President Ram Nath Kovind has said that the benefits of scientific research will make the best impact only when it reach the less-privileged institutions, the youth, women and socio-economically weaker segments.
Addressing the National Science Day celebrations in New Delhi today, Mr Kovind called on people to resolve to enhance quality and relevance of the scientific enterprise in the country. He said, science must work for the people by contributing to their development and well-being.
From ancient times to the medieval era and then the modern period, India has been home to exceptional minds who have pushed the frontiers of human knowledge.
Speaking about the theme of this year's National Science Day which is 'Women in Science', Mr Kovind said, in order to encourage women to take to higher studies in science, he has substantially enhanced the representation of women in central universities as visitor’s nominee.
He said, the step is taken to create a favourable environment of higher studies and employment in faculty positions for women. The President said, during his recent visit to Sriharikota Range of Indian Space Research Organisation he came across a woman scientist so dedicated to the Chandrayaan project that she left her six month old son with her parents and joined the mission.
He said, despite the presence of such highly motivated women scientists, India’s Research and Development workforce has less than 15 per cent women, compared to the global average of 30 per cent.
Global markets went into a tailspin on Friday as investors stampeded out of stocks and commodities and flocked to the relative safety of government bonds, prompted by fears of a global recession due to the spread of the coronavirus.
Reflecting the turmoil in the stock markets, the rupee hit a six-month low against the dollar, at ₹72.27, before recovering marginally to close at ₹72.21.
U.S. markets appeared set to experience their worst week since the 2008 global financial crisis. The broad-based S&P 500 index was down 4% in early trade on Friday and is now down almost 15% since its all-time high set just six trading sessions back.
Yields on U.S. Treasury bills fell sharply as investors embraced its relative safety over stocks. The bond markets displayed an inverted yield curve where short-term bills yield more than long-term ones, signifying nervousness over economic prospects.
Oil prices experienced their worst week since 2016, with the prices of the benchmark Brent crude falling to as low as $50.51 a barrel. Elsewhere in the commodity markets, metal prices fell by up to 6%.
Global borrowings benchmark Libor experienced its worst single-day drop in a decade, falling to 1.46275%, as the markets raised their bets on accelerated rate cuts in the U.S. as a response to the economic turmoil.
The meeting between bank employees unions and the Indian Banks Association (IBA) on wage negotiations scheduled for February 29 is likely to see the United Forum of Bank Unions (UFBU) accepting the IBA’s latest offer of a 15% hike. The UFBU is the umbrella body of nine bank unions.
In addition to the wage hike, there will be a performance-linked incentive (PLI) for the bank staff, which will be calculated on the basis of the operating profit of the bank. If a bank posts 15% growth in operating profit, then an employee can earn as high as 21 days of pay as PLI.
The wage revision will be implemented across 19 public sector banks, 10 private sector banks and seven foreign banks. The present round of wage negotiations — for the 11th bipartite agreement — started in May 2018 when a 2% hike was offered by IBA.
However, the IBA kept increasing the offer and in the last meeting a 15% hike was offered finally along with the performance-linked incentive.
While there was demand for five working days a week from a section of the unions, the government is said to be against the move.
The officers’ association had demanded a 20% pay hike and it is not clear if they would stick to the demand or settle for 15%. The bank unions has called a three-day strike from March 11-13, and an indefinite strike from April 1, mainly over their demand for wage revision.
A day ahead of signing of a landmark peace deal between the US and the Taliban, Foreign Secretary Harsh Vardhan Shringla today travelled to Kabul and conveyed to the top Afghan leadership India's unstinted support to a peaceful and stable Afghanistan.
He met President Ashraf Ghani and handed over to him a letter from Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
Shringla met Afghan Chief Executive Abdullah Abdullah, Vice President-elect Amrullah Saleh, National Security Adviser Hamdullah Mohib and acting Foreign Minister of Afghanistan Haroon Chakhansuri and apprised them about India's strong commitment for all-round development of Afghanistan.
In a series of tweets, External Affairs Ministry Spokesperson Raveesh Kumar said, India stands with Afghanistan for strengthening national unity, territorial integrity, democracy, plurality and prosperity in the country and bringing an end to externally sponsored terrorism.
On Shringla's meeting with Ghani, Kumar said the Afghan president appreciated India's consistent support for democracy and constitutional order in Afghanistan.
Kumar said the foreign secretary had a meaningful exchange of views on the developments and peace efforts in Afghanistan with the leadership of the country.
Sri Lankan Government has decided not to sign the Millennium Challenge Cooperation (MCC) with the US Government. Cabinet Spokesman Minister Bandula Gunawardana told a media conference today that the decision is based on the recommendations of the Expert Committee and the agreement will not be signed in its present form.
He said, the government also considered national security concerns in relation with the agreement adding that it was not in accordance with the Constitution. However, he said, the government is prepared to have discussions with the US to make amendments to the agreement.
The MCC agreement is to provide a grant of 480 million US dollars to Sri Lanka for development of transport and land deeds based on certain conditions. President Gotabaya Rajapaksa had appointed a committee to look into the agreement after coming into power last November while the former government had approved it.
The government decision came as Sri Lanka’s relations with US and western nations have soured in past few weeks. US Government imposed a travel ban on Sri Lankan Army Chief Shavendra Silva and his family for alleged war crimes during end phase of three-decade long LTTE war.
Western nations are also miffed with Sri Lankan Government decision to withdraw from United Nations Human Rights Council resolution calling for war crimes redressal and reconciliation with minorities. President Gotabaya rode on a strong nationalistic wave to win the elections and government is cautious to maintain its support base for parliamentary elections, to be announced next week.
No comments:
Post a Comment