WHO Renames Monkeypox as mpox, Citing Racism, Discrimination Concerns
The World Health Organisation renamed monkeypox as mpox, citing concerns the original name of the decades-old animal disease could be construed as discriminatory and racist.
As per the UN health agency, mpox was its new preferred name for monkeypox, and that both monkeypox and mpox would be used for the next year while the old name is phased out.
WHO was concerned by the racist and stigmatising language that arose after monkeypox spread to more than 100 countries. It said numerous individuals and countries asked the organisation to propose a way forward to change the name.
In August, WHO began consulting experts about renaming the disease, shortly after the UN agency declared monkeypox's spread to be a global emergency.
Mpox was first named monkeypox in 1958 when research monkeys in Denmark were observed to have a pox-like disease, although they are not thought to be the disease's animal reservoir.
Only Students of Classes 9, 10 will be Covered under Pre-Matric Scholarship Scheme
Stating that the Right to Education covers compulsory education up to class 8th for all students, the government has now limited its pre-matric scholarship scheme meant for backward and minority communities to students of class 9 and Class 10.
Earlier, the pre-matric scholarship used to cover education for class 1 to 8 also belonging to SC, ST, OBC, and minority communities.
The government, in a notice, justified its decision by underlining that the Right to Education (RTE) Act, 2009 makes it obligatory for the government to provide free and compulsory elementary education (Classes 1 to 8) to each and every child.
Ministry of Rural Development Launches 'Nai Chetna' Gender Campaign
'Nai Chetna', is a month-long campaign envisioned as a 'Jan Andolan' or people's movement. The 'Nai Chetna' campaign is launched by the Ministry of Rural Development and involves sensitizing women, especially in rural areas. It seeks to enable women to acknowledge, prepare, and take support in situations of comprise.
The Union Minister described that the 'Nai Chetna' campaign focuses on women.
Women in rural areas are unaware of the various mechanisms available to raise their concerns.
The campaign has an idea to bring the issue of gender-based violence into focus and make women aware of their rights and the mechanism available to help redress their grievances.
The campaign aims to raise awareness about the institutional mechanisms available for women to fight gender-based violence.
Former Health Secretary Preeti Sudan Takes Oath as UPSC Member
Former Health Secretary Preeti Sudan was appointed as a member of Union Public Service Commission (UPSC).
The UPSC conducts civil services examination annually in three stages, preliminary, main and interview, to select officers of Indian Administrative Service (IAS), Indian Foreign Service (IFS) and Indian Police Service (IPS) among others.
She superannuated as the health secretary in July 2020. Sudan also served in Women and Child Development and Defence Ministries.
In her cadre state Andhra Pradesh, she handled finance and planning, disaster management, tourism and agriculture.
Amongst her notable contribution have been initiating two major flagship programmes of the country, Beti Bachao Beti Padhao and Ayushman Bharat, apart from legislation on National Medical Commission, Allied Health Professional Commission and ban on e-cigarettes.
Sudan was also consultant with the World Bank. The UPSC is headed by a chairperson and can have a maximum of 10 members. With her appointment, there is still a vacancy of four members in the Commission.
Nov 29, 2022
Tamil Nadu CM Flags off 100 Mobile Laboratories to Promote Scientific Temperament
Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M. K. Stalin launched an initiative to foster scientific interest among school students. The initiative is called Vanavil Mandram (Rainbow forum).
It is aimed at promoting interest among the students of standard 6 to 8 to learn Science Technology Engineering and Mathematics (STEM).
The event, attended by others Ministers K. N. Nehru, Thangam Thennarasu, Anbil Mahesh Poyyamozhi and Tiruchirappalli Mayor M. Anpahagan, was inaugurated at the Pappakurichi Government Girls Higher Secondary school, Kattur.
Also, the Chief Minister flagged off 100 mobile science and mathematics laboratories on behalf school Education department to stimulate the scientific temper among students.
Nov 28, 2022
IGNOU Launches Online MA Course in Sustainability Science
A new MA programme in Sustainability Science was introduced by the Indira Gandhi National Open University (IGNOU). Multiple entry and departure points are available for the online MA in Sustainability Science (MASS) programme.
The new online MA programme's goal is to give students the chance to learn more deeply about sustainable development and the guiding principles of sustainability science.
Professor Nageswar Rao, Vice-Chancellor of IGNOU, stated during the MASS programme's launch ceremony that by making the programme available online, IGNOU was following the right path in sustainable development education and supporting India's commitment to the Sustainable Development Goals.
Kerala: Over 200 Govt. Schools to Install Weather Stations to Train Students on Climate Change
As many as 240 government schools in Kerala will soon install weather stations, recording daily changes in weather conditions in the state, considered to be a first-of-its-kind initiative in the country.
The project is part of efforts to train younger generation to understand climatic changes and take necessary precautions in this regard in the wake of recurring natural disasters including floods in the southern state.
General Education Minister V. Sivankutty conducted the district-level inauguration of the innovative initiative in Kozhikode at the Kayanna Government Higher Secondary School.
Through such centres, students would have first-hand knowledge and understanding of what they have learned from textbooks on the weather.
Nov 27, 2022
IIT Bombay and Microsoft Sign MoU to Support, Empower Start-ups
The Institute of Indian Technology, Bombay (IIT) signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with Microsoft to foster and support start-ups. This collaboration of Microsoft was established with IIT Bombay's umbrella organisation Society for Innovation and Entrepreneurship (SINE).
As a part of this collaboration, SINE and Microsoft will explore opportunities that will help start-ups at SINE avail benefits of Microsoft software and services, access to GitHub, M365 resources, training and skilling on Azure, along with mentor networks. Through this partnership, IIT Bombay students will get access to Microsoft's leadership, industry experts Microsoft Valuable Professionals (MVP), Azure Influencers, and start-up founders.
Nov 26, 2022
NCERT Syllabus, Dress Code in Madrasas Coming Soon
In an effort to modernise madrasa education in the state, the Uttarakhand Waqf Board decided to implement the NCERT curriculum as well as a dress code in its madrasas starting in the following academic year.
According to Shadab Shams, the chairman of the Uttarakhand Waqf Board, the board also decided to welcome children of all faiths into its madrasas. In Uttarakhand, the board manages 103 madrasas.
The board has also decided that its madrasas will teach students general subjects from 8 am to 2 pm daily, just like other schools, and only provide religious instruction to students for an hour from 6:30 am to 7:30 am.
Delhi University Launches Financial Support Scheme
Delhi University launched Financial Support Scheme for financially weak students. The students who want to avail this scheme can download the application form and notification. The last date to apply for this scheme is till December 12, 2022.
The scheme is reflected through a fee waiver for economically weak students in the spirit of the Government's motto "Sabka Sath Sabka Vikas'. The fee waiver includes all components of fee paid by students except examination fee and hostel fee, as per the notice issued by the varsity.
Candidates who are studying at the University of Delhi in its department or institutions belonging to two categories- Category 1 having family income of less than 4 lakh and Category 2 having family income between 4 lakh to 8 lakh. For the first category, the varsity will wave off 100 per cent fees and for second category, the fee waiver is up to 50 per cent.
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