17 February 2019: UPSC Exam PIB Summary & Analysis

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Conference on Deendayal Disabled Rehabilitation scheme (DDRS) 

Context

For the overall empowerment of Persons with Disabilities (Divyangajan), a “Regional Conference on Deendayal Disabled Rehabilitation Scheme (DDRS”) is being organized by the Department of Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities (DEPwD), Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment, Government of India at Kolkata.

Details of the conference

It will cover 13 States of Eastern & North Eastern region namely West Bengal, Jharkhand, Odisha, Chhattisgarh, Bihar, Assam, Arunachal Pradesh, Manipur, Meghalaya, Mizoram, Nagaland, Sikkim & Tripura. The stakeholders i.e. the NGOs receiving grant under DDRS, State Government Officers & District level officers will be participating.

The objectives of the Conference

• The objectives of the Conference are to disseminate the provisions of the revised scheme and to sensitize various stakeholders about it.
• This conference also provides a unique opportunity for interactions amongst all stakeholders.
• The conference would ensure exchange of cross-sectoral views on the aspects of the efficacy of the scheme as well as the scope of improvements in it.

About Deendayal Disabled Rehabilitation Scheme

Objective

• To create an enabling environment to ensure equal opportunities, equity, social justice and empowerment of persons with disabilities
• To encourage voluntary action for ensuring effective implementation of the Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act, 2016.

Approach

• The approach of this Scheme is to provide financial assistance to voluntary organizations to make available the whole range of services necessary for rehabilitation of persons with disabilities including early intervention, development of daily living skills, education, skill-development oriented towards employability, training and awareness generation. With a view to inclusion of persons with disabilities in the mainstream of society and actualizing their potential, the thrust would be on education and training programmes.

Tagore Award for Cultural Harmony

Context

The President of India will present the Tagore Award for Cultural Harmony to Shri Rajkumar Singhajit Singh; Chhayanaut (a cultural organization of Bangladesh); and Shri Ram Sutar Vanji for the years 2014, 2015 & 2016

About the works of the awardees

1. SHRI RAJKUMAR SINGHAJIT SINGH: Born at Imphal, Manipur on 3 November 1932, Shri Rajkumar Singhajit Singh is a highly accomplished and senior most guru, exponent, choreographer, prolific writer and scholar of Manipuri dance.
2. CHHAYANAUT: Chhayanaut (a cultural organisation) was established in 1961 by leading organizers of Tagore centenary celebration. This organization was part of the movement for an independent Bangladesh that provided a platform for cultural expression and assertion of the Bengali identity at a time when such activities were considered anti-state and acts of sedition. During the liberation war, Chhayanaut singers organized performances to inspire freedom fighters and refugees. After independence, Chhayanaut has been involved in seeking creative ways to broaden and intensify the practice and celebration of mainstream music and culture.
3. SHRI RAM VANJI SUTAR: Born in Dhule District of Maharashtra on 19 February 1925, Shri Ram Vanji Sutar is a renowned sculptor and scholar. A gold medallist from Sir J. J. School of Art, Bombay in sculpture, Shri Sutar started his career in 1954 as a modeller in the Department of Archaeology, South Western Circle, Aurangabad. From 1959 onwards, he has been working as freelance sculptor making monumental statues.

About the Award

• Tagore Award for Cultural Harmony was instituted by the Government of India from 2012 recognizing the contributions made by Gurudev Rabindranath Tagore to humanity at large with his works and ideas, as part of the Commemoration of his 150^thBirth Anniversary in 2012, for promoting values of Cultural Harmony.
• This annual award is given to individuals, associations, institutions or organizations for their outstanding contribution towards promoting values of Cultural Harmony.
• The Award is open to all persons regardless of nationality, race, language, caste, creed or gender.
• Normally, contributions made during ten years immediately preceding the nomination are considered.  Older contributions may also be considered if their significance has become apparent only recently. 
• A written work, in order to be eligible for consideration, should have been published during the last ten years. Work by a person since deceased cannot be the subject of an Award.

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