Institution’s Innovation Council (IIC)

Objective:

Ministry of Human Resource Development has established an “Innovation cell” at AICTE with a purpose to systematically foster the culture of Innovation in all Higher Education Institutions (HEIs) across the country.

Why Institution’s Innovation Council?

• purpose of formation of network of Institution’s Innovation Councils (IICs) is to encourage, inspire and nurture young  students by exposing them to new ideas and processes resulting in innovative activities in their formative years.
• More than 1000 Higher Education Institutions (HEIs) have already formed IICs in their campuses and enrolled for the IIC network managed by MHRD’s Innovation cell to promote innovation through multitudinous modes leading to an innovation
• promotion eco-system in their campuses.
• It encourages best practices in innovation and advance research and Innovation Cell has undertaken many initiatives in this direction such as implementing programs like Atal Ranking of Institutions on Innovation Achievement (ARIIA), Smart India Hackathon (SIH)- 2019, etc.

Critical Roads in Border Areas

        Project Arunank:

• Project Arunank was raised at Naharlagun (Itanagar) on 24 Oct 2008 in the state of Arunachal Pradesh after de-induction of (P) Zaranj from Afghanistan.
• The name of Project has been conceived from the name of the state of Arunachal Pradesh. The Govt of Arunachal Pradesh was constantly demanding a Project HQ to be located in the State capital in order to accelerate the progress of works on high priority CSG roads, SARDP-NE package and PM package roads.
• Some of the roads covered under PM package as announced by then the Hon’ble Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh during his visit to Itanagar during Jan 2008 were also entrusted to this newly raised elite Project.
• Project Arunank has a vital role in the development of strategic roads and in a larger perspective, the overall communication system, designed for the socio economic development of the state of Arunachal Pradesh.
• Majority of roads under the project pass through treacherous thick forests, and hostile hilly terrain. The Arunankees have now organized themselves to ‘March-On Regardless’ of all the odds.

American 'killed in India by endangered Andamans tribe

        Who are Sentinelese?

• The Sentinelese, a negrito tribe who live on the North Sentinel Island of the Andamans, have not faced incursions and remain hostile to outsiders.
• The inhabitants are connected to the Jarawa on the basis of physical, as well as linguistic similarities.
• Based on carbon dating of kitchen middens by the Anthropological Survey of India, Sentinelese presence was confirmed in the islands to 2,000 years ago. Genome studies indicate that the Andaman tribes could have been on the islands even 30,000 years ago.

        How are they protected?

• The Govt. of India issued the Andaman and Nicobar Islands (Protection of Aboriginal Tribes) Regulation, 1956 to declare the traditional areas occupied by the tribes as reserves, and prohibited entry of all persons except those with authorisation.
• Photographing or filming the tribe members is also an offence. The rules were amended later to enhance penalties. But restricted area permits were relaxed for some islands recently.

        Have they made contact?

• The Sentinelese have been fiercely hostile to outside contact. But in 1991 they accepted some coconuts from a team of Indian anthropologists and administrators.
• Some researchers argue that the Sentinelese have been mostly left alone even from colonial times, unlike other tribes such as the Onges, Jarawas and Great Andamanese, because the land they occupy has little commercial attraction.

        How many are there?

             From 1901 to 1921 they were estimated to be 117 people. In 1931, the number dropped to 50, a figure used for the 1961 Census too. In 1991 their              head count was put at 23. Census 2001 counted 39 inhabitants.

India suggests voting to break UNSC reform deadlock

        Why deadlock in UNSC reform?

          Since last 70 years, only 5 countries ruling UNSC with impunity. They don't want to give up or share veto power to anyone.

        About UNSC:

• The United Nations Security Council (UNSC) is one of the six principal organs of the United Nations charged with the maintenance of international peace and security as well as accepting new members to the United Nations and approving any changes to its United Nations Charter.
• Its powers include the establishment of peacekeeping operations, the establishment of international sanctions, and the authorization of military action through Security Council resolutions
• It is the only UN body with the authority to issue binding resolutions to member states. The Security Council held its first session on 17 January 1946
• The Security Council consists of fifteen members.The great powers that were the victors of World War II—the Russia, United Kingdom, France, China and the United States—serve as the body's five permanent members.
• These permanent members can veto any substantive Security Council resolution, including those on the admission of new member states or candidates for Secretary-General.
• The Security Council also has 10 non-permanent members, elected on a regional basis to serve two-year terms. The body's presidency rotates monthly among its members.

       India's stand:

• India suggested to conduct an election in General assembly to ascertain will of members.
• India along with G4(India, Japan, Brazil and Germany) seeking entry into UNSC with inclusion of more members to expand the democratic horizons of UN.

        Problems:

• No UNSC permanent member to give up their power.
• United for consensus , a 12 member body lead by Italy and Pakistan pressuring UNSC not to expand members and stalling the negotiation process.

        Way forward:

         G4 countries should increase the pressure on UNSC and explained about changes in world politics. Any derailment from UNSC will only lead to bypass of its sanctions and strictures on hostile country.