key issues were deliberated within the overall framework of cooperation — use of space monitoring technologies for risk forecasting and emergency response, exchange of experiences of responding to large-scale disasters and cooperation in the field of training of fire and rescue specialists.
Both delegations expressed interests to intensify joint efforts to develop further cooperation in the field of emergency management, to exchange best practices in emergency management, including disaster monitoring and forecasting, and training of rescue specialists and firefighters.
by Editor | Aug 29, 2024 | News, Politics
New Delhi: The WHO has recently said the current outbreak of the Chandipura virus in India is the largest in 20 years.
According to the global health body, between early June and August 15, the Ministry of Health reported 245 cases of AES (Acute Encephalitis Syndrome), including 82 deaths (case fatality rate or CFR 33 per cent).
A total of 43 districts in India are currently reporting AES cases.
Of these, 64 are confirmed cases of the Chandipura virus (CHPV) infection.
“CHPV is endemic in India, with previous outbreaks occurring regularly. However, the current outbreak is the largest in the past 20 years,” the World Health Organisation (WHO) said in its Disease Outbreak news on August 23.
CHPV is a member of the Rhabdoviridae family and is known to cause sporadic cases and outbreaks of AES in western, central and southern parts of India, especially during the monsoon season.
Cases are sporadically present across various districts as in previous outbreaks. Notably, there is a rise in CHPV outbreaks every four to five years in Gujarat.
It is transmitted by vectors such as sandflies, mosquitoes and ticks. The CFR from the CHPV infection is high (56-75 per cent) and there is no specific treatment or vaccine available.
“Survival can be increased with early access to care and intensive supportive care of patients,” the WHO said.
by Editor | Aug 29, 2024 | News, Politics
New Delhi: In an unprecedented move, the Centre has allowed the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) to utilise Aadhaar-based authentication to verify candidates’ identities voluntarily, both at the time of registration and during several stages of examinations and recruitment.
The Ministry of Personnel, Public Grievanves and Pensions said, “In pursuance of sub-clause (ii) of clause (b) of sub-section (4) of section 4 of the Aadhaar (Targeted Delivery of Financial and Other Subsidies, Benefits and Services) Act, 2016, (as amended) read with rule 5 of the Aadhaar Authentication for Good Governance (Social Welfare, Innovation, Knowledge) Rules, 2020, Ministry of Personnel, Public Grievances and Pensions, Department of Personnel and Training, having been authorised by the Central government, hereby notifies that the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) is allowed to perform Aadhaar authentication, on voluntary basis, for verification of identity of candidates at the time of registration on ‘One Time Registration’ portal and various stages of examination/recruitment test, using Yes/No or/and e-KYC authentication facility.”
“Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) shall adhere to all provisions of the Act, the rules and regulations made there under, and directions issued by the ‘Unique Identification Authority of India’,” the Ministry of Personnel, Public Grievanves and Pensions said.
by Editor | Aug 29, 2024 | Business, News, Politics
Bengaluru: There has been a significant surge in the white-collar job market in India as 73 per cent of employers actively hired between April and June, according to a report on Thursday.
The report by Indeed, a global matching and hiring platform, showed that this is a 7 per cent increase from the previous quarter (January-March 2024) indicative of a clear momentum building in key sectors despite broader economic challenges.
It also showed that the demand for IT roles remains robust, with positions like data analysts (23 per cent), data engineers (16 per cent), and data scientists (11 per cent) at the forefront.
Further, sales and marketing roles have also emerged as critical areas of focus for employers, with 30 per cent of hires in sales and 23 per cent in marketing.
As organisations aim to strengthen their market presence, these roles are increasingly seen as pivotal to driving business success, the report said.
“Our latest hiring tracker offers a detailed snapshot of the labour market’s current dynamics. While IT roles continue to be in high demand, the growing emphasis on sales and marketing shows a shift in employer priorities,” said Sashi Kumar, Head of Sales, Indeed India.
by Editor | Aug 29, 2024 | News, Politics
External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar on Thursday received Director General Yaakov Blitshtein of Israel in Delhi where the two noted the development of India-Israel cooperation.
Jaishankar said that they exchanged views on the ongoing situation in West Asia.
In a post on X, Jaishankar said, “Pleased to receive Director General Yaakov Blitshtein of Israel today in Delhi. Noted the continued development of India-Israel cooperation. Exchanged views on the ongoing situation in West Asia.”
Earlier on Wednesday, India and Israel held the 17th Round of Foreign Office Consultations, during which Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri shared India’s concern at the escalating situation in West Asia and emphasized restraint, dialogue, and diplomacy.
According to the Ministry of External Affairs, the Indian side was led by the Foreign Secretary, Vikram Misri, and the Israeli side was led by the Director General of the Israeli Ministry of Foreign Affairs Yaakov Blitshtein.
“Reflecting on the strength of the India-Israel Strategic Partnership, both sides discussed various issues of bilateral interest in depth and reviewed the entire gamut of bilateral endeavours.
