Today in History (August 16th, 1946)
On this day, in 1946, the All-India Muslim League opted for “direct action” to establish a distinct Muslim homeland following the British departure from India, leading to widespread communal violence referred to as the 1946 Calcutta Killings.
Summary of Today’s News
Pradhan Mantri Vishwakarma Kaushal Samman (PM VIKAS)
The Pradhan Mantri Vishwakarma Kaushal Samman (PM VIKAS) initiative was announced in the annual Union Budget 2023 to support and promote traditional artisans and craftspeople in India, often called Vishwakarma. This program aims to boost traditional arts and handicrafts by providing a comprehensive assistance package. The scheme includes financial support, advanced skill training, knowledge of modern digital techniques, green technologies, brand promotion, market linkage (both local and global), digital payments, and social security. Its focus is on fostering the spirit of self-reliant India (Atma Nirbhar Bharat). This initiative is expected to benefit marginalized groups such as Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes, Other Backward Classes, women, and people from weaker sections of society.
World Wide Fund for Nature
The international NGO WWF (World Wide Fund for Nature), established in 1961 in Switzerland, aims to safeguard endangered wildlife species and conserve natural habitats. Their mission is to halt the decline of Earth’s environment and promote a future where human life coexists harmoniously with nature. WWF collaborates with various partners like governments, industries, and local communities to address the diverse challenges confronting the natural world.
A survey conducted at Corbett Tiger Reserve by a 62member team consisting of ornithologists, conservationists, and volunteers from World Wide Fund (WWF) India, Tiger Conservation Foundation, and Village Volunteer Protection Force identified around 275 bird species, including critically endangered, endangered, vulnerable, near-threatened, and least concern categories, providing valuable insights into the diverse avian population of the reserve.
Bindeshwar Pathak
Bindeshwar Pathak, the founder of Sulabh International and a Padma Bhushan recipient, passed away on 15th August 2023. He was known for introducing the innovative Sulabh Complex public toilet system in India, which significantly reduced open defecation and manual scavenging. Born and educated in Bihar, he established Sulabh International Social Services Organisation in 1970, making public toilets common in many towns. He received the Padma Bhushan award in 1991 and became an ambassador for the Swachh Bharat Mission. Additionally, Sulabh International contributed to improving the lives of manual scavengers and was jointly awarded the Gandhi Peace Prize for 2016 with the Akshaya Patra Foundation.
