India to Host Third Global South Summit in August 2024
India will be hosting the third edition of the Global South Summit next month, around August 17. The summit, which will take place in virtual mode, will be chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi alongside the meetings at ministerial level. Currently, New Delhi is sending out invites, with sources in various global capitals confirming that they have received the invites.
The August 2024 edition of the summit will be the first such edition of the summit under Prime Minister Modi's third term in power.
Officially referred to as the 'Summit of the Global South', the first edition of the summit took place in January 2023 in the year of India's G20 presidency. India by hosting this summit plans to provide a platform for countries of the Global South to share their perspectives, challenges and priorities on a common platform.
The second edition of the summit took place in November 2023 after the New Delhi G20 leaders' summit in September.
The theme of the inaugural summit was 'Unity of Voice, Unity of Purpose', and the theme of the second summit was 'Together, for Everyone's Growth, with Everyone's Trust'.
C. P. Radhakrishnan Sworn in As Governor of Maharashtra
C. P. Radhakrishnan was sworn in as the Governor of Maharashtra.
He was administered the oath of office and secrecy by the Chief Justice of the Bombay High Court, Devendra Kumar Upadhyaya.
C. P. Radhakrishnan, the 21st Governor of Maharashtra since the state was formed in 1960, succeeded Ramesh Bais.
Chief Minister Eknath Shinde, Deputy Chief Ministers Devendra Fadnavis and Ajit Pawar, other ministers and senior officials were present at the function at Durbar Hall, Raj Bhavan.
C. P. Radhakrishnan served as Governor of Jharkhand for nearly one and a half years prior to his new appointment.
He also held additional charge as Governor of Telangana and lieutenant governor of Puducherry for brief periods.
Jiya Rai: 16-year-old with Autism Swims 34 km across English Channel, Breaks 150-year Record
A 16-year-old girl, Jiya Rai, who has autism spectrum disorder, achieved the remarkable feat of swimming across the 34 km wide English Channel in 17 hours and 25 minutes, making her the youngest and fastest para swimmer to do so solo. Jiya, daughter of Madan Rai, MC-at-Arms II in the Indian Navy, began her swim on July 28 from Abbotts Cliff in England and completed it in the early hours of July 29 at Pte De La Courte-Dune in France.
Her achievement is particularly significant as Jiya is the first girl with autism spectrum disorder to swim across the English Channel in its 150-year history.
Preeti Sudan New UPSC Chief
Preeti Sudan was appointed as the new Chairperson of the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC). Her appointment was sanctioned under Article 316A of the Indian Constitution and came in the wake of the resignation of ex-chairperson of UPSC, Manoj Soni.
Sudan, who has been a member of the UPSC since November 29, 2022, will serve as Chairperson until her retirement in April 2025, when she reaches the age of 65.
Preeti Sudan brings a wealth of experience to her new role, with approximately 37 years in government administration. Her tenure as Union Health Secretary spanned from 2017 to July 2020, during which she played a pivotal role in the national response to the COVID-19 pandemic, particularly in the final six months of her service.
Jul 31, 2024
Samajwadi Party Appoints Mata Prasad Pandey as Uttar Pradesh Assembly LoP
The Samajwadi Party (SP) appointed Mata Prasad Pandey as the Leader of Opposition in the Uttar Pradesh Assembly. The SP made the announcement a day before the beginning of the U.P. Assembly session.
Pandey represents Itwa Assembly constituency in Siddharthnagar district. Mr. Pandey has served as Speaker of the Uttar Pradesh Assembly twice, including between 2012-2017 and was elected MLA for the first time in the 1980 Assembly polls.
Apart from Pandey, former U.P. Minister and Kanth MLA Kamal Akhtar has been appointed Chief Whip of the SP in the State Assembly, and Rakesh Kumar Verma, MLA from Raniganj, has been named deputy whip.
Gadkari Attends Swearing-in Ceremony of Iran's President
Road Transport and Highways Minister Nitin Gadkari attended swearing-in ceremony of Iran's new President Masoud Pezeshkian in Tehran.
Gadkari conveyed good wishes from PM Narendra Modi to President Pezeshkian on assuming the office.
During Minister Nitin Gadkari's interactions in Iran, both sides positively assessed the state of bilateral relations, including cooperation on the development of Chabahar Port.
Bhupender Yadav Launches Ideas4LiFE Portal for Inviting Ideas Related to Products and Services
Union Minister for Environment, Forest and Climate Change, Bhupender Yadav launched Ideas4LiFE for inviting ideas related to products and services, which induce behavioural changes related to environment-friendly lifestyles in the presence of Minister of State for Environment, Forest and Climate Change, Kirti Vardhan Singh at Indian Institute of Technology, Delhi. Yadav called upon the fraternity of students, research scholars, faculty and innovators to come up with innovative and out of box ideas, which will work towards fulfilment of the vision of Prime Minister for mindful and deliberate utilisation of resources.
Yadav said that this initiative aims to encourage and motivate students, faculty and research scholars to contribute their innovative ideas to the global initiative of Mission LiFE. He said this is a remarkable opportunity for inspired minds to participate in global movement dedicated to environmental sustainability.
The Ideas4LiFE Ideathon covers seven themes of Mission LiFE- Save Water, Save Energy, Reduce Waste, Reduce E-Waste, Say No to Single-Use Plastics, Adopt Sustainable Food Systems, and Adopt Healthy Lifestyles.
Jul 30, 2024
First STI Conclave on 'Traditional Knowledge for Sustainable Livelihoods'
The International Science, Technology, and Innovation Centre for South-South Cooperation (ISTIC) under the auspices of UNESCO together with the Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) constituents, Traditional Knowledge Digital Library Unit (CSIR-TKDL Unit), New Delhi, and CSIR-Indian Institute of Chemical Technology (CSIR-IICT), Hyderabad, India organised a STI Conclave on 'Traditional Knowledge for Sustainable Livelihoods' in New Delhi, India.
N. Kalaiselvi, DG, CSIR and Secretary, DSIR inaugurated the first STI Conclave. The Guests of Honour were D. Srinivasa Reddy, Director, CSIR- IICT, Hyderabad and Benno Boer, UNESCO Natural Science Specialist in New Delhi. The Plenary Talk was delivered by Prof. Anant Darshan Shankar, Founder and Vice Chancellor of the Trans-Disciplinary University (TDU), Bengaluru.
India Launches Report On Adolescent Well-being
"India has and will continue to remain steadfast in its commitment to nurturing adolescents' talents, supporting their ambitions and empowering them to build a brighter, inclusive future for all." This was stated by Apurva Chandra, Union Health Secretary on the occasion of the launch of 'Economic Case for Investment in the Well-being of Adolescents in India" report. The report builds on the global findings presented in "Adolescents in a Changing World – The Case for Urgent Investment," commissioned by the Partnership for Maternal, Newborn & Child Health (PMNCH) released at the 77th World Health Assembly in Geneva. It highlights significant improvements in adolescent well-being in India over recent decades, showcasing the Government's extensive policies and programmes aimed at promoting the health and well-being of adolescents.
Representatives from various sectors, including education, health, and international organisations, attended the event, discussing the multifaceted approach needed to address adolescent well-being. The launch of the U-WIN platform, modelled after the Co-WIN platform, was also announced, which aims to digitise and monitor health records of children.
Rashtrapati Bhavan Announces Key Changes in Governorship
The Rashtrapati Bhavan announced a significant reshuffling of governors across several Indian states. This move marks a major change in the political landscape, with new faces taking charge of crucial gubernatorial positions.
Om Prakash Mathur, a seasoned BJP leader, was appointed as the new Governor of Sikkim. This appointment brings a wealth of political experience to the north-eastern state.
C. P. Radhakrishnan, who previously held additional charge of Telangana, was appointed as the new Governor of Maharashtra. He succeeded Ramesh Bais, marking a significant change in one of India's most populous states.
Santosh Kumar Gangwar, who formerly served as the Union Labour and Employment Minister, took over as the Governor of Jharkhand, succeeding Radhakrishnan in this role.
Jishnu Dev Varma, who previously served as the Deputy Chief Minister of Tripura, was appointed as the new Governor of Telangana. This appointment brings north-eastern representation to a southern state.
A Special Appointment: Puducherry's New Lt Governor
In a notable appointment, K. Kailashnathan, a former IAS official and key advisor to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, was named the new Lt Governor of Puducherry. Kailashnathan, who retired as the chief principal secretary to Gujarat Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel, brings a wealth of administrative experience to this role.
Jul 29, 2024
Telangana CM Announces Development Package for Kalwakurthy
Telangana Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy attended a public meeting in Kalwakurthy to mark the death anniversary of former Union Minister S. Jaipal Reddy. The event served as a platform to honour Jaipal Reddy's contributions to Indian politics and announce a significant development package for the Kalwakurthy Assembly constituency.
Chief Minister Revanth Reddy announced a comprehensive development package worth Rs. 309 crore for the Kalwakurthy Assembly constituency. The package includes various infrastructure projects and initiatives aimed at improving healthcare, education, skill development, and transportation in the region.
This comprehensive package demonstrates the government's commitment to holistic development in the Kalwakurthy constituency, addressing key areas such as maternal health, skill development, road connectivity, and educational infrastructure.
Rashtrapati Bhavan Announces Key Changes in Governorship
The Rashtrapati Bhavan announced a significant reshuffling of governors across several Indian states. This move marks a major change in the political landscape, with new faces taking charge of crucial gubernatorial positions.
Lakshman Prasad Acharya, previously the Governor of Sikkim, was appointed as the new Governor of Assam. In addition to this role, was also entrusted with the additional charge of Manipur. This dual responsibility highlights the government's trust in Acharya's capabilities to manage two north-eastern states simultaneously.
Gulab Chand Kataria was appointed as the new Governor of Punjab, replacing Banwarilal Purohit. Kataria's role extends beyond Punjab, as he was also named the administrator of the Union Territory of Chandigarh.
Jul 28, 2024
Commemorative Postage Stamp Released for 25th Anniversary of Kargil Vijay Diwas
The Department of Posts released a commemorative postage stamp at Dras, Kargil in Ladakh, marking the Silver Jubilee of Kargil Vijay Diwas.
The newly issued stamp pays tribute to the heroes of the Kargil conflict and their enduring legacy. The widespread media coverage of the war, facilitated by satellite television, brought the valour of soldiers into every Indian home, making places like Kargil, Batalik, Dras, Mashkoh, and Turtuk symbols of national pride. This stamp not only commemorates the historical victory but also ensures that the bravery and sacrifices of the soldiers are honoured and remembered by future generations.
BJP Appoints New State Chief for Bihar, Rajasthan
The BJP named new state unit chiefs in Bihar and Rajasthan.
According to a statement issued by party national General Secretary Arun Singh, party chief J. P. Nadda appointed Dilip Jaiswal as the new chief of the Bihar state unit. Jaiswal, a member of the state Legislative Council, replaced Samrat Chaudhary, now the Deputy Chief Minister.
Rajya Sabha member Madan Rathore was appointed the new party chief in Rajasthan, replacing C. P. Joshi.
PM Chairs 9th Governing Council Meeting of NITI Aayog
Prime Minister Narendra Modi chaired the 9th Governing Council Meeting of NITI Aayog, at the Rashtrapati Bhavan Cultural Centre, New Delhi. This year's (2024) theme is 'Viksit Bharat@2047', with a central focus on making India a developed nation.
The Governing Council Meeting discussed the Approach Paper for the Vision Document on Viksit Bharat @2047. The meeting aimed to foster participative governance and collaboration between the Centre and State Governments, enhancing the quality of life for both rural and urban populations by strengthening the delivery mechanisms of government interventions.
Centre Clears Urban Flood Management Projects of 5 States
To fulfil Prime Minister Narendra Modi's vision of disaster resilient India, Ministry of Home Affairs under the guidance of Home Minister, Amit Shah has taken several initiatives to ensure effective management of disasters in the country. A number of steps have been taken to prevent any extensive loss to life and property during disasters by strengthening disaster risk reduction system in India.
The High-Level Committee in a meeting approved six project proposals in the states of Telangana, Gujarat, Karnataka, West Bengal and Maharashtra at a total cost of Rs. 2514.36 crore for Urban Flood Management in six metro cities, namely Mumbai, Kolkata, Bengaluru, Hyderabad, Ahmedabad and Pune.