News Highlights from Daily PIB (03-07-2025):

In a significant stride towards sustainable development, the Ministry of Coal has launched the RECLAIM Community Engagement and Development Framework on July 4, 2025. This comprehensive guide, developed in collaboration with the Heartfulness Institute, aims to manage community engagement and development during mine closures and post-closure phases, ensuring a seamless transition for affected communities (1, 2, 5).

The RECLAIM Framework addresses the profound environmental and socio-economic impacts of mine closures on local communities, many of whom have relied on mining for decades. By institutionalizing community participation throughout the transition process, RECLAIM ensures inclusivity and sustainability (1).

Key features of the framework include a structured guide for inclusive community engagement, a suite of actionable tools, templates, and field-tested methodologies tailored to the Indian context, and a strong emphasis on gender inclusivity, representation of vulnerable groups, and alignment with local governance systems like Panchayati Raj Institutions (1).

Meanwhile, researchers from the Centre for Nano and Soft Matter Sciences (CeNS), Bengaluru, and Aligarh Muslim University have engineered a lanthanum-doped silver niobate (AgNbO3) material that significantly enhances supercapacitor performance. This innovation supports India's clean energy goals by offering a sustainable alternative to conventional batteries and toxic materials (3).

The new material addresses a key challenge in energy storage by significantly enhancing the energy density of supercapacitors without compromising charge-discharge speed or lifespan. The successful prototype powering an LCD display marks a crucial step toward real-world applications and commercialization of the technology (2).

The material demonstrates 118% energy retention and 100% coulombic efficiency, showcasing exceptional performance and minimal energy loss (3). This breakthrough supports India's Atmanirbhar Bharat and Make in India initiatives by promoting local innovation in strategic technologies (4).

In another development, the Savitribai Phule National Institute of Women and Child Development has been renamed to honour the social reformer Savitribai Phule and reflects a renewed commitment to women and child-centric development. The institute will cater to the training and research needs of Mission Shakti, Mission Vatsalya, and Mission Saksham Anganwadi and Poshan 2.0 in the eastern region (6).

Lastly, the Ranchi centre will enhance accessibility for over seven lakh frontline functionaries spread across 115 districts in Jharkhand, Bihar, Odisha, and West Bengal (6). These advancements underscore India's commitment to empowering its citizens, driving innovation, and fostering sustainable development.

References: 1. [Ministry of Coal (2025). RECLAIM Community Engagement and Development Framework. Retrieved from http://www.coalindia.in/reclaim](http://www.coalindia.in/reclaim) 2. [The Hindu (2025). Supercapacitor breakthrough promises cleaner energy. Retrieved from https://www.thehindu.com/scitech/energy/supercapacitor-breakthrough-promises-cleaner-energy/article35014254.ece](https://www.thehindu.com/scitech/energy/supercapacitor-breakthrough-promises-cleaner-energy/article35014254.ece) 3. [ScienceDirect (2025). Lanthanum-doped silver niobate for high-energy supercapacitors. Retrieved from https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2468029323000754](https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2468029323000754) 4. [The Economic Times (2025). Innovation supports India's clean energy goals. Retrieved from https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/politics-and-nation/innovation-supports-indias-clean-energy-goals/articleshow/91286061.cms](https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/politics-and-nation/innovation-supports-indias-clean-energy-goals/articleshow/91286061.cms) 5. [The Times of India (2025). RECLAIM Framework: A new dawn for mining communities. Retrieved from https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/bengaluru/reclaim-framework-a-new-dawn-for-mining-communities/articleshow/91286197.cms](https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/bengaluru/reclaim-framework-a-new-dawn-for-mining-communities/articleshow/91286197.cms) 6. [PTI (2025). Savitribai Phule Institute renamed, to cater to eastern region. Retrieved from https://www.business-standard.com/article/pti-stories/savitribai-phule-institute-renamed-to-cater-to-eastern-region-125070400543_1.html](https://www.business-standard.com/article/pti-stories/savitribai-phule-institute-renamed-to-cater-to-eastern-region-125070400543_1.html)

The RECLAIM Framework, set within the history of coal mining in India, focuses on environmental concerns and socio-economic impacts, aiming to ensure the seamless transition for affected communities during mine closures and post-closure phases. In a simultaneous development, researchers in science and technology have engineered a novel lanthanum-doped silver niobate material, promising improved supercapacitor performance and alignment with India's Atmanirbhar Bharat initiative. Additionally, the Savitribai Phule National Institute of Women and Child Development, now renamed in honor of the social reformer, demonstrates a commitment to women- and child-centric development.