As we prepare ourselves to bid adieu to yet another eventful year, GNBC brings you 10 reasons to cheer and start a new year on a positive note. The ‘Top 10 News 2015’ is a collection of best news of the year in each category. Only those Good News are selected that have had a commendable impact on different sections of the society.
1. Tata Trusts with Khan Academy to provide free online education in India
Tata Trusts and Khan Academy (a US based non-profit organisation) have come together for a five year (2015-2020), non- profit partnership to facilitate free online education for the middle and lower income group learners in India. It includes proposal to offer classes in regional languages such as Marathi, Tamil and Bangla.
News Source: DNA India
Image Source: Hindustan Times
2. UST Global launches women’s safety app, iSafe, ahead of International Women’s Day
In March 2015, the UST Global launched a mobile based application, iSafe, for women safety through Thiruvanthapuram City Police. When in trouble, women can send instant alert to the police who will receive the location and the subscriber ID, thus enabling their tracking by the police. The organisation plans to provide the service to other state police services as well.
News Source: UST Global
Image Source: Google Play
3. Government has launched a single window government-to-business (G2B) portal for 11 central government services
Taking e-governance to higher level the government of India launched eBiz.gov.in portal in February 2015 to facilitate transparent and easy business environment in the country. Developed as a Public-Private Partnership initiative, the collaboration between Infosys and National Institute of Smart Government will cover 50 services across 10 states during 10 years.
News Source: The Business Line
Image Source: eBiz.gov.in
4. National Action Plan for Skill Training of Persons with Disabilities Launched
In March 2015, the Government of India launched an ambitious National Action Plan for Skill Training of Persons with disabilities with a view to provide a dignified livelihood to about 2.5 million persons over seven years between 2015 and 2055. Two Ministries, the Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship and the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment would oversee the plan so that the use of information technology, training and employer connect can be synergised.
News Source: PIB
Image Source: NRI News 24×7.com
5. Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi launches Pradhan Mantri MUDRA Yojana
In April 2015, an initiative was taken to encourage very small scale/micro entrepreneurship, by creating MUDRA (Micro Units Development and Refinance Agency Ltd.) Bank. MUDRA would streamline the agencies providing microfinance, thus enabling entrepreneurs to set up business with a loan investment between INR 50,000 and INR 10 lakhs.
News Source: PIB
Image Source: narendramodi.in
6. The Cabinet approved the Pradhan Mantri Kaushal Vikas Yojana (PMKVY)
With a view to impart skills to first time entrants to the labour market and class 10 to class 12 drop outs, the Union Cabinet approved Rs 1,500 crore for the Pradhan Mantri Vikas Yojana in March 2015. To be implemented through the National Skill Development Corporation and the Union Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship, the Yojana will be based on the industry led standards. Apart from training, there would be rewards as well, for individuals and local bodies involved.
News Source: Economic Times
Image Source: vidyaweb.in
7. Connecting Employer and Jobseekers: PM Modi launches jobs website, National Career Service portal
Connecting Employer and Jobseekers, Prime Minister Narendra Modi launched the National Career Counseling Portal as part of an endeavour to modernise all government-run employment exchanges. The industry will also have a platform to find skilled manpower.
News Source: First Post
Image Source: ncs.gov.in
8. E-lala, an e-commerce portal to promote business-to-business and trader-to-customer transactions within a city
Online shopping got a truly Indian touch in November 2015, with the e-commerce portal, E-lala, being made operational. A Confederation of All India Traders (CAIT) initiative, it will promote products of 5.7 crore small business, which are facing a threat from MNCs and their e-commerce. Providing marketing services, the portal will specifically focus on unique artistic products of each city.
News Source: Live Mint
Image Source: e-lala.in
9. PM Narendra Modi announces ‘Start up; Stand up India’ initiative to create more jobs
On the eve of 69th Independence Day on 15 August, 2015, a new initiative was launched by the Union Government in the form of a Campaign, ‘Start up India, Stand up India.’ With a view to promote bank financing for start-ups and offer incentives to boost entrepreneurship among st the youth, the star feature of the initiative is that each of the 1.25 lakh bank branches should encourage at least one Dalit or tribal entrepreneur and at least one woman entrepreneur.
News Source: Indian Express
Image Source: mapsofindia.com
10. Aricent Employability Programme, a unique corporate social responsibility initiative
Aricent a US firm and NASSCOM Foundation launched an Aricent Employability Programme to create employment opportunities for 2,500 engineering graduates across Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, Delhi NCR and Rajasthan. Along with two training partners PRIMED and Global Talent Track, on-campus training is aimed at preparing candidates for IT-BPM industry.
News Source: Deccan Herald
Image Source: cxotoday.com