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Leaping, not marching forward – the impressive story of Jammu and Kashmir
India took the unprecedented decision to bring Jammu and Kashmir (J&K) on a par with other States and Union Territories of India almost three years ago, on August 5, 2019, by declaring it as a Union Territory (UT). The applicability of central laws such as Right to Education not only provides all round protection for the under-privileged sections but has also given wings to the dreams of the people of J&K. A 40% increase in budget allocation from around USD 10 billion in 2019-20 to about USD 14 billion in 2022-23 fuels the impressive story of a new dawn and hopes in J&K.
People are freely exercising their right to choose. Elections to Block Development Councils – the second tier in the three-tier local governance framework in India – which was held for the first time in the history of J&K in October 2019, witnessed a startling voter turnout of 98.3%.
Fifty infrastructure projects worth USD 7.5 billion in diverse sectors have been undertaken. The all-weather 8.45 km long hi-tech tunnel between Qazigund and Banihal as well as the world’s highest railway bridge which is being built over the Chenab river are all a part of this endeavor.
One hundred percent household electrification is another main accomplishment. The airport in Srinagar is now more connected with other parts of India and beyond it. Installation of 19,000 solar street lights and planting of 13 million trees are a part of this environment-friendly growth story. This will contribute to India’s determined push to for net zero emissions by 2070.
Seamless transformation is also being spurred by the infusion of investments with the Government wooing the investors through special incentives for new units as well expansion of existing industrial units. Investment proposals of over USD 6.5 billion have been received. In addition, J&K Government has entered into six agreements with global investors for bringing in investments in real estate, infrastructure, tourism, healthcare and manpower development.
Employment generation which is a natural outcome of these changes coupled with focused initiatives on skills development is rewriting destinies of the youth. More than half a million people are estimated to have been employed through self-employment schemes since August 2019. More than USD 50 million loans have been disbursed under various programmes aimed at igniting the underlying entrepreneurial spirit. Government joined hands with Tata Technologies to establish Centres for Invention, Innovation, Incubation and Training to enhance capacities of engineers. IT Parks and rural BPOs in all districts are some of other schemes which promise a better tomorrow.
The citizen-centric story of J&K has introduced several mechanisms that inspire confidence. The online integrated grievance redressal and monitoring system which was launched in September 2020 has been instrumental in addressing more than 90 % grievances out of the 85,000 received till date. The Budget Estimation Allocation Monitoring System provides information on utilization of Government funds for development projects, thereby ensuring transparency on this score.
As the people of J&K are reaping the fruits of a bold decision taken three years ago, they now see a brighter future – something they never dreamt of before August 2019. Clearly, this impressive story had to be told!!!
The U.S. Embassy in Colombo welcomed the U.S. Sports Envoys to Sri Lanka, former National Basketball Association (NBA) and Women’s National Basketball Association (WNBA) players Stephen Howard and Astou Ndiaye, from June 8 through 14.
The Public Diplomacy section of the U.S. Embassy said that it would launch a weeklong basketball program intended to harness the unifying power of sports, made possible through collaboration with Foundation of Goodness and IImpact Hoop Lab.
While in Sri Lanka, Howard and Ndiaye, both retired professional basketball players, will conduct a weeklong program, Hoops for Hope: Bridging Borders through Basketball. The Sports Envoys will lead basketball clinics and exhibition matches and engage in leadership sessions in Colombo and Southern Province for youth aged 14-18 from Northern, Uva, Eastern and Western Provinces, offering skills and leadership training both on and off the court. The U.S. Envoys will also share their expertise with the Sri Lanka Basketball Federation, national coaches, and players, furthering the development of basketball in the country. Beyond the clinics, they will collaborate with Sri Lankan schoolchildren to take part in a community service project in the Colombo area.
“We are so proud to welcome Stephen and Astou as our Sports Envoys to Sri Lanka, to build on the strong people-to-people connections between the United States and Sri Lanka,” said U.S. Ambassador Julie Chung. “The lessons that will be shared by our Sports Envoys – communication, teamwork, resilience, inclusion, and conflict resolution – are essential for leadership development, community building, equality, and peace. The U.S. Sports Envoy program is a testament to our belief that sports can be a powerful tool in promoting peace and unity.”
SJB Colombo District MP Mujibur Rahuman in parliament demanded to know from the government the reasons for CEB suspending the leave of all its employees until further notice from Thursday.
MP Rahuman said that the CEB has got an acting General Manager anew and the latter yesterday morning issued a circular suspending leave of all CEB employees with immediate effect until further notice.
“We demand that Minister Kanchana Wijesekera should explain this to the House. This circular was issued while this debate on the new Electricity Amendment Bill was pending. There are many who oppose this Bill. The Minister must tell parliament the reason for the urge to cancel the leave of CEB employees,” the MP said.However, Speaker Mahinda Yapa Abeywardena prevented Minister Wijesekera responding to the query and said that the matter raised by MP Rahuman was not relevant.
The Chartered Institute of Personnel Management (CIPM) successfully concluded the 8th Annual CIPM Symposium, which took place on 31st May 2024. Themed “Nurturing the Human Element—Redefining HRM in a Rapidly Changing World,” the symposium underscored the pivotal role of human resource management (HRM) in today’s dynamic global landscape. Since its inception in 1959, CIPM has been dedicated to advancing the HR profession through education, professional development, and advocacy, solidifying its position as Sri Lanka’s leading professional body for HRM.
Ken Vijayakumar, the President of the CIPM, graced the occasion as the chief guest. The symposium commenced with the welcome address by the Chairperson, Prof. Arosha Adikaram, followed by the Web Launch of the Symposium Proceedings and Abstract Book by the CIPM President. The event featured distinguished addresses, including a speech by Chief Guest Ken Vijayakumar, President of CIPM, and an address by Guest of Honor Shakthi Ranatunga, Chief Operating Officer of MAS Holdings Pvt. Ltd., Sri Lanka.
The symposium also featured an inspiring keynote address by Prof. Mario Fernando, Professor of Management and Director of the Centre for Cross Cultural Management (CCCM) at the University of Wollongong, Australia.
Vote of Thanks of the inauguration session was delivered by Dr. Dillanjani Weeratunga, Symposium Co-chair.
The symposium served as a comprehensive platform for researchers to present their findings across a wide range of critical topics in HRM. These included Cultural Diversity and Inclusion, Talent Development and Retention, Ethical Leadership and Corporate Social Responsibility, Adapting to Technological Advancements, Mental Health and Well-being at Work, Global Workforce Challenges, Employee Empowerment, and Reskilling and Upskilling.
The plenary session was led by Prof. Wasantha Rajapakse. Certificates were awarded to the best paper presenters during the valedictory session, followed by a vote of thanks delivered by Kamani Perera, Manager of Research and Development.
The annual symposium of CIPM was a truly inclusive event, attracting a diverse audience that spanned undergraduates, graduates, working professionals, research scholars and lecturers. This widespread interest highlights the symposium’s significance in the field of HRM, offering a unique opportunity for everyone to network and learn from scholarly brains.The CIPM International Research Symposium was sponsored by Hambantota International Port, Sri Lanka Institute of Information Technology (SLIIT), E B Creasy & Co. PLC, and Print Xcel Company.
US sports envoys to Lanka to champion youth development
Rahuman questions sudden cancellation of leave of CEB employees
