General Awareness

NATIONAL AFFAIRS - July 2016

Jul 2016

Apr 21, 2021

India Elected to 3 Bodies of UN Economic and Social Council

India has been elected by acclamation to three bodies of the UN Economic and Social Council.
India was elected by acclamation to the Commission on Crime Prevention and Criminal Justice for a three-year term beginning January 1, 2022.
Austria, Bahrain, Belarus, Bulgaria, Canada, France, Ghana, Libya, Pakistan, Qatar, Thailand, Togo and the US were also elected by acclamation while Brazil, Dominican Republic, Paraguay, Chile, Cuba were elected by secret ballot.
India was elected by acclamation to the Executive Board of the UN Entity for Gender Equality and the Empowerment of Women (UN Women) for a three-year term beginning January 1, 2022.
Afghanistan, Australia, Bangladesh, Cameroon, Colombia, the Dominican Republic, Egypt, Gambia, Guyana, Kenya, Monaco, Poland, South Africa, Thailand, Turkmenistan and Ukraine were also elected by acclamation to the UN body.
India was elected to the Executive Board of the World Food Programme, along with France, Ghana, the Republic of Korea, Russia and Sweden by acclamation for a three-year term beginning 1 January 2022.

India-EU Summit to be Held in Virtual Format on May 8

The India-European Union (EU) Summit next month will be a virtual affair with Prime Minister Narendra Modi calling off his visit to the Portuguese city of Porto because of the Covid-19 situation.
The India-EU leaders meeting in the EU+27 format, the first time that such a meeting is being held, reflects the shared ambition of both sides to further deepen the strategic partnership.
The prime minister had also been expected to travel to France for a bilateral visit after the planned summit in Porto.

IAF Chief RKS Bhadauria Holds Talks with French Air Force Chief

Chief of Air Staff Air Chief Marshal RKS Bhadauria held talks with Gen Philippe Lavigne, Chief of Staff of French Air and Space Force (FASF), on ways to further expand cooperation between the two sides.
Air Chief Marshal Bhadauria is on a five-day visit to France. The Indian Air Force said that Gen Lavigne and Air Chief Marshal Bhadauria in their talks noted the steady growth of operational exchanges between the two forces and explored ways to expand the cooperation further.
Chief of Air Staff Air Chief Marshal RKS Bhadauria on Tuesday held talks with Gen Philippe Lavigne, Chief of Staff of French Air and Space Force (FASF), on ways to further expand cooperation between the two sides.
Air Chief Marshal Bhadauria is on a five-day visit to France from Monday. The Indian Air Force said Gen Lavigne and Air Chief Marshal Bhadauria in their talks noted the steady growth of operational exchanges between the two forces and explored ways to expand the cooperation further.

Bangalore Metro Rail Project phases 2A, 2B Get Approval

The Centre approved the Bangalore Metro Rail Project phases 2A and 2B.
While the rail project phase 2A is between Central Silk Board Junction to K R Puram, phase 2B is between K. R. Puram to the airport via Hebbal Junction. The total length of the project is 58.19 km.
The approval was given at a Cabinet meeting chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi. The total cost of completion of the project is Rs. 14,788.101 crore.

Apr 20, 2021

Indo-Pacific Oceans Initiative: Australia Grants Rs 8.12 crore under its Partnership with India

As India and Australia increase engagement under the Indo-Pacific vision, Canberra announced a Rs. 8.12 crore grant under the Indo-Pacific Oceans Initiative (IPOI).
The IPOI was proposed by Prime Minister Narendra Modi at the East-Asia Summit in November 2019 and Australia is co-leading New Delhi in the marine ecology pillar of the initiative.

Boris Johnson Cancels Trip to India

British Prime Minister Boris Johnson cancelled a planned trip to India, scheduled to take place next week, due to the current coronavirus situation in India.
Johnson had already postponed the trip once from January, when COVID-19 infections were high in Britain. Infections in India are currently surging as the country endures a second wave of the virus.

Jaishankar Discusses Bilateral Ties, Economic Recovery with UAE Counterpart

External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar held another round of productive interaction with his UAE counterpart Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan here where the two leaders discussed the entire gamut of bilateral relations, especially the strong focus on economic recovery post COVID-19.
Jaishankar arrived was in Abu Dhabi with a focus on boosting bilateral economic cooperation. His visit to the United Arab Emirates comes amid evolving geo-political developments in the region, particularly in Afghanistan.
As per reports, the two leaders discussed ways to develop and enhance bilateral cooperation in all domains, in a way that will fulfil the aspirations of the leadership of India and the UAE and benefit their peoples.

West Bengal: BJP Stops Big Rallies, Events with Immediate Effect

Amid the rising COVID-crisis, the BJP has decided to stop with immediate effect big rallies, public meetings, and poll-related events in West Bengal. It is very important to break the chain of COVID.
However, small election meetings with a gathering of not more than 500 persons will continue in the state where the BJP is engaged in a bitter fight with the ruling TMC.
Assembly elections are going on in West Bengal and the completion of the Constitutional and democratic process is also very important.

Apr 19, 2021

Italy Launches First Ever Mega Food Park & Food Processing Unit in India

Italy launched its first ever mega food park project in India involving food processing facilities as the two sides plan to expand ties in the backdrop of PM Narendra Modi's proposed visit there.
The pilot project "The Mega Food Park" was launched today, in virtual mode, with the signing of a Letter of Intent between the ICE Office in Mumbai and Fanidhar Mega Food Park, in Gujarat.
Ambassador of Italy to India, Vincenzo de Luca, and the Ambassador of India to Italy, Neena Malothra were part of the launch. This is the first Italian-Indian food park project, an initiative in the food-processing field, which is a pillar of the partnership between India and Italy as stated at the Summit between the two Prime Ministers held last 6 November.
The project aims to create synergy between agriculture and industry of the two countries and focuses on the research and development of new and more efficient technologies in the sector. With this Italy also aims to explore the great opportunities offered by the Indian market.

Indian States Highly Vulnerable to Climate Change: Report

According to a national climate vulnerability assessment report, Eight Indian states -- Jharkhand, Mizoram, Odisha, Chhattisgarh, Assam, Bihar, Arunachal Pradesh and West Bengal -- are highly vulnerable to climate change.
Among all states, Assam, Bihar and Jharkhand have over 60 per cent districts in the category of highly vulnerable districts.
The report, titled 'Climate Vulnerability Assessment for Adaptation Planning in India Using a Common Framework', which identifies the most vulnerable states and districts in India with respect to current climate risk and key drivers of vulnerability, was released by Department of Science and Technology (DST) Secretary Ashutosh Sharma.
Himachal Pradesh, Telangana, Sikkim and Punjab have been categorised as lower-middle vulnerable states. Uttarakhand, Haryana, Tamil Nadu, Kerala, Nagaland, Goa and Maharashtra have been categorised as states with low vulnerability.

India and Pakistan Foreign Ministers in UAE on Separate Bilateral Visits

Days after a top diplomat from the United Arab Emirates confirmed that the country was playing a role in bringing Delhi and Islamabad to the talks table, External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar and Pakistan Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi are visiting the UAE for what is being described as separate bilateral visits.
Sources in New Delhi and Islamabad, however, said that there are no bilateral meetings scheduled so far between the two.
This is the second time they will be in the same country for a visit in less than three weeks – both were in Tajikistan's capital Dushanbe for the Heart of Asia meeting on March 30.

Mamata Banerjee Will Not Campaign in Kolkata Anymore

All India Trinamool Congress (TMC) leader Derek O'Brien announced that West Bengal Chief Minister and TMC supremo Mamata Banerjee will not campaign in Kolkata anymore.
The TMC leader has taken this decision in the view of rising COVID-19 infections in the state. The TMC leaders also added that the West Bengal CM will only hold one 'symbolic' meeting on the last day of campaigning in the city, which is April 26.
As per reports, Mamata Banerjee's rallies in other parts of the states will not be longer than 30 minutes.
This announcement from the TMC was made hours after Congress leader Rahul Gandhi's statement that he had suspended all his scheduled poll rallies in West Bengal on account of the surge in COVID-19 cases.

Apr 18, 2021

ROPAX Jetty Project on River Dharma

The Government of India recently approved Rs. 50 crore to develop an all-weather ROPAX in Odisha. The total cost of the project is estimated to be Rs. 110 crore. The project aims to launch Roll-on or Roll-off Passenger Jetty connecting Kaninali in Bhadrak district and Talachua in Kendrapara district.
The project will reduce passenger travel time from six hours to one hour. The connecting points of the jetty are located in the northern and southern banks of River Dhamra.
The launch of the jetty service will increase business activities and commercial activities and also will uplift the economic status of the region.

Education Minister Launches World 1st Affordable and Long-lasting Hygiene Product DuroKea Series

Education Minister Ramesh Pokhriyal Nishank launched World 1st affordable and long-lasting hygiene product DuroKea Series. This next generation DuroKea antimicrobial technology starts at 189 rupees, kills 99.99 per cent of germs instantly and leaves behind the long-lasting protective nanoscale coating up to 35 days till next wash. Researcher from Indian Institute of Technology Hyderabad has developed this innovative technologies to combat COVID-19 virus spreading.

Ajay Seth Takes over as New Economic Affairs Secretary

Ajay Seth, a 1987 batch IAS officer of Karnataka cadre, assumed charge as Secretary Economic Affairs at a time when the economy which was showing signs of recovery is being threatened by the second wave of COVID-19.
Seth replaced Tarun Bajaj, who moved as Revenue Secretary in the Ministry of Finance.
Seth previously held charge as Managing Director of Bangalore Metro Rail Corporation Limited.

Apr 17, 2021

U.K. Approves Nirav Modi's Extradition

The U.K.'s Home Department has approved the extradition of diamond merchant Nirav Modi to India in connection with the Rs. 13,758-crore Punjab National Bank (PNB) fraud, about two months after the Westminster Magistrates' Court in London ruled that a prima facie case was made out against him.
According to the U.K. government's website, unless there is an appeal, a requested person must be extradited within 28 days of the Secretary of State's decision to order extradition (subject to any appeal).
The businessman had fled the country on January 1, 2018. On India's request, he was arrested in London on March 19, 2019, and he has since then been in judicial custody there.

S. Jaishankar Holds Talks with Maldivian Foreign Minister

The Maldives requested India for assured supply of essential commodities to it as the two sides discussed a plethora of issues relating to the bilateral, regional and international domains.
The issue of supply of essential commodities figured in the talks between External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar and his Maldivian counterpart Abdulla Shahid who is on a two-day trip to India.
As per reports, Shahid requested the Indian side for renewal of DGFT (directorate general of foreign trade) notifications regarding assured supply of essential commodities to Maldives from India as per the bilateral trade agreement.
Jaishankar assured that Indian commitment will be honoured.
It was the eighth meeting between the two foreign ministers since November 2018 when the government under President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih took office in the Maldives.

Share on

TCY Analytics (View Subscription Plans)

Subscribe to GK Updates

I want to receive

GK Tags

September GK, August GK, July GK, INTERNATIONAL AFFAIRS, ENVIRONMENT, BUSINESS AND ECONOMY, SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY, SPORTS, NATIONAL AFFAIRS, DEFENCE, PERSONS IN NEWS, DAYS AND EVENTS, AWARDS AND HONOURS, GOVERNMENT POLICIES AND SCHEMES, GENDER/ HEALTH/ EDUCATION, ART AND CULTURE, BOOKS AND AUTHORS, TOURISM AND HOTEL INDUSTRY AWARENESS, ART AND CULTURE, LAW AND CONSTITUTIONAL AFFAIRS

Start Discussion

On any topic

Take Tests

Compiled from GK updates

Login

Sign Up

Forgot Password

Download TCY App

Unlock All Services And Enjoy The Premium Benefits

US$ 10

US$ 13

US$ 15

US$ 17

US$ 19

US$ 20

US$ 21

US$ 22

US$ 23

US$ 24

US$ 25

US$ 26