Himachal Pradesh has made tremendous progress in augmenting its capacity in education sector and present State Government is focusing on developing skill based education system. This was stated by Education Minister Rohit Thakur while presiding over the meeting with the delegates of Pennsylvania Global and Education HUB or 'PennHub' to discuss the modalities for the implementation of Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) here today. The Minister said that the State Government is looking forward to more international partnerships to boost skill-based education under New Education Policy (NEP). In this direction, the government has signed a letter of Intent with Commonwealth of Pennsylvania (PASSHE), USA as a starting point of 'purely academic partnership' through PennHUB. It will focus on target strategic partnership between higher education institutions and would work on liaisoning and hosting periodic knowledge exchange programmes. He said that it will also facilitate collaborative research and curricular programs for better employability besides encouraging student exchange programmes and professional development training for educators and administrators. The Education Minister said that the Government along with PennHUB will work in improving diversity, inter-cultural awareness and understanding of students. This will help in creating stronger connections between the university and colleges in Himachal, which will foster diverse educational exchanges therefore opening more opportunities for Himachali students to study in the USA. Special Envoy to India and UAE from the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, Ms. Kanika Chaudhary detailed the objectives and scopes of MoU. She said that the PannHub will provide all the guidance and support to the State Government for successfully implementing the MoU. Vice Chancellor, Prof. Sikander Kumar also shared his views and suggestions during the meeting. Director Higher Education, Dr. Amarjeet K. Sharma, Dean Planning and Teachers Matters, Prof. Arvind Kumar Bhatt and Prof. Dr. Shashi Kant Shrama also attended the meeting.

Government to encourage international partnership to boost skill based education under NEP : Rohit Thakur

Himachal Pradesh is advancing its education sector, focusing on skill-based learning under the stewardship of Education Minister Rohit Thakur. Collaboration with Pennsylvania Global and Education HUB ('PennHub') is a significant stride towards this goal, evident from the recently discussed Memorandum of Understanding (MoU). The alliance aims to enhance academic ties, foster research collaborations, and promote cultural exchange. This partnership, initiated with Pennsylvania's PASSHE, underscores the state's commitment to enriching its educational landscape. Through PennHub's support, Himachal aims to elevate its educational standards, facilitate student exchanges, and strengthen ties with global educational institutions, opening avenues for Himachali students to pursue studies in the USA.

There is immense potential in the fish farming in the rivers and sea areas of India. It also offers great opportunities for employment and self-employment in the view of bio-diversity in the fish farming sector. Himachal Pradesh is endowed with perennial rivers originated from glaciers. These rivers enrich the hilly and semi-plain areas of the state. Beas, Satluj and Ravi rivers are home to various fishes like schizothorax, golden mahseer and foreign trout species etc. The successful implementation of ambitious Indo-Norwegian Trout Farming Project has created a keen interest among people to utilize water resources of the state through modern techniques. More anvils were opened for local public to explore fish farming in Gobind Sagar and Pong Dam, Chamera and Ranjit Sagar Dam which is strengthening their economy. State government is promoting fisheries and allied sector through various schemes. A detail work plan is being prepared to increase income of fishermen by promoting backyard fish farming, cage culture, re-circulatory aquaculture system and other technology based fish farming in the state. Around 20 hectare new fish ponds will be constructed in private sector in the current financial year. State government has decided to provide a subsidy of 80 percent to escalate earnings of fishermen. As many as 120 new trout units will be constructed to increase the capacity of fisheries sector. A carp farm will be set at Gagret in Una with an expenditure of Rs. five crore to facilitate training of farmers and other persons associated with fisheries. Total 600 fishermen will be trained every year in this centre. Fishermen dependent on riverine fish living in the plain areas will be provided with 1000 cast nets at subsidy. Center Government has released Rs. 11.26 crore under Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana, which will be utilized to promote various activities of fish farming. State government is boosting fish farming and providing incentives to the fishermen to make it successful.

Financial stability and income opportunities through Fish farming


Fish farming in India, particularly in Himachal Pradesh, presents a lucrative avenue for employment and self-employment due to its rich biodiversity. With perennial rivers like Beas, Satluj, and Ravi, the state boasts abundant fish species including schizothorax and golden mahseer. The Indo-Norwegian Trout Farming Project's success has spurred interest in modern techniques. The government's initiatives, including subsidies and training programs, aim to bolster the fisheries sector. Plans include constructing new fish ponds, establishing trout units, and setting up a carp farm for training. With substantial funding from schemes like Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana, Himachal Pradesh is poised to harness its water resources for economic growth through fish farming.

Aimed at decongesting roads during the peak tourist season, the Shimla police have introduced a &ldquo;one-minute traffic plan&rdquo; in the district. The police claims the plan has not only proved to be instrumental in making the city free from frequent traffic jams, but has also reduced commuting time The police have identified 10 traffic bottlenecks in the city. Halt points have been established a few km before those points to ease congestion. Trials were conducted at one of the busiest junctions in the city before rolling out the full-fledged plan SP Sanjeev Gandhi says, &ldquo;As part of the one-minute traffic plan, the police stop vehicles at established halting points for 40 seconds and then release the traffic for 20 seconds. As a result, the traffic congestion on the city roads has eased significantly. We are doing it manually, but traffic lights will be set up at these halting points soon.&amp;rdquo The police have claimed that after putting in place the new traffic management system, the travel time has been reduced Traffic lights will be installed at Chharabra, IGMC on the Sanjauli-Lakkar Bazaar stretch, Tara Devi near Shoghi, Heeranagar, St Bede&rsquo;s College, Fagli and Khalini on Shimla-Malyana bypass and Willows Bank on the Vidhan Sabha-Advanced Studies road Gandhi says, &ldquo;Reduced traffic congestion has also been benefitting schoolchildren. The new system has also proved useful in cases of medical emergencies. Based primarily on time, number and space, the new plan has received a positive response from transporters, taxi drivers and passengers. The police monitor the traffic flow from a control room
10 bottlenecks 
The police have established halt points a few km before each of the 10 identified traffic bottlenecks in the city Vehicles are stopped there for 40 seconds and then the traffic is released for 20 seconds, thereby reducing congestion on the road Police officers are doing it manually for now, but traffic lights will be set up at these halting points soon

New initiative to tackle traffic congestion on Shimla roads


Shimla police have introduced a "one-minute traffic plan" to alleviate congestion during peak tourist seasons. With 10 identified traffic bottlenecks, halt points have been established before each, where vehicles are stopped for 40 seconds and then released for 20 seconds, effectively easing road congestion. SP Sanjeev Gandhi reports significant improvements in travel time and reduced congestion on city roads. The plan, currently executed manually, will soon incorporate traffic lights at these halt points. This initiative not only benefits commuters but also aids schoolchildren and medical emergencies. Transporters, taxi drivers, and passengers have positively responded to the plan's time, number, and space-based approach.