General Awareness

NATIONAL AFFAIRS - November 2018

Nov 2018

Feb 09, 2023

G20: Environment & Climate Sustainability Meet in Bengaluru

The first Environment and Climate Sustainability Working Group (ECSWG) Meeting, under India's year-long G20 presidency, is being held in Bengalurur from February 9 to 11.
Hosted by the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change, the conference is chaired by Secretary in the ministry, Leena Nandan.
With the goal of adopting an integrated, comprehensive and consensus-driven approach to tackling the challenges of climate change, several delegates from G20 countries along with representatives of international organisations are participating in this meeting.
India's G20 presidency aims to bring an integrated, comprehensive and consensus-driven approach to address climate change and pursue sustainable growth.

Centre Sets up Committee to Prepare Draft Digital Competition Law

The Centre ordered setting up a committee that will review whether existing antitrust laws in the country are equipped to deal with the challenges that have emerged from the digital economy, and submit to the government a draft Digital Competition Act within three months.
The move came amid increased regulatory antitrust-related scrutiny over big tech companies like Google, which last year was fined by the Competition Commission of India in two separate instances for allegedly abusing its market dominance in the Android mobile device ecosystem, and the app store market.
The committee will be headed by the Secretary of the Ministry of Corporate Affairs (MCA), and will include eight other members including the Chairperson of the Competition Commission of India. The joint secretary for competition at the MCA will join the committee as a member secretary.

PPAC Signs Statement of Intent (SOI) with IEA

Petroleum Planning and Analysis Cell (PPAC) signed a Statement of Intent (SoI) with International Energy Agency (IEA) to strengthen cooperation in the field of data and research and enhance global energy security, stability, and sustainability.
The SoI was signed in the presence of Union Minister of Petroleum and Natural Gas and Housing and Urban Affairs, Hardeep S. Puri on the sidelines of India Energy Week 2023.
The Statement of Intent will initiate the cooperation in the energy sector between PPAC and IEA with various areas of cooperation as specified. Further, the comprehensive datasets, reports, analysis will be made available for better analysis and interpretation.

DGGI, NFSU Sign MoU for Setting up Digital Forensic Laboratories

The Directorate General of GST Intelligence (DGGI) and the National Forensic Sciences University (NFSU) signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) for setting up digital forensic laboratories along with the exchange of information and knowledge, technological advancement and skill development in the field of digital forensics.
DGGI is the apex intelligence organization, under the Central Board of Indirect Taxes and Customs (CBIC), for the collection and dissemination of information and for taking necessary measures to check evasion of GST.
NFSU is an institution of national importance established to promote studies and research in forensic sciences and related fields.
It is the first and only institute in the field of forensic sciences. It has state-of-the-art technology in digital forensics and capabilities to study and analyze digital evidence.
The MoU will be a force multiplier for the DGGI in the field of investigation and digital forensics and will assist the agency in launching effective prosecutions and securing convictions of the guilty.

Feb 08, 2023

Canada, India to Focus on Trade, Security Ties

The strategic dialogue between Canada and India, which took place after a decade has set the tone for advancing the bilateral partnership in areas of security and growth as part of wider and growing cooperation between the governments.
Minister of External Affairs S. Jaishankar and his Canadian counterpart Mélanie Joly discussed strengthening the economic partnership between the two countries, advancing security cooperation, facilitating migration and mobility between the two countries, and growing strong people-to-people ties.
The ministers also discussed furthering Canada-India cooperation in the Indo-Pacific, following the announcement of Canada's Indo-Pacific strategy in November. Canada and India share a common vision for a free and open Indo-Pacific.

Rajnath Singh to Host Defence Ministers' Conclave at Aero India on Feb 14

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh will host the 'Defence Ministers' Conclave' on February 14, on the sidelines of 14th edition of Aero India in Bengaluru.
The biennial airshow would be held at the Air Force Station in Yelahanka from February 13-17.
The conclave will see participation of Defence Ministers of foreign friendly countries, who would also be attending the Aero India.
The conclave would address aspects related to deepening cooperation for capacity building (through investments, R&D, joint venture, co-development, co-production and provisioning of defence equipment), training, space, AI and maritime security to grow together with the broad theme Shared Prosperity through Enhanced Engagements in Defence' (SPEED).
According to officials, Aero India has carved a niche for itself globally as one of the premier aerospace exhibitions with 13 successful editions organised in Bengaluru since 1996.

NCS to be Primary Govt. Portal for Skilled and Unskilled Workers

The Centre decided that the National Career Service (NCS) portal, which brings together jobseekers, employers and trainers, will now be the primary government portal for both skilled and unskilled workers.
According to a document titled 'Implementation of Budget Announcements 2022-23', at a meeting under the joint chairmanship of skill and labour ministers in October 2022, it was also decided to subsume the Atmanirbhar Skilled Employee-Employer Mapping (ASEEM) portal under the Skill India portal.
The ASEEM portal acts as a directory that matches supply of the skilled workforce with the market demand. On the other hand, the Skill India portal accumulates the skills data of various central ministries, state governments, private training providers and corporates on a single platform.
The main objectives of NCS project are Enhancing career and employment opportunities, Counselling and guidance for career development, Enhancing quality of workforce and Focusing on inclusive growth initiatives

India Signs MoU with Indonesia-Malaysia-Thailand Growth Triangle Joint Business Council

The three days Working group meeting of G20 on energy transition concluded in Bengaluru. On the sidelines, India signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Indonesia-Malaysia-Thailand Growth Triangle Joint Business Council (IMT-GT JBC), Malaysia to further promote the adoption of energy efficiency and sustainable practices in the region.
Energy Efficiency Services Limited (EESL), a Public Sector Undertaking under the Ministry of Power, signed the (MoU) with the IMT-GT JBC Malaysia coinciding with the India Energy Week celebrations.

Agriculture Ministry Signs MoU with Digital Green

The Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare signed an MoU in New Delhi with Digital Green under a public-private partnership framework to build a national-level digital extension platform.
The platform will host a digital library of curated multi-format multi-lingual content, helping extension workers access. It will also deliver curated content to farmers on time and up skill the vast network of extension workers for agriculture, horticulture, fisheries, livestock and rural livelihood missions through certified online courses.
Ministry's secretary Manoj Ahuja said that the proposed national digital platform will help make an extension system more efficient and effective by connecting farmers to the strong foundation of the digital agriculture ecosystem that is being built by the government.

Feb 07, 2023

Yuva Sangam Registration Portal Launched

The Yuva Sangam registration portal was launched in New Delhi. The Yuva Sangam is an initiative of Prime Minister Narendra Modi to build close ties between the youth of the Northeast Region and rest of India under the spirit of Ek Bharat Shreshtha Bharat.
Under the initiative over 20 thousand youth will travel across the country and gain a unique opportunity of cross-cultural learning.
On this occasion, Minister of DoNER, Culture and Tourism G. Kishan Reddy said that the Yuva Sangam program will work to connect the youth of my Northeast with the whole country.
He added that the program is an opportunity for the youth of the North East to explore the country. Mr. Reddy stressed that this Wide Cultural Exchange Program will also give an opportunity to the country's youth to celebrate the ancient culture and natural diversity of India. He said that out of one thousand, 300 students will be from the North East region.
Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan, Law Minister Kiren Rijiju and other dignitaries also graced the event.

Balasaheb Thorat Resigns as Maharashtra Congress Legislature Party Chief

Maharashtra Congress leader Balasaheb Thorat resigned as the state legislature party head, a day after his letter to Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge over friction with state unit chief Nana Patole came out.
Thorat, who represents the Sangamner constituency in Ahmednagar district, has sent his resignation to the party high command.
Thorat is a staunch Congress loyalist and has earlier served as the party's state president apart from holding many key ministerial portfolios.

CAG's 6th SCO SAI Leaders' Meeting to Begin in Lucknow

The Comptroller and Auditor General of India (CAG) hosted the 6th Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) SAI Leaders' Meeting in Lucknow.
Comptroller and Auditor General of India, Girish Chandra Murmu led the discussions on the theme 'Integrating Emerging Technologies in Audit'.
The heads of the Supreme Audit Institutions (SAI) of SCO member countries participated in the meeting and the Governor of Uttar Pradesh inaugurated the event.
India currently holds the SCO presidency, which annually rotates among member countries. India's 2023 theme is 'Towards a SECURE SCO''.
The concept of SECURE stands for: 'S' for security for citizens, 'E' for economic development, 'C' for connectivity in the region, 'U' for unity, 'R' for respect of sovereignty and integrity, and 'E for environment protection.

Feb 06, 2023

India's G20 Presidency: Gujarat's Rann of Kutch to Host First Tourism Working Group Meet

As part of India's G20 presidency, Gujarat will host the first Tourism Working Group (TWG) meeting in the state's Rann of Kutch from February 7 to 9. Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel, Union Minister of Tourism G. Kishan Reddy and Union Minister of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying Parshottam Rupala will attend the event.
According to the government release, two more events are also planned under the TWG. Side Event-1, on February 7, will focus on Rural Tourism for Community Empowerment and Poverty Alleviation. Union Minister of Tourism G. Kishan Reddy will attend the event. Sandra Carvao, Chief, Tourism Market Intelligence and Competitiveness, UNWTO will share her insights.
Chief Minister and Union Minister Parshottam Rupala will inaugurate the TWG on 8th February 2023. It will be followed by working sessions on five issues, including green tourism, digitalization, skills, tourism MSMEs, and destination management.
On February 9, the international delegates and participants will have a Yoga session at the White Rann of Kutch followed by a visit to Dholavira, the UNESCO world heritage site of the Harappan civilization. Side Event -2 will focus on Promotion of Archaeological Tourism: Discovering Shared Cultural Heritage.

DA&FW, DIL Join Hands to Improve Food Security & Double Farmer's Income

Department of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare (DA&FW) under the Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare entered into a partnership with The Development Innovation Lab (DIL) at the University of Chicago to explore the opportunities to harness innovation to improve food security, address climate change, and allow farmers to increase their incomes.
The partnership will look into innovation opportunities related to agriculture and food security in the context of climate change, in the present scenario of experiencing a rise in extreme temperatures, floods, and droughts, as well as changes to the monsoon system.
DIL will assist DA&FW in its efforts to identify, develop, test, and refine innovations in these and other priority areas, to support India's small holder farmers.
The Development Innovation Lab (DIL) uses the tools of economics to develop innovations with the potential to benefit millions of people in low- and middle-income countries.

PM Modi Open India's Biggest Copter Production Unit

A new helicopter manufacturing factory of Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) was opened, which is India's largest such facility that will initially produce light utility helicopters (LUHs).
The HAL plans to produce more than 1,000 helicopters with varying load-carrying capacities, with a total business of over Rs. 4 lakh crore over the next 20 years. The HAL already has a plant in Bengaluru that produces advanced light helicopters (ALHs).
Prime Minister Narendra Modi dedicated to the nation the factory spread over 615 acres at Tumakuru, Karnataka. Defence Minister Rajnath Singh and senior officials of the Ministry of Defence will be among those present on the occasion.
The LUH is an indigenously designed and developed '3-ton class', single engine multipurpose utility helicopter with unique features of high manoeuvrability. Initially, the factory will produce around 30 helicopters per year, a count that can be enhanced to 60 and then 90 in a phased manner.

BJP Appoints New Sikkim Unit Chief, after Chauhan Quits

BJP appointed D. R. Thapa as its Sikkim unit president, weeks after his predecessor D. B. Chauhan quit alleging indifference from the central leadership towards the state organisation.
BJP national president J. P. Nadda also appointed N. K. Subba its legislative party leader
The BJP's move to put its house in order in Sikkim came as the party gears up for polls in the northeastern state next year.

Feb 05, 2023

India Welcomes Congo into International Solar Alliance

India welcomed Congo to International Solar Alliance. Ambassador of Republic of Congo, Raymond Serge Bale signed the International Solar Alliance Framework Agreement in the presence of Joint Secretary (Economic Diplomacy).
The International Solar Alliance (ISA) is an action-oriented, member-driven, collaborative platform for increased deployment of solar energy technologies. Its basic motive is to facilitate energy access, ensure energy security, and drive energy transition in its member countries. The ISA was conceived as a joint effort by India and France to mobilize efforts against climate change through deployment of solar energy solutions.
A total of 107 countries have signed the ISA Framework Agreement.
Out of 107 nations, 86 have signed and ratified the ISA Framework Agreement.

MP Government Changes the Name of Bhopal's Islam Nagar Village to 'Jagdishpur'

The Madhya Pradesh government announced that Islam Nagar village, situated in the Bhopal district, was renamed as Jagdishpur. The MP administration, in an official release, declared the changes and mentioned the change in the name with immediate effect.
According to several accounts, the name of Islam Nagar used to be Jagdishpur 308 years ago.
Bhoapl's Islam Nagar (now Jagdishpur) is famous for its fort and is a place of tourist interest.
I n February 2021, the CM Shivraj Singh Chouhan-led government had renamed Hoshangabad as Narmadapuram and Nasrullahganj was renamed as Bhairunda.

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