General Awareness

NATIONAL AFFAIRS - May 2018

May 2018

Nov 09, 2024

Bengaluru Unveils First Digital Population Clock at ISEC

The Institute for Social and Economic Change's (ISEC) Population Research Centre launched a digital population clock and Census Data Research Workstation to provide real-time estimates of the population of Karnataka and India.
The clock is the first-of-its-kind in the region, jointly set up by ISEC and the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare (MoHFW), Government of India. Using an inbuilt satellite connection for precise timekeeping, the clock will update the estimated population every two seconds for India and every one minute and 10 seconds for Karnataka. The clock is stationed near the institute's main gate.
This initiative was inaugurated by Kal Singh, Director General (Statistics Division), and Rakesh Kumar Maurya, Deputy Director General (DDG, Statistics Division) of the Health Ministry, and Sukhadeo Thorat, Chairman, Board of Governors, ISEC.

Govt Reconstitutes Central Apprenticeship Council

In a move to enhance apprenticeship programs across India, the Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship (MSDE) restructured the Central Apprenticeship Council (CAC), tasked with reforming existing rules and promoting industry adoption of on-the-job training. This reconstituted council, with a three-year mandate, is designed to bolster apprenticeship opportunities and encourage workforce development.
The new CAC includes 54 members, representing industry associations, PSUs, state governments, and independent experts. This is an increase from the previous 46 members when the council was last constituted in March 2019. Notable among the expanded membership are six PSUs, including Bharat Heavy Electricals Limited (BHEL), Indian Oil Corporation (IOC), South Eastern Coalfields, Neyveli Lignite Corporation India Limited, Bharat Electronics Limited, and Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL). Major private-sector employers like TATA Group, Maruti Suzuki, Reliance Industries, Toyota, and the Indian Banks Association are also represented.
According to the MSDE notification, MSDE Minister Jayant Chaudhary will chair the new council, with Rajya Sabha MP Vikramjit Singh Sahney serving as the vice-chairman—a shift from the previous structure, where the Union Minister of State for MSDE held the vice-chairman position.

Hurun India Philanthropy List 2024, Check Top 10 Philanthropists

With a donation of Rs. 2,153 crore, HCL Technologies founder Shiv Nadar and family retained their position as the top donor in India on the EdelGive Hurun India Philanthropy List 2024. Their donations were primarily directed in the area of education. Following them among the top five donors are Mukesh Ambani and family, the Bajaj family, Kumar Mangalam Birla and family, and Gautam Adani and family. Together, these philanthropists contributed roughly 53 per cent, roughly Rs. 4,625 crore, of total contributions in India this year (2024).
The report, compiled by Hurun Research, also showed an increase in high-value donations, with 18 philanthropists donating over Rs. 100 crore each - up from only two in 2018.

Nov 08, 2024

Bihar's Sultanganj Station Gets New Name Ajgaibinath Dham

Sultanganj railway station in Bihar's Bhagalpur district is set to be renamed in honour of the revered Hindu shrine, Ajgaibinath Dham. The announcement was made by Bihar's Deputy Chief Minister and BJP leader, Samrat Choudhary. He revealed that the proposal to rename the station was approved by the municipal council of Bhagalpur.
The renaming of the railway station aims to enhance the importance of the shrine and promote tourism in the region.

MEA Confirms India as Headquarters for Biofuel Alliance

In a significant development for the renewable energy sector, India officially signed the Host Country Agreement (HCA) with the Global Biofuels Alliance (GBA), paving the way for the establishment of the Alliance's Secretariat in India. The agreement was signed by Dammu Ravi, Secretary (Economic Relations) from the Ministry of External Affairs, and Pankaj Jain, Secretary of the Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas, who is also the Interim Director General of the GBA.
The agreement enables the GBA to set up its Secretariat in India, staffed by a mix of Indian and international personnel.
This establishment will facilitate the GBA in achieving its goals related to biofuel promotion and development.
The GBA was launched on September 9, 2023, during India's G20 Presidency, initiated by the Indian Prime Minister and leaders from eight other countries.
Founding members include Argentina, Bangladesh, Brazil, Italy, Mauritius, Singapore, the UAE, and the USA.

First Integrated Check Post along India-Bhutan Opens in Assam

The first Integrated Check Post (ICP) along the India-Bhutan border was inaugurated at Darranga in Assam.
Assam Governor Lakshman Prasad Acharya inaugurated the ICP in presence of Prime Minister of Bhutan Dasho Tshering Tobgay.
ICP Darranga, sprawling across 14.5 acres and located about 700 metres from the India-Bhutan border, is equipped with state-of-the-art facilities including an office complex, parking areas, loading and unloading zones, a weighbridge, a warehouse, and residential quarters for officials.

$200 Million Deal Signed to Enhance Uttarakhand's Green Mobility and Urban Infrastructure

The Indian government signed a $200 million loan agreement with the Asian Development Bank (ADB) to enhance urban infrastructure and improve essential services in Uttarakhand. The initiative aims to modernise water supply systems, sanitation, urban mobility, and other key public amenities, thereby fostering sustainable development in the state.
During the loan agreement signing, Juhi Mukherjee, Joint Secretary of the Department of Economic Affairs, noted that the project aligns with India's urban development agenda and supports Uttarakhand's efforts to enhance urban services, aiming to improve livability and sustainability in cities.

Nov 07, 2024

Amit Shah Chairs 32nd Kendriya Hindi Samiti Meeting in New Delhi

Union Minister Amit Shah chaired the 32nd meeting of the 'Kendriya Hindi Samiti' in New Delhi.
It is the apex body responsible for providing guidelines for the promotion and development of Hindi in India.
Coordinates programs and policies implemented by various ministries and departments of the Government of India.
The Samiti's role is crucial in ensuring the progressive use of Hindi as the national language.

Congress Dissolves Entire Himachal Pradesh Unit along With District, and Block Units

Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge dissolved the entire Pradesh Congress Committee (PCC) unit in Himachal Pradesh along with the district and block units with immediate effect.
The move is seen as part of the Congress' plan to restructure the Himachal unit of the party. There has been no change in the PCC ever since the Congress formed its government in the hill state.
Outgoing president of Himachal Pradesh Congress Pratibha Singh already become a member of the Congress Working Committee (CWC), the highest decision-making body of the party. Singh, who is wife of former Chief Minister Virbhadra Singh, was appointed as state Congress chief in 2022.

MP Cabinet Approves 35% Job Reservation for Women in State Services

The Madhya Pradesh cabinet, led by Chief Minister Mohan Yadav, approved a 35 per cent reservation for women in all state government recruitment. The decision, made at a cabinet meeting held at Mantralaya, increases the previous quota of 33 per cent, marking a major step toward empowering women.
Deputy Chief Minister Rajendra Shukla highlighted the importance of this move, stating that it demonstrates the state's dedication to enhancing opportunities for women.

Nov 06, 2024

Meluri Becomes Nagaland's 17th District

The Nagaland government announced the creation of Meluri as the 17th district of the state. This upgrade from a sub-division to a full district marks administrative changes in the region. Meluri is notable for being predominantly inhabited by the Pochury Naga tribe. It also shares an international border with Myanmar.
It has become the fifth district to be created by the state government in the last three years.
In 2021, Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio-led People's Democratic Alliance government had created the Tseminyu district through bifurcation of Kohima district, Chümoukedima and Niuland districts by bifurcating Dimapur district, and later in 2022 created Shamator district carving it out of the eastern district of Tuensang.

Asian Buddhist Summit in New Delhi

The Ministry of Culture and the International Buddhist Confederation (IBC) hosted the first Asian Buddhist Summit (ABS) in New Delhi. The theme of the summit is 'Role of Buddha Dhamma in Strengthening Asia.'
The summit, brought together Sangha leaders, scholars, experts and practitioners from various Buddhist traditions across Asia and fostered dialogue, promoted understanding and addressed contemporary challenges faced by the Buddhist community. Buddhism holds a unique position in the spiritual and cultural history of India and pan-Asia.

Nov 05, 2024

Jaishankar Opens Indian Consulate in Brisbane

External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar formally inaugurated an Indian Consulate in Brisbane in Australia.
Apart from the High Commission at Canberra, the Australian capital, India has consulates at Melbourne, Sydney and Perth. The new one at Brisbane in Queensland will be the fourth.

Speaker Nominates Three MLAs as Panel Chairmen for J-K Assembly

The Speaker of the Legislative Assembly Abdul Rahim Rather named three legislators as panel chairmen for the ongoing session of Legislative Assembly (LA).
The three MLAs are Mubarak Gul of ruling National Conference, Muhammad Yousuf Tarigami (CPI-M), and Sujeet Singh Salathia as panel chairman for the Assembly.

The 16th Finance Commission Team in Nagaland on Three Day Visit

Members of the 16th Finance Commission arrived in Nagaland on a three-day visit.
The Finance Commission team comprising Chairman Arvind Panagriya and members Ajay Narayan Jha, Annie George Mathew and Manoj Panda was received at Dimapur Airport by Deputy Chief Minister Y. Patton and Chief Secretary J. Alam.
During the three-day stay, the Finance Commission team would hold a closed-door meeting with the chief minister.
Other than the funds provided to the state through Centrally Sponsored Schemes (CSS), the state government is likely to present to the Commission, demands for grants-in-aid for the next five years, amounting to nearly Rs. 1 trillion on various sectors.

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