India at G20 Agriculture Ministerial Meeting in Cuiabá, Brazil
India participated in the G20 Agriculture Ministerial Meeting in Cuiabá, Brazil. Led by Minister of State for Agriculture and Farmers' Welfare, Ram Nath Thakur, the Indian delegation engaged in bilateral discussions with several global partners to enhance agricultural cooperation and address market access issues.
Ram Nath Thakur highlighted that under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, India prioritises agricultural development. Our approach not only focuses on productivity but also ensures economic, social, environmental sustainability, enhancing farmer prosperity and embodying a comprehensive vision for development. He further mentioned that India is implementing the world's largest food-based safety net programs to ensure food security and nutrition.
The meeting centered around discussions on four key priority areas for global agriculture: First, sustainability of agriculture and food systems in their multiple paths; Second, enhancing international trade's contribution to food security and nutrition; Third, elevating the essential role of family farmers, smallholders, indigenous peoples and local communities in sustainable, resilient and inclusive agriculture and food systems; Fourth, promote the integration of sustainable fisheries and aquaculture into local and global value chains.
Jordan's King Appoints New Prime Minister after Parliamentary Elections
Jordan's King Abdullah II accepted the resignation of Prime Minister Bisher al-Khasawneh following parliamentary elections. Al-Khasawneh, a seasoned diplomat who had been in office since October 2020, resigned after legislative elections.
Jafar Hassan, a technocrat and former Planning Minister was appointed as the new Prime Minister.
HDFC Bank Aims to Boost Income of 5 Lakh Marginal Farmers by 2025 under 'Parivartan'
India's private sector bank HDFC looks to increase the income of 5 lakh marginal farmers who earn less than 60,000 annually by 2025, as part of Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR), Parivartan.
The bank's focus on rural development reflects continued commitment to fostering sustainable growth and uplifting vulnerable communities.
Since its inception in 2014, Parivartan has grown into one of India's largest CSR programmes, active in 28 States and 8 Union Territories.
With over 65 per cent of India's population residing in rural areas, they strongly believe that inclusive development can only be attained when the prosperity and livelihood in villages keeps pace with the growth.
GST Council Forms GoM to Review Tax Rate on Health, Life Insurance
The GST Council constituted a 13-member Group of Ministers (GoM) to review and suggest GST rates on health and life insurance premiums. The report is due by October 30, 2024, and Bihar Deputy CM Samrat Choudhary leads the group. The decision was made during the 54th GST Council meeting earlier in September 2024. A final decision will be made in November based on the GoM's recommendations.
Key Objectives of the GoM are:
Review GST rates on health and life insurance, including premiums for individual, group, and family plans
Examine tax rates on specialised categories such as senior citizens and those with mental illness
Review rates on term insurance, life insurance with investment plans, and reinsurance
Currently, a GST rate of 18% applies to health and life insurance premiums. Some opposition-ruled states like West Bengal have called for complete exemption, while others advocate reducing the rate to 5%.
DPIIT Launches BHASKAR: A Revolutionary Platform for India's Start-up Ecosystem
The Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT), under the Ministry of Commerce and Industry, launched a groundbreaking digital platform named Bharat Start-up Knowledge Access Registry (BHASKAR) under the Start-up India program. This initiative aims to strengthen India's start-up ecosystem by centralising and streamlining collaboration between key stakeholders like start-ups, investors, mentors, service providers, and government bodies. It aligns with India's vision to become a global leader in innovation and entrepreneurship, further boosting the country's commitment to the start-up movement.
BHASKAR acts as a bridge between start-ups, investors, mentors, and stakeholders, promoting seamless interaction across different sectors.
The platform provides immediate access to critical tools and knowledge, helping start-ups make faster decisions and scale efficiently.
Iran launched its Chamran-1 research satellite into orbit, its second successful satellite launch this year (2024).
The launch came as the United States and European countries accuse Iran of transferring ballistic missiles to Russia that would be likely used in its war with Ukraine within weeks. Iran has denied this.
The satellite, designed and built by Iranian Electronics Industries (SAIran), was put into a 550 km (340-mile) orbit.
In January 2024, Iran's Sorayya satellite was launched into a 750 km orbit, the highest by the country so far.
SpaceX Crew Returns to Earth after Historic Mission
SpaceX's Polaris Dawn crew returned to Earth after five days in orbit, following a historic mission featuring the world's first commercial spacewalk.
The Dragon capsule made splashdown off the coast of Florida.
Re-entering earth's atmosphere, the spacecraft neared temperatures of 1,900C (3,500 degrees Fahrenheit), caused by the intense pressure and friction of pushing through the air at around 7,000mph (11,265kph).
The four-member civilian team, bankrolled and led by billionaire Jared Isaacman, travelled further into space than any humans for more than fifty years.
Scott Poteet, a retired US Air Force pilot, and SpaceX employees Sarah Gillis and Anna Menon were also on the crew.
Mr. Isaacman and Ms Gillis are the first non-professional crew to perform a spacewalk, a risky manoeuvre that involves depressurising the crew compartment and exiting the spacecraft.
Oscar Piastri Claims Maiden Victory at Azerbaijan Grand Prix
Oscar Piastri of McLaren secured his first Formula 1 victory at the Azerbaijan Grand Prix, marking a significant milestone in his career.
The race, held at the Baku City Circuit, concluded under a virtual safety car due to a late crash, adding an element of drama to the final moments.
Sakshi Malik, Aman Sehrawat and Geeta Phogat Announce Wrestling Champions Super League
Olympic medallists Sakshi Malik and Aman Sehrawat, along with former world championship bronze-winner Geeta Phogat, announced that they would soon launch a Wrestling Champions Super League (WCSL) for the country's budding grapplers but the national federation has refused to sanction the initiative.
India, US Hold 2+2 Intersessional, Discuss Strategic and Defence Priorities
India and the US held the 2+2 Intersessional and the discussions covered bilateral strategic and defence priorities as well as regional and global issues.
The officials of the Ministry of External Affairs and Defence and the US State and Defence Departments attended the 2+2 Intersessional.
Key discussions covered bilateral strategic and defense priorities, alongside regional and global issues.
World Patient Safety Day is an annual observance on September 17, established by the World Health Organisation (WHO) to raise global awareness about patient safety, promote actions to enhance safety in healthcare, and encourage stakeholders to unite for safer healthcare practices. The day is recognised to address the significant burden of harm that unsafe medical practices cause worldwide.
In 2019, the 72nd World Health Assembly passed a resolution to establish World Patient Safety Day as a global health priority. The WHO began global campaigns each year, focusing on various themes within patient safety, such as safe childbirth, medication safety, and the empowerment of patients and caregivers.
The theme for 2024, 'Improving Diagnosis for Patient Safety', emphasises the vital role of accurate and timely diagnosis in safeguarding patients and improving health outcomes.
India Water Week
President Droupadi Murmu inaugurated the 8th India Water Week on September 17 at Bharat Mandapam, New Delhi. The biennial event is being held from September 17 to 20.
This four-day international water resources event, conceptualised by the Ministry of Jal Shakti, focuses on the theme 'Partnerships and Cooperation for Inclusive Water Development and Management'.
IWW was first organised in 2012 and has since been held biannually, with themes focusing on crucial water challenges. Previous editions have addressed issues like water management for sustainable development and water security for inclusive growth.
Rajbhasha Kirti Award to Department of Administrative Reforms and Public Grievances
During Hindi Diwas Celebrations at Bharat Mandapam, New Delhi, the Secretary of Administrative Reforms and Public Grievances (DARPG), V. Srinivas, was awarded the Rajbhasha Kirti Puraskar by Home Minister, Amit Shah.
This award recognised DARPG's exemplary performance in promoting the use of Hindi as the Official Language under the Ministry of Home Affairs for 2023-24. DARPG's commitment to implementing the Official Language Policy is reflected in its various initiatives, including monitoring language compliance and increasing Hindi usage across its sections and offices.
The department formed a Hindi Advisory Committee and an Official Language Implementation Committee to monitor the use of Hindi, with quarterly meetings to review progress. Quarterly Progress Reports (QPRs) and annual evaluation reports on Hindi usage are regularly submitted to the Department of Official Language.
In 2024, honorable Prime Minister of India Shri Narendra Modi launched the scheme of "Subhadra", flagship initiative of the State Government of Odisha designed to benefit the one crore women in the state.
Subhadra Yojana is a financial assistance to women of Odisha, ensuring their economic independence and overall well-being.
The scheme is named after Goddess Subhadra, the younger sibling of Lord Jagannath, the presiding deity of Odisha.
The Subhadra Yojana is about the Odisha state government transferring Rs. 10,000 per year to eligible women beneficiaries in the state between the ages 21 and 60.
Rajasthan to Offer MBBS in Hindi from 2024-25 after Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh
The Rajasthan government made an important move by announcing that MBBS courses will now be offered in Hindi, in addition to English, starting from the 2024-2025 academic session.
The decision, made on Hindi Diwas (September 14), follows in the footsteps of Madhya Pradesh and Chhattisgarh, both of which have already implemented Hindi as a medium of instruction for their medical education. Last year (2023), Uttarakhand had taken this decision.
This transition will begin with two medical colleges: Sampurnanand Medical College in Jodhpur and Medical College of Barmer. Both institutions, affiliated with Marwar Medical University, will offer Hindi as an option for students pursuing their MBBS degrees.
Governor of Tamil Nadu Releases Book Titled 'Sri Rama in Tamilagam - An Inseparable Bond'
On a significant day for Tamil literature and cultural heritage, R. N. Ravi, the Governor of Tamil Nadu, presided over the release of a groundbreaking book titled 'Sri Rama in Tamilagam – An Inseparable Bond'. This literary work, authored by the esteemed duo D. K. Hari and D. K. Hema Hari, explores the deep-rooted connection between Lord Rama and the land of Tamilagam, now known as Tamil Nadu.
The book highlights how Tamilagam stands as a living heritage museum of the Ramayana. Across this ancient land, numerous temples depict various scenes from the epic, chronicling Lord Rama's life from birth to his final departure. Collectively, these temples form a unique rendition of the Ramayana in stone, offering a tangible connection to the epic for devotees and history enthusiasts alike.
The authors emphasise that Lord Rama's connection to Tamilagam goes beyond the famous Sethu Bandha (Adam's Bridge). They argue that through his actions and the enduring cultural impact, Rama built an inseparable bond with the land and its people, a bond that has withstood the test of time and continues to influence Tamil culture and spirituality.
Arbitration Bar of India, Bombay Bar Association to Host Arbitration Event
The Arbitration Bar of India in association with the Bombay Bar Association is hosting its maiden conference on 'Judicial Support and Role of Courts in Arbitration' on September 21, 2024.
The event is being organised at YB Chavan Auditorium, Mumbai.
The inaugural session will feature remarks Vyapak Desai, Vice President, Arbitration Bar India; Nitin Thakker, Senior Advocate and President, Bombay Bar Association; Gourab Banerji, Senior Advocate and President, Arbitration Bar India; Birendra Saraf, Senior Advocate and Advocate General of Maharashtra; Tushar Mehta, Solicitor General of India; R Venkataramani, Senior Advocate and Attorney General for India; and Chief Justice Devendra Kumar Upadhyay of the Bombay High Court. Advocate Farhan Dubash will give the closing remarks for the inaugural session.
This will be followed by a session on "Effective Strategies for Arbitration Advocacy", which will be flagged off by Justice A. S. Chandurkar of the Bombay High Court.
The second panel discussion on the "Role of Arbitration Bar in Modern Arbitration" will start with an address by Justice G. S. Kulkarni of the Bombay High Court.
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