Overview of the Kuka Martyrs’ Day Commemoration

Punjab Chief Minister paid tribute to the Kuka martyrs on January 17, at the Namdhari Shaheed Smarak in Malerkotla, marking the anniversary of the Namdhari Sikhs' execution in 1872.

Background on the Namdharis

Origin and Beliefs

• The Namdharis, also known as Kukas, are a Sikh sect founded by Satguru Ram Singh on April 12, 1857, in Ludhiana.
• They are known for their high-pitched recitation style of the Gurbani, with "kook" in Punjabi meaning "screaming" or "crying".
• Ram Singh opposed various social vices, including alcohol and meat consumption, and initiated a movement akin to the Swadeshi and Non-Cooperation Movements.

Rebellion Against British Rule

• The Namdhari movement featured localized rebellions against the British post the 1857 Rebellion, advocating for the boycott of foreign goods and British services.
• By the 1870s, tensions between the Namdharis and British erupted into violence.

Events of January 1872

Conflict and Clashes

• On January 13, 1872, around 200 Namdharis, led by Kuka Hira Singh and Lehna Singh, arrived in Malerkotla, protesting against cow slaughter.
• Clashes occurred between Namdharis and government officials on January 15, where both sides reported injuries.
• A 150-strong Kuka group also attacked the Malaudh Fort in Ludhiana, which was under British loyalists.

British Retribution

• Deputy Commissioner John Lambert Cowan ordered the execution of 66 Namdharis over January 17 and 18, 1872, by cannon fire.
• A notable martyr was 12-year-old Bishan Singh, who refused to renounce his sect, resulting in his brutal execution.
• Waryam Singh, a courageous Kuka, exemplified bravery by making himself a target for cannon fire.

Legacy of the Namdharis

Post-Revolt Developments

• Satguru Ram Singh and his chiefs were exiled to Rangoon (present-day Burma), never to return.
• The Namdharis believe Ram Singh is still alive and will return, commemorating him by wearing white.
• The sect has approximately two lakh followers in Punjab today but has experienced a schism since the death of Satguru Jagjit Singh in 2012.
• Followers are divided between Thakur Dilip Singh in Sirsa, Haryana, and Sangrur Uday Singh in Bhaini Sahib, Ludhiana.

Fast Track Immigration – Trusted Traveller Programme (FTI-TTP)

Introduction

Union Home Minister will inaugurate the FTI-TTP at various major airports including Mumbai, Chennai, Kolkata, Bengaluru, Hyderabad, Cochin, and Ahmedabad.

The programme was initially launched at Indira Gandhi International Airport, New Delhi, aimed at facilitating easy and secure international travel with world-class immigration facilities.

Launch and Objective

• First Deployment: June 2024 at Terminal 3 of IGI Airport, New Delhi.
• Objective: Enhance international mobility with faster, smoother, and secure immigration for Indian Nationals and OCI (Overseas Citizens of India).
• Cost: Free of cost initially for Indian nationals and OCI cardholders.
• Nodal Agency: Bureau of Immigration under the Ministry of Home Affairs.

How FTI-TTP Works

• Implemented through an online portal: https://ftittp.mha.gov.in.
• Applicants register online, providing details and documents.
• A white list of ‘Trusted Travellers’ is generated post-verification.
• Biometrics are captured at the Foreigners Registration Office (FRRO) or during airport passage.
• Registration is valid till passport validity or five years, whichever is earlier.
• Process:
  1. Scan boarding pass at e-gates.
  2. Scan passport for biometrics authentication.
  3. Upon authentication, e-gate opens for immigration clearance.

Document Requirements

• Photograph: Passport-size, meeting Indian standards, simple white background, no older than six months.
• Passport: Scanned copy with at least six months validity, including the front and back pages.
• OCI Cardholders: Scanned copies of both biographic and family/address details pages.

Implementation Phases

• Phase 1: Includes Indian citizens and OCI cardholders.
• Phase 2: Foreign travellers will be included.
• Total implementation at 21 major airports in the country.

India's Future Job Market

India ranks second in preparedness for future jobs, including artificial intelligence (AI) and green skills, according to the QS World Future Skills Index 2025. However, in economic transformation and workforce readiness, India ranks 40th and 37th, respectively.

QS World Future Skills Index

• Overall Ranking: India is 25th, labeled a "future skills contender".
• Top Countries: The United States, United Kingdom, Germany, Australia, and Canada are "future skills pioneers".

Prime Minister Narendra Modi finds the ranking "heartening", emphasizing efforts to equip youth with self-reliance and innovation skills.

Indicators Assessed by QS Survey

• Skills Fit: Evaluates alignment of graduate skills with employer needs.
• Future of Work: Assesses readiness for skills needed in future jobs.
• Academic Readiness: Evaluates preparation for future work.
• Economic Transformation: Assesses readiness to support work and skills growth.

India's Performance on Indicators

1. Future of Work:
   • India ranks 2nd, focusing on digital, AI, and green skills.
   • Derived from analysis of over 280 million global job postings.
2. Skills Fit:
   • India ranks last among 30 countries, scoring 59.1.
   • Highlights a significant gap in meeting employer demands.
3. Innovation in Sustainability:
   • India scores 15.6 out of 100, lowest in future-oriented sustainability innovation.
   • G7 countries score 68.3, and EU countries score 59.
4. Economic Transformation:
   • India ranks 40th with a score of 58.3.
   • Challenges include investment and innovation capacity.
5. Academic Readiness:
   • India ranks 26th, with a score of 89.9.

Report Insights on India's Education System and Policy

The report notes that Indian graduates struggle to adapt to changing skill requirements, with a notable gap in entrepreneurial and innovative mindsets. Employers highlight a mismatch between workforce skills and economic needs, challenging the higher education system.

Recommendations include embedding creativity and problem-solving in curricula and fostering collaborations with industry. Continuous reskilling programs are also suggested to maintain workforce relevance and productivity.