General Awareness

NATIONAL AFFAIRS - September 2016

Sep 2016

Sep 21, 2024

Shashi Tharoor to Head Standing Committee on External Affairs, Digvijaya Singh to Chair Panel on ...

Days after the government and Congress wrapped up negotiations for the Parliamentary Standing Committees, the Opposition party has decided the allocations for chairs of the four committees it was allotted.
While Lok Sabha MP Shashi Tharoor will head the Standing Committee on External Affairs, former Punjab Chief Minister Charanjit Singh Channi will lead the Parliamentary panel on Agriculture. Koraput MP Saptagiri Sankar Ulaka will head the panel on Rural Development and Rajya Sabha MP Digvijaya Singh will head the Standing Committee on Education.

National Centre of Excellence for Animation

The Union Cabinet approved the establishment of a National Centre of Excellence (NCoE) for Animation, Visual Effects, Gaming, Comics, and Extended Reality (AVGC-XR) in Mumbai. Tentatively named the Indian Institute for Immersive Creators (IIIC), this hub is set to transform the AVGC sector and drive innovation in immersive technologies. It's modelled after the prestigious Indian Institutes of Technology (IITs) and Indian Institutes of Management (IIMs).
The NCoE will offer specialised training programs for both amateurs and professionals, aiming to develop Indian intellectual property that reflects the nation's cultural heritage.

Union Minister Mansukh Mandaviya Inaugurates Second Edition of Inclusion Conclave

Union Minister of Youth Affairs & Sports and Labour & Employment, Mansukh Mandaviya inaugurated the Second Edition of the Inclusion Conclave organised by National Anti-Doping Agency (NADA), India in New Delhi. Union Minister of State for Youth Affairs & Sports, Ms. Raksha Nikhil Khadse was also present on the occasion.
The Conclave aims to create a more inclusive landscape in anti-doping efforts, focusing on diversity, accessibility, and the protection of athletes' rights.
By fostering inclusivity, the Conclave will explore ways to better integrate all stakeholders in the global fight against doping, including athletes with disability.
Established under the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports in 2009,
India's National Anti-Doping Agency (NADA) operates as an impartial entity.
The fundamental aim is to aid, prepare, and oversee anti-doping initiatives in Indian sports, guaranteeing adherence to the World Anti-Doping Code.
NADA India's goal is to establish drug-unfastened surroundings through the implementation of large anti-doping projects, which include instructing athletes and stakeholders, sporting out doping checks, and coping with breaches of anti-doping rules.

Sep 20, 2024

India Joins Exclusive Club of Four G-20 Nations with 'Regular Follow-up' Rating from FATF

India joined an elite group of just four G20 nations, who have received a 'regular follow-up' rating from Financial Action Task Force (FATF), Union finance ministry's additional secretary Vivek Aggarwal said.
Aggarwal further said that the country was given a high rating for an immediate outcome on anti-money laundering and terror financing cases. "Measures taken for financial transparency through JAM trinity (Jan Dhan, Aadhar, and Mobile) was recognised by FATF," he said, adding that India's risk assessment will be done every three years by the global body, with the next one being in 2025.
Aggarwal also pointed out that FATF noted the steps taken against risks from cash-based economy and the deregistration of over 4 lakh shell companies between 2017 and 2021.

International WASH Conference 2024 Concludes at 8th India Water Week

The Department of Drinking Water and Sanitation (DDWS), Ministry of Jal Shakti, organised the International WASH (Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene) Conference during the 8th India Water Week from September 17 to 19, 2024 in New Delhi. The conference, with the theme 'Sustaining Rural Water Supply', focused on knowledge exchange, innovations, and best practices to tackle global WASH challenges, especially Sustainable Development Goal 6 (SDG 6).
The event saw significant participation from key officials, including Smt. Vini Mahajan, Secretary, DDWS, and others, and featured over 40 sessions, 143 paper presentations, and 5 panel discussions on water quality, greywater management, community engagement, and climate change adaptation.

Cabinet Approves Pradhan Mantri Janjatiya Unnat Gram Abhiyan

The Union Cabinet approved a package that will provide up to Rs. 5 lakh each to tribal households and villages across the country, to turn their homes into tourist homestays or to build new ones under the Tourism Ministry's Swadesh Darshan scheme. This is meant to tap the tourist potential of tribal areas and to provide alternate livelihood.
The PMJUGA package is aimed at ensuring the saturation of basic schemes in tribal villages, with interventions to be implemented by 17 Ministries, and funding coming from each Ministry's allocated share in the Development Action Plan for Scheduled Tribes. Together, this will involve an outlay of Rs. 79,156 crore, to be spent over five years, with a Central share of Rs. 56,333 crore, and a States' share of Rs. 22,823 crore.

India, European Union Agree to Deepen Cooperation in Sustainable Water Management

India and the European Union agreed to enhance cooperation in sustainable water management and both sides committed to advance cooperation in river basin management, fostering innovation and technology transfer while promoting sustainable investments.
The forum explored trilateral collaboration between East Africa, India and the EU, to address challenges in East Africa's water bodies such as Lake Victoria and Lake Tanganyika, leveraging the combined strength of India and the EU.
At the 6th EU-India Water Forum held on the sidelines of the 8th India Water Week in New Delhi, the India-EU Water Partnership (IEWP), established in 2016, aims to enhance technological, scientific, and policy frameworks in water management.
The IEWP, currently in Phase III, focuses on creating impactful and sustainable solutions in key areas such as river basin management, climate resilience, urban flooding, and water governance.
Under the IEWP, the EU and India are collaborating on river management in the Tapi and Ramganga River Basins. Under Phase III, the partnership will extend its efforts to other key basins like the Brahmaputra.

Sep 19, 2024

Cabinet Clears Plan for Parallel LS, State Polls

The Union Cabinet chaired by PM Narendra Modi unanimously approved the ambitious one nation, one election plan that will enable simultaneous elections to the Lok Sabha, state legislative Assemblies, municipalities and panchayats.
The Cabinet also cleared the idea of common electoral rolls for elections to all tiers of the government and a single election identity card.
The approval came a day after Home Minister Amit Shah announced that one nation, one election agenda would be implemented in this very term of the Modi government.
Of 47 parties that responded, 15 opposed and 32 favoured the system. Those who opposed raised apprehensions that it could violate the Constitution, be anti-federal
Among parties that resisted the plan before the committee are Aam Aadmi Party, Congress, CPM, AIUDF, Trinamool Congress, AIMIM, CPI and DMK.

Amit Shah Launch White Revolution 2.0, Other Initiatives to Transform Dairy Sector

Amit Shah launched three key initiatives, including White Revolution 2.0, to transform the dairy sector.
Besides White Revolution 2.0, the other two initiatives are distribution of micro-ATMs and Rupay-Kisan Credit Cards to dairy farmers, aimed at enhancing their financial access. The White Revolution 2.0 targets 50 per cent increase in milk procurement by dairy cooperative societies over the next five years.
The plan involves setting up and strengthening 1,00,000 existing district cooperative societies, multi-purpose district cooperative societies, and Multi-purpose Primary Agriculture Credit Societies (M-PACS). These will be linked to milk routes, with necessary infrastructure provided.
Initially, the National Dairy Development Board (NDDB) will fund the initiative from its own resources, providing Rs 40,000 per M-PACS to 1,000 M-PACS. Future funding is expected from the proposed National Programme or Dairy Development 2.0.
The second initiative, 'Cooperation among Cooperatives', will provide interest-free cash credit to dairy farmers through Rupay-Kisan Credit Cards. This will offer substantial savings to farmers who currently borrow at 24 per cent interest rates.
Additionally, Micro-ATMs will be distributed to dairy cooperative societies, turning them into bank-mitras for District Credit Cooperative Banks. This move aims to bring banking services to farmers' doorsteps and keep cooperative funds within the sector.

India Seeks Review of Indus Water Treaty

India sent a formal notice to Pakistan seeking a review of the Indus Water Treaty.
India and Pakistan signed the IWT on September 19, 1960, after nine years of negotiations, with the World Bank being a signatory to the pact, which sets out a mechanism for cooperation and information exchange between the two sides on the use of the waters of several cross-border rivers.
The notice was issued to Pakistan under Article XII(3) of the Indus Water Treaty (IWT). India's notification highlights fundamental and unforeseen changes in circumstances that require a reassessment of obligations under various articles of the treaty.

Sep 18, 2024

India Hosts Buddhist Media Conclave

In a unique initiative, India hosted the 2nd International Buddhist Media Conclave 2024, inviting media organisations from Asia and beyond. The conclave was hosted by the International Buddhist Confederation (IBC) and the Vivekananda International Foundation (VIF) and was supported by India's Ministry of Culture. The idea behind the conference was to give a platform to international media that are focused on teaching of Buddha, that too in India, a country from where Buddhism originated.
As per IBC DG Abhijit Halder, the event witnessed an enthusiastic response from the media and that the IBC will organise its next conclave on a larger scale.
The event brought together media organisations from Japan, South Korea, Myanmar, Russia, and other countries which have been focusing on spreading the ideas of Buddhism. Participants held discussions on how the media can contribute to spreading Buddha's teachings and emphasised on Buddhism's core values that is the promotion of non-violence, tolerance, and inner peace.

India Opposition Leader Resigns as Delhi's Chief Minister

Arvind Kejriwal tendered his resignation as Delhi Chief Minister, a position that he held for over a decade. Kejriwal met Delhi Lieutenant Governor V. K. Saxena at his residence along with his cabinet ministers and handed in his papers.
Kejriwal spent five months in jail in connection with a now-scrapped alcohol sales policy. He has denied the allegations against him.
He has said that he will take up the post only if people re-elect his Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) in the assembly elections scheduled for February next year (2025).
AAP made its poll debut in 2013 Delhi assembly elections and has governed the capital city since, focussing on welfare measures such as affordable electricity and water for residents.

J&K Launches 'Vote Ka Tyohar' Theme Song

In an effort to encourage voter participation in the upcoming Jammu and Kashmir Assembly Elections, the Office of the Chief Electoral Officer (CEO), J&K, launched the theme song 'Vote Ka Tyohar'.
The song, released by CEO, Pandurang K. Pole, is aimed at motivating voters across Jammu and Kashmir Union Territory to cast their votes in the Assembly Elections, which begin on September 18, 2024 across seven districts of both the Jammu and Kashmir divisions.
The theme song was produced by Rangyug, a renowned performing arts organization committed to promoting social change and self-realization through theater, as part of the SVEEP (Systematic Voters' Education and Electoral Participation) Campaign and was choreographed by the students of Padma Shri Padma Sachdev Government PG College for Women, Gandhi Nagar, Jammu.

India Hosts COP9 Bureau & Fund Approval Committee Meetings

India hosted the 2nd Formal Meeting of the COP9 (Conference of Parties) Bureau and the 3rd Formal Meeting of the Fund Approval Committee under the UNESCO (United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization) International Convention against Doping in Sport in New Delhi.
The purpose of this Convention, within the framework of the strategy and programme of activities of UNESCO in the area of physical education and sport, is to promote the prevention of and the fight against doping in sport, with a view to its elimination. The meetings saw participation from distinguished delegates representing countries such as France, Italy, Russia, Saudi Arabia, Barbados, Singapore, Netherlands, Türkiye, UAE, and Zambia.

Sep 16, 2024

Amit Shah Inaugurates National Security Strategies Conference

Union Home Minister of India Amit Shah inaugurated a 2 days National Security Strategies Conference 2024 in the national capital. This conference held talks on various aspects of security and its challenges.
This conference discussed different solutions to emerging national security challenges that will be chalked out with the top police leadership of states, UTs (Union Territories), CAPFs (Central Armed Protection Forces), and CPOs (Central Police Organisation).
The Objective of the National Security Strategy Conference was to find Solutions to major national security challenges through discussion amongst a unique mix of senior police leadership managing national security challenges, young police officers working at the cutting-edge level, and domain experts of personalised fields.
The Conference was chaired by Home Minister Amit Shah, Minister of State for Home Shri Nityanand Rai and Bandi Sanjay Kumar, Heads of CAPFs(Central Armed Protection Forces) and CPOs(Central Police Organisation), Home Secretary General Govind Mohan, and Additional and Deputy National Security Advisor's (NSAs).
Over 750 officers participated in the conference from all over India and also this conference was held in hybrid format combining physical and virtual mode.

Jagdeep Dhankhar Inaugurates 'Samvidhan Mandir' at Industrial Training Institutes in Maharashtra

The Honorable Vice President of India Shri. Jagdeep Dhankhar has inaugurated the "Constitutional Temple – Samvidhan Mandir" at 433 Industrial Training Institutes across Maharashtra. This programme was organised by the Maharashtra Skill, Employment, Entrepreneurship, and Innovation Department.
The Constitution Temples have been designed to educate students about the importance and sanctity of the Constitution of India and to disseminate the ideas and thoughts of the father of the Indian Constitution, Bharat Ratna, Dr. Bhimrao R Ambedkar.

Celebrating 65 Years of Doordarshan: India's Public Service Broadcaster

Doordarshan, India's esteemed public service broadcaster, marks its 65^th anniversary on September 15, 2024. Established on this date in 1959, Doordarshan has been a pillar of Indian media, fostering unity, culture, and education. From its modest start with experimental broadcasts in Delhi, it has grown into one of the world's largest broadcasting organisations, adapting to technological advancements while upholding its public service mandate.
Starting from black-and-white transmissions, Doordarshan now operates 35 channels including 6 national channels, 28 regional channels, and 1 international channel. This expansion reflects its commitment to regional diversity and accessibility, ensuring that every part of India is represented in its own language.

Union Minister Jyotiraditya M. Scindia Launches 'Ashtalakshmi Mahotsav' Website

Union Minister Jyotiraditya M. Scindia, Minister for Communications and Development of North Eastern Region (DoNER), officially launched the website for the Ashtalakshmi Mahotsav. The launch, held at Sanchar Bhawan in New Delhi, highlights the government's dedication to showcasing Northeast India's cultural and economic richness on both national and international platforms.
The Ashtalakshmi Mahotsav is set to take place from December 6th to 8th, 2024, at Bharat Mandapam, Pragati Maidan, New Delhi. The festival celebrates the eight Northeastern states—Arunachal Pradesh, Assam, Manipur, Meghalaya, Mizoram, Nagaland, Sikkim, and Tripura—collectively known as the "Ashtalakshmi," symbolising eight forms of prosperity. The official website, www.ashtalakshmimahotsav.com, will provide updates, event schedules, and participation details.
Scindia emphasised the festival's role in bridging cultural and economic gaps between Northeast India and the rest of the country. He noted that the Ashtalakshmi Mahotsav will showcase the region's rich culture and stimulate economic development by creating opportunities for artisans, weavers, and entrepreneurs.

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