Content:

1. World Day of Social Justice – 20th February
2. Innovate2Educate

World Day of Social Justice – 20th February

Context :

• World Day of Social Justice:
  • Celebrated annually on 20th February since 2009, established by UNGA (2007).
  • Emphasizes poverty alleviation, exclusion reduction, unemployment solutions, and promoting global solidarity and equality.
  • Aligns with the Decent Work Agenda and SDGs for inclusive development.

• India’s Alignment:
  • India has observed this day since 2009, reflecting its commitment to address historical injustices, socio-economic inequalities, and regional disparities.
  • The Ministry of Social Justice & Empowerment (MoSJE) leads targeted interventions for marginalized sections.

Relevance : GS 2(Social Justice)

Constitutional Framework for Social Justice in India

• Preamble:
  • Guarantees social, economic, and political justice and promotes fraternity, dignity, and equality.

• Fundamental Rights (Part III):(Examples)
  • Article 23: Prohibits human trafficking and forced labour.
  • Article 24: Bans child labour in hazardous occupations.

• Directive Principles of State Policy (Part IV):
  • Article 38: Directs the state to minimize inequalities in income, status, facilities, and opportunities.
  • Article 39: Advocates for equal livelihood opportunities and prevents exploitation.
  • Article 39A: Provides for free legal aid to ensure equal access to justice.
  • Article 46: Promotes the educational and economic interests of SCs, STs, and weaker sections.

Institutional Evolution & Financial Commitment

• MoSJE Formation:
  • Originated from the Ministry of Welfare (1985-86); renamed as MoSJE (1998) for focused social justice efforts.

• Budget Allocation:
  • ₹13,611 crores allocated for 2025-26, a 6% increase from the previous fiscal year to expand.

Key Government Initiatives & Their Impact

Pradhan Mantri Anusuchit Jaati Abhyuday Yojana (PM-AJAY)

• Launched: 2021-22 | Focus: SC community upliftment through skill development, infrastructure, and income generation.
• Achievements (till Jan 2024):
  • 5,051 villages declared as Adarsh Gram.
  • 1,655 socio-economic projects benefiting 3.05 lakh individuals.
  • ₹26.31 crore allocated for 38 hostels in higher education.

Scheme for Residential Education for Students in High Schools in Targeted Areas (SRESHTA)

• Objective: Bridge educational gaps for SC students in targeted regions.
• Features:
  • Financial support to private schools (CBSE/State Board-affiliated).
  • Coverage from Classes 9 to 12 with focus on residential schooling.
  • Backed by NGOs/VOs for broader outreach.

Purple Fests – Festival of Inclusion

• Initiated: 2023 | Focus: Promote inclusivity for Divyangjan (persons with disabilities).
• Key Highlights (2024):
  • Over 10,000 participants, enhancing visibility of disability rights.
  • Launch of India Neurodiversity Platform for early interventions.
  • Hosting of 25 job fairs targeting disability-friendly employment.

National Action for Mechanised Sanitation Ecosystem (NAMASTE)

• Launched: FY 2023-24
• Objective:
  • Ensure dignity and safety for sanitation workers through mechanization and rehabilitation.
• Key Features:
  • Targets both manual scavengers and waste pickers (since FY 2024-25).
  • Focus on skill training and livelihood diversification.

Support for Marginalized Individuals for Livelihood & Enterprise (SMILE)

• Aim: Achieve Bhiksha Vritti Mukt Bharat (Begging-free India).
• Strategies:
  • Area-specific surveys, rescue operations, and vocational training.
  • Formation of Self-Help Groups (SHGs) for sustainable livelihood.
• Impact (as of Nov 2024):
  • 7,660 individuals identified; 970 rehabilitated with alternative livelihoods.

PM-DAKSH Yojana

• Launched: August 2021 | Budget: ₹450.25 crore (2021-26).
• Target Groups: SCs, OBCs, EBCs, DNTs, Safai Karamcharis.
• Focus:
  • Provide skill development through certified courses.
  • 70% placement rate post-training with emphasis on self and wage employment.

Nasha Mukt Bharat Abhiyan (NMBA)

• Launched: August 2020 | Goal: Create a drug-free India.
• Coverage: Targets 272 high-risk districts.
• Three-Pronged Approach:
  • Supply reduction: Coordination with NCB.
  • Demand reduction: Awareness via MoSJE.
  • Treatment: Through healthcare institutions.
• Outreach (till 2024):
  • Reached 13.57 crore people, including 4.42 crore youth and 2.71 crore women.

Challenges & Way Forward

• Persistent Issues:
  • Deep-rooted caste discrimination, regional inequalities, and limited access to quality services.
  • Social stigma remains prevalent among certain marginalized groups.

• Way Forward:
  • Enhancing awareness to reduce discrimination.
  • Effective implementation of schemes at grassroots levels.
  • Strengthening public-private partnerships for inclusive development.
  • Focus on intersectional vulnerabilities (gender, disability, caste, and economic status).

Innovate2Educate

Overview:

• Part of the Create in India Challenge Season 1 under WAVES (World Audio Visual & Entertainment Summit).
• Focuses on AVGC-XR (Animation, Visual Effects, Gaming, Comics, Augmented Reality, Virtual Reality, Metaverse).
• Organizers:
  • Ministry of Information and Broadcasting (Lead Organizer)
  • Indian Digital Gaming Society (IDGS) (Co-organizer)
  • Hack2Skill (Innovation Partner)
  • ICT Academy (Skilling Partner)
• Participation: 334 candidates registered (including 3 international participants).

Relevance : GS 2(Education ) ,GS 3(Technology)

Objectives of the Challenge

• Develop an educational handheld device targeting children.
• Key Focus Areas:
  • Engage children in Mathematics learning.
  • Encourage problem-solving through interactive puzzles.
  • Enhance cognitive skills via innovative content.
  • Ensure affordability and accessibility for a broad user base.

Competition Guidelines

• Design Focus:
  • Blend education with entertainment.
  • Prioritize innovation, durability, and user-friendly designs for children.

Phases of the Competition

• Phase 1: Registration
  • Deadline: 23rd February 2025 (11:59 PM IST).
  • Participants must register online through the designated platform.

• Phase 2: Concept Submission
  • Submit detailed sketches, descriptions, and key features of the proposed device.

• Phase 3: Prototype Development
  • Selected participants will develop and submit a working prototype.

Evaluation Criteria

• Innovation: Originality and creative integration of technology.
• Educational Value: Effectiveness in teaching mathematics and improving cognitive abilities.
• User Experience: Engagement level and ease of use for children.
• Cost-effectiveness: Feasibility of mass production at an affordable cost.
• Durability & Design: Robustness and practicality of the device’s structure.

Incentives and Rewards

• Top 3 Winners:
  • Cash prizes for creative and innovative designs.
  • Support for prototype development to refine designs.
  • Showcasing opportunities at IDGS events and exposure to potential investors and manufacturers.

Significance of the Challenge

• Encourages innovation in educational technology.
• Promotes hands-on learning and interactive education for children.
• Aligns with India’s digital transformation goals and the Make in India initiative.
• Fosters collaboration between academia, industry, and innovators to enhance the learning ecosystem.