How SPKSY scheme is bringing back girl children to school in Jharkhand
In an attempt to prevent child marriages, school dropout and boosting higher education especially among girl children, the Government of Jharkhand has been running the Savitribai Phule Kishori Samriddhi Yojana (SPKSY) scheme. Under this scheme scholarships totalling Rs 40,000 is provided to the beneficiary in six instalments. The scheme which was launched by the Hemant Soren-led government is aimed at encouraging higher education among adolescent girls across the state.
This financial assistance from the state government is a major support to a lot of girls belonging to the marginalised sections of the society to fulfil their dreams of pursuing higher education. This scheme has not only helped combat the issue of child marriage in the state but has also played a role in reducing the number of dropouts of girl students from schools.
Benefits of SPKSY scheme
Under the Savitribai Phule Kishori Samriddhi Yojana scheme or SPKSY, a total amount of Rs 40,000 is given by the state to the girl student in six instalments. Girls students in classes VIII to XII get Rs 20,000 in five instalments and Rs 20,000 in one instalment when they reach the age of 18 or 19.
In 2023-24, reportedly over 7.15 adolescent girls were part of the scheme and the benefits were given to over nine lakh girls.
Campaign to boost attendance in schools
Meanwhile, the Seeti Bajao School Bulao campaign launched by the state’s School Education and Literacy Department is working to raise awareness among students and parents to increase attendance in schools and prevent dropouts.
As part of this campaign, a group of student representatives in school uniforms of different colours walk through the streets and lanes in various localities early in the morning before school. These children blow whistles as a way of calling other students to come and join them on the way to school. The students then march to their respective schools, singing, chatting and dancing.
The purpose is to encourage children who are unwilling to go to school to bring them back to the classroom. At the same time, parents who encourage their children to stay at home and perform household chores or help them in the field, the campaign also sends a message to them about the necessity of sending their children to the school.
Gee Saidpur Children to ‘Learn Modern’ with Model Anganwadi
Ambuja Cements, the cement and building material company of the diversified Adani Group, is committed to providing high-quality education for all. Through CSR efforts, the Company has inaugurated a model Anganwadi in Gee Saidpur of Haridwar district near Ambuja Cements Roorkee. This initiative has been designed to support early childhood education and community health by offering a vibrant, safe learning environment for children.
The newly inaugurated model Anganwadi in Gee Saidpur boasts of vibrant BaLA (Building as Learning Aid) murals that promote learning through visuals, while informative boards on education and health provide valuable information for children and the community. Comfortable benches and desks at the facility ensure a conducive learning environment, while comprehensive measurement equipment including weighing scales, infant meters, and mid-upper-arm circumference measuring tapes are available for accurate assessment of children’s growth.
The Anganwadi also features a dedicated nutrition knowledge centre where the Auxiliary Nurse Midwife (ANM) and Community Health Officers conduct regular health screenings for community members, promoting well-being and preventive healthcare. Engaging monthly activities like birthday celebrations, Annaprashan, and Godh Bharai are conducted as per ICDS guidelines, fostering social interaction and cultural understanding. The Anganwadi also provides support for water and sanitation facilities, ensuring a clean and hygienic environment for the children.
Ambuja Cements has a long-standing commitment to community development, having previously established model such Anganwadis in Daudbasi, Chhapur, and Lavva villages in the region. This fourth Anganwadi further reinforces Ambuja Cements’ dedication to creating a brighter future for children, significantly impacting lives of rural families by enhancing community infrastructure and focusing on both education and health.
Disclaimer: This media release is auto-generated. The CSR Journal is not responsible for the content.
Air Quality Monitoring Enhanced with New Mobile Vans
The Maharashtra Pollution Control Board (MPCB) is excited to announce the procurement of seven Mobile Continuous Ambient Air Quality Monitoring Vans. This significant initiative is designed to bolster air quality monitoring in Mumbai, addressing the growing concerns of citizens regarding ambient air pollution, particularly in relation to particulate emissions.
As complaints about air quality continue to rise, the MPCB recognizes the urgent need for timely and effective responses. Many complaints are submitted through various online platforms, reflecting the increasing public awareness and concern over pollution levels. However, the lack of existing infrastructure in certain areas has posed challenges for timely investigations. Traditional methods of manual monitoring have been proven to be not only time-consuming but also inefficient in providing the rapid assessments needed to address air quality issues.
The newly acquired fleet includes five vans equipped with cutting-edge PM10 and PM2.5 analyzers, alongside two vans specifically designed for Ground-Level Ozone monitoring. These advanced technological tools will facilitate real-time data collection and analysis, enabling the MPCB to investigate air quality complaints more thoroughly and initiate appropriate actions promptly. This real-time monitoring capability is crucial for understanding pollution trends and identifying sources of emissions.
Siddhesh Ramdas Kadam, Chairman of MPCB, emphasized the significance of this initiative, stating, “The introduction of these mobile monitoring vans marks a significant step forward in our commitment to improving air quality across Maharashtra. By enhancing our monitoring capabilities, we aim to ensure a healthier environment for all citizens. It is essential that we respond to the concerns of the public with the urgency they deserve, and these mobile units will play a key role in achieving that goal.”
The mobile monitoring units will be strategically deployed across various regions of Mumbai, with priority given to areas experiencing the highest number of complaints. This proactive approach will enable the MPCB to take swift action to tackle air pollution, ensuring that the health and well-being of residents are safeguarded.
The MPCB encourages citizens to continue reporting air quality issues through the designated online platforms. Together, with the support of advanced monitoring technology and community engagement, the Board aims to create a cleaner, healthier Mumbai for all.
Disclaimer: This media release is auto-generated. The CSR Journal is not responsible for the content.
‘Dream Come True’ Moment for Five Kids, as they Meet Players of the Indian National Cricket Team
Cricket is not just a sport in India, it is an emotion, passion & source of inspiration for millions. Growing up in communities where cricket has always been a unifying passion, most of us often watched matches on borrowed screens or heard commentaries on radios. Getting a glimpse of our favourite cricketing heroes or witnessing the excitement of a live match often feels like a distant dream for most of us. However, for five kids from Parikrma Humanity Foundation, it was a dream-come-true moment when they not only got a glimpse of their cricketing stars but were in the practice nets with players of Indian national cricket team.
In a meet & greet platform facilitated by SBI Life Insurance and BCCI, the five underprivileged kids from Parikrma Humanity Foundation found themselves getting wicketkeeping tips from Sanju Samson, facing the bowling attack of ace wicket taker Arshdeep Singh and batting alongside none other than the current Indian T20 captain Suryakumar Yadav himself. The kids thoroughly enjoyed their dream-come-true moment, as the players indulged themselves with the kids in a no holds barred playtime in the practice nets, making for an unforgettable once in a lifetime encounter.
The objective behind the initiative by SBI Life Insurance was to enrich the lives of underprivileged children by not only supporting their education & holistic development but also inspiring them to dream big and achieve their aspirations for a brighter future. The time spent by the cricketing stars with kids of Parikrma Humanity foundation exemplifies how small gestures can create lasting memories and encourage young minds to dream big.
The five kids Deepika M, Mailari N, Ananya V, Nava Pranav and Paogouhao L, also got the opportunity to watch the India Vs Bangladesh international T20 match at the Arun Jaitley Stadium in New Delhi.
Mr. Ravindra Sharma, Chief of Brand, Corporate Communication, and CSR at SBI Life, said, “We’re honoured to have played a small part in helping these children experience such a significant moment in their lives. At SBI Life we look at our partnership with BCCI beyond supporting the sport to inspire fans across the nation and liberate them to dream big and pursue those dreams. We are thankful of the cricketing legends like Suryakumar Yadav, Arshdeep Singh and Sanju Samson, to take time out and wholeheartedly play ball with kids, the quality time spent will be etched as an inspirational memory for the kids, encouraging them to dream big. Through initiatives like these, SBI Life remains committed to supporting and empowering children, ensuring that their dreams are nurtured both inside and outside the classroom”.
Ms. Shukla Bose, Founder & CEO, Parikrma Humanity Foundation, said, “SBI Life has been a great support to Parikrma in running our school and college for underserved children in Bangalore. They have not only helped us financially but also found various opportunities for our children. We are very thankful to SBIL for inviting some of our children to be at the 20:20 cricket match in Delhi. We believe this exposure is a very important life skill lesson for our students. We hope this opportunity will give our children the exposure they lack. Who knows, they could well be one of the cricketers playing for our country in a few years’ time. Thanks for helping us in nation building.”
Disclaimer: This media release is auto-generated. The CSR Journal is not responsible for the content.
Global Handwashing Day 2024: Wash Hands to Prevent Communicable Diseases
October 14th is observed as Global Handwashing Day across the globe every year. The day was founded by the Global Handwashing Partnership and was determined by the UN General Assembly in 2008. It focuses on the importance of hand wash and comes up with “creative ways to encourage people to wash their hands with soap at critical times”.
In 2008, the first World Handwashing Day was celebrated in more than 70 nations. More than 120 million children across the world participated that year. All children washed their hands with soap. Since then, people are observing the day to spread awareness about “washing hands, build sinks and tippy taps, and demonstrate the simplicity and value of clean hands.”
Global Handwashing Day 2024
Washing hands before eating have always been a way to maintain cleanliness. During the COVID-19 pandemic, the importance of hand washing was highlighted to prevent the spread of the disease. However, as the memories of the pandemic start to fade, people are starting to fall back on old habits. Therefore, the theme of Global Handwashing Day 2024 is: “Why are clean hands still important?”
Handwashing to prevent the spread of communicable diseases
A number of infectious diseases can be spread from one person to another by contaminated hands. Some of these diseases are listed below.
Noroviruses
Norovirus is the most common cause of viral gastroenteritis in humans and it can affect people of all ages. It’s transmitted when people don’t wash their hands and worryingly, they can spread very quickly within large groups of people in close quarters. This is why when one person gets ill, entire households or offices often catch it too.
The best way to stop noroviruses from spreading or occurring in the first place is to wash your hands thoroughly after using the bathroom, before preparing food and to avoid touching your nose and mouth.
Respiratory Illnesses
Respiratory illnesses are usually spread via droplets that are breathed, sneezed or coughed into the air by someone who has the illness. While sneezing and coughing help to spread illnesses, poor hand washing techniques are a big culprit as well.
Common respiratory illnesses caused by poor hand hygiene include the common cold, influenza, chickenpox and meningitis.
Nosocomial infections
We often hear of infections being transmitted in hospitals and this is often the result of staff and patients not washing their hands. Naturally, there’s a huge amount of infections present in hospitals and if staff don’t wash their hands between seeing patients or if people with an infection aren’t practising good hand hygiene, they can very easily pass their illness onto others.
Some of the most common nosocomial infections which can be spread by germs and bacteria on our hands include MRSA and E.coli.
Hepatitis A
Hepatitis A is a viral infection that can cause severe symptoms including problems with the liver, jaundice, abdominal pain, fever and fatigue. It’s often spread via food that has been contaminated by people preparing it who haven’t washed their hands after using the bathroom.
According to the Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, UK, digesting even microscopic traces of contaminated faecal matter can cause transmission of the disease. Practicing good hand washing techniques is one of the easiest and most effective ways of preventing illnesses from spreading. This is something that is particularly important in the workplace where large groups of people can catch the same infection
Handwashing to battle the rise in antibiotic resistance
Preventing sickness reduces the number of antibiotics people use and the likelihood that antibiotic resistance will develop. Handwashing can prevent about 30% of diarrhoea-related sicknesses and about 20% of respiratory infections (e.g., colds). Antibiotics often are prescribed unnecessarily for these health issues. Reducing the number of these infections by washing hands frequently helps prevent the overuse of antibiotics—the single most important factor leading to antibiotic resistance around the world. Handwashing can also prevent people from getting sick with germs that are already resistant to antibiotics and that can be difficult to treat.
Statistics that Highlight How Not washing hands harms children around the world
1. About 1.8 million children under the age of 5 die each year from diarrheal diseases and pneumonia, the top two killers of young children around the
world.
2. Handwashing with soap could protect about 1 out of every 3 young children who get sick with diarrhoea and almost 1 out of 5 young children with respiratory infections like pneumonia.
3. Although people around the world clean their hands with water, very few use soap to wash their hands. Washing hands with soap removes germs much more effectively.
4. Handwashing education and access to soap in schools can help improve attendance.
5. Good handwashing early in life may help improve child development in some settings.
6. Estimated global rates of handwashing after using the toilet are only 19% as of 2020.
Is Flood Damage Covered by Your Car Insurance Policy? Key Information to Understand
Natural disasters, such as floods, are unpredictable and can cause significant damage to vehicles. With the increasing instances of floods due to heavy rains and storms, it is crucial for car owners to understand whether their car insurance policy covers flood damage and how to make effective car insurance claims in such scenarios. This article will provide key information on how flood damage is treated in car insurance, the claims process, and important tips to protect your vehicle.
Understanding comprehensive car insurance coverage
Flood damage falls under the umbrella of comprehensive car insurance. A comprehensive car insurance policy offers protection not only from accidents and collisions but also from non-collision-related incidents such as natural disasters, theft, fire, vandalism, and, importantly, floods.
Unlike third-party insurance, which is mandatory and covers only damages to a third party, comprehensive insurance provides more extensive coverage. If your car is affected by a flood or similar events, having comprehensive coverage can ensure that the financial burden is minimal.
Key features of comprehensive insurance coverage:
– Flood and water damage protection: Covers repair or replacement costs if the car suffers damage due to flooding, heavy rain, or waterlogging.
– Theft and fire: Protects against damages caused by theft, attempted theft, fire, or explosions.
– Accidental damage: Covers damage to your vehicle in case of accidents or collisions.
– Vandalism: Offers coverage if your vehicle is damaged due to acts of vandalism.
How does car insurance cover flood damage?
Flood damage can result from heavy rains, rising water levels, or waterlogging in urban areas. The extent of the damage can range from minor electrical malfunctions to severe engine failure. A car insurance policy that includes comprehensive coverage generally covers the following types of flood-related damage:
– Engine damage due to water ingress: One of the most common forms of flood damage occurs when water enters the engine, leading to severe engine failure or a condition known as hydrostatic lock.
– Electrical system damage: Floods can cause short-circuiting or total damage to the vehicle’s electrical systems, including lights, sensors, and the battery.
– Interior damage: Prolonged exposure to water can cause damage to the car’s upholstery, dashboard, and electronic components inside the vehicle.
– Exterior damage: Floods can lead to rusting or corrosion of the vehicle’s body, along with damage to the paint or external features like mirrors and lights.
However, it is important to note that standard comprehensive insurance may not cover engine damage due to water ingress unless specific add-ons, like an engine protection add-on, are included. Always review the details of your car insurance policy to know the exact scope of coverage.
Important add-ons for flood protection
While comprehensive car insurance offers a degree of protection against flood damage, certain add-ons can further enhance your coverage and help you avoid out-of-pocket expenses in case of flood-related issues.
– Engine protection add-on: This add-on specifically covers the cost of repairs or replacement of engine parts damaged due to water ingress or hydrostatic lock. Without this add-on, engine damage caused by water may not be covered under the standard comprehensive policy.
– Zero depreciation add-on: Also known as a bumper-to-bumper cover, this add-on ensures that you get the full claim amount for the damaged parts without factoring in depreciation. This is particularly useful for vehicles damaged during floods, as the cost of repairs can be high.
– Roadside assistance add-on: If your car is stranded due to flood conditions, roadside assistance can help you by providing towing services or emergency repairs to get your vehicle back on the road.
Making car insurance claims for flood damage
If your car is damaged due to floods, you can make car insurance claims to recover the repair costs. Here is the step-by-step process for filing a claim:
1. Inform your insurer immediately
Contact your insurance provider as soon as you discover that your vehicle has been damaged by floods. Timely notification is important to ensure that your claim is processed quickly. Most insurers provide a helpline or customer service number for such emergencies.
2. Document the damage
Take clear photos and videos of the damage to your vehicle. This documentation will serve as evidence when filing the claim and help your insurer assess the extent of the damage.
3. Avoid starting the car
If your car has suffered water ingress, avoid attempting to start the vehicle. Starting the engine in such a situation can cause more severe damage, especially to the engine. Inform your insurer, and if you have the roadside assistance add-on, use it to tow your car to a service centre.
4. Submit necessary documents
When filing a claim, you will need to provide several documents to your insurance company, including your car insurance policy, registration certificate (RC), and photographs of the damaged car. Some insurers may also require a detailed estimate of the repair costs from an authorised service centre.
5. Claim assessment and settlement
Once the insurer receives all the necessary documents, a surveyor will assess the extent of the damage. Based on the surveyor’s report, the insurer will approve or reject the claim. If approved, the claim amount will be processed and paid out to either you or the service centre, depending on the type of claim settlement opted for (cashless or reimbursement).
Important points to consider
While making car insurance claims for flood damage, there are a few things to keep in mind:
– Do not delay the claim: Inform your insurer about the flood damage as soon as possible. Delaying the claim may complicate the process or lead to claim rejection.
– Review your coverage: Ensure that your car insurance policy covers flood-related damages, especially if you live in flood-prone areas. Add-ons like engine protection and zero depreciation can be extremely helpful.