General Awareness

NATIONAL AFFAIRS - June 2017

Jun 2017

May 15, 2022

75 Indian Villages to be Shaped with Israeli Cooperation

Taking to the "next level" the Indo-Israel cooperation in the field of agriculture, 75 Indian villages will be shaped with Israeli cooperation to mark the country's 75th Independence anniversary, Union Agriculture Minister Narendra Singh Tomar said. Tomar, who was in Israel on a four-day official visit met his Israeli counterpart Oded Forer at the Knesset (Israel's Parliament).
They discussed various issues related to modern agro techniques, capacity building, transfer of knowledge know-how and support in the fields of agriculture, water management, environment and rural development, keeping in view the scope and potential of agriculture development in both the countries.

PM Narendra Modi Addresses 'Utkarsh Samaroh' in Bharuch

Modi addressed "Utkarsh Samaroh" in Gujarat's Bharuch via video conferencing to mark the 100 per cent saturation of four key state government schemes in the district which will help provide timely financial assistance to those in need.
"Utkarsh Initiative", carried out by the district administration from January 1 to March 31 this year, was aimed to ensure the complete coverage of schemes providing assistance to widows, elderly and destitute citizens. According to the the Prime Minister's Office (PMO), a total of 12,854 beneficiaries were identified across the four schemes.

May 14, 2022

India Contributes $800,000 for Public Outreach of UN in Hindi Language

India contributed USD 800,000 to the United Nations as part of the initiative to enhance public outreach of the organisation in Hindi. Country's Deputy Permanent Representative to the United Nations, R. Ravindra handed over a cheque for the UN project launched by India in 2018 to disseminate information about the UN to the Hindi-speaking population across the world.
India has been partnering with the UN Department of Global Communications (DGC) since2018 by providing an extra-budgetary contribution to mainstream and consolidate news and multimedia content of DGC in Hindi.
Since 2018, the UN News in Hindi is disseminated through the UN's website and social media handles and a UN Facebook Hindi page.

Rajya Sabha Poll to 57 Seats on June 10

The Election Commission announced holding polls on June 10 to fill 57 Rajya Sabha seats from 15 states falling vacant due to the retirement of members on different dates between June and August, which include two seats each from Punjab and Haryana.
Prominent leaders, who are retiring during the period include Union Minister Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi, Congress leaders Jairam Ramesh and Kapil Sibal, and BSP's Satish Chandra Misra. All these members are retiring between June 21 and August 1.
While 11 seats are falling vacant in Uttar Pradesh, six members each are retiring from Tamil Nadu and Maharashtra, five from Bihar and four each from Andhra Pradesh, Rajasthan and Karnataka. The notification for the polls will be issued on May 24 and voting will be held on June 10. According to established practice, counting will take place an hour after the conclusion of polling.

May 13, 2022

LS Speaker Om Birla Launches Kalam Website to Encourage Vernacular Literature

Lok Sabha (LS) Speaker, Om Birla launched the one-of-its-kind literary initiative Kalam website of the Prabha Khaitan Foundation (PKF) to support and encourage vernacular literature. The aim of Kalam is to popularize Hindi literature and provide a platform for veteran and young authors and poets to talk about their writings and love for vernacular literature.
Prabha Khaitan Foundation is the custodian of the jewels of literary creations in the Hindi language and Kalam scripts successful sessions enriching the literary heritage of the nation. The hallmarks of Kalam, one of the prized literary verticals of Prabha Khaitan Foundation have a nationwide reach, global identity, and a niche audience. It is a non-profit trust founded by the Late Dr. Prabha Khaitan in the early 1980s. Based in Kolkata, West Bengal, it is dedicated to promoting performing arts, culture, education, literature, gender equality and women's empowerment.

Rajiv Kumar is New Chief Election Commissioner

The government appointed senior-most Election Commissioner Rajiv Kumar as Chief Election Commissioner. He succeeded Sushil Chandra. Rajiv Kumar took charge as the Election Commissioner of the Election Commission of India (ECI) on September 1, 2020. Prior to assuming charge in the Election Commission, Kumar had been the chairman of the Public Enterprises Selection Board. He joined as the PESB chairman in April 2020.
Kumar, an officer of the 1984 batch of the Indian Administrative Service of the Bihar/Jharkhand cadre, superannuated from the IAS in February 2020.
He has been credited for being instrumental in conceiving and implementing mergers and acquisitions in the financial sector. Streamlining of the National Pension System (NPS) was also effected under him benefitting approximately 18 lakh central government employees.

May 12, 2022

Taking Different Stands does Not Help: SC to Centre on Identification of Minorities

As per the Supreme Court, the issue of identification of minorities, including Hindus, at the state level needs a resolution and observed that taking different stands doesn't help. In supersession of its earlier stand, the Centre told the apex court that the power to notify minorities is vested with the Union government and any decision in this regard will be taken after discussion with states and other stakeholders.
A bench of Justices S K Kaul and M M Sundresh said these are matters which require resolution and everything cannot be adjudicated. The apex court had earlier granted four weeks to the Centre to respond to a plea, which has sought directions for framing of guidelines for the identification of minorities at the state level, contending that Hindus are a minority in 10 states.

Govt. Will Set up 33 New Domestic Cargo Terminals by 2024-2025

The government will establish 33 new domestic cargo terminals by 2024-2025 which will allow India's cargo sector to flourish and grow. Civil Aviation Minister Jyotiraditya Scindia said this while addressing the annual event of Air Cargo Forum India. Talking about the reforms in Cargo Sector, the Minister said that industry players need to focus on transportation of smaller cargo loads from Tier II and III cities to metros to achieve the target of 10 million metric tons in cargo. This can be achieved by acquisition of smaller size aircraft. To facilitate this, 33 new domestic cargo terminals will be established by 2024-2025. He also stressed the need to work on ease of doing business in cargo sector by making processes paperless, adapting automation, and digitalization which can make cargo processing swift.

Prasar Bharati, ORTM Sign MoU on Cooperation and Collaboration in Broadcast

A memorandum of understanding (MoU) on cooperation and collaboration in broadcasting between Prasar Bharati and ORTM (Office de la Radio et de la Television) was signed in Madagascar's capital Antananarivo. It was signed by India's Ambassador to Madagascar Abhay Kumar and ORTM Director-General Mr. BELALAHY Jean Yves. The ceremony was graced by the Director of Cabinet of the Ministry of Communication and Culture and representatives of the Government of Madagascar.
Madagascar National Television (TVM) will broadcast programmes from internal productions of Prasar Bharati in the fields of culture, education, science, entertainment, sports, news as well as other areas of mutual interest. Both sides will explore co-production opportunities related to matters of mutual interest and will arrange training for TVM personnel in India. The MoU enters into force on the date of its signature.

India's First Khadi Centre of Excellence Opens in Delhi

The Ministry of MSME created a Centre for Experimentation, Innovation, and Design for the Khadi Village and Industries Commission (KVIC) with the goal of empowering Khadi Institutions across the country. The Center's mission is to create clothing, home goods, and fashion accessories that appeal to individuals of all ages. The goal of the Khadi Centre of Excellence (CoEK) is to make Khadi a worldwide, classic, and value-driven brand.
Narayan Rane, the Union Minister for Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises, opened the first Khadi Centre of Excellence in New Delhi. Minister of State for MSME Bhanu Pratap Singh Verma, Minister of State for Textiles Darshana Vikram Jardosh, Secretary, Ministry of Textiles U P Singh, and Secretary, Ministry of MSME B.B. Swain also attended the event.

May 11, 2022

Delhi High Court directs Centre to appoint Chairman, member in Customs, Central Excise and Servic...

The Delhi High Court directed the Centre to complete within six weeks the process of appointment of Chairman and a Member for the Principal Bench of the Customs, Central Excise and Service Tax Settlement Commission. It further said that the process of appointment of Vice-Chairman and one member for the additional bench of the Commission at Mumbai be completed within six weeks.
The high court also directed the central government to examine the aspect of appointment of Vice-Chairman and other members for the benches of the Settlement Commission at Chennai and Kolkata.
The court was hearing a petition by Yashpal Singh alleging that the Centre has failed to appoint members as required by law in the Settlement Commissions established under Central Excise Act, which is giving rise to pendency of applications.

India will need around 1 lakh drone pilots in coming years: Union Aviation Minister Scindia

The central government's 12 ministries are currently trying to boost the indigenous demand for drone services and India will need approximately one lakh drone pilots in the coming years, Aviation Minister Jyotiraditya Scindia said. The PLI (production linked incentive) scheme, which has been implemented under the leadership of Prime Minister, will give fresh boost to manufacturing and services in drone sector. The PLI scheme came in September 2021 as a follow-through of the liberalised Drone Rules, 2021, released by the ministry on August 25, 2021.
A drone pilot can be trained by being a 12th class pass, no college degrees are required. With 2-3 months of training, this person is in his or her job as a drone pilots with around Rs 30,000 per month salary.

LS Speaker congratulates Mizoram's people on 50 years of state assembly

Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla conveyed greetings on Golden Jubilee of Mizoram Legislative Assembly. To mark the occasion, a Special Assembly Session of the Mizoram state was held, wherein Governor Dr Hari Babu Kambhampati graced as the Chief Guest. The session was chaired by the Speaker of the legislative Assembly Lalrinliana Sailo.
Mizoram became a Union Territory in 1972 and the first Assembly Session was held on 10th of May 1972. Mizoram is an important land-bridge in India's Act-East policy, making India's critical trade and connectivity linkages with Myanmar and Bangladesh.

To Curb Child Trafficking, Railway Protection Force Joins Hands With Association For Voluntary Ac...

MoU between RPF and AVA (also known as Bachpan Bachao Andolan) pledged to work together to share information, build capacity of RPF personnel and railway employees to work against Human Trafficking, increase sensitization and create awareness and also help each other in identification and detection of cases of Human Trafficking. A joint action by both stakeholders under the framework of MoU will definitely enhance the scale, reach and effectiveness of "Operation AAHT" (Action against Human Trafficking) launched by RPF across the nation.
Railway Protection Force is entrusted with the responsibility of security of railway property, passenger area and passengers. It has been discharging responsibility as mandated by the Standardized Operating Procedure for rescue of children issued by Ministry of Railways and working with other stakeholders to rescue more than 50,000 children since 2018 under "Operation Nanhe Farishte".

Pre-Eminent crossing in Ayodhya to be named after Lata Mangeshkar

In Ayodhya, a significant crossing will be developed and named for legendary vocalist Bharat Ratna late Lata Mangeshkar. The Ayodhya administration was instructed by Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath to pick a significant crossing in the temple town and submit a proposal to the state government in the next 15 days to rename it after Lata Mangeshkar.
Songs devoted to Lord Ram and Lord Hanuman sung by Lata Mangeshkar would also be played in Ayodhya. The Ayodhya Municipal Corporation begun to identify key crossings throughout the city. The key crossing in Ayodhya on the way to Ram Janmabhoomi was most likely chosen for this project.

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