Latest news with #Jeevika
The Star
3 days ago
- General
- The Star
PUPILS LIGHT THE WAY IN ENERGY SAVING
ALOR SETAR: For 12-year-old G. Jeevika, learning about energy efficiency was more than just an academic lesson in school. It was a mission to save the environment, improve sustainability in resource consumption and help her family save on their steep electricity bills. 'My home's electricity bill comes up to over RM1,000 a month. Of course, our usage is more than average, as I live with five other siblings and our parents. 'There are four air conditioners at home, among other electrical appliances that operate daily, some of which may be poor in efficiency or demanding in power consumption,' said Jeevika. She was among 86 pupils at Sekolah Kebangsaan (SK) Iskandar selected to participate in the 'Powering The Future 3.0' programme, organised by Tenaga Nasional Bhd (TNB) in collaboration with Star Media Group (SMG), on July 14. Equipped with the knowledge she gained, Jeevika said she plans to share it not only with her peers but also with her family, in hopes of improving how they use electrical appliances and enhancing their daily lives and environment. 'But after this workshop, I have learned ways to help us save, like improving ventilation and using energy-efficient appliances. 'Indeed, even a simple household appliance like a light bulb can help save energy if we choose the right type and make sure to switch it off when it's not needed, especially during the day,' she said. The state-level programme at the school is part of a national campaign to improve energy literacy among students and cultivate sustainable habits from a young age. Over the course of four hours, students were guided through interactive activities and lessons that taught them how electricity is generated and used, and how energy-saving measures can make a difference, both financially and environmentally. Among enthusiastic learners was 11-year-old Muhd Aidil Danish Abdullah, who took home new knowledge about energy-guzzling household appliances like water heaters. 'My family of five relies on the water heater on cold days. 'Now I know it consumes a lot of energy, so I can teach my two younger brothers not to overuse it. 'Hopefully, with better habits, I can help my father lower our electricity bill and use the savings for better purposes,' he said. To liven up the session, a surprise appearance by Pintar, the Kuntum magazine mascot, also brought further cheer to the pupils with each of them receiving a copy of the educational publication to reinforce the lessons learned. They also received a complimentary one-year subscription to The Star's e-Paper, further enhancing their access to knowledge and current affairs. SK Iskandar headmaster Mohd Lutfi Abdul Ghani said the programme complemented the school's broader efforts to modernise learning while managing energy usage responsibly. 'The use of electronic devices has certainly grown in recent years as traditional teaching methods are replaced with digital tools. 'Programmes like these not only teach our pupils about electricity but instil values about conservation and responsibility. 'Ceiling fans remain our top energy use due to the humid weather here and I hope this initiative helps pupils think of greener alternatives,' he said. The programme, now in its third year, also saw attendance by several representatives, including TNB's retail division (retail and stakeholders – Kedah) general manager Azian Alias, who praised the school's cooperation and emphasised the importance of early education in sustainability. 'This initiative aims to connect the younger generation with the world of energy and sustainability. 'Since its launch in 2023, Powering The Future has reached thousands of students across the country, exposing them to the importance of energy efficiency, environmental conservation and the challenges ahead in the energy sector,' she said. Azian explained that the programme aligns with Malaysia's goal of achieving net-zero emissions by 2050, a national aspiration that TNB is driving through its Energy Transition Plan, which includes the development of renewable energy from hydroelectric dams and large-scale solar farms. 'Everyone has a role to play, including students. 'Simple actions like switching off lights when not in use or relying on natural daylight can have a big impact,' she said Azian added that this year's Powering The Future 3.0 aims to reach 3,200 students across Malaysia by the end of 2025. 'So far, 2,406 students have benefited from the programme, which now takes a more interactive and engaging approach to energy education. 'In Kedah, SK Iskandar stands as a symbol of the commitment by TNB and the Education Ministry in fostering awareness starting from the school level,' she said. Also present were Kedah Education Department Special School Unit senior assistant director Wan Nor Azman Zainol and SMG Brand Studio senior general manager Elicia Wee. The other participating schools in the state include SK Dato' Wan Mohd Saman, SK Taman Rakyat, Sekolah Menengah Kebangsaan Dato Syed Omar and Kolej Sultan Abdul Hamid.
Hindustan Times
4 days ago
- Politics
- Hindustan Times
BJP deploys ‘vistaraks' to expand women outreach in poll-bound Bihar
After initiating programmes to reach out Dalits voters and over 30 million migrant voters across different states, BJP in a bid to woo women voters has started a programme to reach out over nearly 48% of women voters in Bihar. BJP has deployed nearly 223 women vistaraks (outreach workers) in 120 assembly to reach out to women voters at every level. (Representative Photo) The party has deployed nearly 223 women vistaraks (outreach workers) in 120 assembly to reach out to women voters at every level. 'The first phase of the programme started on July 25 and will end on August 2. So far, Vistaraks from Madhya Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh, Chhattisgarh are doing house to house visit, meeting Anganwadis workers, Jeevika didis, interacting with all section of women, panchayat and booth level workers explaining to them about central and state government schemes and works,' said Bihar BJP Women Morcha president and Rajya Sabha MP, Dharamshila Gupta. 'Women Vistaraks from other states will soon join. The date of the second phase will be decided later,' she added. This is the first time that the national leadership of the party has deployed such a large number of women vistaraks in Bihar. The party has given the responsibility of each assembly constituency to two vistaraks. Apart from this, 10 women leaders have been deployed for monitoring. The BJP had earlier organised a massive outreach programme for women in Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh and Chhattisgarh. In particular, the party wants to tap young voters. 'This initiative aims to counter anti-incumbency sentiment and strengthen the BJP's connection with women voters. The party has divided Bihar into eight zones for targeted campaigning and will also bring in experienced party workers from other states to assist with election management,' said BJP state vice president, Santosh Pathak. In the first phase of the seven-day stay, women outreach workers would be meeting MLAs, former MLAs and the candidates who contested the assembly elections in the assembly constituency. Next they will hold meetings with Jeevika didis, three-tier Panchayat representatives. Apart from this, the outreach workers would hold meetings with intellectual women contacts such as doctors, advocates, teachers, social workers, entrepreneurial women and Anganwadi workers. Along with this, meetings with the beneficiaries of the schemes of the Central and state governments have also been planned. The vistaraks have also been given the task of counting the achievements of the double engine government by making the slogan of growing Bihar, rights to women, respect for life, and the NDA government as the basis in every meeting. 'Their campaign will highlight achievements of the 'double engine' government's schemes targeted at women and girls, such as the Pradhan Mantri Matru Vandana Yojana, Sukanya Samridhi Yojana, PM Ujjwala Yojana, Pradhan Mantri Mudra Yojana, PM Awas Yojana (Rural), and Stand-up India Yojana,' said Gupta. Earlier in June, in a bid to consolidate support among Scheduled Castes and nullify Congress leader Rahul Gandhi's move to target SC voters, the BJP has decided to launch an outreach campaign to woo Dalits of poll-bound Bihar. In May, it had decided to woo about 30 millions migrant voters of Bihar. The party decided to make an appeal to them to come and vote. The party had identified nearly 150 districts in the country for the purpose.
Time of India
14-07-2025
- General
- Time of India
Target to plant 5 cr saplings in current fiscal: CM
Patna: CM Nitish Kumar on Monday inaugurated the state-level 'Van Mahotsav-2025', organised by the department of environment, forest and climate change (DoEFCC) by planting a mango sapling at his official residence on 1, Anne Marg premises. On this occasion, the CM appealed to people to contribute to this campaign by planting saplings on their premises and surroundings. "A target has been set to plant 5 crore saplings in the financial year 2025-26 and full preparations for this plantation campaign have been completed. Over the next three months, large-scale sapling plantations will be conducted throughout the state," he said. "The initiative involves saplings planting by the DoEFCC, rural development department, Jeevika groups, horticulture department, various organisations, departments, non-governmental organisations, and various social clubs," a communique issued by the chief minister's office (CMO) said. With the forward-thinking vision of the CM and the goal of increasing green cover, the state govt launched 'Hariyali Mission' in 2012, leading to large-scale sapling plantation across the state in mission mode. "As a result, the state's green cover reached 15.05%. The target is to increase the green cover to 17% by 2028," the CMO said. Initiated by Nitish, the "Jal-Jeevan-Hariyali Abhiyan" began in 2019 across the state. "This campaign aims to raise public awareness about tree planting, water conservation, and environmental protection, encouraging their participation in sapling planting and increasing farmers' income through agroforestry. Additionally, fruit-bearing plants are being provided free of charge to the women of self-help groups and residents of villages near forests," the CMO said. Deputy CMs Samrat Choudhary and Vijay Kumar Sinha, water resources and parliamentary affairs minister Vijay Kumar Choudhary, DoEFCC minister Sunil Kumar and senior officials were present on the occasion.
Time of India
10-07-2025
- Business
- Time of India
267 new centres to provide farm equipment
Patna: State agriculture minister Vijay Kumar Sinha announced on Thursday that 267 new custom hiring centres (CHCs) will be established this financial year – one in each panchayat – to provide farm machinery to small and marginal farmers on hire. He said the initiative is part of the state govt's strategy to empower small farmers by ensuring easy access to agricultural equipment. "These centres will allow even those with limited means to use modern farming tools," he said in an official communiqué. The govt plans to cover all 8,093 panchayats with CHCs. So far, 950 centres have been established. Each CHC costs up to Rs 10 lakh with the govt offering subsidies for equipment purchases. The maximum subsidy for tractors with 35 BHP or more is Rs 1.6 lakh, while a 40% subsidy is available for other equipment, up to a maximum of Rs 4 lakh. CHCs will be equipped with machinery suitable for various farming stages, including tillers, seeders, transplanting devices, harvesters, and threshers. At least one key machine must be available at each centre. Beneficiaries of the scheme include progressive farmers, Jeevika groups, crop cluster federations, farmer producer organisations (FPOs), self-help groups (SHGs), and primary agricultural credit societies (PACS), among others. "The idea is to make farm mechanisation accessible to all, regardless of landholding size," Sinha said.
Time of India
08-07-2025
- Politics
- Time of India
Bihar Cabinet approves 35% quota for women in all govt jobs ahead of crucial state polls
Ahead of the crucial state assembly elections, the Bihar Cabinet on Tuesday approved a 35% horizontal reservation for native women in all direct recruitment posts across all departments and government service cadres in the state. "The second important decision related to general administration is that only women native to the state will be allowed 35% horizontal reservation on all posts in direct appointment in all star and all government service cadres of Bihar state..." said Bihar Chief Secretary S Siddharth Additionally, the state cabinet has approved the formation of the Bihar Youth Commission on Tuesday, which will advise the government on education and employment for youth in the state. The commission will consist of one chairperson, two vice-chairpersons, and seven members, with a maximum age limit of 45 years. The decision was taken with a few months left before the assembly elections, amid criticisms from the opposition, alleging a lack of employment opportunities in the state. In the run up to the poll battle in Bihar, Nitish Kumar has also announced that a comprehensive development plan for Punaura Dham, the revered birthplace of Goddess Sita in Sitamarhi district, was approved. The plan includes the construction of a grand temple and other structures modelled after the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra in Ayodhya. The cabinet has approved a budget of Rs 882.78 crore for the construction of the temple at Punaura Dham, which is considered to be the birthplace of Goddess Sita, the wife of Ram. Big cash moves Caste and social justice have long dominated Bihar polls , however, cash promises are in play now. Live Events On June 21, Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar announced that all elderly, disabled, and widowed beneficiaries will receive a monthly pension of ₹1,100, up from ₹400. According to the state government, 1.10 cr people will benefit from the hike. Soon after, political rivals rushed to outdo the move. Jan Suraj leader Prashant Kishor promised to raise the pension to Rs 2,000 if voted to power, while RJD's Tejashwi Yadav claimed his party had already proposed Rs 1,500 and accused the government of acting under pressure Nitish Kumar also announced a doubling of the honorarium for 1.4 lakh workers under his flagship Jeevika project, which connects with 1.4 crore Jeevika Didis across Bihar. Additionally, self-help groups taking bank loans above Rs 3 lakh will now pay 7% interest instead of the earlier 10%, with the state government covering the difference. The move reinforces Kumar's focus on welfare schemes for women - a core segment of his support base. The Opposition RJD and Congress earlier announced to launch the Mai-Bahin Scheme, to provide Rs 2,500 per month to the Bihar women on the lines of schemes in other states. In recent elections, political parties across states have increasingly relied on cash schemes for women, with many implementing payouts after securing victory. In neighbouring Jharkhand, the Maiyan Samman scheme-offering Rs 2,500 per month to women-was seen as a key factor in the Hemant Soren-led INDIA bloc's win. Given Kumar's track record, the Bihar government is likely to announce a cash scheme for women ahead of the elections.
