Important Current Affairs 22th August

NATIONAL:

MHRD launched NISHTHA.

• The Ministry of Human Resource Development launched the National Initiative for School Heads and Teachers Holistic Advancements (NISHTHA). It aimed at training over 42 lakh teachers to boost education and employment focusing on reskilling the teaching workforce.

HRD Minister Ramesh Pokhriyal Nishank launched the initiative’s website, training modules, primer booklet and mobile app built for the purpose.

The programme was launched in the presence of Smt Rina Ray, Secretary, Department of School Education and Literacy and other senior officers from MHRD, all States and UTs, Senior Policy Makers and Heads of Institutions.

About NISHTHA:

NISHTHA is the world’s biggest project.  The objective of this massive training programme ‘NISHTHA’ is to motivate and equip teachers to encourage and foster critical thinking in students.  As the teachers are the powerhouse of the nation, the teachers deserve worldwide respect.

Under NISHTHA, the teachers will develop their skills on Artificial Intelligence, Health, School Leadership qualities, Environmental Concerns in a joyful learning manner.

About Training:

National Initiative for School Heads and Teachers Holistic Advancements (NISHTHA) programme is a 100 days programme of the Government. The training modules are developed at the national level for all States and UTs with their own material. The integrated programme will train all teachers as first-level counselors and responsive needs of the students in promoting joyful learning.

The training Modules for NISHTHA have suggestions from the States and UTs and CBSE, KVS, NVS, School Principals and Non-Governmental Organizations such as Kaivalya Foundation, Tata Trust, Azim Premji Foundation and Aurobindo Society.

APPOINTMENTS AND RESIGNATIONS:

Rajiv Gauba is appointed as the next Cabinet Secretary.

• The Union Home Secretary Rajiv Gauba is appointed as the next Cabinet Secretary for a tenure of two years. His appointment as Cabinet secretary was approved by the Appointments Committee of the Cabinet (ACC).

• Gauba is a 1982-batch IAS officer of the Jharkhand cadre. He initially joined as the Officer on Special Duty in the Cabinet Secretariat. He will now replace the incumbent P K Sinha, who is a 1977 batch IAS officer of the Uttar Pradesh cadre. Mr.Sinha is the 31st Cabinet Secretary of India.

About Rajiv Gauba:

• Gauba was born in Punjab. He is a graduate in physics from Patna University. He had served in Jharkhand as the chief secretary before returning to serve in the central government in 2016.

• Gauba took charge as the home secretary on August 31 in 2017. While serving as the Union home secretary, he has handled issues such as militancy in Jammu and Kashmir, internal security, and the Northeast Maoist problems in the central and east India besides other issues.

Dr.Ajay Kumar is appointed as Defence Secretary in the Ministry of Defence.

• Dr.Ajay Kumar has been appointed as Defence Secretary in the Ministry of Defence. The appointment was approved by the Appointments Committee of the Cabinet (ACC). Dr. Kumar will replace Shri Sanjay Mitra as his tenure ends on 23 August.

Mr. Mitra is a 1982-batch IAS officer of West Bengal cadre. He is currently serving as the Secretary, Department of Defence Production.

Other appointments:

The ACC has cleared the appointment of Shri Subhash Chandra as Secretary of Defence Production. He is currently the Special Secretary Defence. He will replace Dr. Kumar. Subhash Chandra is a 1986-batch IAS officer of Karnataka cadre.

DAYS:

World Senior Citizens Day is celebrated on 21 August.

• World Senior Citizens Day is celebrated on 21 August across the world. The day is observed every year. The day aims to increase awareness about the issues that affect older adults. It also provides an opportunity to appreciate the elders for their dedication, accomplishments, and the services they give throughout their lives.

The day also reminds the governments of its commitment to work for the welfare of older persons. 

United Nations report says that by 2050, 2 billion people, over 20% of the world's population, will be 60 or older with Asia having the largest number of older persons.

History:

Former president of United States Ronald Reagan officially announced the day as the 'World Senior Citizens Day' after he had signed Proclamation on August 19, 1988. He declared August 21 as National Senior Citizens Day in US. The day aims to pay respect to the elderly community. On 14th of December 1990, United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) proclaimed to observe 21 August as World Senior Citizens Day.

AWARDS:

JNU Professor Meeta Narain conferred the Pushkin Medal 2019.

• JNU Professor Meeta Narain conferred the ‘Pushkin Medal – 2019’. It is the highest honour given to an Indian scholar by the Russian government.

Pushkin Medal is given to a scholar of Russian language and literature. It is given for outstanding contribution to Russian studies.

‘Pushkin Medal – 2019

Medal of Pushkin is a state decoration of the Russian Federation. It is awarded to its citizens for achievements in the arts and culture, education, humanities, and literature. It is named in honor of Russian author and poet Alexander Sergeyevich Pushkin.