Ever since the government-service exams have gone online, the selection of students from Tier 2 and 3 cities has dropped down. It is not because of lack of knowledge of the candidates but due to the teething issues related to shift to computers. The efficiency of students fell from 65/100 to 35/100 when they shifted to digital mode, due to lack of exposure to computers. Many college graduates in these areas find it hard to operate a computer. The strategy to attempt exam changes as the mode shifts from offline to online. In an offline exam, all the questions are available at once, while in the online pattern you can see only one question at a time.

The application process for railway recruitment came to an end on March 31, 2018. Reports had earlier suggested that more than 2.5 crore candidates had applied for more than 89,000 jobs advertised by Indian Railways.

Now that the application process is over, candidates need to begin preparation for the selection process. The selection process for Group C level I will involve a Computer Based Test (CBT). Those who qualify the CBT will have to appear for a Physical Efficiency Test (PET). 

The selection process for Group C level II will involve two stages of Computer Based Test (CBT). In case of candidates who have opted for ALP post and qualify for the second stage, CBT will have to appear for a computer-based Aptitude Test (AT). 

CBT marks will be normalized for each exam. There will also be negative marking for each incorrect answer. 1/3rd of the marks allotted to each question will be deducted for an incorrect answer. 

First stage: Computer Based Test (CBT)

It will contain objective, multiple choice questions. There will be total 75 questions and the duration of the same will be 60 minutes. Questions will be framed from:

— Mathematics

— General Intelligence and Reasoning

— General Science

— General awareness of current affairs

Exam syllabus

Mathematics

Number system, BODMAS, decimals, fractions, LCM, HCF, ratio and proportion, percentages, mensuration, time and work; time and distance, simple and compound interest, profit and loss, algebra, geometry and trigonometry, elementary statistics, square root, age calculations, calendar and clock, Pipes and cistern etc.

General Intelligence and Reasoning

Analogies, alphabetical and number series, coding, and decoding, mathematical operations, relationships, syllogism, jumbling, Venn diagram, data interpretation and sufficiency, conclusions and decision making, similarities, and differences, analytical reasoning, classification, directions, statement – arguments and assumptions etc.

General Science

The focus should be on physics, chemistry and life sciences of class 10.

General Awareness

Current affairs in science and technology, sports, culture, personalities, economics, politics and other subjects of importance.

Second stage: Computer Based Test (CBT)

Part A:

Mathematics

It will contain 100 objective type questions. The duration of the same will be 90 minutes.

— General Intelligence and Reasoning

— Basic Science and Engineering

— General awareness of current affairs

Exam syllabus

Mathematics

Number system, BODMAS, decimals, fractions, LCM, HCF, ratio and proportion, percentages, mensuration, time and work; time and distance, simple and compound interest, profit and loss, algebra, geometry and trigonometry, elementary statistics, square root, age calculations, calendar and clock, pipes and cistern etc.

General Intelligence and Reasoning

Analogies, alphabetical and number series, coding, and decoding, mathematical operations, relationships, syllogism, jumbling, Venn diagram, data interpretation and sufficiency, conclusions and decision making, similarities, and differences, analytical reasoning, classification, directions, statement – arguments and assumptions etc.

Basic Science and Engineering

Engineering drawing (projections, views, drawing instruments, lines, geometric figures, symbolic representation), units, measurements, mass weight and density, work power and energy, speed and velocity, heat and temperature, basic electricity, levers and simple machines, occupational safety and health, environment education, IT literacy etc.

General Awareness

Current affairs in science and technology, sports, culture, personalities, economics, politics and any other subjects of importance.

Part B:

Subject – Relevant trade

There will be total 75 questions and the duration of the exam will be 60 minutes.

Qualifying mark: 35 percent (This is applicable to all candidates and no relaxation is permissible).

This part is qualifying in nature and shall have questions from the trade syllabus prescribed by Director General of Employment and Training (DGET).

Computer-based aptitude test

(Only for candidates who have opted for ALP)

The candidate needs to secure a minimum score of 42 marks in each of the test batteries to qualify. This is applicable to all candidates and no relaxation is permissible. The ALP merit list will be drawn only from the candidates qualifying in the aptitude test, with 70 percent weightage for the marks obtained in the part A of the second stage CBT and 30 percent weightage for the marks obtained in computer-based AT.

Tips and suggestions

— Attempt as many mock tests you can for the exam. Also, after you give each mock test, it is imperative to analyze your performance in order improve your scores. Remember, only taking mock tests aren’t enough, what you do between two mocks is what will decide your performance.

— As you know, GK and general science are topics that require a lot of memorization. To do this well, repetition is the key. Thus, covering these topics daily along with a test is a good preparation strategy. These sections are extremely important as they can mark the difference between a successful and a failed attempt. Hence, proper preparation here could be the key to clearing the exam.

— Work on your exam attempt strategy. This is one of the most important aspects of test-taking and mocks are the most effective tools to help you devise a winning exam attempt strategy.

(The author Ashutosh Kumar is the CEO and co-founder at Testbook.com, a leading online government exam preparation portal.)

Mumbai: On the occasion of the 12^th anniversary of Shree Sai Clinic, a multi-speciality hospital, Goregaon has unveiled a privilege health card for senior citizens to get benefits on diagnosis, pathology and surgical treatment.

More than 200 senior citizens have been screened freely for 12 parameters includes  HB, CBC, ESR, bl group, Blood Sugar fasting, Se, Cholesterol, Sgot, SGPT, Se Creatinine, Urine routine, ECG consultation. It also included 10 minute talk on dental care and joint pain by specialist.

Elderly shall be entitled to various benefits on health check ups for life time. Dr. Sunil Chavan, Managing Director & Orthopaedic Surgeon, Shree Sai Clinic says, “Aging can bring about various health issues, it’s important to understand the challenges faced by people as they are growing older and older. Senior citizens usually suffer from various Orthopaedic ailments such as arthritis, joint pains, weak bones. Also, Heart disease, stroke, cancer, diabetes, Bp, Obesity, Alzheimer is among the most common health ailments which they face. Hence we thought of introducing a health card and enrolled member will get benefits on it.

UAE : In a market that has been fraught with uncertainties, globally, the rising popularity of cryptocurrency cannot be overlooked. For the UAE itself, the central banks and regulators have mulled various measures to ensure the systems are robust and risk-appropriate, so as to be able to better regulate these currencies which have historically shown intense volatility. Today, the UAE is even considering establishing virtual currency exchanges given the immense popularity among financial market participants.

But this was not easy for the UAE. To begin with, concerns over issues off cryptocurrencies being used or rather misused for illegal activities such as money-laundering or even funding terrorist organisations have been on the minds of regulators and policy-makers in the region. This was one of the major hurdles for Amit Lakhanpal, the man who brought cryptocurrencies to the UAE.

Beginning as a real estate entrepreneur, the 33-year old Computer Science Masters professional from Cambridge University cashed in on his natural pioneering spirit and thirst for bringing disruptive technologies to hitherto unexplored regions. Backed by his solid educational qualifications, which include a diploma in asset and wealth management Blockchain technology and Digital Smart Contract, Dr Lakhanpal launched Money Trade Coin – a group which houses a cryptocurrency exchange, the world’s largest online shopping mall, wallet services as well as a cryptocurrency academy. This he brought to the UAE, through a partnership with Dubai based firm Bitcoin Global FZE, UAE with the aim of furthering global financial integration through the art of better transactions. UK Emirati Mrs Salma Al Kitebe – a close aide to the royal family in the UAE is also a partner in intellectual property rights for this cryptocurrency.

Apart from the huge potential that it offered, it was Dr Lakhanpal’s futuristic views and intense commitment to ensuring adequate security for transactions conducted on the platform that led to the beginning of the success story for his group in the UAE. “We have founded the group on principles of providing easy, value added and secure solutions to customers and that has been a major driver for our growth”, says Dr Lakhanpal.

His acute business sense is not all that he has brought to the world – this young visionary has also authored a book titled “The World of Crypto Currency”, which educates the general public about the technology and its disruptive powers. Thus, he has made disruptive, new-age technological solutions easily understandable and accessible for the common man. His cryptocurrency academy provides training and educates both newbies and professionals about this technology and its uses, thus bridging gaps and promoting transparent, collaborative growth and development for the market.

Such is the persona of this Indian national, that his innovative initiatives have led him to be awarded with the prestigious Mahatma Gandhi Gaurav Samman for excellence in promoting global integration and economic development.

Today, some banks in the UAE have even banned online cryptocurrency trading, to protect customers from falling prey to frauds resulting from insecure systems associated with many such currencies. There is ample room for embezzlement of money used to trade in such virtual currency, if given the leeway. Dr Lakhanpal himself advises “While the market opportunity is huge, trading of such currencies is not a simple game, instead requires one to clearly understand and assess their risk appetite before venturing into it for higher returns. We conduct our business with focus on complete transparency and adding value for our customers.” 

New Delhi : India Meteorological Department (IMD) on Monday forecast that the monsoon this year will be normal, with rainfall of 97 per cent of the long period average (LPA) with an error of plus or five per cent. 

If the forecast comes true, it will augur well for the country’s economy, as it will be the third successive normal monsoon year. The country had recorded a rainfall of 97 per cent in 2016 and 98 per cent last year during the season, which runs from June to September. 

The long period average for the season is calculated on the basis of the mean rainfall during the four-month monsoon season over a 50 year period from 1951-2010. It comes to an average of 89 cm for the country as a whole. 

Announcing the forecast, IMD Director General, K.J. Ramesh, said the forecast was based on both statistical ensemble forecasting system and a dynamic global climate forecasting system. The dynamic model has forecast a rainfall of 99 per cent plus or minus a model error of five per cent, while the statistical model forecast is 97 per cent plus or minus model error of five percent. 

IMD would come out with an update in early June. At that point of time, apart from an updated forecast for the country as a whole and the season in its entirety, the Department would issue separate forecasts for rainfall for the months of July and August for the country as a whole and season-wide rainfall for the four distinct geographical areas – north-west India, south peninsula, north-east India and Central India. 

Dr Ramesh also announced category-wise forecast in terms of probabilities for normal (96% to 104 %), above normal (104% to 110%), excess (more than 110%), below normal (90% to 96%) and deficient (less than 90%) rainfall. There was a probability of 42 per cent for a normal rainfall, followed by 12 per cent for above normal, 30 per cent for below normal, two percent for excess and 14 per cent for deficient rainfall. “There is thus maximum probability of normal rainfall and low probability for deficient rainfall”.  

Referring to various global and regional factors that influence Indian monsoon, he said, the El Nino-La Nina factor is expected to be normal this year. A moderate La Nina condition had developed in the equatorial Pacific during last year. It, however, started weakening in the early parts of this year and has currently turned into a weak La Nina condition. The latest forecasts from Indian and global models indicate that in it will go away before the beginning of the season. 

As regards Indian Ocean Dipole phenomenon, which is the other important factor, he said, at present neutral IOD conditions are prevailing and recent forecasts indicate that a weak negative IOD conditions may develop during the middle of the monsoon season and this has been factored into the overall forecast. IMD would continuously monitor the situation”, he added. (India Science Wire)

The civil society groups have said that the draft National Forest Policy 2018, despite some stated objectives, does not appear  to be for conservation and regeneration of forests but for capture of forests by private, corporate entities through PPPs, production forestry, increasing productivity of plantations, production of quality timber (and not fuelwood or fodder for communities), and facilitating forest-industry interface.

Reacting to the draft National Policy, 2018 that has been put up on the website for public  comments by the government, the civil society groups have sought an explanation from the Ministry on as to why a draft policy written in collaboration with civil society was retracted, why no reference to such a draft is being made anywhere and why it had to be revised.

The reference to Forest Policy 1988 is a tokenism since there is no reason why the core perspectives, principles and strategies of the current policy are being watered down, with the proposed policy moving in a different direction, which is mainly about industry and forest department take-over, without any recognition that people’s protection efforts contributed to forest cover improving, the civil society has said. 

Natural forests serve as a gene pool resource and help to maintain ecological balance. Such forests should not, therefore, be made available to industries for undertaking plantation and for any other activities. The total forest cover in 2017, even in a contested definition of “forest cover” is just 21.54% as against a target of 33% which makes it an absolute imperative that no diversion can take place.

Pointing out that for forest communities, forests are a source of their food, nutrition, livelihood, collective memory and a vital link between their past and present, the groups have said the draft Policy needs to recognize and lay adequate emphasis on the immense contribution of forests as food and nutrition producing habitats. Such a policy thrust will contribute to improve forest biodiversity, forest protection and also the indigenous forest-based economy and food cultures.. These foods are available round the year, equitably accessible to all and encompass the forest people’s life as a safety net, a source of vital nutrients, rare delicacies, cultural relatedness, and social rootedness. The prevalent market price of foods fails to fully capture its value as it saves lives during periods of food scarcity, prevents endemic malnutrition and provides important therapeutic solutions.

A recognition of women’s contribution is clearly spelt out in the 1988 policy. Years later, a new legal regime also got set up around forest rights, through the Scheduled Tribes and Other Traditional Forest Dwellers (Recognition of Forest Rights) Act, 2006, which is usually referred to as the Forest Rights Act or FRA. It is important that rights of indigenous communities and traditional forest dwellers as contained in FRA 2006 should be upheld to ensure that migrant encroachers in addition to corporate entities do not usurp these rights. 

Agriculture in and around forests should be sustainable, devoid of any chemicals or transgenics, and based on regenerative agro-ecological principles. This has to be an integral part of any forest policy in the country, to sustain the forest as well as the farming eco-systems and the communities, the civil society groups have said.

India, through the existing Forest Policy of 1988 and FRA 2006, has the required correct perspectives towards forest management by providing ownership and management to adivasis and other traditional forest dwellers, and in that sense, prioritized its forest policy thrust in a win-win approach for forests/wildlife and adivasis/traditional forest dwellers. State-managed forestry and revenue maximization by industry have already been relegated to a backseat and rightly so. In such a context, it is unclear why we need a new revised policy at all and why the forest department cannot work through the local institutions that FRA operates through, the CSOs have said in their response adding that they could speculate that this new policy draft is an exercise to provide a basis for CAF 2016, with the funding for implementation of the proposed policy coming from Compensatory Afforestation Funds.

“We would like to say that the challenge being faced by the Government, as articulated in this draft Forest Policy, cannot be defined as finding a way out of an ecological disaster but rather as motivating the citizens of the nation and collaborating with them/supporting them to take charge of their responsibility to future generations, leaving a greener, cleaner, cooler and purer environment than what we have inherited. This latter approach is certainly possible and should be the main thrust, “ they have said.

The United Nations refugee agency and the Government of Bangladesh on Friday signed a cooperation agreement on the safe, dignified return of Rohingya refugees to their homes in Myanmar, “once conditions there are conducive.”

Noting that such conditions are not present at the moment, the UN refugee agency urged Myanmar authorities to create them as well as to take concrete measures to address the root causes of displacement.

“The responsibility for creating such conditions remains with the Myanmar authorities, and these must go beyond the preparation of physical infrastructure to facilitate logistical arrangements,” the Office of the UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) stressed.

The agency also noted that in the absence of a UNHCR-Myanmar-Bangladesh agreement, it has continued to engage with both Governments in negotiations on two separate memoranda of understanding (MOUs), meant to ensure that any future returns are conducted in line with the international standards.

More than 670,000 members of the Muslim minority Rohingya community fled violence in Myanmar since August 2017, joining an estimated 200,000 Rohingya who have sought shelter in Bangladesh, arriving in waves over the past decades.

According to UNHCR, the refugees have said that before considering return to Myanmar, they would need to see concrete progress in relation to their legal status and citizenship, security, and their ability to enjoy basic rights at home in Rakhine state.

UNHCR also urged the Myanmar Government to immediately provide full and unhindered access to refugees’ places of origin in Rakhine, which would enable it to assess the situation and provide information to refugees about conditions in the places of origin, as well as to monitor any 

possible future return and reintegration of refugees.

“Another practical measure would be to ease restrictions on movement for the internally displaced persons encamped in the central townships of Rakhine state, which would also help to build confidence among refugees in Bangladesh,” it added.

“Such concrete measures would help demonstrate to refugees that the Government of Myanmar is committed to a sustainable solution.”

NEW DELHI : The Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh has said the Government is promoting the emergence of India as a medical destination to the world. Addressing the 127th Founder’s Day Celebrations of Sir Ganga Ram Hospital here today, the Union Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) has taken several steps towards boosting medical tourism such as extending e-Visa to 161 countries. Besides, the MHA has extended the duration of stay on e-Visa from 30 to 60 days and also allowed triple entry in e-Medical Visa cases.

Speaking about the Health Sector, Rajnath Singh said in a country of 125 crore people, providing Healthcare to all is a huge challenge. We have very skewed doctor-patient ratio. If we see Health Sector spending, it constitutes just 1.16 percent of the GDP. But we are determined to increase it significantly, at least to 2.5 percent.

He said given the huge income disparity in India, the Prime Minister Narenda Modi introduced the Ayushman Bharat scheme to provide the best healthcare for the poor and needy. He said Ayushman Bharat is the National Health Protection Scheme, which will cover over 10 crore poor and vulnerable families (approximately 50 crore beneficiaries), providing medical insurance cover up to Rupees 5 lakh per family per year for secondary and tertiary care hospitalization.

The Union Home Minister said providing universal healthcare will not be possible without the participation of the private sector. “You will agree that whereas people should get affordable healthcare they should also get universal health cover. To ensure Care and Cover both, we need huge investment in health sector. This can happen only with active contribution of private sector,” said Rajnath Singh. “We see private sector in health sector as our strategic partner,” he added.

Rajnath Singh said the basic rule for good health is hygiene and the Swachh Bharat Mission has been launched by the Prime Minister as the first step towards achieving the goal of universal healthcare.

CHENNAI: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday declared that India’s commitment to peace was just as strong as its commitment to protecting its people and the country’s territory.

Inaugurating the Defexpo’s 10th edition on the East Coast Road near here in the historic region of Kanchipuram in Tamil Nadu, Mr. Modi said the government was ready to take all necessary measures to equip the armed forces, including through the establishment of a strategically independent defence industrial complex.

In a veiled message to the neighbouring nations, particularly China with whom India’s border is yet to be settled and territorial disputes keep sprouting, Mr. Modi said India has never desired anyone’s territory. 

“India believes in winning hearts, message of peace and universal brotherhood has been spread since vedic times,’’ he said while referring to the spread of Buddhism to the world and Emperor Ashoka’s strength to protect highest ideals of humanity.

Stating that there was a time when the critical issue of defence preparedness was hampered by policy paralysis, he quipped:  Â“We have seen the damage such laziness, incompetence or perhaps some hidden motives, can cause to the nation. Not now, Not anymore, Never again.”

He said the government successfully resolved the issue of providing bullet proof jackets to Indian soldiers which was kept hanging for years. His oblique attack was directed at the Congress President Rahul Gandhi who has alleged scam in defence deals, particularly Rafale fighter aircraft deal with France.  

“We have brought the process to a successful conclusion with a contract that will provide a boost to defence manufacturing in India”, he said.  

Mr. Modi said the government has not only taken bold action to meet critical requirements of the forces, but also initiated a new process to procure 110 fighter aircrafts, adding the government would not wait for 10 years to procure arms for the forces.

The Prime Minister underlined a number of steps taken by his government over the last few years towards ease of doing business in India. “On defence manufacturing licenses, on defence offsets, on defence exports clearances, on Foreign Direct Investment in defence manufacturing, and on reforming our defence procurement, we have taken many steps,’’ he told the gathering.

Mr. Modi said the defence procurement procedure has been revised with many specific provisions for stimulating growth of domestic defence industry. 

Quoting figures to bolster his arguments, Mr. Modi said in May 2014, the total number of defence export permission granted stood at 118, for a total value of 577 million dollars. “In less than four years, we have issued 794 more export permissions, for a total value of over 1.3 billion dollars,” he said.

“We are committed to establishing two Defence industrial corridors – one in Tamil Nadu and another in Uttar Pradesh. These will utilize defence manufacturing ecosystems in the regions and further build upon it. The corridors will become engines of economic development and growth of 

defence industrial base,’’ he said.

The Prime Minister who formally launched the ‘Innovation for Defence Excellence’ (IDEX) scheme at Defexpo, said it will set up defence innovation hubs throughout the country to provide necessary incubation and infrastructure support to the start-ups in defence sector will be encouraged.  

His nearly half-an-hour speech laid down the government’s roadmap to take India to its goal of being one of key makers and exporters of defence equipment.

He reminded the people that Tamil Nadu is the land of the great Cholas who established India’s historical civilization links through trade and education. “India is a land of glorious maritime legacy, and Tamil Nadu has been at the forefront of that legacy. This is the land from where India Looked East and Acted East for thousands of years,’’ he added.

Noting that over 500 Indian companies and over 150 foreign companies are participating in the DefExpo 2018 and more than 40 countries have sent their official delegations, Mr. Modi said that it was for the first time that he was at the Defexpo.

Later, the Prime Minister also witnessed a live demonstration of fire-power, air display, and land warfare by Navy, Army and Air Force.

The F-35 program has accomplished the final developmental test flight of the System Development and Demonstration (SDD) phase of the program.

“Completing F-35 SDD flight test is the culmination of years of hard work and dedication from the joint government and industry team,” said Vice Adm. Mat Winter, F-35 Program Executive Officer. “Since the first flight of AA-1 in 2006, the developmental flight test program has operated for more than 11 years mishap-free, conducting more than 9,200 sorties, accumulating over 17,000 flight hours, and executing more than 65,000 test points to verify the design, durability, software, sensors, weapons capability and performance for all three F-35 variants. Congratulations to our F-35 Test Team and the broader F-35 Enterprise for delivering this new powerful and decisive capability to the warfighter.”

The final SDD flight occurred April 11 at Naval Air Station Patuxent River, Maryland., when Navy test aircraft CF-2 completed a mission to collect loads data while carrying external 2,000-pound GBU-31 Joint Direct Attack Munitions (JDAM) and AIM-9X Sidewinder heat-seeking missiles.

From flight sciences to mission systems testing, the critical work completed by F-35 test teams cleared the way for the Block 3F capability to be delivered to the operational warfighter. More than 1,000 SDD flight test engineers, maintainers, pilots and support personnel took the three variants of the F-35 to their full flight envelope to test aircraft performance and flying qualities.  The test team conducted six at-sea detachments and performed more than 1,500 vertical landing tests on the F-35B variant.  The developmental flight test team completed 183 Weapon Separation Tests; 46 Weapons Delivery Accuracy tests; 33 Mission Effectiveness tests, which included numerous multi-ship missions of up to eight F-35s against advanced threats. 

“The F-35 flight test program represents the most comprehensive, rigorous and the safest developmental flight test program in aviation history,” said Greg Ulmer, Lockheed Martin’s vice president and general manager of the F-35 program. “The joint government and industry team demonstrated exceptional collaboration and expertise, and the results have given the men and women who fly the F-35 great confidence in its transformational capability.”

Developmental flight test is a key component of the F-35 program’s SDD phase, which will formally be completed following an Operational Test and Evaluation and a Department of Defense decision to go into full-rate aircraft production.

While SDD required flight test is now complete, F-35 flight testing continues in support of phased capability improvements and modernization of the F-35 air system. This effort is part of the Joint Program Office’s Continuous Capability Development and Delivery (C2D2) framework, which will provide timely, affordable incremental warfighting capability improvements to maintain joint air dominance against evolving threats to the United States and its allies.

With stealth technology, advanced sensors, weapons capacity and range, the F-35 is the most lethal, survivable and connected fighter aircraft ever built. More than a fighter jet, the F-35’s ability to collect, analyze and share data is a powerful force multiplier that enhances all airborne, surface and ground-based assets in the battlespace and enables men and women in uniform to execute their mission and return home safe.

NEW DELHI : 1.5 Million rural residents in State of Madhya Pradesh are going to directly benefit from improved livelihoods, education and mobility with the USD $ 140-Million loan approved by the Board of Directors of the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB) in a Meeting held recently in Beijing. The Project, co-financed with the World Bank, aims to improve the rural road connectivity and management for residents of about 5,640 villages who use the rural roads for daily activities.

Livelihoods of the rural population will be improved by expanding income earning opportunities through better farm-to-market road connections. Moreover, more children are expected to enroll in higher education programs and school attendance is expected to further improve. The road maintenance pilot under the Project will employ more women, contributing to gender equality and income generation.

“Promoting sustainable growth in India through investment in rural infrastructure will require substantial financing,” said AIIB Vice President and Chief Investment Officer D.J. Pandian. “I am glad that AIIB’s participation in this project will contribute to reducing this financing gap and enhance overall development in the region.”

In addition to the above, the Project also aims to improve durability and accessibility, and enhance resilience to climate change of the gravel surfaced rural road in State of Madhya Pradesh while building the capacity of the State to manage its rural road network and road safety.

The planned activities under the Project are:

· Upgrading the gravel surfaced roads to a sealed surface standard.

· Providing additional linkages to villages with potential for high growth.

· Enhancing institutional capacity through implementing/upgrading a rural road asset management system and strengthening design and research and quality assurance capacity of the implementation agency.

· Developing road safety management capacity with road accident data management system and piloting a comprehensive road safety program.

· Supporting design, implementation and management.

AIIB Director General of Investment Operations Supee Teravaninthorn said that this Project will provide sustainable and safe last-mile connectivity to small villages and improve mobility of the rural population of Madhya Pradesh. He said that the Project will stimulate economic development in the entire State of Madhya Pradesh and improve the livelihoods of the rural population, especially rural women and girls. It is a typical reflection of our priorities of enhancing economic growth and sustainability through infrastructure investment.