Wednesday 29 June 2022

Skilling 300 Million ? Here is a way, Shri Pradhanji

Context :

Union education ministry launches digital skilling programmes for 30 crore students

( ET - 07 June 2022 )

Extract :

Union education minister Dharmendra Pradhan ( minister.sm@gov.in ),

launched a digital skilling initiative on Monday for 30 crore ( 300 Million ), students from class VII to graduation , which will focus on,

# SKILLING , RE-SKILLING and UP-SKILLING students via

# INTERNSHIP , APPRENTICESHIPS and EMPLOYMENT in the emerging

technologies

Over 100 Technology Corporate and Manufacturing Firms have already come on board on this platform to provide “ Free of Cost “ emerging technology certifications

" India has to cater to the workforce requirement of the world and TECHNOLOGY will enable us to do so “, Pradhan added.

“ This program is to connect the RIGHT CANDIDATES with SKILL TRAINERS and various COURSES providing expertise on emerging technologies. It includes Artificial Intelligence, Block-chain, Big Data , Data Analytics , Cyber Security and Cloud Computing “

=============================================

MY TAKE :

Dear Shri Dharmendra Pradhanji,

You said :

“ India has to cater to the workforce requirement of the world and TECHNOLOGY will enable us to do so “

And those technologies are :

> AR-VR headsets

> Holograms

In the context of using AR – VR headsets for Skill-Training, I draw your attention to my following email :

Ø Peter’s WEB 3.0 …………………………….[ 09 Dec 2018 ]

- where I suggested :

Ø This is NOW possible, if our Policy Makers decide to leverage WEB 3.0 , for skilling 2 crore youth each year , right from their ( internet connected ) homes , eliminating need for setting up another 15,000 ITIs ( buildings – machineries – teaching staff etc ). Virtual Training courses will need very little investment and very quick implementation !

Ø Such Virtual Training courses ( using VR headsets ) can be configured around the needs of other countries which are facing shortage of skilled manpower for specific jobs

But, since I sent this email 40 MONTHS ago, technology has made great strides

In the area of “ Education and Training “ , AR-VR headsets are likely to face tough competition from HOLOGRAMS

Here is the FIRST signal :

IKIN Launches Enterprise-Ready Large-Format Holographic Display /

Accesswire / 13 June 2022

Extract :

IKIN™, a leading provider of visual technology solutions for businesses and consumers, has announced the commercial availability of its IKIN ARC platform, a scalable, large-format holographic terminal for commercial applications.

The IKIN ARC employs patented technology that enables high-resolution display of volumetric images in ambient light and can be used in applications ranging from logistics to education and training to advanced engineering and design workshops.

The product is now available to enterprises and developers looking to maximize performance through reliable and accessible volumetric content.

The IKIN ARC does not require any headgear or goggles and allows individuals or small groups to create, view, and manage holographic content.

The device is available in a standard, self-contained form factor with a 15-inch display suitable for many use cases.

This platform is designed to serve the exacting requirements of multiple markets, including defence , IoT, healthcare, logistics, hospitality, and entertainment.

The IKIN ARC is complemented by IKIN's RYZ mobile holographic display, slated for public release in mid 2023.

Dear Shri Pradhanji,

Even if a AR-VR headset sells for Rs 10,000 ( $ 125 ), it is simply beyond the

reach of 300 million students

But it is possible for our millions of Secondary Schools – Colleges and our 18,000

Industrial Training Institutes ( ITI ), to buy and install such a 3D Volumetric

Holographic Terminal , in a few class-rooms

To realize this possibility, I urge you as follows :

Ø Include local manufacture of 3D Volumetric Holographic Terminals – 3D VHT - , in

already announced PLI ( Production Linked Incentive ) Scheme for Electronic

Devices

( Phased Manufacturing Program– leading to 100 % local value addition – no component imports –within 2 years of start of local production )

Ø Donations of funds to Schools / Colleges / ITIs , etc for purchase of 3D VHT , to

be eligible to qualify as CSR ( Corporate Social Responsibility ) obligation of

Companies ( under CSR Act )

Ø Contribution of funds by Companies to 9,606 Atal Tinkering Labs , for

development of TRAINING COURSES based on IKIN platform, to be eligible under

CSR obligations. Training Courses so developed to be available, FREE of COST , to

all 300 million students

With regards,

Hemen Parekh / hcp@RecruitGuru.com / 17 June 2022

Ø Frost & Sullivan Selects IKIN for 2022 Global Technology Innovation Leadership Award in Holographic Solutions Industry

( Yahoo Finance / 20 June 2022 )

Ø Andhra Pradesh govt ropes in Byju's to impart quality digital content to school students

{ Eco Times / 17 June 2022 }

Extract :

Jagan said tabs will be provided to guide the students, who are currently studying in class VIII

He said the government will be distributing tabs to 4.7 lakh ( 470,000 ) students in September at a

cost of Rs 500crore ( Rs 5,000 million ). He also asked the officials to install a TV in each classroom..

to make visual content accessible to the students .

===================================================

Tamil Nadu onboards Tata Tech for technology upgrade at 71 industrial training institutes

( ETGovernment / June 15, 2022 )

Extract :

Tata Technologies has said it looks to transform these ITIs across the state into modern technology

centres and training facility centres with an investment of around Rs 2,204 crore ( Rs 22040 million )

Ø NIPUN: Upskilling of construction workers launched to train for overseas job opportunities
( ET / 21 June 2022 )

> Universal Basic Income ………………………………….. ………………………[ 20 Jan 2017 ]

Ø National Skills University : Virtual is the only way …………………….[ 03 Apr 2021 ]

References :

Schools Can be Fun Now

Engage with students in virtual classroom environments and improve retention with interactive 3D content

This is World’s First AR Headset For Mobiles Made by an Indian

Tuesday 28 June 2022

Single Use Plastic ban : Random Thoughts

Context :

Govt to set up control rooms to enforce single-use plastic ban: Minister / Indian Express / 29 June 2022

Extract :

With the ban on single-use plastic coming into force on July 1, the government will be setting up control rooms at national and state levels to ensure its effective enforcement, Environment, Forests and Climate Change Minister Bhupender Yadav said on Tuesday.

Apart from the control rooms, which will be supervised by the Central Pollution Control Board, special enforcement teams will be formed to check illegal manufacture, import, stocking, distribution, sale and use of the 12 banned single-use plastic items that was announced by the ministry last year.

The list of banned items include ear buds with plastic sticks, plastic sticks for balloons, plastic flags, candy
sticks, ice-cream sticks, polystyrene (thermocol) for decoration, plastic plates, cups, glasses, cutlery such as forks, spoons, knives, straw, trays, wrapping or packing films around sweet boxes, invitation cards, cigarette packets, plastic or PVC banners less than 100 micron, stirrers.

“The items have been chosen on the basis of three criteria – their low utility, high littering potential and availability of alternative materials.

We have given manufacturers plenty of time for preparation – 11 months – before the ban was to come into force. We believe that we have their support and cooperation,” said Yadav at an informal press briefing.

According to the CPCB, plastic waste generation in 2020-21 was 41,26,997 tonnes, while per capita waste generation was 3 kg per annum.

There are 683 units manufacturing single-use plastic with a cumulative capacity of 2.44 lakh per annum. The CPCB has already revoked or modified the consent of 433 units.

The CPCB further said that characterization of plastic waste in 18 cities has found that the percentage of single-use plastic in total plastic waste is between 10% and 35 %.

The use of these items by consumers is also banned. But the minister has said, that penalties are unlikely to be transferred to the consumer as, “If the banned item simply does not exist in the market, then it can’t be used.’’

Yadav said the government has over the past year focused on encouraging industry and MSMEs to come up with alternatives to plastic, including biodegradable plastic and compostable plastic.

The government has awarded works to seven startups developing solutions, including bio-degradable packaging material made from crop stubble waste among others.

Till June this year, the CPCB has already awarded certificates to 194 plants for production of compostable plastic with another 61 applications in process. The certified plants have a capacity to produce 3 lakh tonnes of compostable plastic per annum.

MY TAKE :

Look at how one NGO is helping :

Real plastic money: Pay for food with waste at this Junagadh Café / Times of India / 29 June 2022

Extract :

While food and beverage companies are busy finding alternatives to single use plastics, Junagadh has given some food for thought in tackling plastic menace

On June 30, the district administration will inaugurate a café where people can savour delicacies by paying with PLASTIC WASTE instead of money

People can bring in their household plastic waste and they will be served food depending on its weight

The Café will be run by Sarvoday Sakhi Mandal , a group of women who have tied up with farmers while the space and infrastructure has been provided by the administration

Talking to TOI, Junagadh collector Rachit Raj said, “ We want to promote clean and green Junagadh . To start with, we will give a glass of lemon juice or fennel juice for 500 gram PLASTIC WASTE , and one plate of DHOKLA or POHA for 1 KG plastic waste . More the plastic waste, the bigger the platter .”

All the beverages including some health ones like those made from betel leaf, rose , figs and bel leaf , will be served in clay utensils. The menu also includes Kathiyawadi and Gujarat platters that will have Bringan Bharta , Sev Tameta , Thepla and Bajra Rotlo

The District Administration has hired an Agency which will buy this waste

Dear Shri Bhupender Yadavji,

You have laid down PUNISHMENT for those who do not observe the BAN

I strongly urge you to also consider INCENTIVES for those ( including Govt Officers ), who volunteer to implement SOLUTIONS of the type described in this email

With regards,

Hemen Parekh / hcp@RecruitGuru.com / 29 June 2022

Discourage Plastics : Encourage Greed …………………………….[ 21 Mar 2016 ]

Extract :

MISSING ELEMENT :

Abolish Corporate Income Tax for all plastic recycling units for next 10 years !

Let GREED take over GOVERNING !

WHAT CAN WE EXPECT ?

* Within a year , another 10,000 plastic recycling units will come up

* 100 % of plastic produced will get recycled

* These units will mobilize lakhs of " Plastic Rag Pickers " to collect every small scrap of

plastic from every nook and corner of every street in every city, leading to Swatchh

Bharat and self employment !

* Recycled plastic will get used to build strong / long-lasting road surfaces

* Some recycled plastic will be used as raw material for mass-producing of 3D printed

houses , solving problem of 50 million " Affordable Housing " (ask WINSUN of Shanghai )

( This is the kind of innovations expected from our National Science Laboratories )

WHERE ELSE CAN WE TRY THIS ?

* Abolish Corporate Income Tax ( for 10 years ) for all plants / units , producing Methane

Gas using organic waste from household / hotels / restaurants

* All municipalities and gram panchayats to allow such privately-owned Organic Waste

Processing / Gas Producing units to collect such waste from all the streets , free of cost

* Municipalities will save hundreds of crores of rupees in Garbage Collection

* State Electricity Boards will set up Gas based Power Plants , next to these units and buy

the gas for power generation

If this suggestion is implemented , we would have SWATCHH BHARAT in 2 years

And , we would have harnessed human GREED ( viz: avoid income tax ) of our Start Ups to solve the problem of pollution

No more fires in Deonar dumping ground !

I hope Shri Prakash Javadekar-ji is listening

Kenya shows the Way ……………………………………….[ 30 Aug 2017 ]

Turning a Threat into an Opportunity ? ………………..[ 23 Dec 2017 ]

Did You Say, “ Ahead of Times “ ? …………………………[ 23 Dec 2017 ]

Plastic : Refusing to fade away …………………………..[ 05 Apr 2018 ]

Plastics : Time to strike a deal ? ………………………[ 16 Apr 2018 ]

====================================================================

Dear Gadkariji : your dream come true ?............ [ 18 Sept 2021 ]

Extract :

Plastic waste generated by India in 2019………………………………… .9.46 Million Tons

Ø Total Plastic waste in 2021 could be ……………………………………….. 10 million tons

Ø Assuming 30 % consist of PET bottles = 3 million tons

Ø Approx weight of a 1 Litre PET bottles = 20 gms

Ø Which translates as ( 5 bottle=100 gms / 50 bottle = 1kg / 50,000 bottles = 1000 Kg = 1 Ton )

Ø Hence, if all of these 3 million tons of plastic bottles were to be used ( recycled ) for producing Platio Bricks :

# 3 million tons = 3,000,000 tons = 3,000,000,000 Kg

# For ease of calculating, if we take use of 10 Kg / sq meter , we can get :

300 Million sq meter of Platio Bricks

Ø Let us assume a highway with a width of 20 Meter

Ø So we get > 300 Million sq meter divided by 20 Meter = 15 Million Meter length of highway = 15,000 Km of highways constructed using plastic waste

Ø Now, if 1 panel ( of 1 sq meter ) can generate 20-30 watts of solar power , then 300 million sq meter can produce … 300 million x 20 watts = 600 million watts = 600 Mega Watts of power !