General Awareness

NATIONAL AFFAIRS - February 2016

Feb 2016

Dec 08, 2024

The Third India-Viet Nam Security Dialogue

India and Vietnam held the third India-Vietnam Security Dialogue in Ha Noi, Vietnam.
The dialogue facilitated an exchange of views on global and regional security issues, as well as the discussions on strengthening cooperation in areas like countering terrorism; combating organised crime; and sharing of information between law enforcement agencies.
The Third India-Viet Nam Security Dialogue was co-chaired by Pavan Kapoor, Deputy National Security Adviser and Lt. Gen. Pham the Tung, Deputy Minister of Public Security in Ha Noi, Viet Nam.
The two sides exchanged views on global and regional security and the implementation of aspects of the Action Plan for the India - Vietnam Comprehensive Strategic Partnership.

Government of India and ADB sign $50 Million Loan for Climate-adaptative Water Harvesting Project...

The Government of India and the Asian Development Bank (ADB) signed a $50 million loan aimed at enhancing water security by constructing water-harvesting systems to improve access to water and reducing community vulnerability against climate change impacts in Meghalaya. The project aligns with the Meghalaya State Water Policy (MSWP) 2019, which seeks to achieve sustainable development, management, and utilisation of the state's water resources through a participatory approach, reduce vulnerability, and promote integrated water resource management. The project will help develop a state-wide WHS master plan considering micro catchment areas and disaster risk management. This will guide the creation of water security plans at the village level to be managed by the village employment councils, watershed management committees and water users associations.

Dec 07, 2024

Pralhad Joshi launches 'Anna Chakra'

The Union Minister of Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution and New & Renewable Energy, Pralhad Joshi, launched 'Anna Chakra' and SCAN (Subsidy Claim Application for NFSA) portal, marking a significant step toward modernizing India's Public Distribution System (PDS) and subsidy claim mechanisms.
It is created in collaboration with the World Food Programme (WFP) and Foundation for Innovation and Technology Transfer (FITT), IIT-Delhi.
It uses advanced algorithms to identify optimal routes for food grain movement.

World Bank Approves $188.28 Million Loan for Maharashtra's Backward Districts

The World Bank approved a $188.28 million loan to Maharashtra aimed at boosting economic growth in the state's underdeveloped districts. This loan, provided by the International Bank for Reconstruction and Development (IBRD), comes with a 15-year maturity period, including a five-year grace period. The project focuses on enhancing district-level governance, improving e-governance services, and fostering private sector involvement to accelerate economic development and job creation.
Key Objectives and Strategies
Boosting District-Level Planning: The initiative will empower districts with essential resources, including data, funding, and expertise, enabling them to optimize public spending and promote inclusive growth.
Creating Maha Databank: A significant aspect of the project is the creation of the Maha Databank, a data governance framework aimed at addressing development challenges such as gender disparities and enabling evidence-based planning.

Dec 06, 2024

Mallikarjun Kharge Dissolves Entire State Congress Unit in Uttar Pradesh

Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge dissolved the pradesh, district, city and block committees of the party's Uttar Pradesh unit with immediate effect.
The move came, months after the Lok Sabha polls and days after bypolls in the state in which the Congress did not field any candidates, supporting the Samajwadi Party and INDIA bloc allies on nine seats.
It seems to be aimed at reorganising the state unit of the Congress and strengthening the party at the grassroots level.
The Uttar Pradesh Congress Committee (UPCC) is headed by Ajay Rai.

PM Modi, Bhutan King Resolve to Strengthen Exemplary Partnership

Prime Minister Narendra Modi conveyed India's commitment to strengthening exemplary partnership with Bhutan during his meeting with Bhutanese King Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck in Delhi.
King Wangchuk met PM Modi and discussed bilateral cooperation in diverse areas, including clean energy, trade and investment, space and technology.
The two leaders exchanged ideas on the 'Gelephu Mindfulness City' initiative, a visionary project spearheaded by Wangchuk to catalyse Bhutan's development and strengthen linkages with adjoining border areas in India.

India, Kuwait to Boost Partnership in Tech, Trade

India and Kuwait signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to set up a Joint Commission for Cooperation (JCC) at the level of Foreign Ministers. The MoU details the outcome of talks between External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar and his Kuwaiti counterpart Abdullah Ali Al Yahya.
The two ministers met in New Delhi, marking the first official visit of Al Yahya as Kuwait's Foreign Minister to India. This was their second meeting in four months.
The JCC will facilitate the establishment of new joint working groups in areas such as trade, investment, education, technology, agriculture, security and culture.
The ministers also reviewed the full range of India-Kuwait ties, covering political, trade, investment, energy, food security and people-to-people relations. They exchanged views on regional and international issues of mutual interest.

Delhi Assembly Speaker Ram Niwas Goel Retires from Active Politics

Delhi Legislative Assembly Speaker and Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) Shahdara MLA Ram Niwas Goel announced his retirement from active politics, citing his age.
Goel informed AAP national convenor Arvind Kejriwal in a letter, expressing gratitude for the respect shown by party legislators.
He also assured that he would continue to be part of the party and take on any responsibilities assigned to him.
Ram Niwas Goel has been serving as the Speaker of the Delhi Legislative Assembly since 2015. Goel first entered electoral politics in 1993.

Dec 05, 2024

Devendra Fadnavis Becomes Maharashtra CM for the Third Term

Devendra Fadnavis, a prominent leader of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), was unanimously elected as the leader of the Maharashtra BJP legislature party. This development paved the way for his swearing-in as the Chief Minister of Maharashtra for a record third term. Alongside him, Shiv Sena leader Eknath Shinde and Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) leader Ajit Pawar are set to assume the roles of Deputy Chief Ministers.
The BJP secured a monumental victory in the Maharashtra assembly elections held in November 2024.
BJP won 132 out of 288 assembly seats, its best-ever performance in the state.
The Mahayuti coalition, comprising BJP, Shiv Sena, and NCP, secured a dominant 230 seats out of 288, ensuring a strong majority in the assembly.

CII Hosts 9th International Conference on Waste to Worth

"Let us strive for a Green and Sustainable Viksit Bharat. Achieving zero waste and eco-friendly production demands skilled expertise in recycling technologies and sustainable product design," remarked Bhupender Yadav, Union Minister of Environment, Forest, and Climate Change, at the 9th International Conference on Waste to Worth, organised by the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) in New Delhi.
The conference aimed to address pressing waste management challenges through innovation, advanced technologies, and global collaboration.
Highlighting India's proactive policies, Yadav discussed the Plastic Waste Management Rules, Construction and Demolition Waste Management Rules, E-Waste Management Rules, and the Motor Vehicle Scrap Policy, all of which are designed to streamline waste management and promote environmentally conscious industrial practices.
The event also marked the release of the second edition of the National Circular Economy Framework (NCEF), which provides industries with actionable strategies to implement circular economy principles.

SheSTEM 2024: Empowering Youth-Led Innovation for a Sustainable Future

Atal Innovation Mission (AIM) and the Swedish Embassy, in collaboration with Nordic partners like Innovation Norway, Innovation Centre Denmark, and Business Finland, successfully concluded SheSTEM 2024. This initiative, aimed at inspiring young innovators, celebrated the contributions of women in STEM fields and invited students from grades 6–12 across India to present innovative ideas on Battery Technology and Energy Storage (BEST) systems. The event was part of the India-Nordic BEST project, designed to foster sustainability through advancements in energy storage technologies.
The SheSTEM 2024 challenge encouraged students to create prototypes or concepts for energy storage solutions, submitted in a two-minute video format. Over 1,000 submissions were received, reflecting India's youth's creativity and problem-solving skills. These ideas showcased the future leaders of science, technology, and sustainability.
More than just a competition, SheSTEM 2024 provided a platform for students to engage with critical STEM topics and contribute to global sustainability efforts. The event highlighted the importance of collaboration and teamwork, underscoring the power of collective innovation in addressing today's challenges.

The 16th GRIHA Summit 2024

The 16^th GRIHA Summit, the annual flagship event organised by GRIHA Council, was held in New Delhi, with a focus on the theme 'Accelerating Climate Action in the Built Environment.' The Summit brought together industry leaders, policymakers, and sustainability experts to explore innovative approaches for sustainable urban development and climate resilience in the construction and infrastructure sectors, addressing the challenges of climate change.
This year's (2024) theme underscores the critical role of transitioning the built environment towards sustainability as a cornerstone of effective climate action. As the 2030 deadline for global climate commitments nears and the 2050 target for decarbonising the building and construction sector looms large, the summit provides a platform to explore opportunities for climate-resilient development, breaking the cycle of rising heat, energy demand, and carbon emissions.

Dec 04, 2024

CII Partnership Summit 2024

External Affairs Minister (EAM) S. Jaishankar, during the 29^th CII Partnership Summit in New Delhi, met with many international ministers and leaders and engaged in talks about India's growth and potential partnerships on the global stage. Jaishankar also interacted with his cabinet colleague and Union Minister for Commerce and Industry, Piyush Goyal.
The 29^th CII Partnership Summit brought together 61 participating countries, 30 global speakers, and 11 international ministers. The summit aimed at fostering productive partnerships and global cooperation, ensuring a shared vision for a sustainable and prosperous future.
Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) organised 29^th CII Partnership Summit 2024. The CII Partnership Summit, held annually since 1995, has been regularly partnered by Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT), Ministry of Commerce and Industry, Government of India.

India's First Vertical Lift Rail Bridge

The New Pamban Bridge, India's first vertical lift railway sea bridge, is replacing the 105-year-old Pamban Bridge to enhance connectivity between the Indian mainland and Rameswaram in Tamil Nadu. This state-of-the-art bridge is a leap in railway infrastructure, designed for speed, safety, and modern train compatibility.
The 2.05 km long bridge, being built at a cost of Rs. 535 crore by RVNL, features a fully automated vertical lift span that provides 22 metres of air clearance for ships. It's designed to handle double tracks and supports high-speed trains. The original Pamban Bridge, constructed in 1914, was decommissioned in December 2022 due to corrosion, and the new bridge is set to replace it after several years of development.

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