NEW DELHI : Union Minister of Railways, Piyush Goyal today announced various decisions taken by Ministry of Railways for Transformation of Indian Railways. 

Piyush Goyal said, “Railways is committed to ensuring high standards of safety, speed and service for Indian consumers and also ensuring contribution to national development. In the past one month, Indian Railways has taken significant transformative steps to ensure this goal.”

Several decisions announced by the Minister of Railways are as under

Highest priority to passenger safety

• Overriding and perceptible priority to safety
• Priority to track renewal over new lines/gauge conversion/ in allotment of rails
• Tremendous stress on field inspections by officers
• Overriding priority for granting maintenance blocks
• Eliminating remaining 5,000 unmanned level crossings in a time-bound manner
• Shift to LHB coaches from ICF coaches by next year
• Provision of CCTV cameras in coaches and stations for enhanced security especially benefitting women and senior citizens
• Ramping up electronic interlocking of signals in place of manual interlocking
• Revamping the existing signalling system – use of TPWS (Train Protection & Warning System)and MTRC (Mobile Train Radio Communication). Also considering modern signalling systems for suburban and long distance trains
• Using technology like ultra sonic frequency detection, cameras for detecting defects etc.
• All RPF staff and TTEs to be in proper uniform while on duty to bring in transparency
• RPF staff will not check tickets, which is the function of TTEs. They shall however assist ticket checking squads.

Transforming through technology

• Stress on extensive use of mobile apps for monitoring and passenger services
• All stations and trains to have high speed wi-fi connectivity
• Proposed to increase speed of around 700 trains with effect from 1st November 2017. 48 trains are being converted from Mail express to the Superfast category
• Expediting the project for GPS based real time monitoring of train movement
• Expediting satellite based mapping of all Railway assets through ISRO

Energy efficiency

• Completion of electrification by the next 4-5 years. This will lead to savings in energy costs of over Rs. 10,000 cr while reducing pollution and dependence on imported diesel
• 100% LED lighting and energy efficient appliances like fans, ACs etc. to be introduced in in trains, stations, office buildings and residential colonies in a time bound manner

Faster Redevelopment of stations

• About 20 stations will be modernised in an expedited manner with superior infrastructure and passenger facilities including hotels, eateries, shopping, disabled friendly, multimodal transport hub, security etc. by December 2018
• Identifying additional stations and trying to create a self-financing business model like reassessing tenure of contract, access control and freedom to sublease etc.

Railway Stations as Multi-utility centres

• Many stations that receive very few trains in a day are proposed to be used as Multi-utility centres for activities like yoga centres, skilling, educational purposes etc.

Upgrading health and education facilities

• Schools and hospitals operated by Indian Railways will be improved with infrastructure facilities, which will benefit not only railway employees but also other people

Human resources

• Tremendous stress is being laid on welfare of human resources
• Grievance Redressal Camps are being organised regularly. Grievance Redressal Cells are being set up in every Zonal/divisional headquarters for hearing employee complaints
• Extensive delegation of powers is being done
• Process reforms to improve the efficiency of the system is being taken up in an aggressive manner
• Reduction in number of organisational layers is being analysed
• Posting of brilliant and enthusiastic officers as Station Directors at 75 A1 Class Stations to bring dynamism in operations
• Posting additional ADRMs to strengthen divisional work by reallocation from headquarters

Focus on welfare of field staff

• Improving overall working conditions of Group D category staff. For example, gang-men, who are responsible to ensuring track safety, and who have to walk around 15-16 kms on an average in a particular day will be provided with comfortable uniforms and better quality shoes. Their living quarters (Gang huts) too will be improved
• Running rooms of loco drivers are being air conditioned

Enhancing Railway Revenue through monetisation of assets

• Monetisation of railway assets will improve finances and the operating ratio, freeing up resources for critical railway projects. This will be done by making land monetisation attractive by changing various rules and regulations

“These improvements will help the lifeline of our nation to flourish as well as contribute more to our economic and social development. The transformation of the Indian Railways is well under way to ensure it is not just the compulsion of the people but the choice of the people ” he added

MUMBAI : NASSCOM Foundation, in partnership with Mphasis has announced the launch of the tenth edition of the NASSCOM Social Innovation Forum (NSIF). The program instituted since 2008, identifies, honours and supports, innovative Information and Communications Technology (ICT) based projects, products and solutions that have the potential to address critical gaps in key developmental areas and contribute to inclusive growth. 

NSIF is inviting entries from a diverse range of social innovators across NGOs, Social Enterprises and Social Start-ups.

Mphasis, NSIF will award catalytic grants of INR 10 Lakhs each to the strongest tech innovations that are creating radical social impact in areas of Financial Inclusion, Healthcare, Environment, Education and Accessibility.

The projects will also be provided with a 12-month Support to Scale Mentoring by experts in the industry as well as access to NASSCOM Foundation’s network of tech for good leaders in the country.

Srikanth Karra from Mphasis said “In the last 3 years of Mphasis support to NSIF, the program has scaled significant heights not only in terms of geography and number of applicants, but also in terms of high quality innovations being recognised, receiving follow-on funding and catalysing bigger social impacts.“ 

Shrikant Sinha, CEO, NASSCOM said, “With active engagement with over 2000 innovators across sectors/verticals, from 25 states in the country, the NASSCOM Social Innovation Forum has become one of the strongest ecosystems encouraging tech-aided development in the country. As the NASSCOM Social Innovation Forum enters its 10th year, our goal is to become a driving force for technology for good and add momentum to the change-inspiring work of social innovators around the country.”

Applications for NSIF are open from 21 September – 31 October, 2017.

Once the applications are received, they will undergo a carefully designed 3 stage, shortlisting process with jury members consisting of the leaders from across industries. The winners will be announced and felicitated at the NASSCOM India Leadership Forum.

Diagnosis of dengue in tribal and remote rural areas remains a challenge unlike cities where hospitals and laboratories have necessary equipment and trained manpower.  

Over the years rapid diagnostic tests have been developed to address this challenge, but it was not known how good they were.  Now a team of researchers at ICMR-National Institute for Research in Tribal Health in Jabalpur has sought to address this concern. It has tested one commercially available kit and found that it was effective. It was found to have sensitivity and specificity of about 90 per cent.

The rapid diagnostic kit used in the study detects dengue virus-specific protein NS1 in a patient’s blood but is currently not recommended for testing dengue because other tests are more sensitive.

Researchers studied 249 individuals living in tribal locations who were suspected to be suffering from dengue and took their blood samples. The same sample was loaded onto the rapid diagnostic test and simultaneously sent to a remote laboratory so that the results can be compared with those of the gold standard tests- ELISA and qRT-PCR. 

“This rapid detection test can be used for preliminary diagnosis especially during outbreaks in far reach areas as early diagnosis can save lives. It may not be 100 per cent sensitive and as good as ELISA and qRT-PCR but it offered rapid point of care diagnostic test in real time,” Dr Pradip Barde, who led the research team told India Science Wire. “It took just 20 to 30 minutes to conduct one test as against six to eight hours for ELISA and qRT-PCR tests. Also, there was no need for trained manpower or high end equipment to conduct the tests.’’ The study results have been published.

Dr Barde feels similar tests should be conducted in other parts of the country with such rapid detection tests to verify their potential. “Rapid detection tests can be used for preliminary diagnosis especially during outbreaks in remote areas. After all, early diagnosis can help save lives.” 

J.P.Muliyil, Professor at Christian Medical College (CMC), Vellore, who is not connected to the study, said a rapid ‘point of care’ diagnostic test could help detect dengue infection in remote locations but pointed out that it can  only play a minimal role in reducing the disease burden. “Curbing the source of infection, that is, the mosquitoes, will help to achieve this objective better in the long run. Vector control is the key to curbing disease,” he added.   

The research team included Mohan Shukla, Neeru Singh and Ravendra Sharma, were involved in the study. (India Science Wire)

“Village Purelalla is slowly embracing change. A village which had no toilets at all has one community toilet today, thanks to the incessant efforts of Kavita Gautam, a GARIMA Peer Educator. “

Kavita Gautam, a quiet 19-year  old is a focused student. Her college is 25 kilometres away from her village (Purelalla village, block Rampur, district Jaunpur) and she travels by a bus every day to attend college. But this strenuous routine of going to college does not deter her from taking on the responsibilities of a peer educator. She became a peer educator in mid-2014, encouraged by the field facilitator and at the behest of her Adolescent Girls’ Group members.  GARIMA meetings brought a sea change in her and in the girls of her group.  In Kavita’s village most of the households still do not have toilets.  Thus, in their group discussions the girls would always discuss the issue of toilets and how they could address the problem of open defecation in the village.

When Kavita brought this up with the field facilitator, she encouraged the girls to get together and meet the Gram Pradhan to present their proposition for the construction of toilets.  Kavita unified the girls and they all met the Gram Pradhan and urged for the construction of toilets in the village. Though toilets had been a part of the agenda for the Gram Pradhan,  other priorities took centre stage relegating toilets to a secondary place. 

Armed with the knowledge and information provided to her in the GARIMA trainings, and having honed her skills through various sessions of the Adolescent Girls’ Group, Kavita confidently and patiently reasoned with the Gram Pradhan about the importance of toilets for the villagers, especially girls and women,  for their dignity and their health. The Gram Pradhan, being a perceptive person, could see the point being made by Kavita and the other adolescent girls. It took a couple of months before a community toilet was made in the village, which could be used by families who do not have toilets. The Gram Pradhan has also promised the girls that he would get more community toilets made, till the time every family has a toilet of its own. This has to a very large extent solved the problem of privacy for the girls.  

“I have been in touch with the Anganwadi Worker and the ASHA in the village to ensure proper distribution of IFA tablets to the adolescent girls in the village. With the group sessions, the girls also know the importance of IFA supplementation for adolescents. The reach out to the frontline workers for IFA and the frontline workers, too, ensure a constant supply of IFA supplementation.”  -Kavita Gautam

Slowly but surely, Kavita is effecting change in the village with her dedication, taking one step at a time. Her resolve is to continue to bring positive changes in future too.

DUBAI : The International Cricket Council (ICC) has introduced a number of changes to its playing conditions which will be effective in all series starting 28 September or later.

The significant changes include a restriction on the dimensions of the bat, the introduction of player send-offs for misconduct and changes to the Decision Review System, all of which will commence from the two upcoming Test series – when South Africa hosts Bangladesh and the one between Pakistan and Sri Lanka in the United Arab Emirates.

ICC in a statement said Â“Most of the changes to the ICC playing conditions are being made as a result of changes to the Laws of Cricket that have been announced by the MCC. We have just completed a workshop with the umpires to ensure they understand all of the changes and we are now ready to introduce the new playing conditions to international matches.”

To maintain the balance between bat and ball, the playing conditions now restrict the size of the edges of the bats as well as their thickness. The restriction on the length and width of bats remain unchanged but the thickness of the edges can’t be more than 40mm and the overall depth can be 67 mm at the most. Umpires will be issued with a new bat gauge, which they can use to check a bat’s legality.

In a new playing condition pertaining to players’ conduct, a player can now be sent off the field for the rest of the match for any serious misconduct, meaning it will apply to Level 4 offences while the Level 1 to 3 offences will continue to be dealt with under the ICC Code of Conduct.

Threatening to assault an umpire, making inappropriate and deliberate physical contact with an umpire, physically assaulting a player or any other person and committing any other act of violence all constitute Level 4 offences.

The above changes will be applicable across all formats, as will be a change in the DRS rules by which a review will now not be lost in case of a decision that remains unchanged, solely as the result of an ‘umpire’s call’.

As for DRS in Test matches, there will be no more top-up reviews after 80 overs of an innings, meaning that there can only be two unsuccessful reviews in each innings, while the DRS will now also be allowed to be used in T20Is.

An important change with respect to run outs is that if a batsman is running or diving towards the crease with forward momentum, and has grounded his/her bat behind the popping crease but subsequently has lost contact with the ground at the time of the wickets being put down, the batsman will not be run out. The same interpretation will also apply for a batsman trying to regain his/her ground to avoid being stumped.

For boundary catches, airborne fielders making their first contact with the ball will need to have taken off from within the boundary, otherwise a boundary will be scored.

Also, a batsman can now be out caught, stumped or run out even if the ball bounces off the helmet worn by a fielder or wicket-keeper.

NEW DELHI: India will continue with the development projects in Afghanistan to help stabilize the war-torn country but will not send its troops there, Defence Minister Nirmala Sitharaman said on Tuesday.

“There shall not be any boots on the ground from India,” Ms. Sitharaman said while speaking to reporters after delegation level talks with the visiting U.S. Defence Secretary James Mattis.

As President Donald Trump had called for greater Indian involvement in Afghanistan, speculation has been rife about the possibility of India deploying its troops in Kabul.

India had welcomed President Trump’s new US Strategy for Afghanistan announced last month. “Today, I had useful discussions with Secretary Mattis on how we could strengthen our cooperation bilaterally as well as with the Government of Afghanistan in pursuit of our common objective of a peaceful, democratic, stable and prosperous Afghanistan,’’ Mrs. Sitharaman said in her media statement.

The two Defence Ministers also resolved to eradicate terrorist safe havens across the globe. “There can be no tolerance of terrorist safe havens. As global leaders, India and the US resolve to work together to eradicate this scourge,” Mr. Mattis said in his statement.

Extending a warm welcome to the U.S. Defence Secretary, Mrs. Sitharaman said that Mr. Mattis was  a special visitor for her personally as he happens to be  the first Ministerial counterpart she has  met since taking over as the country’s new Defence Minister, the first woman to be whole time in charge of the ministry. The then Prime Minister Indira Gandhi had held the Defence portfolio as additional charge.

Describing her talks with Mr. Mattis as “very substantive, constructive and forward-looking,’’ she said that India and the U.S.  share a strong and vibrant strategic partnership.

Noting that defence cooperation between India and the US has grown significantly in recent years and emerged as a key pillar of the strategic partnership, Mrs. Sitharaman said “our military-to-military engagement continues to grow.’’

“Cooperation in defence equipment has grown steadily over the past years. The US is now a leading supplier of state-of-the-art defence equipment to India. I appreciated Secretary Mattis’ willingness to share further cutting-edge platforms which would enhance India’s defence preparedness to meet current and emerging threats,’’ she said in a media statement.

The two Defence Ministers agreed agreed on the need to expand on the progress already made by encouraging co-production and co-development efforts. Mrs. Sithraman  reiterated India’s deep interest in enhancing defence manufacturing in India under Prime Minister’s Make in India initiative.

“In this context, we agreed that the full implementation of the understanding reached following the announcement by the US last year recognizing India as a Major Defence Partner will provide further energy and momentum to our collaboration on defence technology and manufacturing.

“We also discussed how to refocus and re-energize the Defence Technology and Trade Initiative (DTTI) as a mechanism to promote technology sharing as well as co­ development and co-production efforts,’’ the media statement said.

Both Mr. Mattis and Ms. Sitharaman also exchanged views on regional and international issues of mutual interest and held extensive discussions on the situation in India’s neighbourhood and the growing menace of cross-border terrorism were discussed in depth.

“We both recognize the importance of holding those who use terrorism as an instrument of state policy to account and to dismantle the infrastructure that supports terrorism,’’ she said.

The two Defence Ministers also discussed the issues relating to maritime security in the Indian Ocean and the broader Asia-Pacific Region as well as regional connectivity issues. India supports the freedom of navigation, over-flight and unimpeded lawful commerce. Mrs. Sitharaman welcomed her US counterpart’s reiteration of the US commitment to work with India in ensuring maritime security in the lndo Pacific and as first responder to HADR situations.

Mrs. Sitharaman expressed confidence that India was entering a new phase in its  strategic defence partnership with the United States. Mr. Mattis is also scheduled to meet Prime Minister Narendra Modi. 

INS Tarasa, a Water Jet Fast Attack Craft was commissioned into the Indian Navy by Vice Admiral Girish Luthra, Flag Officer Commanding-in-Chief, Western Naval Command at the Naval Dockyard, Mumbai today. At an impressive commissioning ceremony, Vice Admiral Luthra expressed confidence that the new INS Tarasa will discharge her duties with élan and resolve, and bring laurels to the Western Naval Command and the Nation.

Complimenting the designers, builders, engineers, overseers, and the officers and the men whose efforts have fructified in the commissioning of the ship, he said that the ship is of proven design, has good endurance, low draught, high speed and manoeuvrability,  thus making her most suited for her primary role of extended coastal and offshore surveillance and patrol. He reserved special praise for the ship’s crew and the Warship Overseeing Team, Kolkata for ensuring that the ship has been commissioned with all Weapon and Sensor trials completed. The passage of the ship during her maiden voyage from Kolkata to Mumbai, in rough weather, bears testimony to the seaworthiness of the ship. 

INS Tarasa is the fourth and last of the follow-on Water Jet FAC’s built by the Garden Reach Shipbuilders and Engineers (GRSE), Kolkata. The first two ships of the class i.e. IN ships Tarmugli and Tihayu were commissioned in 2016 and are based at Visakhapatnam; while the third ship INS Tillanchang was commissioned earlier this year at Karwar on 09 March 2017.  These ships are an upgrade of the Car Nicobar class Fast Attack Crafts with the Indian Navy, which were also indigenously designed and built by GRSE, Kolkata.

INS Tarasa is 50 m long and powered by three waterjets which give it speeds of over 35 knots (65 kmph). The ship is armed with a 30 mm main gun indigenously built , and a number of light, medium and heavy machine guns to undertake costal defence operations. The ship is an ideal platform for missions like coastal and off-shore surveillance, EEZ Patrol, law enforcement as well as non-military missions such as Search and Rescue, Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief. The commissioning Commanding Officer of the ship is Lieutenant Commander Praveen Kumar.

This is the second ship of the Indian Navy to be named INS Tarasa. The first INS Tarasa was in service of the Navy from 1999 to 2014. She was gifted to Seychelles Coast Guard as a symbol of India’s partnership with friendly maritime nation in IOR. The new INS Tarasa will be based at Mumbai under the operational control of Western Naval Command.

NEW DELHI : Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh appealed to the Gorkha Janmukti Morcha to call off the ongoing bandh in the Darjeeling Hills. He also asked the Union Home Secretary to convene an official level meeting in the Ministry of Home Affairs within a fortnight to discuss all related issues.

“After Home Minister’s Appeal seniors leaders of Morcha has discussed and decided withdraw the bandh from 6 am on Wednesday.” Said GJM Assistant General Secretary Jyoti Rai 

Rajnath Singh had earlier today said in a statement that in a democracy, is the only way out to resolve any problem. Solutions can be found through restraint, mutual dialogue and within the legal ambit.

Eleven precious lives have been lost so far, several have been injured and the entire people of Darjeeling hills have suffered a lot since the strike. I have been pained immensely by what has happened in Darjeeling hills, he added

Newborn in Aktau city, Mangystau oblast, Kazakhstan. Photo: UNICEF/UN044581/Kim

There is no period more critical in a child’s development than the first 1,000 days of life, and yet 32 countries – including Bangladesh and the United States – lack three basic national policies to support parents of babies and young children, says a new United Nations report issued today.

According to Early Moments Matter for Every Child, published by the UN Children’s Fund (UNICEF), only 15 countries – including Cuba, France, Portugal, Russia and Sweden – have the three policies critical to support young children’s healthy brain development: two years of free pre-primary education; paid breastfeeding breaks for new mothers for the first six months; and adequate paid parental leave.

These policies, UNICEF noted in a news release, help parents better protect their children and provide them with better nutrition, play and early learning experiences in the crucial first years of life when the brain grows at a rate never to be repeated.

The report states that around 85 million children under five are growing up in 32 countries without any of the three critical policies in place; 40 per cent of these children live in just two countries – Bangladesh and the US.

“What’s the most important thing children have? It’s their brains. But we are not caring for children’s brains the way we care for their bodies – especially in early childhood, when the science shows that children’s brains and children’s futures are rapidly being shaped,” said UNICEF Executive Director Anthony Lake.

“We need to do more to give parents and caregivers of young children the support they need during this most critical period of brain development.”

The report also points out that millions of children under five live in areas affected by conflict, are starved of nutritious food, and are deprived of stimulating activities fundamental for healthy brain growth.

Urging governments to invest in children and their families, UNICEF called for actions to support early childhood development. Among these is to make family-friendly policies, including two years of free pre-primary education, paid parental leave and paid breastfeeding breaks, a national priority.

“Policies that support early childhood development are a critical investment in the brains of our children, and thus in the citizens and workforce of tomorrow – and literally the future of the world,” said Mr. Lake.

At the beginning of 2017, UNICEF launched the #EarlyMomentsMatter campaign, aimed at raising awareness about the critical impact that early experiences have on children’s brain development during their first 1,000 days of life.

NEW YORK, SEPT. 25: In a strong rebuttal of Pakistan’s charge of India being “mother of terrorism in South Asia”, India on Monday asserted that the Permanent Representative of Pakistan had sought to divert attention from her country’s role as the hub of global terrorism.

A young Indian diplomat Paulomi Tripathi, in her statement at the UN in exercise of India’s right of reply, accused Pakistan’s Permanent Representative of misleading the assembly to spread falsehood against India by displaying a 2014 picture of Rawya aby Jom’a, a girl from Palestine, to show “brutality” of India in Kashmir.

The Indian diplomat accused Pakistan of brandishing a fake picture to embellish its false narrative on Kashmir. Ms. Tripathi waved the photo of a martyred Indian Army officer from Kashmir Lieutenant Umar Faiyaz who had been killed by Pakistan supported terrorists in May this year.  She pointed out that Lt Faiyaz was kidnapped at a wedding celebration, brutally tortured and killed by Pak-supported terrorists. 

“This is a true picture. It portrays a harsh and tragic reality. A picture of terrorism emanating from across our border that the people of India, especially in the state of Jammu and Kashmir have to struggle with everyday. This is the reality which the Permanent Representative of Pakistan sought to obfuscate,” the Indian diplomat who handles human rights at India’s Permanent Mission at the U.N. pointed out while taking on Pakistan’s seasoned diplomat at the U.N. 

Paulomi Tripathi  held up together the two photographs – one of Lt- Umar Faiyaz and the other of Pakistan’s permanent representative to UN Maleeha Lodhi showing the picture of a Palestinian girl and declared, “True face of Pakistan is not hidden from anyone.” 

Ms. Tripathi belongs to 2007 batch of the Indian Foreign Service and is a junior ranking diplomat at India’s permanent mission to the U.N. which is headed by Syed Akbaruddin who had earlier served in New Delhi as the MEA’s spokesperson.