General Awareness

NATIONAL AFFAIRS - July 2015

Jul 2015

Jul 08, 2023

India, Singapore Extend MoU to Co-operate on Public Administration

The Department of Administrative Reforms and Public Grievances (DARPG), Ministry of Personnel, Public Grievances and Pensions, and the Public Service Division, of the Republic of Singapore signed a protocol document, extending for five years the current memorandum of understanding (MoU) on cooperation in the field of personnel management and public administration till 2028.
The MoU was signed by V. Srinivas, secretary on behalf of DARPG, and Simon Wong, High Commissioner of Singapore to India.
The MoU aims at strengthening the partnership between the two countries through various forms of cooperation between both countries' public service.
The cooperation in areas such as administrative reforms & public sector transformation, public service delivery, leadership, and talent development, e-governance, capacity building, and training form part of the areas to be covered under the activities of MoU.

U20 Engagement Group of G20 Meet for the Mayoral Summit

U20 Engagement Group of G20 met on July 7-8 for the Mayoral Summit, which was attended by over 500 participants including mayors, Deputy Mayors, city officials and knowledge partners. Delegates and participants from 57 cities across the world and 35 cities from India gathered in the twin cities of Ahmedabad and Gandhinagar, Guharat.
This sixth cycle of Urban 20, was an Engagement Group under the G20. By facilitating discussions among cities from the G20 countries, the U20 established a platform for cities to collectively inform G20 negotiations with respect to urban priorities.
Besides the inaugural session and the handover of the U20 Communiqué by the Mayors to the G20 leaders, a number of thematic sessions and spotlight events were included in the two-day schedule. In this endeavour, Ahmedabad was supported by the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs (MoHUA) as the nodal ministry, the National Institute of Urban Affairs (NIUA), the Technical Secretariat of U20, and the U20 Conveners, C40 Cities and UCLG (United Cities and Local Governments).
This meeting was inaugurated by the Chief Minister of Gujarat, Bhupendrabhai Patel. Thematic sessions on the six U20 priority areas was organised during the summit. The U20 priority areas echoed the emphasis G20 is laying on environmental responsibility, climate finance, and cities of the future.
The six priorities under U20 were namely- 'encouraging environmentally responsible behaviours', 'accelerating climate finance', 'ensuring water security', 'promoting local culture and economy', 'reinventing frameworks for urban governance and planning', and 'catalyzing digital urban futures.'

World Food India-2023: Roundtable interaction in New Delhi

Ministry of Food Processing Industries organised Roundtable with Heads of Foreign Missions in India to discuss overseas participation in the World Food India (WFI) 2023, at Sushma Swaraj Bhawan, New Delhi. The second edition of 'World Food India 2023' is being organised by the Ministry from November 3-5, 2023 at Pragati Maidan, New Delhi to showcase Indian Food Processing Sector seeking collaborations and investments from global Stakeholders. The event is being organised as part of International Year of Millets 2023 activities and will have Millets (Shree Anna), organic produce and indigenous processed food as some of the focus areas.
The interaction was co-chaired by Secretary, Ministry of Food Processing Industries, Anita Praveen, and Special Secretary, Ministry of External Affairs, Prabhat Kumar. It was attended by Ambassadors, High Commissioners, Charge d' Affaires and other senior representatives from wide spectrum of countries. In all, 47 countries were represented in the interaction. Senior officers from Ministry of External Affairs, Ministry of Food Processing Industries, Department of Commerce, APEDA, MPEDA and other Commodity Boards, apart from organizations associated with organizing the event (FICCI, Invest India & EY) participated in the deliberations.

Jul 07, 2023

DGCA Ties Up with European Agency to Develop Unmanned aircraft Systems

The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) India and the European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) decided to work together in unmanned aircraft systems (UAS) and innovative air mobility.
The DGCA India signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with EASA to foster growth and development in both areas.
The agreement facilitates cooperation between the DGCA and EASA in aspects including the establishment of certification standards & environmental requirements for UAS and innovative air mobility operations. These further include licensing of personnel, training, air traffic management, and infrastructure, including unmanned aircraft system traffic management (UTM) standards and services.
The MoU also adds that valuable information must be shared between the two aviation authorities. This will encompass technological advancements and research in the field, as well as strategies to engage with relevant stakeholders. Additionally, the agreement promotes joint efforts in organising conferences, workshops, and training programmes by both DGCA and EASA in the area of unmanned aircraft systems and innovative air mobility.
The signing of this MoU is a significant step towards harmonising standards and making progress in India's unmanned aviation sector. By aligning their efforts and sharing expertise, India and the European Union aim to accelerate the growth of this critical industry.

Congress Appoints Kanhaiya Kumar as AICC In-charge of NSUI

The Congress appointed former Jawaharlal Nehru University Students' Union president Kanhaiya Kumar as the AICC in-charge of its students' wing NSUI.
The National Students' Union of India (NSUI) is headed by Neeraj Kundan.
Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge appointed Kanhaiya Kumar as AICC in-charge of NSUI with immediate effect.
A former Communist Party of India (CPI) leader, Kumar joined the Congress in the presence of Rahul Gandhi at the party's headquarters in the national capital in September 2021.
He had gained prominence as the president of JNU students' union. He had been accused in a sedition case for allegedly raising "anti-national slogans" during an event on the Jawaharlal Nehru University campus in February 2016.
He had also unsuccessfully contested the Lok Sabha polls against BJP's Giriraj Singh from Begusarai in Bihar.

B. Neeraja Prabhakar is New Oil Palm RAC Chairperson

B. Neeraja Prabhakar, the Vice-Chancellor of Sri Konda Laxman Telangana State Horticultural University, was appointed as the chairperson of the Research Advisory Committee (RAC) for the ICAR-Indian Institute of Oil Palm Research (IIOPR) in Pedavegi, Andhra Pradesh. Prabhaka will lead a committee of ten members for a duration of three years.
The ICAR-Indian Institute of Oil Palm Research (IIOPR) located in Pedavegi is the sole esteemed institute in India dedicated to conducting research on oil palm and developing technologies applicable to all oil palm-growing states. The Research Advisory Committee (RAC) will play a crucial role in providing guidance to the IIOPR regarding research initiatives, specifically focusing on addressing the challenges encountered by oil palm farmers across the country.

Jul 06, 2023

Govt. Organising International Conference on Green Hydrogen Ecosystem

The International Conference on Green Hydrogen is being organised by the Government of India from July 5 to 7, 2023 in New Delhi. It aims to bring together the global scientific, policy, academic and industrial leaders to discuss recent advances and emerging technologies in the entire green hydrogen value chain.
The event is expected to enable the sector stakeholders to explore the evolving green hydrogen landscape and innovation-driven solutions in the sector. In this way, it aims at strengthening the sustainability ecosystem of the sector.
Organized by the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy in partnership with the Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas, Council of Scientific and Industrial Research and Office of Principal Scientific Advisor to Government of India in collaboration with the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII), the event was inaugurated by R. K. Singh, Union Minister for Power and New & Renewable Energy.

Taiwan to Expand Diplomatic Presence in India with Opening of Mumbai Office

Taiwan is gearing up to strengthen its diplomatic presence in India by opening the Taipei Economic and Cultural Centre (TECC) in Mumbai.
Taiwan's foreign ministry expressed its intention to establish the TECC in order to deepen exchanges and cooperation between the two sides.
The centre will offer visa services, document authentication, and emergency assistance, and will cater to business- people, tourists, and Taiwanese nationals in Maharashtra, Goa, Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh, Dadra and Nagar Haveli, and Daman.
The existing Taipei Economic and Cultural Center in Delhi, which has been operating as the de facto embassy of Taiwan in India, was established in 1995.
In 2012, a TECC centre, de facto Taiwanese consulate, was established in the southern Indian city of Chennai.

AIMPLB Opposes Uniform Civil Code, Sends Draft to Law Commission with Objections

The All India Muslim Personal Law Board (AIMPLB) submitted a 100-page response to the Law Commission of India objecting to the Uniform Civil Code (UCC) wherein it also questioned the government's silence over the report of the previous law commission which had said that a UCC was neither necessary nor desirable. It also started a digital campaign to enable ordinary citizens to send in their replies to the panel rejecting the code.
The panel had on June 14 given a one month deadline to religious organisations and the general public to submit their views and suggestions regarding the code. AIMPLB had requested an extension of six months given the vast nature of the issue, however the same was declined.

Jul 05, 2023

Harsh Chouhan Resigns as NCST Chairman Eight Months before End of Term

National Commission for Scheduled Tribes (NCST) Chairman Harsh Chouhan resigned with eight months left for his term to end.
Following his resignation, the tribal rights body is left functioning with a lone member, Ananta Nayak.
His resignation was accepted by President Droupadi Murmu.
He was appointed as the chairman of the NCST in February 2021 for a three-year term.
Chouhan has worked extensively for tribals in Madhya Pradesh and has been associated with Sangh bodies, including the Akhil Bharatiya Vanvasi Kalyan Ashram.
National Commission for Scheduled Tribes (NCST) is an Indian constitutional body that was established through Constitution (89th Amendment) Act, 2003.

India-UK Electric Propulsion Technical Workshop Held in New Delhi

An India-UK technical workshop on fostering collaboration, exchange of knowledge and exploring possibilities in electric propulsion was held in New Delhi
The workshop was co-chaired by Joint Secretary (Naval Systems) Rajeev Prakash and Naval Base Commander (Portsmouth) Commodore John Voyce.
The workshop served as a platform for experts, researchers and industry professionals from both countries to come together, share insights and engage in discussions on the development of electric propulsion technology for ships.
The interaction provided a comprehensive understanding of the subject matter, paving the way for collaboration and the exchange of ideas.
During the workshop, both sides expressed their commitment to forging strong defence ties and exploring avenues for joint research, technology transfer and strategic partnerships.

Sunil Jakhar New Punjab BJP Chief, G. Kishan Reddy Gets Telangana

In a big organizational change, the BJP named G. Kishan Reddy, Sunil Jakhar, and Babulal Marandi its president in Telangana, Punjab, and Jharkhand respectively.
The party also announced former Union Minister D. Purandeswari as its new Andhra Pradesh president and brought in OBC leader Etela Rajender as its election management committee chairperson in poll-bound Telangana.
Jakhar replaced Ahwani Sharma while Babulal Marandi came in the place of Deepak Prakash.

Prime Minister Inaugurates Sai Hira Global Convention Centre in Puttaparthi, Andhra Pradesh

Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated the Sai Hira Global Convention Centre in Puttaparthi, Andhra Pradesh through video conferencing.
The inauguration ceremony witnessed the presence of prominent dignitaries and devotees from around the world.
The Sri Sathya Sai Central Trust constructed a new facility, Sai Hira Global Convention Centre at Prasanthi Nilayam in Puttaparthi. Prasanthi Nilayam is the main ashram of Sri Sathya Sai Baba.
The Convention Centre, donated by philanthropist Shri Ryuko Hira, is a testament to the vision of promoting cultural exchange, spirituality, and global harmony.

G-20 Research & Innovation Initiative Gathering Summit Held in Mumbai

The G-20 Research and Innovation Initiative Gathering (RIIG) Summit and Research Ministers' Meeting was held in Mumbai.
A total of 5 RIIG meetings were hosted by India this year under the theme 'Research and Innovation for Equitable Society'. The RIIG Inception Meeting was held at Kolkata, followed by four thematic conferences at Ranchi, Dibrugarh, Dharamshala and Diu.
The RIIG Summit is chaired by the Secretary of the Department of Science and Technology, Srivari Chandrasekhar. Chandrasekhar addressed the inaugural session.
The meeting discussed and negotiated the draft Outcome document at the RIIG Summit today. It marks the culmination of the G-20 science engagements that took place through series of meetings in different parts of India during India's G 20 Presidency in 2023.

National Anti-Doping Agency, India (NADA India) Signs MoU with South Asia Regional Anti-Doping Or...

National Anti-Doping Agency (NADA) India and the South Asia Regional Anti-Doping Organization (SARADO) joined forces through a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) aimed at strengthening regional cooperation in anti-doping efforts. The signing took place at the NADA India – SARADO Cooperation Meet in New Delhi, in the presence of Anurag Singh Thakur, Minister of Youth Affairs & Sports and Information & Broadcasting, Government of India, and other distinguished delegates.
The MoU signed between NADA India and SARADO sets the foundation for increased regional cooperation in anti-doping in sports over a three-year period. The key objectives outlined in the MoU include:
Anti-Doping Education & Prevention Program: Developing a comprehensive program to educate athletes and stakeholders in South Asia about anti-doping measures and prevention strategies.
Training & Up skilling: Providing training and up skilling opportunities for sample collection personnel, educators, and other anti-doping education officers in the region.
Courses, Seminars, Workshops, Research & Exchange Tours: Organizing events and initiatives focused on anti-doping education, prevention, and research, as well as facilitating exchange programs to foster knowledge sharing.
Expert Exchange and Support: Encouraging the exchange of education officers, program managers, trainers, teachers, and specialists in the field of anti-doping education, and supporting anti-doping education activities through the services of experts.
Anti-Doping Education Literature: Collaboratively producing educational materials and resources to raise awareness about anti-doping in sports.

Jul 04, 2023

HUDA City Centre Metro Station to be Renamed Millennium City Centre

The Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC) said that HUDA City Centre station on the Delhi Metro's Yellow Line will be renamed Millennium City Centre, hours after announcing that it will be rechristened Gurugram City Centre. The station falls in Haryana's Gurugram, a bustling IT and commercial hub in the National Capital Region (NCR) that is known as Millenium City.

India Holds SCO Summit with Putin, Xi and Shehbaz Sharif in Attendance

India virtually hosted the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi. China's President Xi Jinping and Russian leader Vladimir Putin also participated in the summit. It was Putin's first appearance at an international event since he crushed a mutiny by the Wagner mercenary group in late June.
The summit also witnessed the participation of Pakistan's Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif. One of the major highlights of the summit was that Pakistan and China expressed their willingness to participate in the summit.
The theme of the SCO meeting wass SECURE. It stands for S: Security, E: Economic development, C: Connectivity, U: Unity, R: Respect for sovereignty and territorial integrity, E: Environmental protection.
All the SCO Member States, China, Russia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Pakistan, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan, were invited to attend the Summit. In addition, Iran, Belarus and Mongolia were invited as Observer States. As per the SCO tradition, Turkmenistan was also been invited as the guest of the Chair. Heads of the two SCO Bodies, the Secretariat and the SCO RATS, were also be present.

Parliamentary Panel Head Sushil Advocates Keeping Tribals out of UCC Ambit

Chairman of the parliamentary panel on law and BJP MP Sushil Modi advocated keeping tribals, including those in the Northeast, out of the purview of any likely Uniform Civil Code (UCC) at a meeting while some opposition members questioned the Law Commission's timing of the move to begin consultations on the contentious issue.
Most opposition members, including those from the Congress and the DMK, linked the push for the UCC to the next year's (2024) Lok Sabha polls.
The meeting of the parliamentary standing committee, the first after the law panel initiated the consultation process on the common civil code, was held to hear the views of representatives of the law panel and legal affairs and legislative departments of the law ministry on the consultation process.

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