Bengaluru MTech graduate wins PM Modi's praise for eco-friendly initiative
Bengaluru (PTI): An MTech graduate from Chamarajanagar district of Karnataka won the accolades of Prime Minister Narendra Modi for starting an enterprise of making products from banana stems, inspired by his radio programme 'Mann Ki Baat'.
During Sunday's episode of his monthly programme, the prime minister said the initiative has motivated several people.
Inspired by an episode of this programme, Varsha from Chamarajanagar started the business of producing manure from the banana plant, the prime minister said.
"'Mann Ki Baat' inspired Varsha to stand on her feet. Inspired by an episode of this programme, she started making bio-fertiliser from bananas. This initiative of nature-loving Varsha has offered lots of employment opportunities to others," Modi said.
Hailing from Ummattur in Chamarajanagar, Varsha started her Akruthi Eco-Friendly Enterprises using the fibre of banana stems to manufacture a variety of products such as mats, mobile stands, pen stands, hats and fridge covers.
Varsha told reporters in Mysuru that she got inspired after listening to the prime minister in one of the episodes of 'Mann Ki Baat' during the Covid lockdown.
The prime minister had talked about a Tamil Nadu-based businessman who started a venture using banana fibres when several businesses were shutting down, she said.
"I am extremely happy that the prime minister is recognising my work. I'm now motivated to take the business to the next level," Varsha said.
Let the Truth be known. If you read VB and like VB, please be a VB Supporter and Help us deliver the Truth to one and all.
Bill to set up single higher education regulator likely to be tabled in Parliament next week
New Delhi (PTI): A Bill which seeks to set up a single regulator for institutions of higher education is required to facilitate universities and other higher educational institutes become independent and self-governing, officials said.
The Bill is likely to be introduced in Parliament next week after it got the Union Cabinet's nod on Friday.
The proposed legislation, which was earlier christened the Higher Education Commission of India (HECI) Bill, has now been named Viksit Bharat Shiksha Adhikshan Bill.
A single higher education regulator, which was proposed in the new National Education Policy (NEP), looks to replace the University Grants Commission (UGC), the All India Council for Technical Education (AICTE), and the National Council for Teacher Education (NCTE).
"The Bill proposes to set up a Higher Education Commission of India to facilitate universities and other higher educational institutes become independent and self-governing institutions and to promote excellence through a robust and transparent system of accreditation and autonomy. It is likely to be introduced (in Parliament) in the coming week," an official said.
While the UGC presently oversees non-technical higher education in the country, the AICTE oversees technical education, while the NCTE is the regulatory body for teachers' education.
The Commission is proposed to be set up as a single higher education regulator, but medical and law colleges will not be brought under its ambit.
It is proposed to have three major roles -- regulation, accreditation and setting professional standards, officials said.
Funding, which is seen as the fourth vertical, is not proposed to be under the regulator so far. The autonomy for funding is proposed to be with the administrative ministry, they said.
