General Awareness

NATIONAL AFFAIRS - October 2018

Oct 2018

Nov 23, 2023

Rare Metal Tantalum Discovered in Punjab Soil

A groundbreaking discovery was made by a team of researchers from the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT), Ropar. Led by Dr. Resmi Sebastian, an assistant professor at the institute's Civil Engineering Department, the team identified the presence of tantalum, a rare metal, in the sand of the Sutlej River in Punjab.
Tantalum, with the atomic number 73, is a rare and remarkable metal. The metal is ductile in its pure form, allowing it to be stretched into thin wires without breaking. Notably, tantalum has an extremely high melting point, surpassed only by tungsten and rhenium.

Bihar Cabinet Passes Resolution Seeking Special Status

The Nitish Kumar Government in Bihar upped the ante on the Chief Minister's long-standing demand for grant of special status to the state with a resolution to the effect being passed by the cabinet.
The JD(U) leader, who is the state's longest-serving Chief Minister, also recounted that he had been raising the demand for special status since 2010 and rallies to press the demand were addressed by him in 2012 and a year later at the Ram Lila Maidan in Delhi.
Notably, Kumar, who had dumped the BJP last year (2022) and has emerged as a key figure of the opposition coalition INDIA, has been asserting that if the new formation formed the next government at the Centre, he would press for "special status to all backward states.

The 2nd CII India Nordic Baltic Business Conclave 2023

The 2nd edition of the CII India Nordic Baltic Business Conclave took place in New Delhi on November 22-23, 2023. This initiative, in collaboration with the MEA, GOI, aimed to foster collaboration between India and the Nordic Baltic Eight (NB8) countries, known for their prowess in innovation and technology.
The conclave was strategically designed and facilitated dialogue among diverse stakeholders. Its primary focus was on key sectors, providing a platform for discussions that can potentially lead to groundbreaking partnerships. The event also laid the groundwork for potential policy changes, fostering an environment conducive to impactful collaborations.
The NB8, comprising Denmark, Estonia, Finland, Iceland, Latvia, Lithuania, Norway, and Sweden, represents a formidable force in innovation and technology. This collaboration holds immense promise, especially given India's increasing emphasis on technology as a driver of economic growth.

Nov 22, 2023

Ghol Fish is State Fish of Gujarat

Ghol fish was declared the state fish of Gujarat by Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel during a two-day Global Fisheries Conference India 2023 in Ahmedabad. The event was attended by several dignitaries.
Ghol fish is one of the largest fish found in India. The fish is found in the marine areas of Gujarat and Maharashtra in a golden-brown colour.
The fish is valuable and is in demand because of its meat and air bladder. Ghol fish is used to make beer and wine and its air bladder is used in pharmaceuticals.

Centre Allocates Rs. 1,100 crore for Inland Waterways and Ayush Projects

In a significant move to enhance connectivity and infrastructure in the Northeast region, Union Minister Sarbananda Sonowal announced a substantial grant of over Rs. 1,100 crore for the development of 25 inland waterways projects. The focus is on expediting crucial projects and ensuring their completion by January 2024.
Out of the allocated funds, Rs. 850 crore was earmarked for Assam alone, supporting 15 key inland waterways projects. Minister Sonowal emphasised the importance of these projects for the state's development.
In addition to the inland waterways projects, Minister Sonowal shed light on the initiatives undertaken by the Ministry of Ayush in the Northeast region.

India, Australia Discuss Defence Ties at 2+2 Ministerial Dialogue

India and Australia held 2+2 Ministerial Dialogue to step up defence cooperation and deepen the strategic relationship in sectors such as critical minerals and trade and investment.
Defence Minister Rajnath Singh and External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar met Australian Deputy Prime Minister and Defence Minister Richard Marles and Foreign Minister Penny Wong as part of the second India-Australia 2+2 Ministerial Dialogue.
The ministers exchanged views on deepening multifaceted India-Australia ties, including in areas of defence and security, trade & investment, critical minerals, energy, climate change, S&T, space, education and people to people linkages.

Nov 21, 2023

Annual UN Forum 2023 in New Delhi

United Service Institution of India (USI), the country's oldest think-tank established in 1870 for research and debate on national security and military affairs, organised its Annual UN Forum 2023 in New Delhi. The forum on 'International Humanitarian Law and Peacekeeping' was organised in collaboration with the International Committee of the Red Cross and the Centre for UN Peacekeeping Operations.

Hate Speech: 28 States, UT Appointed Nodal Officers, Centre to SC

The central government informed the Supreme Court that 28 States and Union Territories have appointed nodal officers in compliance with its guidelines to prevent mob violence and lynching following hate speech incidents.
The Ministry of Home Affairs filed a status report on a batch of petitions seeking directions to prevent/curb hate speech.
Centre in its status report told the apex court that the States which informed that they have appointed nodal officers are -- Andhra Pradesh, Andaman and Nicobar Islands, Arunachal Pradesh, Assam, Chhattisgarh, Delhi, Goa, Haryana, Himachal Pradesh, Jammu & Kashmir, Jharkhand, Karnataka, Ladakh, Lakshadweep, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Manipur, Meghalaya, Mizoram, Odisha, Puducherry, Punjab, Rajasthan, Sikkim, Telangana, Tripura, Uttarakhand and Uttar Pradesh.

Nov 20, 2023

Two-day Global Fisheries Conference India 2023 Beings at Ahmedabad

Union Fisheries Minister Parshottam Rupala inaugurated the two-day Global Fisheries Conference India 2023 in Ahmedabad.
Under the theme 'Celebrating Fisheries and Aquaculture Wealth', the conference aimed to bring together key stakeholders on one platform for fruitful discussions, market insights and networking and serve as a platform to forge partnerships with national and international stakeholders and chalk out a roadmap for sustainable growth of India's fisheries sector.

Nov 19, 2023

International Conference on Plant Health Management 2023, in Hyderabad

The International Conference on Plant Health Management (ICPHM) 2023 took place in Hyderabad, India, from November 15 to 18. This significant event was organised by the Plant Protection Association of India (PPAI), an institution with a rich legacy of 50 years in advancing plant protection both nationally and internationally. The conference aimed to provide a platform for global collaboration in fostering innovation and sustainability in the field of Plant Health Management.
The primary objective of the ICPHM 2023 was to explore and capitalise on global opportunities in innovation and sustainability within the domains of research and entrepreneurship related to Plant Health Management. The conference aimed to bring together experts, researchers and stakeholders from around the world to discuss and deliberate on pressing issues and potential solutions in the field.
The Plant Protection Association of India (PPAI), established in 1972, has played a pivotal role in the realm of plant protection. The organisation commemorated its 50th anniversary in 2022.

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