General Awareness

NATIONAL AFFAIRS - May 2018

May 2018

Nov 16, 2023

North Sikkim Connectivity Fully Restored after Chungthang Bailey Bridge Launch

The Indian Army troops of Trishakti Corps, in collaboration with the Border Roads Organization (BRO), successfully completed the construction of a Bailey Bridge over the Teesta River at Chungthang in North Sikkim. This crucial infrastructure was washed away after a glacial lake outburst flood (GLOF) in the Lhonak Lake upstream, severing the connection between North Sikkim and the mainland in October 2023.
The bridge, which serves as the life line for Lachen and Lachung Valley in North Sikkim, will now pave the way for seamless movement of vehicles and provision of relief material to these flood affected areas.

Tamil Nadu Governor Returns 10 Bills, Week After Court Expressed Concerns

Tamil Nadu Governor R. N. Ravi returned ten pending bills, two of which were passed by the earlier AIADMK government, to the Assembly.
Ravi's action came days after the Supreme Court had come down hard on him and his Punjab counterpart, as it heard complaints by the two state governments about delays in clearing bills.
The Tamil Nadu government has accused the BJP-appointed Governor of deliberately delaying the bills' clearance and scuttling the state's development by undermining the elected administration.

IICA Signs MoU with Lean Campus Startups (Trust) & WEICI India to Empower Women Entrepreneurs

The Indian Institute of Corporate Affairs (IICA) and Lean Campus Startups (Trust) & WEICI India signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) in Manesar, Gurugram. The signatories to the MoU were Lata Suresh, representing IICA, and Umesh Rathod, representing Lean Campus Startups (Founder).
The collaborative objective of IICA and Lean Campus Startups & WEICI India is to empower both corporate and women entrepreneurs, augmenting their knowledge, skills, and competencies in the effective establishment and management of a diverse workforce. In partnership with IICA, LCS will orchestrate programmes for women entrepreneurs and students.

Nov 15, 2023

Govt Introduces PM Kisan Bhai To Break Traders' Monopoly

The Indian government, through the Ministry of Agriculture, is gearing up to launch 'PMKisan Bhai' scheme designed to empower farmers by breaking the monopoly of traders in determining crop prices.
PMKisan Bhai Scheme Set to Revolutionize Agricultural Trade
The proposed PMKisan Bhai (Bhandaran Incentive) scheme is designed to empower farmers by breaking the monopoly of traders in determining crop prices.
With a deadline for feedback now closed, the scheme is expected to be rolled out by the end of December, signaling a potential shift in the dynamics of agricultural trade in the country.

Tamil Nadu rains: Schools, colleges to remain closed in Chennai today.

All schools, colleges, and educational institutions will remain closed in Chennai, Tiruvallur, and Puducherry districts today, Wednesday, November 15, due to heavy rainfall in Tamil Nadu. Several parts of Tamil Nadu witnessed heavy rainfall on Tuesday. After coastal and interior districts of Tamil Nadu received severe downpours on Tuesday, many districts declared a holiday for schools on Tuesday.
The Indian Meteorological Department (IMD) had predicted the possibility of isolated heavy to very heavy rainfall in the coastal regions of Tamil Nadu, Puducherry, and Karaikal on November 14.
According to the weather forecasting agency, a low-pressure area is likely to form over the southeast Bay of Bengal in the next 24 hours due to an upper air cyclonic circulation over the southwest Bay of Bengal and over the South Andaman Sea.

Meghalaya launches 'Food Security' campaign to achieve zero hunger

In a concerted effort to ensure food security for the most vulnerable, the Department of Food, Civil Supplies, and Consumer Affairs in Meghalaya has launched the 'Food Security' Campaign, which focuses on sensitising the public about the National Food Security Act (NFSA) 2013 and strives to achieve Sustainable Development Goal 2 – 'Zero Hunger.
The campaign was launched by Minister-in-Charge Comingone Ymbon at the Shillong Press Club on Monday.Speaking to the media, Minister Ymbon informed reporters that the Department is exploring the use of social, mainstream, and community-based media to communicate the verticals of the Department and apply a hyper-local approach to reason with the public on pertinent matters linked to the provisions of the National Food Security Act (NFSA) 2013.
The Minister further explained that the objectives of the Campaign is to create general awareness about food security being a right of the citizen and calls upon the public at ground zero community level to work together towards 'Zero Hunger' to meet the need of the public at the bottom of the poverty pyramid.
The One Nation One Ration Card scheme (ONORC) will also be taken up as one of the salient features of the National Food Security Act, he added.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi's Two-Day Visit to Jharkhand.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi is set to make history by becoming the first Prime Minister to visit Ulihatu Village, the birthplace of Bhagwan Birsa Munda. Prime Minister Narendra Modi is set to make history by becoming the first Prime Minister to visit Ulihatu Village, the birthplace of Bhagwan Birsa Munda.
This monumental visit is scheduled for November 15th, where the Prime Minister will pay homage at the Bhagwan Birsa Munda Memorial Park cum Freedom Fighter Museum in Ranchi. On the occasion of Janjatiya Gaurav Diwas, PM Modi will kickstart the 'Viksit Bharat Sankalp Yatra.'
This initiative underscores the Prime Minister's commitment to ensuring the saturation of flagship government schemes, reaching every targeted beneficiary in a timely manner. The Yatra aims to create awareness and deliver the benefits of various welfare schemes directly to the people.
The Yatra will commence with the flagging off of Information, Education, and Communication (IEC) vans in Khunti, Jharkhand. Its focus will be on providing essential services such as sanitation facilities, financial services, electricity connections, housing for the poor, and more. The Yatra will initially cover districts with significant tribal populations and gradually extend to all districts nationwide by January 25th, 2024.

Uttarakashi tunnel collapse

Uttarakashi tunnel collapse: Rescuers interact via walkie-talkie, at times in Bhojpuri, to keep calm
Rescue authorities in the collapsed tunnel in Dehradun are maintaining constant communication with the trapped laborers, speaking to them every hour to keep them calm and motivated.
The workers, who are said to be in good health and spirits, have been assured that experts and engineers are working round the clock to rescue them. As a precautionary measure, medicines and dry ration have been sent to the workers inside the tunnel. Contrary to rumors, there is electricity inside the tunnel.

Nov 14, 2023

GoI Unveils a Ground Breaking Initiative to Support Divyang Borrowers

Rajesh Aggarwal, Secretary, Department of Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities under Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment, Government of India unveiled a ground breaking initiative to support divyang borrowers.
In a bid to further enhance financial inclusion and foster economic empowerment among the divyangjan, Aggarwal announced 1% interest rate rebate under NDFDC loan for timely repayment, subject to specific terms and conditions. This gesture is aimed at reducing the financial burden on divyang individuals seeking financial assistance and encouraging responsible repayment practices.
Cheques were given by Rajesh Aggarwal, Secretary of the Department of Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities to 8 divyang loan beneficiaries. This step reflects the government's unwavering commitment to promoting inclusivity and ensuring that every citizen, irrespective of abilities, has equal access to financial opportunities.

India Holds '2+2' Ministerial Dialogue with the US

Indian Defence Minister Rajnath Singh and External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar met their counterparts from the US government, Defence Secretary Lloyd Austin and Secretary of State Antony Blinken respectively, for the fifth 2+2 Ministerial Dialogue held in New Delhi.
The 2+2 meetings have been held annually with the US leaders since 2018.
The 2+2 meetings signify the participation of two high-level representatives, Ministers holding Foreign and Defence portfolios, from each of the two countries who aim to enhance the scope of dialogue between them.
Having such a mechanism enables the partners to better understand and appreciate each other's strategic concerns and sensitivities taking into account political factors on both sides, in order to build a stronger, more integrated strategic relationship in a rapidly changing global environment.
The first 2+2 dialogue between the two countries was held during the Trump Administration, when then Secretary of State Michael Pompeo and then Secretary of Defence James Mattis met the late Sushma Swaraj and then Defence Minister Nirmala Sitharaman in New Delhi in September 2018.
It was also seen as a replacement for the Strategic and Commercial Dialogue, held between the foreign and commerce ministers of the two countries during the previous Obama administration.

The 33rd Conference of the WOAH Regional Commission for Asia and Pacific in New Delhi

In a significant stride towards advancing animal health and husbandry, India is playing host to the 33rd Conference of the World Organisation for Animal Health (WOAH) Regional Commission for Asia and the Pacific. The event, slated from November 13 to 16, 2023, is unfolding in the city of New Delhi.
Union Minister of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry, and Dairying, Parshottam Rupala, will lead the inauguration and conclusion ceremonies.
Adding to the dignified presence, Union Ministers of State for Fisheries, Animal Husbandry, and Dairying, Sanjeev Balyan and L Murugan, are actively participating in the conference.
The decision to hold this significant gathering was solidified during the 90th General Session of the World Assembly of Delegates of the WOAH in Paris in May 2023.
Under the aegis of the Department of Animal Husbandry & Dairying, the conference is drawing delegates from 36 member countries, including India.

India and ADB Ink $400 Million Deal For Urban Infrastructure Development

India took a significant step towards the development of high-quality urban infrastructure with the signing of a $400 million policy-based loan agreement with the Asian Development Bank (ADB). The agreement, aimed at improving service delivery and promoting efficient governance systems, underscores the nation's commitment to fostering planned and sustainable urbanization.India has taken a significant step towards the development of high-quality urban infrastructure with the signing of a $400 million policy-based loan agreement with the Asian Development Bank (ADB). The agreement, aimed at improving service delivery and promoting efficient governance systems, underscores the nation's commitment to fostering planned and sustainable urbanization.
The first sub-programme, approved in 2021 with a financing of $350 million, laid the foundation for national-level policies and guidelines. These policies are designed to enhance urban services, addressing critical aspects of urban planning and service delivery. The emphasis is on creating a framework that supports systemic reforms for better urban living.

Nov 13, 2023

India Sets Guinness World Record for Maximum Online Selfies under 'Meri Mati Mera Desh' Campaign

In what may appear as a major achievement for India, the country bagged the Guinness Book of World Records for the maximum number of online selfies under the Central government's 'Meri Mati Mera Desh' campaign by uploading selfies on social media.
Earlier, the Guinness Book of World Records for the maximum number of selfies was with China in 2016 with around 1 lakh selfies, and now Maharashtra's Savitaribai Phule Pune University (SPPU) has created the record of 10,42,538 selfies with soil.
Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde and Deputy CM Devendra Fadnavis took part in the Guinness Book of World Records Certificate awarding ceremony at Mumbai University as a part of the 'Meri Mati Mera Desh' initiative.

Government Appoints IAS Srikant Nagulapalli as Additional Secretary Ministry of Power

The Union Government appointed Srikant Nagulapalli, a senior IAS officer, as the Additional Secretary of the Ministry of Power. This crucial appointment comes as the Ministry of Power aims to strengthen its leadership team to tackle the myriad challenges facing the energy sector in India.
Srikant Nagulapalli, a 1998-batch IAS officer from the Andhra Pradesh cadre, brings a wealth of experience and expertise to his new role. He has previously held various key positions in both the state and central governments, making him a seasoned administrator in the domain of power and energy.

Nov 12, 2023

Senior Congress Leader Rameshwar Dadhich Part Ways with Ashok Gehlot, Joins BJP

In a significant blow to the Congress, a senior leader from Jodhpur, Rameshwar Dadhich, shifted allegiance to the Bharatiya Janata Party just before the 2023 Rajasthan Assembly Elections. Having a close association with Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot and hailing from the same district as the CM, Dadhich parted ways with the Congress after a 50-year-long association.

India and Netherlands Sign a Memorandum of Intent to Cooperate on Medical Product Regulation, and...

India and Netherlands signed a Memorandum of Intent (MoI) for cooperation on medical product regulation and enhance the quality of medical products and health care services for both countries, at Hague in Netherlands. The MoI was signed during the meeting between Union Minister of State for Chemicals and Fertilizers Bhagwant Khuba and Minister of Health, Welfare and Sports of Netherlands, Ernst Kuipers. An Indian delegation led by Khuba was in Netherlands and participated in the second World Local Production Forum (WLPF) meeting being held in the Hague.
The World Local Production Forum is a platform created at the initiative of WHO with the aim of increasing access to medicines and other health technologies.

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