Table of Contents
Constitutional Provisions regarding Minority Educational Institutions:
Article 30(1) recognizes linguistic and religious minorities but not those based on race, ethnicity.
- It recognizes the right of religious and linguistic minorities to establish and administer educational institutions, in effect recognizing the role educational institutions play in preserving distinct cultures.
- A majority community can also establish and administer educational institution but they will not enjoy special rights under Article 30(1)(a).
Special rights enjoyed by religious minority institutions are:
- Under Art 30(1)(a), MEI enjoys the right to education as a Fundamental Right. In case the property is taken over by state, due compensation to be provided to establish institutions elsewhere
- Under Article 15(5), MEIs are not considered for reservation
- Under the Right to Education Act, MEI not required to provide admission to children in the age group of 6-14 years up to 25% of enrolment reserved for the economically backward section of society
- In St Stephens vs Delhi University case, 1992, SC ruled that MEIs can have 50% seats reserved for minorities
- In TMA Pai & others vs State of Karnataka & others 2002 case, SC ruled that MEIs can have separate admission process which is fair, transparent and merit-based. They can also separate fee structure but should not charge a capitation fee.
1st May Labour Day:
The Labour Day was observed across the world on May 1, 2020. The day is also known as International Worker’s Day and May Day.
In India, the first celebration of the Labour Day was organised in Madras (now Chennai) by the Labour Kisan Party of Hindustan on May 1, 1923. The Labour Day is celebrated to commemorate the happenings of May 4, 1886, the Haymarket affair (Haymarket Massacre) in Chicago.
New GI tag:
- Black rice variety has a deep black colour and is higher by weight than that of other coloured rice varieties like brown rice, etc. This is mainly due to the anthocyanin agent.
- kovilpatti Kadalai Mittai is a peanut candy made in southern parts of Tamil Nadu. The candy is prepared from groundnut and jaggery. The water is exclusively used from the river Thamirabarani.
- Gorakhpur Terracotta: The potters of the town make animal figures like elephants, horses.
The National Jal Shakti Abhiyan:
Under the National Jal Shakti Abhiyan, Centre has decided to utilize the upcoming monsoon season to expand its water conservation efforts. An important part of the ‘Jal Shakti Abhiyan’ is that it will focus on five aspects – water conservation and rainwater harvesting, renovation of traditional and other water bodies, reuse of water and recharging of structures, watershed development, and intensive afforestation.
- It is a time-bound, mission-mode campaign.
- Launched in 2019, it covered 256 water-stressed districts across the country.
- The campaign will run through citizen participation.