Youth Information Issue 6/2015

[ICYO INDIA]

ICYO- Youth Information                                      

(E-Newsletter from network of youth organizations in India)
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ICYO - Platform of Youth Organizations in India.     
           ICYO - India’s largest network of urban and rural youth.
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In this issue:

o    Galvanize youth power: President of India

o    Skill Development Centres in Maoist Affected Areas

o    Youth Exchange Programme

o    National Service Scheme (NSS)

o    Steps Towards Reducing Dropout Rate of Students

o    Career-Oriented Short Term Courses in Universities and Colleges

o    Schemes for encouraging sports at School Level

o    India-EU Skill Development Project

& Incoming Events

 

Galvanize youth power to sense unmet needs of common man as well as search, spread and celebrate Innovations:  President of India

 

The President of India, Shri Pranab Mukherjee addressed a Global Round-table on Inclusive Innovations on March 7, 2015. The Roundtable is being organized as part of a weeklong Festival of Innovations being held in the Rashtrapati Bhavan.

 

Speaking on the occasion, the President said India has a long tradition of grassroots innovation. From time to time, the common people in this country have ushered in novel solutions to overcome their day-to-day difficulties. The drivers that influence the pursuit of innovation are many – from basic survival to propulsion of growth. A healthy eco-system is needed for harnessing the innovative potential of various segments in different sectors and at multiple levels in our society.

 

The President said creating an inclusive eco-system calls for linkages between grassroots innovators on the one hand, and academic institutions and market forces on the other. Countries successful in building such a network have become innovation leaders. Our youth power has to be galvanized for nation-building. Students have to be encouraged to sense the unmet needs of the common man, and search, spread and celebrate innovations.

 

The President said by partnering with companies and colleges in India and abroad, our grassroots innovators will propel a different kind of globalization. The products and services based on grassroots knowledge and creativity will reach global markets in an affordable, accessible and accountable manner.

 

The President called upon all participants in the Round Table to participate in the Indian development story, which will exhibit frugal and sustainable pathways for other countries and communities. He said in this era of globalization, Indian innovations and development will not only benefit India but also the rest of the world. Ingenious goods and services developed through inclusive innovation, and by blending affordability, accessibility, acceptability and availability, will have the potential to transform the global landscape.

 

Youth related News from Parliament:

 

Skill Development Centres in Maoist Affected Areas

 

Ministry of Tribal Affairs provides funds to the State Governments including those effected with Maoist activities to carry out skill development and employment-cum-income generation programmes. During the current financial year, the Ministry has provided funds to the State Governments and impressed upon them for promotion of need based integrated livelihood / skill development initiatives among tribals such as, diversified crops, horticulture, dairy, poultry, fisheries, apiculture, sericulture etc. with proper market linkages, financing under line department schemes like milk cooperatives, marketable traditional skills like paintings, handlooms, handicrafts, artisans, skilled employment and other arts, entrepreneurship, modern skills, solar cell assembly and electrician, mobile phone repair etc. with appropriate placements, eco tourism in Tribal areas and skills for women, computer training hospitality, paramedics, Ayurvedic and tribal medicines and medical practices etc.

 

Functioning of RGNIYD

 

The Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Youth Affairs and Sports Shri Sarbananda Sonowal has said in Parliament on March 3, 2015, that all academic programmes of Rajiv Gandhi National Institute of Youth Development (RGNIYD)  have due relevance for the youth development. The Institute is also in the process of reviewing the existing academic programmes and refining them to suit the changing trends. The Institute will offer programmes which have relevance for youth development and approved by the statutory bodies.

 

Youth Exchange Programme

 

The Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Youth Affairs and Sports ShriSarbanandaSonowal has said that the details of Youth Exchange programmes conducted under the International Youth Exchange Programme by Department of Youth Affairs, Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports for the last three years and current year are given below:

 

(Rs. in lakhs)

Year       Youth Exchange   Indian               Foreign            Funds               Funds

               Programmes         delegates         delegates       allocated       utilized

               Conducted           sent to other     received

                                             Countries          in India

2011-12            2                      509                   495                   1215.00            721.00

2012-13            3                      123                   219                   385.00              251.00

2013-14            3                      121                   219                   385.00              298.00

2014-15            3                      118                   221                   280.00              250.00*

*: as on 25.02.2015

 

In a written reply in the LokSabha today Shri Sonowal said, Youth Exchange programme between India and China has been continuing since 2006. There is no decision for Youth Festival and Youth Exchange programme with other BRICS Nations.

 

Various programmes are already being implemented by Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports, Government of India  for integrating Youth in the mainstream and to provide knowhow of customs and cultural heritage of other States  like the Tribal Youth Exchange programme, National Integration Camps, National Youth Festival, Inter-State Youth Exchange programmes,  State Youth Festivals,   NSS (National Service Scheme) mega camps,  NSS Republic Day Parade Camp and North East NSS Festivals etc., Shri Sonowal added.

 

National Service Scheme (NSS)

 

The Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Youth Affairs and Sports Shri Sarbananda Sonowal has said that at present, there is no such proposal under consideration for de-linking of National Service Scheme (NSS) operation from funding for the institutions under consideration by the Government. The average expenditure on NSS youth per annum is Rs.475/- Some of the colleges/schools do charge one time registration fee of about Rs.20/- per youth. This is a meagre amount and not a burden on students.

 

In a written reply in the Parliament on March 3, 2015 ShriSonowal said, NSS has remained immensely popular among the student youth. However, it is not possible to fund all the institutions due to budgetary limitations. As per experience NSS continues smoothly to function with or without funds from the Government.

 

Steps Towards Reducing Dropout Rate of Students

 

According to the Unified District Information System for Education (U-DISE) 2013–14 (Provisional), the average annual dropout rate for primary level was 4.67% and for upper primary level 3.13% during 2012-13, in the country. The drop-out rate has been decreasing continuously over the years with better access to schooling facilities, improved school infrastructure and deployment of additional teachers under Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan.

 

The Central Government is implementing several schemes in collaboration with State Governments to ensure development in the education sector. The Sarva Shiks haAbhiyan is being implemented in accordance with the norms and standards of the RTE Act to enhance enrolment and retention of children, with context- specific interventions for SC/ ST students and a multi–pronged approach for reducing dropout rates. This includes inter-alia strengthening of school infrastructure and facilities, residential hostel buildings for children in habitations not covered by regular schools, provisioning for additional teachers, regular training of teachers, provision for free text books and uniforms to children. The Kasturba Gandhi Balika Vidyalaya Scheme provides for setting up of residential upper primary schools for girls from SCs, STs, OBCs and Minority communities. The Mid Day Meal Scheme is also being implemented with a view to enhance enrolment and retention of children in schools.

 

This information was given by the Union Human Resource Development Minister, Smt. Smriti Irani in a written reply to the Rajya Sabha question on 2nd March 2015.

 

Career-Oriented Short Term Courses in Universities and Colleges

 

The Union Human Resource Development Minister, Smt. Smriti Irani informed in writing during question hours in Rajya Sabha that the University Grants Commission (UGC) is implementing a scheme titled “Introduction of Career Oriented Courses (COCs)” in Universities and Colleges in the country to encourage incorporation of skill oriented and value added add-on-courses in Colleges/ Universities at Certificate/Diploma/Advance Diploma level. The COCs are run concurrently with conventional degrees like B.A./B.Com/B.Sc.

 

The UGC is also implementing the Scheme of Community Colleges in Universities and Colleges to impart skill based vocational education and training to learners through credit based modular programmes with industry partnership. As on date, there are 157 institutions approved by the UGC, under this Scheme, catering to the needs of 76 skill sectors.

 

Schemes for encouraging sports at School Level

 

The Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Youth Affairs and Sports Shri Sarbananda Sonowal has said that as Sports is a State subject, the primary responsibility for encouraging sports among students at school level is that of States. However, Department of Sports and the Sports Authority of India supplement the efforts of the States. School Games Federation of India (SGFI) and Association of Indian Universities (AIU) have been recognized by the Government of India as National Sports Promotion Organizations (NSPOs) and are eligible for the same level of assistance as are available to National Sports Federations (NSFs).

 

In a written reply in the Rajya Sabha today Shri Sonowal said, the Right of Children to Free and Compulsory Education (RTE) Act, 2009, has been enacted, making elementary education a Fundamental Right, which, inter alia, provides for

 

(i)         a play ground for each school;

(ii)        A part time instructor for physical education in upper primary schools;

(iii)       Supply of play material, games and sports equipment, as required, to schools.

 

The Minister said, in terms of the provisions of the RTE Act, no school shall be established or recognized unless it fulfils the norms specified in the Schedule attached to the Act.

 

He further said, Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) has made it mandatory for all schools affiliated to it to provide one compulsory period for sports upto 10th class and two periods in a week for classes 11 and 12.

 

Shri Sonowal said, under Rajiv Gandhi Khel Abhiyan (RGKA) Scheme, integrated sports complexes will be constructed in every rural block panchayat of the country.

 

India-EU Skill Development Project

 

Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Skill Development & Entrepreneurship Shri Rajiv Pratap Rudy has said that the India-EU project is a technical assistance project for vocational training under which experts provided by the EU provide advice and guidance on implementation of National Skills Qualifications Framework, setting up Labour Market Information System and capacity building of the National Skills Development Authority, three State Skill Development Missions and six Sector Skills Councils.

 

Incoming Event:

 

National Integration Youth Camp in NCR, Gurgon

 

National Youth Project will organize the National Integration Youth Camp in Gurgoan, Haryana near Delhi from 23 to 28 March 2015. For more information please available from ICYO at icyo...@gmail.com 

 

Cycle Rally on Int. Water Day

 

National Youth Project, Patna unit will organize the Cycle Rally on International Water Day in Patna. Mr Ranjit Rai informed that about 50 youth from Patna will participate in Cycle Rally. For more information contact nyppat...@gmail.com 

 

GA of Asian Youth Council in Mongolia

 

The Asia announced it XIII General Assembly which will held from 18 to 21 May 2015 in Ulaanbaatar, Mangolia. 

 

The topic chosen for the assembly is One 2015: Youth’s Role in the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

 

Gandhi Camp 2015 Olema, CA (USA)

 

The Camp is from August 2 - August 9, 2015 in Olema for children in grades 5-12. The Gandhi Youth camp has given an opportunity to hundreds of our youth to learn Gandhian principles of truthfulness, tolerance and self-help.

 

This camp stresses the following values:

•          Self-help and self-discipline

•          Friendship and mutual respect

•          Service to others

•          Truth and honesty

•          Non-violence and love

•          Respect for the environment

•          Integrated physical, emotional, intellectual and spiritual development

 

This is open for US residence only. For registration contact is Lakshmi Ravi, Manager - Youth Programmes, India Community Center, USA email: laks...@indiacc.org

 

 

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Indian Committee of Youth Organizations (ICYO) is the network organization, committed in developing areas of mutual cooperation and understanding among different youth voluntary agencies, youth groups, clubs and individuals working in the field of youth welfare in India. 

ICYO functions as an umbrella organization of youth NGOs in India. It's family consists of over 550 organizations spread in 124 districts of 26 states from different corners of India.
Affiliation: 
Consultative (Roster) Status with ECOSOC, United Nations;
Consultative Status with Commission on Sustainable Development;
Full Member of World Assembly of Youth (WAY);

Full member of Asian Youth Council (AYC);
Working relation with Foundation for Leadership Initiatives (FLI).