Pakistan extended formal invitation to PM Narendra Modi to attend Shanghai Cooperation Organisation meeting

• Pakistan has extended invitations to all heads of government of SCO member states, including Prime Minister Modi, for the upcoming Council of Heads of Government (CHG) meeting in Islamabad to be held on October 15 and 16.

Shanghai Cooperation Organisation

• The SCO originated from the "Shanghai Five," formed in 1996, consisting of China, Russia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, and Tajikistan.
• It was created to address concerns about extremist religious groups and ethnic tensions following the dissolution of the USSR in 1991.

Establishment: 

• SCO was established on 15th June 2001, in Shanghai, adding Uzbekistan as a sixth member.
• Before the inclusion of Belarus, it had nine members: India, Iran, Kazakhstan, China, Kyrgyzstan, Pakistan, Russia, Tajikistan, and Uzbekistan.
• Afghanistan and Mongolia hold Observer Status.

Shanghai Cooperation Organization Objectives

• The SCO aims to promote cooperation and mutual support in areas such as trade, investment, energy, transportation, and security. 
• The Shanghai Spirit is the core value of the SCO. It is about mutual trust, mutual benefit, equality, consultation, respect for cultural diversity, and the pursuit of common development among the SCO members.
• The official working language of the SCO Secretariat is Russian and Chinese.

The main objectives of SCO are:

1. Strengthen relations among member states.
2. Promote cooperationin political affairs, economics, and trade, scientific-technical, cultural, and educational spheres as well as in energy, transportation, tourism, and environmental protection.
3. Safeguard regional peace, security, and stability.
4. Create a democratic, equitableinternational political and economic order.

Significance: 

• Addresses security issues in Asia with primarily Asian members.
• The SCO is significant because it is one of the few international organisations focused on security issues and primarily consists of Asian members. 
• Russia and China view it as an alternative to the "Western" international order and are positioning themselves against US influence, alongside the BRICS grouping and seeking to counterbalance US influence.
• The SCO represents 40% of the world''s population, and member countries contribute approximately over USD 23 trillion to global GDP.

Challenges for India in SCO

• Balancing ties with China and Russia: India being part of Quad, its participation in the SCO requires it to balance its relations with two major powers, China and Russia, who have different regional and global priorities. 
• Addressing regional security concerns: India''s participation in the SCO will face the challenge of addressing the security issues such as terrorism, separatism, and extremism in collaboration with other member states.
• Managing relations with Pakistan: India and Pakistan have a complex history of animosity, and therefore, managing the relationship with Pakistan will be a significant challenge for India.
• Ensuring economic benefits: India''s economic integration with the SCO would need to address various issues, such as market access, infrastructure, and connectivity.
• Maintaining India''s strategic autonomy: Being a leader of the policy of non-alignment, India would need to balance its strategic autonomy in its foreign policy along with its commitments to the SCO.
• Issue of sovereignty: While India has made its opposition to the Belt and Road Initiative clear, all other SCO members have embraced the Chinese project.
• Low bilateral trade with SCO countries: India’s bilateral trade with Central Asia and Russia is very low compared to China’s trade with Russia and Central Asia.

How can India play an effective role in SCO?

• Preferring national currencies in trade settlement: India should push for more bilateral trade and settlement in national currencies to reduce dependence on the US Dollar and reduce price volatility.
• Towards the Asian century: SCO holds potential for improving India’s trade relations in the region, especially since East Asia is poised to become the new center of development of the world economy.
• Following the process of dialogue: The best way to address tensions or disagreements with other countries is to communicate diplomatically and openly rather than isolate oneself or other countries.
• Asian NATO: Regardless of the differences, the Indian government has consistently maintained the importance of the SCO grouping, referred to as the “Asian NATO”, although it does not mandate security alliances.
• Fight against terrorism: Close cooperation with SCO will strengthen the fight against terrorism, extremism, drug trafficking, and organized crime, among others.
• Tourism: Increasing awareness of our shared cultures can help boost tourism. 

Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi lays foundation stone of Vadhvan Port worth around Rs 76,000 crore in Palghar, Maharashtra

Key Highlights:

1. Projects Inaugurated:

• Vadhvan Port: Foundation stone laid for a ₹76,000 crore port near Dahanu, Palghar. Expected to be one of India''s largest deep-water ports, enhancing maritime connectivity, and generating significant employment opportunities.
• Fisheries Projects: Inauguration and foundation stone laying of 218 fisheries projects worth ₹1,560 crore aimed at improving infrastructure, productivity, and creating over 500,000 jobs in the sector.
• Vessel Communication and Support System: National rollout launched at ₹360 crore, including the installation of 100,000 transponders on fishing vessels to enhance communication, safety, and rescue operations.

2. Strategic Importance:

• Economic Impact: Vadhvan Port will be a major economic hub, benefiting from its deep berths and connectivity to major freight corridors, potentially transforming the region''s economic landscape.
• Fisheries Sector: The investments aim to modernize fishery infrastructure, enhance productivity, and support sustainable livelihoods, with a focus on technology and improved post-harvest management.

Vadhavan Port

• Geographical Location: Vadhvan Port is situated in the Palghar district of Maharashtra, north of Mumbai, and is close to the Arabian Sea.
• Strategic Importance: The port is expected to serve as a major gateway for trade, boosting the economic prospects of Maharashtra and the surrounding regions. Its location enhances its strategic significance in India''s maritime trade.
• Project Overview: The port is being developed as a deep-water, all-weather port capable of handling large vessels. It is planned to be one of India''s largest ports.
• Capacity and Infrastructure: The project includes the construction of docks, cargo handling facilities, and connectivity infrastructure such as roads and railways. It aims to handle a wide range of cargo, including containers, bulk cargo, and liquid cargo.

Significance of the Vadhavan Port Project for Indian Economy

Increased Capacity and Efficiency:

• Mega Port Status: Vadhavan will be India’s first mega port, capable of handling massive cargo volumes and accommodating the largest vessels like Capesize ships. 
• It will have a total capacity of 298 million metric tonnes (MMT) per year, including about 23.2 million TEU of container handling capability.
• Reduced Congestion: The new port will significantly alleviate pressure on existing ports, particularly the Jawaharlal Nehru Port Authority (JNPA), which currently handles a large share of India’s containerized cargo traffic.

Strategic Location and Connectivity:

• Gateway to International Corridors:Vadhavan’s location positions it as a crucial link for the International North-South Transportation Corridor (INSTC) and the India-Middle East-Europe Corridor (IMEEC).
• It facilitates smoother trade flow and improves trade efficiency. 

Economic Growth and Job Creation:

• Boost to EXIM Trade: The increased capacity and strategic location are expected to significantly benefit India’s import and export trade.
• Employment Opportunities: The project is estimated to generate direct and indirect employment opportunities for around 12,000 people.

Union Minister for Housing and Urban Affairs Chairs High-Level Meeting to Review Preparations for Swachhata Hi Seva 2024 Campaign

• The nationwide cleanliness initiative campaign is set to take place over a fortnight, beginning on the 17th of next month with several preparatory events and a curtain-raiser starting from the 14th of September. The campaign will culminate on 2nd October.
• This year marks a decade of commemorating the “Swachhata Hi Seva” campaign, an initiative that has been observed annually since its inception in 2014 in honour of Gandhi Jayanti.

Swachhata Hi Seva

• The "Swachhata Hi Seva" (Cleanliness is Service) campaign is an initiative by the Government of India aimed at promoting cleanliness and sanitation across the country.
• It aligns with the broader Swachh Bharat Mission (SBM), which seeks to improve sanitation and hygiene standards and eliminate open defecation.

Objectives

• Enhance Sanitation Awareness: The campaign aims to increase public awareness about the importance of cleanliness and hygiene.
• Promote Community Participation: It encourages people to take part in cleanliness drives and sanitation activities in their local communities.
• Strengthen Sanitation Infrastructure: The initiative supports the development and maintenance of sanitation facilities, including toilets and waste management systems.

Key Activities

• Cleanliness Drives: Organizing and participating in cleanliness drives and clean-up events in urban and rural areas.
• Educational Campaigns: Conducting workshops, seminars, and educational programs to inform people about sanitation practices.
• Waste Management Initiatives: Focusing on proper waste disposal and segregation to manage solid waste effectively.

 Implementation

• Local Participation: Engaging local communities, NGOs, and local government bodies to implement and promote cleanliness activities.
• Government Support: Utilizing government resources and funding to support sanitation projects and infrastructure improvements.

Challenges and Solutions

• Challenges: Resistance to change, lack of infrastructure, and insufficient awareness can hinder the effectiveness of cleanliness campaigns.
• Solutions: Strengthening public education, increasing budget allocations for sanitation, and involving community leaders to drive change.

 Swachh Bharat Abhiyan

• Swachh Bharat Abhiyan (SBA) is a national campaign initiated by the Government of India to clean the streets, roads, and infrastructure of the country’s cities and villages.
• Launched on October 2, 2014, SBA aims to fulfill Mahatma Gandhi’s dream of a clean and sanitary India. This initiative not only focuses on sanitation but also aims to bring about behavioral change in the people towards cleanliness and hygiene.

NHRC, India organizes an open house discussion on ‘Tribal Education in India: Problems, Policies and Perspective’

National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) Open House on Tribal Education: Key Highlights

Focus and Objectives:

• The discussion centered on the challenges and policies related to tribal education in India.
• Emphasis was placed on creating a culturally sensitive education system to empower tribal communities and address persistent barriers.

Barriers to Education:

• Geographical Isolation: Remote locations hinder access to educational facilities.
• Language Differences: Lack of materials and instruction in local languages affects comprehension and learning.
• Socioeconomic Challenges: Poverty, early marriages, and inadequate infrastructure contribute to educational disparities.

Current Initiatives:

• Ashram Schools and EMRSs: Evaluation of these programs to identify effectiveness and areas for improvement.

Key Recommendations:

1. Empirical Research:

• Tribal-Centric Studies: Need for focused research in universities to understand and address specific educational challenges faced by tribal communities.

2. Integrated Policy Approach:

• Infrastructure Development: Enhance facilities and infrastructure, including dedicated hostels for female tribal children.
• Community Engagement: Increase outreach and improve basic facilities like drinking water and sanitation, particularly in remote areas.

3. Teacher Training:

• Capacity-Building Programs: Sensitize teachers to tribal cultures and languages to facilitate better communication and understanding.

4. Local Language Integration:

• Curriculum Design: Incorporate local languages at the primary education level to improve comprehension and learning experiences.

Current Status of Tribal Education in India

Demographics and Enrollment:

• Population: According to the 2011 Census, Scheduled Tribes (STs) make up about 8.6% of the total population of India, which is roughly 104 million people.
• Enrollment:Enrolment rates in primary education for tribal children have improved, but there are still significant disparities compared to the general population. For instance, the Gross Enrollment Ratio (GER) for tribal children in elementary education was around 93% in 2020-21, according to data from the Ministry of Education.

Educational Achievement:

• Dropout Rates: Dropout rates remain a challenge. As per the National Sample Survey Office (NSSO) data, the dropout rate for tribal children in secondary education is significantly higher compared to their non-tribal counterparts. Efforts are being made to address these through various schemes and interventions.
• Quality of Education: The quality of education in tribal areas is often hindered by factors such as inadequate infrastructure, lack of trained teachers, and language barriers.

Government Schemes and Programs:

• ST/SC Scholarship Schemes: The government provides scholarships like the Pre-Matric and Post-Matric Scholarships for Scheduled Tribes to support their education financially.
• Tribal Sub-Plan (TSP): This program aims to allocate funds specifically for the development of tribal areas, including educational infrastructure and resources.
• Eklavya Model Residential Schools (EMRS): These schools are set up to provide quality education to tribal students from Class VI to XII. As of 2023, there are over 700 EMRS across the country, with a target to increase this number to 1,000.

Recent Developments:

• National Education Policy (NEP) 2020: The NEP emphasizes the need to integrate local culture and languages into the education system, which could benefit tribal students by making education more relevant and accessible. The policy also focuses on improving teacher training and the quality of education in tribal areas.
• Digital Initiatives: With the increasing emphasis on digital education, there are initiatives to provide digital learning resources and infrastructure in tribal areas, though challenges related to connectivity and technology access persist.

Solar Energy Corporation of India Ltd (SECI) attains Navratna Status

• Solar Energy Corporation of India Ltd (SECI), a Central Public Sector Enterprise (CPSE) under the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy has been granted the Navratna status 
• The company has posted a consolidated annual turnover of Rs. 13,118.68 Crore registering an increase of 20.85% over the previous year and Profit After Tax (PAT) of Rs 510.92 Crore registering a growth 34.89% in the Financial Year 2023-24.

Solar Energy Corporation of India Limited (SECI)

• SECI is a Central Public Sector Undertaking (CPSU) under the administrative control of the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE).
• It was set up on 20th September 2011 to facilitate the implementation of the National Solar Mission (NSM) and the achievement of targets set therein.
• It is the only CPSU dedicated to the renewable energy sector.

Vision:

• To build ‘Green India’ through harnessing abundant solar radiation and to achieve energy security for the country.

Mission:

• To become the leader in the development of large-scale solar installations, solar plants and solar parks and to promote and commercialize the use of solar energyto reach the remotest corner of India.
• To become a leader in exploring new technologies and their deploymentto harness solar energy.
• It was originally incorporated as a section-25 (not-for-profit) company under the Companies Act, 1956.
• However, through an amendment by the Government of India, the company was converted into a Section-3 company, in 2015, under the Companies Act, 2013.
• The mandate of the company has also been broadened to cover the entire renewable energy domain.
• The company is one of the nodal agencies for the implementation of a number of schemes of MNRE.In addition, SECI has ventured into solar project development on a turnkey basis for several PSUs/Government departments.
• The company also has a power trading license and is active in this domain through trading of solar powerfrom projects set up under the schemes being implemented by it.

Navratna Status

• The government categorises all Public Sector Undertakings (PSUs) into three categories, namely Maharatna, Navratna, and Miniratna.
• The Government had introduced the ‘Navratna’ scheme in 1997.

Criteria for Navratna status

• A PSU should be a Miniratna-I, Schedule ''A''company, should have obtained an ''excellent'' or ''very good'' MoU rating in three of the last five years, and must have a composite score of 60 in six performance indicators.
• It must report a net profit of more than Rs 5,000 crore for three consecutive years, and maintain an average annual turnover of Rs 25,000 crorefor three years, or have an annual average net worth of over Rs 15,000 crore for three years.

Benefits

• Financial Independence: They invest up to ₹1,000 crore without seeking approval from the central government.
• Navratna companies are also allowed to invest up to 15% of their net worth on a single project, or 30% of their net worth in a given year, subject to a cap of ₹1,000 crore.
• To incur capital expenditure on purchase of new items or for replacement, without any monetary ceiling.
• To enter into technology joint ventures or strategic alliances.