NCERT Textbook Changes (Class VI)
Chapter on Veer Abdul Hameed:
- Honors Company Quarter Master Havildar Abdul Hameed, war hero of the 1965 India-Pakistan war.
- Awarded Param Veer Chakra posthumously.
- Aim: Inspire students with real examples of patriotism and duty.
Poem on National War Memorial:
- Promotes respect for soldiers who sacrificed their lives.
- Focuses on the National War Memorial, inaugurated on 25th Feb 2019 at India Gate, New Delhi.
- Honors soldiers from wars, UN missions, and humanitarian operations since Independence.
Alignment with NEP 2020 & NCF 2023:
- Supports NEP’s vision for holistic education.
- Emphasises patriotism, ethical values, and responsible citizenship.
Veer Abdul Hameed – Key Facts
Who was Abdul Hameed?
- Served in the 4th Grenadiers Battalion, Indian Army.
- Fought in the Battle of Asal Uttar during the 1965 India-Pakistan war.
Battle of Asal Uttar (Sept 1965):
- Took place near Khem Karan, Punjab.
- Pakistan aimed to capture Khem Karan and advance towards Beas River bridge.
- Pakistan used Patton tanks; one of the largest tank battles in the 1965 war.
- Initial surprise forced Indian retreat.
Role of Abdul Hameed:
- Stationed near Chima village on Amritsar-Khem Karan road.
- Led a Recoilless Gun team, targeting enemy tanks.
- Destroyed 3 Pakistani Patton tanks on 10th Sept 1965.
- Killed while engaging a fourth tank.
Recognition:
- Death site now part of a war memorial.
- Captured Pakistani Patton tank displayed at the memorial.
National War Memorial:
- Purpose: Memorializes soldiers who died in wars, UN operations, humanitarian missions.
- Inauguration: Inaugurated on 25th Feb 2019 at India Gate complex, New Delhi.
Green Climate Fund (GCF)
Overview:
- GCF is a climate finance fund established under the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC).
- Created in 2010, headquartered in the Republic of Korea.
Governance:
- Governed by the GCF Board and accountable to the Conference of the Parties (COP).
- Supports projects, programs, policies, and activities in developing countries through specific thematic funding windows.
Functions:
- Supports Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) aimed at reducing greenhouse gas emissions and adapting to climate change.
- Helps developing countries achieve low-emission, climate-resilient development paths.
- NDCs must be updated every five years as per the Paris Agreement.
Climate Finance
Definition:
Funding to support actions that address climate change, coming from public, private, and alternative sources.
Importance:
- Essential for reducing emissions, adapting to climate impacts, and transitioning to low-carbon economies.
- Helps achieve the goals of the Paris Agreement.
India’s Need for Climate Finance:
Required to scale renewable energy, modernize infrastructure, and improve energy efficiency.
Financial Mechanisms:
UNFCCC established mechanisms like the Adaptation Fund, Green Climate Fund, and Global Environment Fund to support developing countries.
Objectives And Ambitions Of The GCF
Primary Goal:
- Channel climate finance to developing nations disproportionately affected by climate change but least responsible for carbon emissions.
- Focus on reducing greenhouse gas emissions and enhancing climate resilience (e.g., storms, droughts, rising sea levels).
Focus on Vulnerable Countries:
- 19 climate-vulnerable countries have been identified for targeted support, including Algeria, Chad, Iraq, Mozambique, and South Sudan.
- Prioritising these nations for climate funding.
Commitment to Vulnerable Nations:
- GCF aims to become the “partner of choice” for these nations, ensuring funds are directed where they are most needed.
- Somalia has been promised over USD 100 million in GCF investments by 2025 for climate projects and attracting further investment.