Employment News Today 29 July 2013

Employment News Today 29 July 2013

UN Declared 19 November as World Toilet Day

In a bid to make sanitation for all a global development priority, the United Nations General Assembly designated 19 November as World Toilet Day, urging changes in both behaviour and policy on issues ranging from enhancing water management to ending open-air defecation.

Adopting a new resolution, the Assembly urged UN Member States and relevant stakeholders to encourage behavioural change and the implementation of policies to increase access to sanitation among the poor, along with a call to end the practice of open-air defecation, which it deemed “extremely harmful” to public health.

Of the world’s 7 billion people, six billion have mobile phones.

World Toilet Day has previously been marked by international and civil society organizations all over the world. However, it was not formally recognized as an official UN day until today.

However, only 4.5 billion have access to toilets or latrines – meaning that 2.5 billion people, mostly in rural areas, do not have proper sanitation. In addition, 1.1 billion people still defecate in the open.

Ratan Tata on jury to select Zayed Future Energy Prize winner

Ratan Tata, Chairman Emeritus of Tata Sons, will be a part of the jury that will select winners of Zayed Future Energy Prize this year, an award for innovation in renewable energy and sustainability.

Virgin Group founder Sir Richard Branson will also be a part of the jury.

The USD 4 million Zayed Future Energy Prize is awarded annually in five categories -- large corporation, small and medium enterprise, non-governmental organisation, lifetime achievement and high schools - for significant contributions to the future of energy, sustainability and climate change.

In the last five years, the award has recognised 21 innovators.

Winners of the sixth edition will be announced on January 20 2014.

Sir Richard Branson was invited to the jury for his commitment to identifying entrepreneurial solutions for provoking positive change in the world.

Ludhiana-Delhi Shatabdi to run seven days a week

Shatabdi train between Ludhiana and Delhi will run seven days a week, Railway Minister Mallikarjun Kharge said .

The express train will also have a stoppage at Jind in Haryana, the Union minister .