General Awareness

NATIONAL AFFAIRS - March 2017

Mar 2017

Feb 21, 2024

India Contributes 1 Million USD to Poverty and Hunger Alleviation Fund

India contributed 1 million US Dollars to the Poverty and Hunger Alleviation Fund established by India, Brazil, and South Africa, IBSA. The fund is aimed at alleviating poverty and hunger. India's Permanent Representative to the UN, Ambassador Ruchira Kamboj handed over the cheque to the Director of the UN Office for South-South Cooperation (UNOSSC) Dima Al-Khatib.
The IBSA countries, India, Brazil and South Africa, each contribute one million dollars annually to the Fund in a spirit of partnership and support for Southern-led, demand-driven, transformational projects in developing countries.
India's contribution to the IBSA Fund has cumulatively exceeded USD 18 million since the Fund was established in 2004 and became operational in 2006. UNOSSC serves as the Fund Manager and Secretariat of the IBSA Fund.

World Bank to Collaborate with Goa Government for Finance Facility to Combat Climate Change

The Government of Goa announced a groundbreaking partnership with the World Bank to establish a pioneering Blended Finance facility aimed at bolstering climate resilience. As per reports, this unprecedented initiative marks a significant step towards accessing and mobilising concessional finance to implement low-carbon and climate-resilient investments in Goa, setting an example for other coastal states in India.
The announcement of the Blended Finance facility was made during the 2024 edition of the World Bank's India Climate and Development Partners' Meet, a prestigious annual conference held in Panaji from February 19 to 21.
Under the framework of the Blended Finance facility, the Department of Environment, Government of Goa, signed Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) with key financial institutions, including the National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development (NABARD), the Small Industries Development Bank of India (SIDBI), and the Power Finance Corporation (PFC).

Chandigarh Mayor Election: Supreme Court Declares AAP-Congress Candidate Kuldeep Kumar as Winner

The Supreme Court declared AAP-Congress mayoral candidate Kuldeep Kumar as the winner in Chandigarh Mayor election. A bench of Chief Justice of India D. Y. Chandrachud, Justice J. B. Pardiwala and Justice Manoj Mishra passed the verdict after it dismissed Returning Officer Anil Masih's explanation on why he had declared the eight votes of the AAP candidate to be invalid.

Sonia, Nadda among 41 Elected Unopposed

The Rajya Sabha elections saw 41 candidates getting elected without any opposition, including former Congress chief Sonia Gandhi, BJP president J. P. Nadda, Union Ministers Ashwini Vaishnaw and L. Murugan, and BJP's new entrant Ashok Chavan. The remaining 15 seats in Himachal Pradesh, Karnataka and Uttar Pradesh will go to polls on February 27. The BJP emerged as the biggest winner, securing 20 seats, followed by the Congress (6), Trinamool Congress (4), YSR Congress (3), RJD (2), BJD (2) and NCP, Shiv Sena, BRS and JD(U) one each. The returning officers declared these 41 candidates as winners on the last date of withdrawal of nominations, as there were no other contenders for these seats.

Feb 20, 2024

Department of Fisheries Signs a MoU with Open Network for Digital Commerce

The Department of Fisheries signed an Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Open Network for Digital Commerce (ONDC) in the presence of Union Minister of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying Parshottam Rupala, Minister of State Dr. L Murugan, Secretary (Fisheries) Dr. Abhilaksh Likhi, Joint Secretary (Inland Fisheries), Sagar Mehra, MD, ONDC T. Koshy and other esteemed dignitaries at New Delhi. Parshottam Rupala also released a booklet 'From Catch to Commerce, Increasing Market Access through Digital Transformation'.
The objective of the collaboration of Department of Fisheries with ONDC is to provide a digital platform and empower all stakeholders including traditional fishermen, fish farmers producer organisation, entrepreneurs from fisheries sector to buy and sell their products through e-market place. ONDC is a unique platform of e-marketing that will play a significant role in fisheries sector by connecting fishermen, fish farmers, FFPOs, self-help groups and other fishermen cooperatives in a structured manner.

Centre Agrees to Discuss Demands for Ladakh's Statehood

The Centre agreed to discuss the demands for Ladakh's statehood, the inclusion of the Union Territory in the 6th Schedule of the Constitution and the setting up of an exclusive public service commission for the high-altitude region.
The agreement was arrived at a meeting held between the High Powered Committee (HPC) for Ladakh headed by Minister of State for Home Nityanand Rai and a 14-member delegation of the Apex Body of Leh (ABL) and Kargil Democratic Alliance (KDA), representing various organisations of the Union Territory.

Empowering Indian Ports: Govt. Launches 'Sagar Aankalan' Guidelines

Union Minister Sarbananda Sonowal launched the 'Sagar Aankalan' guidelines for Indian port performance index. The move aims at enhancing the efficiency and competitiveness of Indian ports.
The 'Sagar Aankalan' guidelines for National Benchmarking of Indian Ports Performance will be enforced across all seaports in India, with the goal of boosting their efficiency and competitiveness.

Feb 19, 2024

Arunachal Is 1st Northeast State to Achieve 100% 'Har Ghar Jal' Scheme

Arunachal Pradesh achieved 100 per cent saturation in 'Har Ghar Jal' scheme under the Centre's Jal Jeevan Mission (JJM), Chief Minister Pema Khandu has said.
The state became the first in the northeast and tenth in the country to achieve a cent per cent saturation under the central government sponsored scheme.
Khandu informed that the Centre's share for the scheme in the state was Rs. 3,965.41 crore, while the state contributed Rs. 455.51 crore to complete the project, ensuring every household gets clean and safe piped water.

Jharkhand CM Champai Soren Gives Go-ahead to Caste-based Survey in State

Jharkhand Chief Minister Champai Soren gave the go-ahead for a caste-based survey in the state on the lines of neighbouring Bihar.
The CM directed the personnel department to prepare a draft (SoP for conducting the survey) and place it before the cabinet for approval.
If everything goes according to the plan, the exercise will begin after the Lok Sabha elections.

Feb 18, 2024

Sonowal Inaugurates Kalughat Inland Waterways Transport Terminal in Bihar

Sarbananda Sonowal, Union Minister of Ports, Shipping, and Waterways (MoPSW), inaugurated the Kalughat Inland Waterways Transport Terminal and two community jetties in Bettiah, Bihar. The ceremony was graced by Vijay Kumar Sinha, Deputy Chief Minister, Bihar; Rajiv Pratap Rudy, Member of Parliament, along with key officials from both central and state governments.
Kalughat, strategically located on the north bank of the River Ganga in Bihar's Saran District, emerges as a vital nexus in the region's transportation network. With its direct access to NH-19, the terminal serves as a pivotal link for cargo movement, particularly for Nepal-bound shipments via Raxaul and the hinterland of North Bihar.

India, Colombia Sign MoU on Digital Cooperation

India and Colombia have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on Cooperation in the field of Sharing Successful Digital Solutions Implemented at Population Scale for Digital Transformation. The agreement aims to foster digital transformation through the sharing of India's open-sourced Digital Public Infrastructures (DPIs), particularly focusing on India Stack Solutions.
The signatories were Rajeev Chandrasekhar, Union Minister of State for Electronics and IT, Skill Development & Entrepreneurship, and Jal Shakti from India, and Mr. Mauricio Lizcano, Minister of Information Technologies and Communications of Colombia.
The MoU facilitates the exchange of public officials and experts to enhance cooperation in digital transformation initiatives.

Feb 17, 2024

Hindon Elevated Road Renamed 'Ram Setu'

The 10.3 km Hindon elevated road, connecting Ghaziabad's Raj Nagar Extension with UP Gate near east Delhi, will now be known as Ram Setu, the officials of the Ghaziabad municipal corporation announced, after the executive committee cleared the proposal moved by mayor Sunita Dayal to rename the elevated stretch.
The road also acts as a bypass for vehicles coming from Delhi and moving to western Uttar Pradesh and Uttarakhand.
The move to name the elevated road came on the heels of the corporation approving in January a proposal to rename Ghaziabad city with a name that is to be chosen by the state government. That proposal was moved by the Bharatiya Janata Party councillor Sanjay Singh.

DoT Launches 'Sangam: Digital Twin' Initiative for Transformative Infrastructure Planning

The Department of Telecommunications (DoT) introduces the 'Sangam: Digital Twin' initiative, calling upon industry leaders, start-ups, MSMEs, academia, and innovators to join hands in reshaping infrastructure planning and design through cutting-edge technologies and collaborative efforts.
DoT's pioneering venture invites Expressions of Interest (EoI) from diverse stakeholders.
Digital Twin technology facilitates virtual replication of physical assets for real-time monitoring and analysis.
Objectives of the Initiative
Two-stage implementation in a major Indian city for creative exploration and practical demonstration
Generating a future blueprint for scalable infrastructure strategies through collaboration

Pashupati Kumar Paras Launches 'SUFALAM' for Food Entrepreneurs

Union Minister of Food Processing Pashupati Kumar Paras inaugurated 'SUFALAM: Start-Up Forum for Aspiring Leaders and Mentors Start-up Conclave 2024' at New Delhi, stressing the importance of such events in promoting networking, sharing knowledge, and aiding start-ups in accessing government schemes.
The event witnessed participation from over 250 industry stakeholders, start-ups, MSMEs, financial institutions, venture capitalists, and academia.
The two days, the event comprised four knowledge sessions, two pitching sessions, and an exhibition.
The knowledge sessions were held in collaboration with various organisations, while the pitching sessions were conducted in partnership with industry giants.
A total of 35 exhibitors from across India participated in the event.

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