GS- 3rd Paper
Topic- Disaster and disaster management.
National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA)
Context
15th Formation Day of the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) celebrated at New Delhi.
About NDMA
- The NDMA is apex statutory body for disaster management in India.
- It is under control of Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA).
- The NDMA was formally constituted on 27th September 2006, in accordance with the Disaster Management Act, 2005.
- NDMA has Prime Minister is its Chairperson and nine other members. One such member to be designated as Vice-Chairperson.
Mandate
- Its primary purpose is to coordinate response to natural or man-made disasters and for capacity-building in disaster resiliency and crisis response.
- It is also the apex body to lay down policies, plans and guidelines for Disaster Management to ensure timely and effective response to disasters.
NDMA Vision
- “To build a safer and disaster resilient India by a holistic, pro-active, technology driven and sustainable development strategy that involves all stakeholders and fosters a culture of prevention, preparedness and mitigation.”
Functions and Responsibilities
NDMA has the following responsibilities-
- Lay down policies on disaster management ;
- Approve the National Plan;
- Approve plans prepared by the Ministries or Departments of the Government of India in accordance with the National Plan;
- Lay down guidelines to be followed by the State Authorities in drawing up the State Plan;
- Lay down guidelines to be followed by the different Ministries or Departments of the Government of India for the Purpose of integrating the measures for prevention of disaster or the mitigation of its effects in their development plans and projects;
- Coordinate the enforcement and implementation of the policy and plans for disaster management;
- Recommend provision of funds for the purpose of mitigation;
- Provide such support to other countries affected by major disasters as may be determined by the Central Government;
- Take such other measures for the prevention of disaster, or the mitigation, or preparedness and capacity building for dealing with threatening disaster situations or disasters as it may consider necessary;
- Lay down broad policies and guidelines for the functioning of the National Institute of Disaster Management.
GS- 2nd Paper
Topic– Issues relating to development and management of Social Sector/Services relating to Health, Education, Human Resources.
World Tourism Day
Context
Vice President of India presents the National Tourism Awards 2017-18 on World Tourism Day in New Delhi.
About World Tourism Day
- The United Nations World Tourism Organization has celebrated World Tourism Day as international observances on September 27.
- This date was chosen as on that day in 1970, the Statutes of the UNWTO were adopted.
- Its purpose– is to foster awareness among the global community of tourism’s social, cultural, political and economic value and the contribution the sector can make in reaching the Sustainable Development Goals.
- In 2019, in line with UNWTO’s overarching focus on skills, education and jobs throughout the year.
- World Tourism Day 2019 Theme– “Tourism and Jobs — A Better Future For All”
How Tourism is able to provide Jobs and better future for all?
- Tourism’s role in job creation is often undervalued.
- This is despite the fact that tourism generates 10% of world jobs and is included in Sustainable Development Goal 8 for its potential to create decent work.
- New policies are needed to maximize tourism’s potential to create more and better jobs, especially for women and youth.
- New policies are also needed to reflect and incorporate ongoing advances in technology.
- Policies and actions should be geared towards addressing the current mismatch between tourism skills that are taught and those that tourism employers need.
- This requires a holistic approach to the future of work in tourism, with heightened cooperation between all actors, including the public and private sectors.
Tourism and Jobs
- Tourism is a major source of employment because of its labour-intensive nature and the significant multiplier effect on employment in related sectors.
- It is estimated that one job in the core tourism sector creates about one-and-a-half additional or indirect jobs in the tourism-related economy. Overall tourism accounts for one in ten jobs worldwide.
- Tourism is a contributor to the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) as a target in Goals 8, 12 and 14.
- This states: “By 2030, devise and implement policies to promote sustainable tourism that creates jobs and promotes local culture and products”.
MSMEs key to decent work in tourism
- Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) are now the major job creators in tourism.
- OECD/ILO research shows that around half of tourism employees work in enterprises of fewer than 10 people, while around three-quarters work in enterprises of fewer than 50 people.
- Tourism MSMEs are also an important source of innovation and economic diversification, helping to shape socioeconomic development in destination countries worldwide.
- However, access to finance, prohibiting business regulations and inadequate skills are major constraints faced by all MSMEs including those operating in the tourism sector.
- The main challenge related to MSMEs, then, is to create an enabling environment that at once improves their economic prospects, overcomes barriers to decent jobs, and ensures that MSMEs’ economic activities are environmentally sustainable.
Challenges
- Despite representing 10% of the world’s jobs, tourism’s role in employment generation and entrepreneurship is often underestimated and undervalued in policy formulation and implementation.
- A mismatch between available qualifications and workplace reality is one of the major factors impacting tourism employment and talent development.
- The gap between education and skills/knowledge needs, and the resulting shortages of labour with ‘future-proof’ skills, continues to dent economies and harm job creation prospects.
- Moreover, tourism suffers from important challenges related to attracting and retaining talent and the improvement of working conditions.
Way forward
- A policy framework needed for decent tourism jobs for all
- New policies are needed to maximize the potential of the tourism sector to create more and better jobs, while reducing the risk associated with an increasing skills mismatch.
- The major ongoing changes and challenges around tourism employment require a new approach to skills development and education, policies for innovation and job creation.
Policies should-
- Encourage the progress of innovation in tourism that fosters job creation and entrepreneurship, particularly among women, youth and rural communities, through;
- Establishing tourism innovation centres, incentives and programmes to connect start-ups, leading companies, investors and governments;
- Developing research on the changing demand for skills due to the digital revolution;
- Creating initiatives that promote innovation and technological skills development in tourism;
- Bring together educational institutions, the private sector, governments and technology partners to review educational programmes and help create the skill sets needed for future work opportunities, including soft skills;
- Further bridge the gap between available qualifications and workplace skills needed, by supporting opportunities for appropriate industry experience, such as internships or scholarships, along with specialized education and training;
- Include technology stakeholders in national tourism policy coordination structures and mechanisms, in order to ensure an holistic approach that accounts for innovation and job creation;
- Include tourism as a key sector in both national and multilateral agenda for employment, education and skills creation, and overall economic development, highlighting tourism’s capacity to deliver on the objectives of creating more and better jobs.
Why do we mark International Days?
- International days are occasions to educate the public on issues of concern,
- To mobilize political will and resources to address global problems,
- To celebrate and reinforce achievements of humanity.
United Nations World Tourism Organisation
- The World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) is the United Nations Specialised Agency responsible for the promotion of responsible, sustainable and universally accessible tourism.
- It was established in 1975 with headquarters at Madrid, Spain.
- UNWTO encourages the implementation of the Global Code of Ethics for Tourism, to maximize tourism’s socio-economic contribution while minimizing its possible negative impacts.
For Prelims-
Chiefs of Staff Committee (COSC)
Context
Chief of Army Staff General Bipin Rawat takes over as Chairman, Chiefs of Staff Committee.
Highlight
- Chief of Army Staff General Bipin Rawat received the Chairman, Chiefs of Staff Committee (COSC) baton from outgoing Chief of Air Staff, Air Chief Marshal Birender Singh Dhanoa.
- The Chairman of the Chiefs of Staff Committee, is the head of the Chiefs of Staff Committee.
- The most senior chief of staff is appointed to serve as a chairman until he retires.
- The Chairman of COSC is responsible for inter-service synergy.
- COSC only serve as Primus inter pares to the other Chiefs of Staff, he does not wield any power.
- The Chairman is assisted by the Integrated Defence Staff.
Exercise KAZIND – 2019
Context
Joint Military Exercise KAZIND-2019 between India and Kazakhstan will be conducted at Pithoragarh (Uttrakhand).
Highlights
- Exercise KAZIND-2019 is the fourth edition of an annual event which is conducted alternatively in Kazakhstan and India.
- The aim of this exercise – is to conduct company level joint training with emphasis on counter terrorism operations in mountainous terrain.
- During the exercise, aspects of emerging trends of global terrorism and hybrid warfare have also been included.
- The joint military exercise will enhance the level of defence cooperation further fostering bilateral relations between the two nations.
National Tourism Awards 2017-18
Context
Vice President of India presents the National Tourism Awards 2017-18 on World Tourism Day in New Delhi.
Highlights
- A total of 76 awards were given under various categories this year.
- Andhra Pradesh bagged the top honour for Best State award for overall growth in tourism category at the National Tourism Awards 2017-18,
- Goa and Madhya Pradesh were the joint winners in the Adventure Tourism category.
- Uttarakhand won the award for the Best Film Promotion-Friendly State.
- Telangana won the award for the Best State for the innovative use of IT.
Aadi Mahotsav
Context
Minister of State for Tribal Affairs inaugurates National Tribal Festival “Aadi Mahotsav”.
Highlights
- “Aadi Mahotsav” being organised by Ministry of Tribal Affairs at India Expo Centre, Noida (UP).
- The scheme of the festival is- A celebration of the spirit of Tribal Culture, Craft, Cuisine and Commerce. The festival will feature exhibition-cum-sale of tribal handicrafts, art, paintings fabric, jewellery and much more through 70 stalls.
- Aadi Mahotsav is a national tribal festival and a joint initiative of Ministry of Tribal Affairs, Government of India & Tribal Cooperative Marketing Development Federation of India (TRIFED).
