‘Ministry of Housing & Urban Affairs’ has instituted ‘Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana’ (Urban) Awards.
It is to recognise the Implementation and Innovation and the outstanding performance by States/UTs, Urban Local Bodies and Beneficiaries under this scheme.
The overarching purpose of the PMAY(U) award be outlined as,
Recognize the achievements in this Mission so far.
Disseminate knowledge on effective methods of design and implementation of the Mission.
Encourage innovations in successful implementation of the projects.
Promote and exchange successful experiences in solving problems, mitigating risks, resolving issues and planning for success of the Mission.
It is likely to enthuse the States/UTs to fulfil the dream of house for millions, a reality.
It also encourage beneficiaries to build their house aesthetically using sustainable methods.
The procedure of selection for these awards has been made transparent.
It is done by linking it with the progress being uploaded in MIS system by States/UTs.
A PMAY(U) mobile application was launched for direct interface of beneficiaries with the PMAY(U) mission.
The mobile app has been designed for beneficiaries to upload high-resolution photographs and videos highlighting their success stories of owning a house under PMAY (U).
Components of PMAY(U)
BLC - Beneficiary-Led Individual House Construction or Enhancement.
CLSS - Credit Linked Subsidy Scheme
AHP - Affordable Housing in Partnership
ISSR - In-Situ Slum Redevelopment.
The selection of projects under PMAY (U) and their implementation are with the State/UT Governments.
Indo-Pak ties
Pakistan has taken the decision to downgrade diplomatic ties with India.
It comes a day after scrapping Article 370.
The decision includes,
Suspension of bilateral trade,
Review of bilateral arrangement,
Taking India’s actions in Kashmir to the UN and
Observing August 14 in solidarity with Kashmiris.
Pakistan also decided to expel Indian High Commissioner in Pakistan and Pakistan will not send its High Commissioner-designate to New Delhi.
This is not the first time that India and Pakistan are downgrading ties,
In 2001, India pulled out it’s high commissioner after the JeM attack on Parliament.
Pakistan reciprocated by pulling out its high commissioner.
In 2003, India expelled Deputy high commissioner and Pakistan’s acting high commissioner, accusing of espionage.
Pakistan retaliated by sending back the Indian acting high commissioner.
India also suspended air, train and bus links to Pakistan.
India-Pakistan official bilateral trade –
It is worth about $2 billion.
It peaked to about $ 5 billion, but fell after the Uri attack.
A little to slump again due to the 200% duty imposed on imports from Pakistan after the Pulwama attack.
India’s top exports to Pakistan are chemicals and textiles.
It accounts for almost 70 per cent of the bilateral trade.
Pakistan’s top exports to India are vegetable fats and oils, and minerals.
It accounts for about 70 per cent of its trade with India.
Kashmir before the Mughals
Kashmir was ruled by an independent Muslim monarchy after the reign of its last medieval Hindu king ended.
The original Kashmiri culture and society underwent profound changes.
The kings of the Kashmir Sultanate (1326 to 1585) –
Shah Mir
Regarded as the first Muslim ruler of Kashmir.
He is of Turkish-origin and was in the courtroom of King Ranachandra.
After Kashgar ruler Anandadeva overran Ranachandra’s kingdom, Shah Mir was removed from his position.
Shah Mir subsequently led their revolt, which led to Anandadeva’s death in 1326.
In 1339, Shah Mir founded his own dynasty.
In 1349, he handed over the kingdom to his two sons, Jamshed and Sher Ali.
Jamshed and Shahbuddin
A power struggle between the two brothers, in which Jamshed emerged victorious
He adopted the title Alauddin.
Upon his death in 1363, Sher Ali assumed the throne and ruled under the title Shahbuddin.
Shahbuddin led campaigns to the south, and his major feats included a victory over the Samma dynasty king of Sindh.
Upon his death in 1386, Sher Ali was succeeded by the next-in-line Qutubuddin.
He was in turn was succeeded in 1396 by his son, the controversial Sikandar.
Sikandar
He is sometimes referred as ‘Butshikan’, meaning the destroyer of idols.
Several Hindu temples are said to have been destroyed during his reign, and many Hindus converted by force.
He was an astute ruler who managed to save Kashmir from plunder by Timur in 1398.
Upon Sikandar’s death in 1416, he was succeeded by son Amir Khan.
He was soon deposed by his brother Shadi Khan in 1422 and subsequently taking the title Zain-ul-Abidin.
Zain-ul-Abidin
He reversed many of Sikandar’s conservative policies.
He allowed Hindus and Buddhists to practice their religion,
He restored many temples and constructed lakes and canals.
He was also a patron of art, literature, and poetry.
Muhammad and Fateh Khan
After Zain-ul-Abidin’s death in 1472, his successor Haji Khan alias Haidar ruled for a year.
Haji Khan was succeeded by son Hasan, who ruled for a tumultuous 13 years.
He left his minor son Muhammad in charge.
After years of courtroom intrigue, Muhammad was deposed by Fateh Khan, a grandson of Zain-ul-Abidin.
After seizing the throne, Fateh Khan allied with the Delhi Sultanate ruler Sikandar Lodi.
He resisted Muhammad’s attempts to dislodge him.
However, Muhammad regained the throne when Fateh Khan died during a voyage in the south, and ruled until 1535.
After Muhammad, Kashmir witnessed uncertainty in the next 50-year period.
Part of which it was ruled by the Chak dynasty.
At the end of this period, Kashmir became a part of the expanding Mughal Empire under Akbar.
After Mughals Kashmir became part of the Sikh Empire in the early 19th century.
Then ultimately it was passed under the Hindu Dogra kings of Jammu.
Skill development program in solar thermal energy sector
UNIDO and National Institute of Solar Energy to partner for skill development program.
It is to engage national and international experts to bring the best practices in solar thermal energy sector by developing specialized training material.
It is to support capacity building and skill development of technical manpower in the ‘Concentrated Solar Thermal Energy Technologies’(CST).
This will be used to replace conventional fossil fuels such as coal, diesel, furnace oil etc.
National Institute of Solar Energy
It is an autonomous institution under ‘Ministry of New and Renewable’(MNRE).
It is an apex National R&D institution in the field Solar Energy.
United Nations Industrial Development Organization
UNIDO is an UN coordinating body central to the promotion of industrial development, poverty reduction and environmental sustainability.
Its mission is to promote Inclusive and sustainable industrial development (ISID) in was described in the ‘Lima Declaration’.
The main objectives of UNIDO are,
The promotion of industrial growth and technological progress,
Most effective use of human resources,
Equitable development through industrialization, industrial development and environmental protection,
International cooperation in industrial investment and technology.
At present there are 170 Member States in UNIDO.
It has a Regional Office in New Delhi
It acts as a focal point to promote UNIDO’s mandate.
The UNIDO Country Programme (2013-2017) serves as the portfolio of development interventions by UNIDO.
The Programme is aligned with the 12th Five Year Plan and the United Nations Development Action Framework (2013-2017).
