Leather Sector has Potential to Create 2 Million Jobs Over Next 5 Years: Mahendra Nath Pandey

Speaking at a ceremony today where more than a thousand candidates in the leather sector were awarded Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) Certificates in Chennai, Dr. Mahendra Nath Pandey, Hon’ble Minister for Skill Development and Entrepreneurship (MSDE), Govt. of India said the Leather Sector is an Export driven sector and has the potential to create 2 million jobs in the next 5 years. The Government of India had recently announced in the Budget of 2019 that export duty be rationalized on raw and semi-finished leather increasing opportunities in the sector.

Dr. Pandey distributed Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) certificates to the graduating trainees under Pradhan Mantri Kaushal Vikas Yojana (PMKVY) of Skill India, who were trained, assessed and certified on their existing skill sets across leather companies with the due effort of the Leather Sector Skill Council (LSSC). The certification ceremony was graced by Dr. Nilofer Kafeel, Minister for Labour and Employment, Govt. of Tamil Nadu.

Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship works closely with the LSSC under Pradhan Mantri Kaushal Vikas Yojana (PMKVY) which encourages skill development to boost employability and productivity of youth by incentivizing skill training.  Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL), under PMKVY, certifies skills acquired informally and drives youth to venture into aspirational job roles. For the industry, formalizing the skills of employees will give a clear picture about the available skill sets, skill gaps and the need for upgradation to achieve desirable quality and productivity benchmarks. The outstanding candidates, certified under RPL, were given Best in Class Employer Scheme and HRD Scheme certificates during the ceremony.

As of last week, more than 2 million candidates across the country have received RPL under the PMKVY (2016-20). As per the latest report (17 September), of the 2.78 million candidates enrolled, 2.70 million have been trained while 2.15 million have been assessed and 2.03 million have been given certificates.

The ministry has also proposed to execute Mochi Swabhimaan Initiative nationwide where leather sector skill council will support the cobbler community, providing a better environment to work in, with kiosks and umbrellas, towards an increased emphasis on dignity of labour.

Lauding the efforts of LSSC, Dr. Mahendra Nath Pandey, Hon’ble Minister for Skill Development and Entrepreneurship stated, “Globally, India is the second largest producer of leather garments and footwear and with this phenomenal market potential, the sector seems promising in the years to come. When we look back at our past, India has always had a rich heritage of leather crafts like footwear and accessories. These were prepared by highly skilled craftsmen from various clusters like Agra, Kanpur, Ambur and other regions. Today, these skills need to be preserved and people should be encouraged to make them a means of sustainable livelihood. At the same time India has many institutions of higher learning like FDDI, CFTI and CLRI where research and design is continuously taken up to support the industry. I am glad to see the outcome of your RPL programs undertaken in close collaboration with the industry. I congratulate all the candidates who are receiving their certificates today and wish them better opportunities for continued learning and career development. I wish you all great success and I extend continued support to LSSC team and all their partners.”

“The Government of India has allowed 100% foreign direct investment (FDI) in the sector and rationalized export duty on raw and semi-finished leather. The sector employees over 2.5 million people and has potential to create 2 million jobs in the next 5 years,” he further added.

India accounts for about 13% of the world’s leather production. Footwear and Leather products in the world. The leather and leather products industry contributes less than 1% to India’s GDP and Footwear industry contributes about 2% to India’s GDP. Indian leather industry has huge potential for exports. It can reach USD 9.0 billion by 2020, from the present level of USD 5.85 billion. India has trade agreements with Japan, Korea, ASEAN, Chile etc., and is negotiating Free Trade Agreement (FTA) with European Union, Australia etc.

“Fashion and trends have a great influence in this industry. There are many opportunities for entrepreneurship in traditional leather trades and new forms of leather substitutes. We need to cater to basic needs as well as luxury segments, with vast potential for exports. On this occasion, I would advise the Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) and Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) to review their manufacturing processes in terms of quality of output and wastage reduction by skilled professionals,” said Dr. Pandey.

“Technology has had a huge impact on every industry and leather is not left behind. While your manufacturing set up and factory premises need quick upgrades you should also focus on today’s e-commerce scenario. This brings in the need for multiskilling the workforce in the leather industry, since they will need appropriate digital skills to interact with online systems and a global customer base. I hope you are already taking these steps in this direction to expand your global outreach,” said the Minister.

To recognize and enhance the value of skilled manpower, LSSC has successfully implemented the RPL program to certify the workforce as per the National Skills Qualifications Framework (NSQF). The certification will contribute to the mobility of the workforce and will reduce employer dependence for recognition. Particularly, for the women who form a large chunk of the workforce, RPL will encourage them to enhance their skills basis their certification levels. 

New Party Founded by Denizens of Bengaluru, Aims to Make the City a Model City

A political party, Bengaluru NavaNirmana Party (BNP), with a vision to make Bengaluru a model city and having an ideology of good grassroots governance, was launched in the city today. The party will focus only on the municipal elections in the Greater Bengaluru Area, primarily the BBMP. BNP seeks to follow the objective of sustainable, inclusive and balanced development of Bengaluru.

Founded by a few passionate denizens of Bengaluru, the members of the party include people who have worked tirelessly at the grassroots over the past few years. The members, through the various platforms, have brought about changes at the grassroots in the fields of solid waste management, animal welfare, water conservation, wastewater management, clean energy, good roads, education, healthcare, etc.

“Bengaluru has been witnessing a rapid deterioration in the overall quality of living with a water crisis, bad roads, poor garbage management, stinking stormwater drains, frothing lakes, etc. And there does not seem to be an end in sight. The existing parties and elected representatives have completely failed us," said N S Mukunda, Governing Council Member of BNP.

“A number of citizens have been fighting for the cause of Bengaluru through various platforms which have yielded good results over the past few years. However, these solutions are at the local area level and most problems of the city still remain unaddressed. It is time for the denizens of Bengaluru to unite and bring about the change that we desire and deserve," said Prathap Rao, Governing Council Member of BNP.

“Through BNP, we aim to bring about a change by fighting the system from the inside, rather than from the outside. We believe that local governance is all about execution which has so far been grossly lacking due to a variety of factors. BNP commits itself to keep the Bengaluru denizen at the core and work towards delivering the basic amenities like pothole-free roads, garbage-free localities, sewage-free storm water drains, working street lights and so on,” said Srikanth Narasimhan, Governing Council Member of BNP.

BNP has committed itself to representing the interests of every stakeholder of Bengaluru -- be it animals, trees, lakes, the environment or the citizens. The face of the party is the most important person in Bengaluru today – the Bengaluru citizen, whether living in a slum or an apartment, whether working as a domestic help or as an IT professional, whether a young student or an elderly citizen.

With a team having experience in different facets, BNP would create manifestos for the various functions of BBMP as well as ward-level manifestos which will be a benchmark for what needs to be done for the city.

With the party seeking to contest all 198 wards in the BBMP elections, its basis lies in the support from the Bengaluru denizen who is yearning for a change in the governance of Bengaluru.

Students Paint Vigyan Samagam in the Colours of their Imagination

Picking up their favourite brushes and a sting of bright colours, students of Tunbridge High School with great excitement participated in a Painting Competition, organised by the Department of Atomic Energy (DAE), Mumbai, Department of Science & Technology (DST), New Delhi together. Over 300 enthusiastic students from class 6th to 10th standard, participated in this competition expressing their inner Picasso.

With the theme Vigyan Samagam and 7 mega projects, children put in their best efforts to showcase their talent by portraying scientific understanding in the most creative manner. 

Keeping in with “Vigyan Samagam”, a unique and first ever mega science exhibition in India, organized by the Department of Atomic Energy (DAE), Mumbai, Department of Science & Technology (DST), New Delhi in unison, this competition saw students from various age groups competing together.

Judging the thought behind the paintings of each student, the judges unanimously announced Safa Fathima of 6th Standard as the winner, while admiring her artistic skills in representing Vigyan Samagam. The judges also praised Mohammed Jawed of 8th standard and Sriya of 6th standard for their creativity and awarded them as the first and second runner-up.

While appreciating the concept of ‘Go curious and unleash the power of your mind’ behind organising Vigyan Samagam, Kim Noble, Principal, Tunbridge High School said that by organising these kind of activities, the organisers are persuading kids to increase their interest in science and enabling future scientists.

The judges were extremely impresses with the creativity of kids and praised their participation spirit. They also suggested that such activities should be conducted regularly for kids in order to inculcate awareness in them.

The event concluded with the organizers distributing informative material to both the students and the teachers about Vigyan Samagam.

A lot of activities are being organized at various schools in Bengaluru to promote Vigyan Samagam. The overall concept behind this mega science exhibition is to demonstrate the technical ability and scientific acumen of Indian Scientists in global mega science projects like CERN, FAIR, INO, ITER, LIGO, MACE, SKA and TMT.

Schools and colleges who would like to participate in the ongoing weekly sessions conducted by various projects can register themselves on the VITM website www.vismuseum.gov.in and attend the sessions.

Vigyan Samagam is currently open for public till September 28 at the Visvesvaraya Industrial & Technological Museum, Bengaluru. The exhibition will remain open on all days from 10:00 AM till 06:00 PM including holidays. For additional details, science lovers are requested to visit the website www.vigyansamagam.in and its social media handles. They can also download and installed the specially created App Vigyan Samagam for further inputs.

Samsidh Mount Litera Zee School, B'lore to Compete for HDFC ERGO Insurance Awareness Award Junior – Quiz 2019

HDFC ERGO General Insurance Company, India’s leading non-life insurer, declared Samsidh Mount Litera Zee School, Bengaluru as the winners of the Zonal Round – South of the Insurance Awareness Award Junior – Quiz, 2019, conducted in Chennai today. The team, represented by the young achievers – Aditya Gupta and Rohan Ram Reddy - competed with the qualifiers of the city rounds from Chennai, Calicut, Hubli, Hyderabad, Karimnagar, Vishakhapatnam, Kochi Mangalore, Coimbatore, Trivandrum and Salem to proceed into the Grand Finale.

HDFC ERGO Insurance Awareness Award Junior Quiz is national level competition for school students of 8th and 9th standards. The objective of this initiative is to build awareness about insurance amongst young minds and the population, at large. In this fourth edition of the Insurance Awareness Award, HDFC ERGO has conducted workshop in 1,000 schools in 50 cities covering 2,40,000 students. The Quiz is also a test of wits of these students and brings forth a healthy competition in a fun and engaging manner.

HDFC ERGO representatives conducted educational townhalls and insurance workshops across 12 cities in the South Zone for over 60,000 students of class 8th and 9th from 240 schools. In addition, HDFC ERGO seeks to involve parents in helping the participants understand the concept of insurance and in the process, learn more. One winning team from each of the 11 cities, travelled to Chennai to compete with the other schools teams to proclaim the title of National Champions of the HDFC ERGO Insurance Awareness Award Junior - Quiz 2019. 

Speaking about the Zonal Round – South, Mr. Mehmood Mansoori, President - Shared Services & Online Business -  said, “We congratulate the team from Samsidh Mount Litera Zee School, Bengaluru, for being the  winners of the Zonal Round – South and extend our best wishes for the Grand Finale of the HDFC ERGO Insurance Awareness Award Junior Quiz! We are very excited with the response that we got from the schools, students and parents and feel that our larger objective to spread insurance awareness in a sustained manner is being achieved. We thank the schools and parents for joining this campaign and helping students learn about insurance at this early age”

The team from Samsidh Mount Litera Zee School, Bengaluru had earlier contested with 20 schools from the city to qualify for the Zonal Round - South. The team is now set to challenge the Zonal Round winners from North, East and West for the National Championship Title, to be held in Mumbai on September 30, 2019.

Armani Exchange Introduces Bollywood Star Kartik Aaryan As New Brand Ambassador for A|X Watches

Armani Exchange is pleased to announce a collaboration with Kartik Aaryan for its Fall 2019 watch campaign. A rising star in the Bollywood film scene—the Indian actor and model will represent selected styles of Armani Exchange watches through 2020.

The 28 year old made his acting debut in 2011 and by 2015 rose to fame after winning the Best Actor in a Comic Role at the Stardust Awards. He made his entry in the blockbuster club last year with his release Sonu Ke Titu Ki Sweety and this year’s hit Luka Chuppi has made him a nationwide youth icon. Since 2018, he has won awards from Vogue Beauty, Zee Cine, PETA India and Dadasaheb Phalke Excellence to name a few.

The A|X Armani Exchange Fall 2019 watch collection features high-impact designs, enlivened by strong tones of white, black, electric blue and khaki. The campaign images were shot in Mumbai by photographer Tarun Vishwa. The new collection will be available in August on armaniexchange.com as well as in select department stores globally and at Armani Exchange stores all over the world.

Corporate Tax Relaxation to Boost Investments Across Sectors: JLL

By Ramesh Nair, CEO & Country Head – India, JLL

Highlights

·         The measure is expected to bolster growth of industrial real estate development in the country
·         Provision on Minimum Alternate Tax (MAT) to support the SEZ developers and promote affordable housing segment

The announcement by honourable Finance Minister, Nirmala Sitharaman proposing to slash corporate tax for domestic companies from 30% to 22% comes at an opportune time when the economy needs a boost in investments.

To give strength to India’s amb itious ‘Make in India’ initiative, the government has proposed a tax rate of 15% for new domestic companies incorporated on or after 1st October 2019 and commences manufacturing by 31st March 2023. The measure is expected to bolster growth of industrial real estate development in the country.

According to the announcement, the total revenue foregone for the reduction in corporate tax rate and other relief estimated is at INR 1,45,000 cr. This quantum of money will act as an incentive to the industry in terms of savings and will result into further investments. Moreover, companies will also have a leeway to pass on the benefit to consumers, thereby reviving demand.

T he reduction in Minimum Alternate Tax (MAT) to 15% from the existing 18.5% for companies which do not opt for the concessional tax regime will act as a harbinger of growth. However, there will no MAT applicable for units which will opt for new concessional tax regime. This definitely is a welcome move.

This is likely to help the real estate sector and specifically promote affordable housing. The new proposal will also help in promoting the affordable housing segment. MAT provisions are applicable to the profits of the housing projects eligible for deduction under the clauses of Section 80-IBA. Section 80-IBA grants 100% exemption on profits from affordable housing projects, subject to conditions.

This would specifically support developers operating in special economic zones (SEZ). The real estate sector has been demanding the removal of MAT for SEZ developers. SEZs and their development are keys to the growth of the office segment, logistics & warehousing and manufacturing sectors in the country. Their development has in turn contributed significantly to the overall growth of the neighbouring regions and propelled the housing sector.

Water Crises in India; Water Resource Management is the Key

By Sriram Vedire,
Adviser to Ministry of Jal Shakti, Government of India

The world is facing the worst water crisis, including the Indian States with acute drought, waterlogging and sudden floods. It is imperative for every state to take necessary steps to resolve issues surrounding water resource management. NITI AYOG released the Composite Water Management Index (CWMI) in June 2018 to put forth the prevailing water crisis squarely in the centre of the public policy space. Presenting the efforts made by creating  about 4 lakh water harvesting structures and the encouraging results, a book entitled ‘A distinctive Water Management Story – The Rajasthan Way’ authored by Mr. Sriram Vedire, Adviser to Ministry of Jal Shakti, Government of India, was launched today at Dr. BR Ambedkar International Centre. The book was released at a high profile event graced by Shri Om Birla, Hon’ble Speaker, Lok Sabha; Shri Prakash Javedkar, Hon’ble Minister of Environment, Forest, Climate Change, I&B, GoI; Shri Gajendra Singh Shekhawat, Hon’ble Minister of Jal Shakti, GoI; Shri G Kishan Reddy, Hon’ble MoS (Home), GoI; and Shri Sanjay Dhotre,  Hon’ble MoS (HRD), GoI.

This book elucidates the efforts taken by the State of Rajasthan under the supervision and guidance of Mr. Sriram Vedire, a water deprived state for their water resource management, processes and the use of technology for scientific planning. The book throws light on all aspects involved in this greatest challenge and elaborates the steps taken in planning, execution, monitoring and review processes.

While launching his book Mr. Sriram Vedire said, “I am honoured and overwhelmed to launch my 5th book in the presence of such honourable and inspiring personalities. I have tried to bring in the key areas of work on water resource management that we have executed in the State of Rajasthan during the past five years. The enormous results seen in providing water to the poorest of poor in the remotest village in Rajasthan has been one of the most cherishing moments of my life both professionally and personally.”

“The thought behind penning down all the innovative planning and execution practices on effective utilization and management of water resources that we implemented in Rajasthan is with the aim of guiding other states with ideas and effective processes to utilize existing water resources”, he added.

In the book, the author has also addressed the acute shortage of water in the desert state of Rajasthan and how they implemented pioneering solutions in water management by establishing a River Basin & Water Resources Planning Authority with statutory powers to plan water resources management with “River Basin” as a unit. The planning included attacking the problem from both micro and macro levels of planning. Taking river basin as a unit in planning both these micro level (bottom up approach) and macro level (top down approach) are covered in the chapter “Water Management with River Basin as a unit of planning” in the book.

The book is a fine specimen of academic writing, management and practical experience on critical issues States are facing in today’s world. The author’s previous books have been lauded by eminent personalities, especially those who have been catalysts of change in the field of water management programs and sustainable development. The book launch promised an evening of high-level deliberations

The Author, also the Chairman of Rajasthan River Basin & Water Resources Planning Authority, Government of India, has been actively involved in many other water conservation programs like interlinking of Rivers and Urban Water Management, ground water recharge, water harvesting, cleaning of River Ganga to name a few.