General Awareness

NATIONAL AFFAIRS - May 2018

May 2018

Dec 22, 2023

Inaugural World Odia Language Conference

The Odisha government announced it will host the first-ever 'Biswa Odia Bhasha Sammilani' (World Odia Language Conference) in February 2024, to strengthen and popularise the language.
Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik said that national and international language experts as well as researchers would be invited for the three-day event.

Govt. Ropes in CISF for Security of Parliament Complex

The government decided to hand over comprehensive security of the Parliament building complex to the Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) in the wake of the December 13 breach of the safety ring.
The CISF will render access control to the new and old Parliament complex in an airport security-like fashion where body frisking of persons will be done through hand-held detectors and their belongings will be checked through X-ray machines, with a provision to even scan shoes, heavy jackets and belts by putting them on a tray and passing them through the scanner.

Dec 21, 2023

Former Union Minister Narendra Singh Tomar is Speaker of MP Assembly

Senior BJP leader and former Union Minister Narendra Singh Tomar was unanimously elected as the speaker of the Madhya Pradesh legislative Assembly.
Chief Minister Mohan Yadav moved a proposal for the election of 66-year-old Tomar as the Speaker which was seconded by Leader of Opposition Umang Singhar.
Former Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan also moved a proposal for the election of Tomar as the Speaker which was seconded by former Union Minister Prahlad Patel.
Five more proposals, including by opposition Congress MLAs Ajay Singh, Jaivardhan Singh and Rajendra Kumar Singh, were also moved in favour of Tomar.
After the voice vote, Pro-tem Speaker Gopal Bhargava declared Tomar as elected unanimously to the Speaker's post.

Government of India and ADB Sign 37 Billion Japanese Yen Loan for Delhi-Meerut Regional Rapid Tra...

The Government of India and Asian Development Bank (ADB) signed agreement for a 37 billion Japanese Yen ($250 million) loan that will continue financing the construction of the 82-kilometre Delhi-Meerut Regional Rapid Transit System (RRTS) corridor.
The signatories to the loan agreement were Ms. Juhi Mukherjee, Joint Secretary, Department of Economic Affairs, Ministry of Finance, for the Government of India, and Mr. Hoe Yun Jeong, Deputy Country Director, and Officer-in-Charge of the India Resident Mission, for ADB.
Earlier, ADB had approved a $1,049 million Multi-tranche Financing Facility (MFF) for the project in 2020 to support construction of RRTS, the first of three priority rail corridors planned under the NCR Regional Plan 2021, to connect Delhi to other cities in adjoining states. The RRTS will have multi-modal hubs to ensure smooth interchange with other transport modes. The first tranche of the ADB loan amounted to $500 million with another $500 million co-financed by AIIB.

Dec 20, 2023

Mines Ministry Launches National Geoscience Data Repository Portal

Ministry of Mines launched the National Geoscience Data Repository (NGDR) Portal in a ceremony in New Delhi. NGDR is a comprehensive online platform for accessing, sharing, and analysing geospatial information across the nation. The launch ceremony was graced by Union Minister of Coal, Mines and Parliamentary Affairs Pralhad Joshi in the presence of Raosaheb Patil Danve, Minister of State for Coal, Mines and Railways.
The NGDR initiative, spearheaded by the Geological Survey of India (GSI) and Bhaskarachaya Institute of Space Applications and Geoinformatics (BISAG-N), represents a significant leap forward in democratising critical geoscience data, empowering stakeholders across industries and academia with unprecedented access to invaluable resources.
The Geological Survey of India (GSI) was set up in 1851 primarily to find coal deposits for the Railways. Over the years, GSI has not only grown into a repository of geo-science information required in various fields in the country but has also attained the status of a geo-scientific organisation of international repute. Its main functions relate to creating and updating of national geoscientific information and mineral resource assessment. These objectives are achieved through ground surveys, air-borne and marine surveys, mineral prospecting and investigations, multi-disciplinary geoscientific, geo-technical, geo-environmental and natural hazards studies, glaciology, seismo-tectonic study and carrying out fundamental research.

Assam Government Unveils 'Ten Cities Development Concept' for Rapid Urban Growth

In a strategic move towards planned and rapid urban development, the Assam government initiated the 'Ten Cities Development Concept' (Doh Shaher, Ek Rupayan).
The ten cities identified for comprehensive development are Silchar, Dibrugarh, Nagaon, Bangaigaon, Biswanath Chariali, Karimganj, Tinsukia, Golaghat, Jorhat, Tezpur, Sibsagar, and North Lakhimpur.
The proposed improvements cover various domains, including the City Infrastructure Development Fund (CIDF), Urban Infrastructure Development Fund (UIDF), Atal Mission for Rejuvenation and Urban Transformation (AMRUT), Swachh Bharat Mission, and more.
Under CIDF, initiatives include the establishment of a Conference Hall, City Beautification, Open-air Theatre, Traffic Control System, Sports Complex, and enhancement of water bodies. UIDF focuses on the Convention Centre, Town Hall, Park cum Open Space, ISBT, and beautification of public areas.

Dec 19, 2023

PM Modi Inaugurates World's Largest Meditation Centre in Varanasi

Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated the world's largest meditation centre 'Swarved Mahamandir' in Varanasi.
Following the inauguration of the Swarved Mahamandir, Modi along with Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath took a tour of the centre that can seat 20,000 people at a time for meditation. Verses of the Swarveda have been carved upon the walls of the Mahamandir -- a seven-floor superstructure.
The foundation of the Mahamandir was laid in 2004 by Sadguru Acharya Swantantra Dev and Sant Pravar Vigyan Dev.
The temple is named after the Swarved, a spiritual text authored by Sadguru Sadafal Deoji Maharaj, an eternal yogi and the founder of Vihangam Yoga.

Hyderabad Leads in Food Adulteration Cases: NCRB

According to the data released by the National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB), Hyderabad topped the nation in food adulteration cases in 2022. In close second place was Andhra Pradesh, trailing after Telangana.
Among 19 major Indian cities, a total of 291 cases of adulterated food were reported, with a staggering 246 cases emerging from Hyderabad alone. This unsettling trend underscores a pressing concern for the city's food safety.

Dec 18, 2023

Manipur Cabinet Nod for Establishment of State Beverages Corporation

Manipur cabinet approved the establishment of the Manipur State Beverages Corporation Limited (MSBCL), signalling a significant shift in the state's alcohol policies.
This decision, made during the cabinet meeting, will legalise the production, sale, and consumption of alcohol in specific regions of the state, marking the end of over 30 years of prohibition in Manipur.
Under the purview of the Finance Minister, the MSBCL will operate with a board of directors comprising key secretaries responsible for diverse sectors like finance, home affairs, health, education, rural development, and municipal governance.

Piyush Goyal Releases the 'Logistics Ease Across Different State (LEADS) 2023'

Union Minister of Commerce & Industry, Consumer Affairs, Food & Public Distribution, and Textiles, Piyush Goyal released the 'Logistics Ease Across Different State (LEADS) 2023' report in New Delhi, in the presence of Sumita Dawra, Special Secretary (Logistics), DPIIT, Sajiv Puri, President-Designate of Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) & MD ITC, and Mihir Shah, Partner, Ernst & Young.
LEADS was conceived on the lines of Logistics Performance Index of World Bank in 2018 and has evolved over time. While the LPI relies entirely on perception-based surveys, LEADS incorporates both perception as well as objectivity thereby enhancing the robustness and comprehensiveness of this exercise.
The 5th edition of the LEADS annual exercise - LEADS 2023 report, provides insights into improvement of logistics performance at State/UT level. It highlighted an enhanced overall stakeholder perception and impact of various reforms, across States and UTs. This report, signalled a positive shift in States' performance across the key pillars – Logistics Infrastructure, Logistics Services and Operating and Regulatory Environment, empowers the State/UT Governments by providing region specific insights for informed decision making and comprehensive growth.
This report is based on a pan-India primary survey, conducted between May and July 2023, covering over 7,300 responses across 36 States/UTs. Additionally, over 750 stakeholder consultations, facilitated by National, Regional, and State Associations, significantly contributed to this comprehensive evaluation.

Ex-CM Raman Singh Files Nomination for Chhattisgarh Assembly Speaker's Post

Senior BJP MLA and former Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Raman Singh filed his nomination for the post of speaker of the newly-elected state legislative assembly.
Earlier in the day, senior BJP MLA Ramvichar Netam was sworn in as the pro-tem speaker by the governor ahead of the first session of the sixth assembly of Chhattisgarh.
Pro-tem speaker is a temporary speaker appointed for a limited period of time to conduct the business of the House in the absence of a regular speaker.

Congress Launches Crowd Funding Campaign to Generate Funds for 2024 Polls

The Congress launched of its nationwide 'Donate for Desh' crowd funding campaign for generating resources for the party ahead of the 2024 Lok Sabha elections.
The campaign was launched by Congress chief Mallikarjun Kharge in Delhi.
According to Congress General Secretary (Organisation) K. C. Venugopal and Treasurer Ajay Maken, Indians above the age of 18 can donate a minimum of Rs. 138 or in multiples such as Rs. 1,380, Rs. 13,800 and so on to the campaign.
Venugopal said that the initiative was inspired by Mahatma Gandhi's historic 'Tilak Swaraj Fund', which was launched more than a hundred years ago in 1920-21.

Jitu Patwari Replaces Kamal Nath as MP Congress Committee Chief

Congress national president Mallikarjun Kharge appointed Jitu Patwari as Madhya Pradesh Congress Committee chief with immediate effect. Patwari was inducted into the office, replacing outgoing PCC president Kamal Nath.
Patwari, who was an MLA from the Rau seat, also chaired the Madhya Pradesh Congress campaign committee. He won the election for the second time from Rau in 2018. Thereafter, Patwari was made the Minister of Higher Education, Youth and Sports Affairs in the Kamal Nath-led government.

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