General Awareness

NATIONAL AFFAIRS - May 2018

May 2018

Jul 02, 2024

Sujata Saunik Becomes First Woman Chief Secretary of Maharashtra

Sujata Saunik, a 1987 batch IAS officer, became the first female Chief Secretary of Maharashtra when she took over from retiring Chief Secretary Nitin Kareer. Incidentally, Kareer had taken the charge of this post from Saunik's husband Manoj Saunik.
Earlier, Sujata Saunik worked as additional chief secretary in the Home Department and General Administration Department, Government of Maharashtra. She is the 45th Chief Secretary of Maharashtra since 1960, when the state came into being.

Jun 30, 2024

The Council of Scientific and Industrial Research Successfully Concluded "One Week, One Theme" Ca...

The Council of Scientific and Industrial Research - Indian Institute of Petroleum (CSIR-IIP) successfully concluded the "One Week, One Theme" campaign, which focused on the pivotal theme of Energy and Energy Devices (EED) at IIP Dedradun.
Following the success of the 'One Week One Lab' (OWOL) program conducted by all CSIR laboratories in 2023, Jitendra Singh, Hon'ble Minister (S&T), proposed the observance of the 'One Week One Theme' event in 2024. The OWOT event aimed to showcase innovative approaches and technological advancements developed by CSIR laboratories focused on each of the eight themes of CSIR. Each Theme's road map and activities focused on substantial contributions toward public, private, strategic, and societal benefits.

World Bank Lends $1.5 Billion Push to Power Green Hydrogen Market

The World Bank approved a $1.5 billion loan to help India accelerate low-carbon energy development by promoting a market for green hydrogen as well as electrolysers and renewable energy penetration.
The World Bank's Board of Executive Directors approved $1.5 billion in financing to help India accelerate the development of low-carbon energy. The operation will seek to promote the development of a vibrant market for green hydrogen, continue to scale up renewable energy, and stimulate finance for low-carbon energy investments.
India is the fastest-growing large economy in the world, and the economy is expected to continue to expand at a rapid pace. Decoupling economic growth from emissions growth will require scaling up renewable energy, especially in hard-to-abate industrial sectors. This, in turn, will require an expansion of green hydrogen production and consumption as well as a faster development of climate finance to boost the mobilization of finance for low-carbon investments.

After 2 Decades, Odisha Gets a Chief Secretary from Outside the State

The new BJP government in Odisha appointed 1990-batch cadre officer Manoj Ahuja as the new Chief Secretary after the retirement of incumbent Pradeep Kumar Jena. He was also appointed as secretary of the general administration department.
Haryana native Ahuja, who was on central deputation since 2017, was repatriated to the parent cadre, Odisha, on the request of the state government. Ahuja is first person from outside Odisha to serve as the top administrator of the state in two decades.
Ahuja, who has vast administrative experience, was last posted as the Union agriculture secretary. He had earlier served in key positions like special director of Lal Bahadur Shastri National Academy of Admin (LBSNAA) and chairman, Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE).

Jun 29, 2024

India Contributes USD 1.169 Mn to Continue Promotion of Hindi at UN

The Government of India made a whopping contribution of USD 1,169,746 for 'Hindi @ UN' project to expand the use of Hindi in the United Nations. The Government of India has been making continuous efforts to expand the use of Hindi in the United Nations.
As part of these efforts, 'Hindi @ UN' project, in collaboration with the UN Department of Public Information, was launched in 2018 with an objective to enhance the public outreach of the United Nations in Hindi language, and to spread greater awareness about global issues among millions of Hindi-speaking people around the world, read a press release from India's Permanent Mission to UN, New York.

Former Jharkhand CM Hemant Soren Walks Out of Jail after Getting Bail

Former Jharkhand Chief Minister and Jharkhand Mukti Morcha leader Hemant Soren was released from jail after he was granted bail by the High Court in a money laundering case linked to a land scam.
Soren was granted bail in the case by the court two weeks after the court had reserved its order on the plea.
A single bench of Justice Rongon Mukhopadhyay granted bail to Soren on a Rs. 50,000 bail bond and two sureties of the same amount.
Soren, the executive president of the Jharkhand Mukti Morcha (JMM), was arrested by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) on January 31 in connection with its investigation into the money laundering case. He was lodged in Birsa Munda jail in Ranchi since then.

Vikram Misri India's New Foreign Secretary

Deputy National Security Advisor Vikram Misri was appointed the next foreign secretary, according to an official notification. The 1989-batch Indian Foreign Service officer will take charge on July 15, a day after the incumbent Vinay Kwatra's tenure ends.
Misri was India's ambassador to China between 2019 and 2021 and is known to have a good network in the Chinese establishment. He is believed to have played a key role in the talks with China after tensions flared following the Galwan Valley clashes in June 2020.
He was private secretary to three Prime Ministers — Inder Kumar Gujral, Manmohan Singh and Narendra Modi. On January 1, 2022, he succeeded Pankaj Saran as Deputy NSA in the National Security Council Secretariat.

Jun 28, 2024

Kochi Hosts First IDF Regional Dairy Conference Focussing on Asia-Pacific

The Union Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying, National Dairy Development Board (NDDB), and the International Dairy Federation (IDF) jointly organised the first IDF Regional Dairy Conference Asia Pacific-2024 from June 26 to 28 in Kochi, Kerala at Grand Hyatt, Bolgatty.
Themed 'Farmer-centric Innovations in Dairying', the event featured insightful deliberations brought together leaders and experts from the global dairy sector. The goal was to collectively address key issues affecting the dairy sector, particularly in the Asia Pacific region and globally.

Jun 27, 2024

After Assurance, Sam Pitroda Reappointed Overseas Congress Chief

Having stepped down from the post after two of his remarks stirred up a huge political row, putting the Congress on the back foot during the all-important Lok Sabha elections, Sam Pitroda was reappointed the chairman of the Indian Overseas Congress.
The reappointment was announced by the party. Later senior Congress leader Jairam Ramesh said that the decision was taken after Pitroda clarified the context of the statements and gave an assurance that he will not leave room for such controversies to arise in the future.

India Hosts 64th ISO Council Meeting from 25th-27th June 2024

India hosted a global event in sugar sector 'ISO Council Meeting' in New Delhi from June 25 to 27, 2024. Delegates from more than 30 countries and representatives of many international organisations joined and deliberated on critical issues of sugar and biofuel sector
As India is the world's largest consumer and second largest producer of sugar, ISO Council nominated India as the Chair of the organisation for 2024. As part of the meeting, India held a series of events with industrial tour of the international delegates to one grain-based distillery at Muzaffarnagar, Uttar Pradesh and showcased India's adoption of latest technology in production of biofuels and other by-products.
A workshop titled 'Sugar and Biofuels – Emerging Vistas' was organised at Bharat Mandapam. Pralhad Joshi, Union Minister of Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution and New & Renewable Energy inaugurated the workshop.

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