General Awareness

NATIONAL AFFAIRS - June 2017

Jun 2017

Sep 27, 2024

Vice President of India Inaugurates 83rd Foundation Day Celebrations of Council of Scientific and...

Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar stressed the importance of producing substantial results in research and development (R&D), underscoring that contributions must go beyond mere cosmetic efforts. Addressing the 83rd CSIR Foundation Day celebrations in New Delhi.
The Vice President of India, Dhankhar also termed CSIR as "Catalyst for Scientifically Imaginative Rashtra". He appealed for the establishment of Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) to ensure that investments in human resources and institutions are directed towards authentic and impactful research.
A book titled "Innovation Trailblazers: The leadership legacies of CSIR" was released at the 83rd Foundation Day. The winners of CSIR Energy saving campaign, were felicitated in which CSIR-CGRI secured first prize, CSIR-CECRI secured second prize while CSIR-CSMCRI secured third prize.

Kolkata's Famous Trams Face Discontinuation after 150 Years

Kolkata, the last Indian city to operate trams, is set to bid farewell to its 150-year-old tram service as the West Bengal government has decided to discontinue most of its routes. Transport Minister Snehasis Chakraborty announced the decision, citing increasing traffic congestion in the city as a primary reason. However, the historic stretch between Maidan and Esplanade will continue to operate, preserving a part of the city's cultural heritage.
This decision, however, did not sit well with the locals. Many residents and tram enthusiasts are disappointed with this decision because they view the trams as a significant part of Kolkata's history and identity.
The decision to discontinue the tram service has sparked protests among locals. They are of the opinion that the trams are not just a mode of transportation, they are also a symbol of the city's rich cultural legacy. Losing this would mean losing a very big part of the city's heritage.

Sep 26, 2024

Karnataka Government Launches India's First Knowledge Health Innovation Research City

The Karnataka government launched its 'Knowledge Health Innovation Research-City' (KHIR-City). This project, the first of its kind in India, aims to transform the state's innovation sector. Chief Minister Siddaramaiah officially began work on the first phase at a ceremony in Vidhana Soudha.
The KHIR-City covers 2,000 acres, with the initial phase developed on 500 acres. The project is expected to attract an investment of over Rs. 40,000 crore and create around 100,000 jobs, including both direct and indirect employment.
Drawing from models like Singapore's Biopolis and the US Research Triangle Park, KHIR-City will also incorporate elements of Bengaluru's Electronics City.

Make in India 10th Anniversary: A Decade of Transformation and Growth

As the 'Make in India' initiative celebrated its 10-year anniversary, Prime Minister Narendra Modi shared his thoughts on the campaign's achievements and its lasting impact on the nation's economy. Modi praised the tireless efforts of Indians across various sectors that have played a crucial role in transforming the initiative into a "roaring success" and elevating it to a global movement that showcases India as a hub of manufacturing and innovation.
Make in India initiative was launched on September 25, 2014 with the objective of facilitating investment, fostering innovation, building best in class manufacturing infrastructure, making it easy to do business and enhancing skill development. The initiative is further aimed at creating a conducive environment for investment, modern and efficient infrastructure, opening up new sectors for foreign investment and forging a partnership between government and industry through positive mindset.

Sep 25, 2024

President Droupadi Murmu Inaugurates 16th ASOSAI Assembly

President Droupadi Murmu inaugurated the 16^th Assembly of the Asian Organisation of Supreme Audit Institutions (ASOSAI) in New Delhi. This significant event marks the beginning of crucial discussions centred on the evolving role of Supreme Audit Institutions (SAIs) in promoting transparency and accountability.
A notable aspect of this year's assembly is the assumption of the ASOSAI chair by the Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) of India, Girish Chandra Murmu, for the term 2024-2027. His leadership is anticipated to advance the organisation towards new horizons in public audit, especially in enhancing governance frameworks throughout Asia.
The assembly, hosted by the CAG of India, runs from September 24 to 27, welcoming over 200 delegates from 42 countries and international organisations. This diverse gathering underscores ASOSAI's collaborative nature. Delegates will engage in high-level discussions aimed at improving the effectiveness of public audits, accountability, and best practices in government operations.
Founded in 1979 with 11 member institutions, ASOSAI has expanded to encompass 48 Supreme Audit Institutions, operating as a vital regional group within the International Organisation of Supreme Audit Institutions (INTOSAI). The first ASOSAI Assembly and Governing Board meeting took place in New Delhi in May 1979, establishing a historic precedent that is revisited with this year's event.

CERT-In & SISA Launches First of its Kind ANAB-Accredited AI Security Certification (CSPAI) Program

The Indian Computer Emergency Response Team (CERT-In), Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY), Government of India and SISA, a global leader in forensics driven Cyber Security jointly launched the Certified Security Professional for Artificial Intelligence (CSPAI) program which is first of its kind ANAB-accredited AI security certification. The Public-Private Partnership (PPP) initiative between CERT-In and SISA marked a significant milestone in AI security certification in India. The CSPAI program equips security professionals with the skills needed to effectively integrate AI into business applications while adhering to sustainable practices.
In a ceremony organised by SISA at their Headquarters in Bengaluru, the Director General of CERT-In, Dr. Sanjay Bahl along with Founder and CEO of SISA, Mr. Dharshan Shanthamurthy released and handed over the ANAB accredited AI Security Certification (CSPAI) certificates to cybersecurity professionals.

Kerala Once Again Tops Food Safety Ranking

Kerala for the second time in a row, topped the sixth State Food Safety Index (SFSI) 2024 released by the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI).
Tamil Nadu, which had slipped to the third position last year 2023), secured second position this time. In 2022, Tamil Nadu had topped the Index, replacing Gujarat at the number one slot. In 2022, Kerala secured the second position but took the top position last year.
Jammu and Kashmir got third position in the Index, released annually since 2019.
Gujarat secured fourth position in the Index, which Union Health Minister J. P. Nadda released.

Agriculture Ministry Holds National Conference on Implementing DPI

The Union Agriculture Ministry held the National Conference on Implementing Digital Public Infrastructure (DPI) under the Digital Agriculture Mission.
The conference aimed to discuss the implementation of DPI in continuation of the Centre-State collaboration to integrate digital technologies in agriculture, focusing on implementation of components of the Digital Agriculture Mission such as Agri Stack, Krishi DSS, soil profile mapping and others to streamline service delivery and enhance efficiency of agricultural schemes.
Agriculture Secretary Devesh Chaturvedi presented an overview of the Digital Agriculture Mission and the SCA scheme, highlighting the government's vision to revolutionise agriculture through technology enablement. This was followed by a presentation by Department of Land Resources Secretary Manoj Joshi, discussing the synergy between land reforms, Farmers' Registry and the role of states in implementing these reforms.

Sep 24, 2024

Union Minister Piyush Goyal Inaugurates Invest India's New Office in Singapore

Union Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal inaugurated Invest India's new office in Singapore. The office will serve as a dedicated point of contact for companies from the region looking to invest in India, fostering collaboration across sectors.
Invest India is the National Investment Promotion and Facilitation Agency of India, established as a non-profit initiative under the Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade, Ministry of Commerce and Industry, Government of India.
As part of the "Make in India" campaign, Invest India enables and supports investors in launching, operating, and expanding their businesses in India.
Invest India serves as a one-stop center created to attract and retain high- quality investments in the country.
This significant move reinforces India's commitment to deepening investment part partnerships and making it easier for global investors to engage with India.

India to Host World Audio Visual & Entertainment Summit Early Next Year

The Indian government will host the inaugural World Audio Visual & Entertainment Summit (WAVES) from February 5 to 9, 2025, to boost the country's media and entertainment industry and enhance its global influence. This will be the first global summit covering the entire media and entertainment spectrum.
WAVES aims to foster dialogue, innovation, and trade partnerships among key players in the media and entertainment industry. The summit will feature discussions on trends, challenges, and opportunities, especially as new technologies reshape the sector.
The Telangana government is backing the summit, highlighting its innovative ecosystem for media and entertainment. Additionally, the government is committed to combating piracy and supporting the growing gaming industry. This includes governmental initiatives to protect content creators and industry stakeholders.
Before the main event in 2025, the government is organising WAVES in Goa from November 20 to 25, 2024, with challenges under the 'Create in India Challenge – Season 1'. This platform will bring together finalists from 25 events for global exposure.

Venu Vasudevan Appointed Chairperson of Kochi Biennale Foundation

Former Chief Secretary to the Government of Kerala and former Director General of the National Museum in Delhi, Venu Vasudevan, was appointed chairperson of the Board of Trustees of Kochi Biennale Foundation. "He has been associated with the biennale since the very beginning and we are extremely happy that he will now be part of the organisation. Aware of the achievements of the biennale, he is most capable of taking it forward from here," stated Bose Krishnamachari, president of Kochi Biennale Foundation (KBF).
India's first biennale of international contemporary art, the event that had its inaugural edition in December 2012 has been grappling with challenges in recent years.

ADB Funds Rs. 530 Crore Water Supply Schemes for 12 Cities in Tripura

Tripura Chief Minister Manik Saha launched the 'Mukhyamantri Nagar Unnayan Prakalp,' a Rs. 530 crore water supply project funded by the Asian Development Bank (ADB), aiming to upgrade drinking water infrastructure in 12 cities. The project, expected to be completed in three years, will address water needs for over 75,000 families across the state.
The project will cover 12 cities: Udaipur, Amarpur, Belonia, Melaghar, Bishramganj, Khowai, Ranir Bazar, Mohanpur, Dharmanagar, Kailashhar, Kumarghat, and Ambassa. Seven of these are district headquarters.
The scheme includes laying 305 km of water pipelines, constructing 25 deep tubewells, 18 Iron Removal Plants, four water treatment plants, and 19 water reservoirs.

Sep 23, 2024

Uday Bhanu Chib New Indian Youth Congress Chief

The Congress appointed Uday Bhanu Chib the president of the Indian Youth Congress (IYC), making him the second president of the frontal organisation from J&K after Ghulam Nabi Azad in 1980. Chib replaced Srinivas B. V.
Chib was serving as the general secretary of IYC and is a former president of the J&K Pradesh Youth Congress. Chib hails from Paloura, Jammu, and is the son of Congress leader Hari Singh Chib.

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