General Awareness

NATIONAL AFFAIRS - November 2018

Nov 2018

Jul 07, 2022

Smriti Irani, J Scindia Get Additional Portfolios as 2 Ministers Resign

Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi and RCP Singh resigned from the Union Cabinet, after the completion of their Rajya Sabha term. Prime Minister Narendra Modi praised their contributions during their ministerial tenure.
President Ram Nath Kovind accepted their resignations and reassigned the Minority Affairs and Steel portfolios, which were held by Mr. Naqvi and Mr. Singh, respectively.
Women and Child Development Minister Smriti Irani was given the additional charge of the Ministry of Minority Affairs while Civil Aviation Minister Jyotiraditya Scindia was given the additional charge of the Ministry of Steel.

Western Railway Opens its Longest Skywalk

Western Railway opened its longest skywalk from Khar Road Railway Station to Bandra Terminus, offering passengers a comfortable walking option. The 314 m long and 4.4 m wide skywalk connecting Bandra Terminus to Khar Station was opened for the convenience of passengers. It would enable passengers to reach Bandra (T) directly by deboarding at Khar Station and taking south foot over bridge (FOB).
Earlier passengers travelling by suburban trains had to either get down at Bandra or Khar Railway Station to reach Bandra Terminus by walk.

In South India Push, P.T. Usha, Ilaiyaraaja Picked for Rajya Sabha

In a massive South India push, the government on Wednesday hand-picked legendary athlete P.T. Usha, celebrated composer Ilaiyaraaja, writer of top grossers RRR and Baahubali series K.V. Vijayendra Prasad and philanthropist Veerendra Heggade for presidential nomination to the Rajya Sabha.
The four nominees represent the four southern states of Kerala, Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh and Karnataka, respectively. Prime Minister Narendra Modi hailed the nominees as illustrious achievers in their respective fields.

For the First Time, No Congress Member in UP Legislative Council

For the first time in 135 years, the Uttar Pradesh Legislative Assembly does not have any Congress member. Deepak Singh, the only Congress member, retired. The Uttar Pradesh Legislative Council was constituted on January 5, 1887, and the first meeting was held on January 8, 1887, at Allahabad. Since then, the Congress has always had membership in the Upper House of Uttar Pradesh.

Jul 06, 2022

Australia Announces Commitment of A$5.8 Million for Critical Mineral Partnership with India

In one of the first ministerial visits to Australia since the Anthony Albanese government came to power, Minister for Coal and Mines Prahlad Joshi held talks with his Australian counterpart Madeleine King.
The Australian Minister confirmed that the country would commit A$5.8 million to the three-year India-Australia Critical Minerals Investment Partnership.
As the demand for electric vehicles grows in India, the government is exploring multiple destinations to meet the demand for critical minerals, which are primarily used in battery manufacturing. With the increased focus on clean energy technology, including electric vehicles, globally, Australia, the world's largest exporter of lithium, is expected to fulfil a substantial chunk of this ever-growing demand for critical minerals.

Ex-bureaucrats, Judges Decry Supreme Court's Remarks on Nupur Sharma

A group of former judges, bureaucrats and military veterans decried the observations made by two judges of the Supreme Court against suspended BJP spokesperson Nupur Sharma, saying the comments surpassed the "Laxman rekha" and amounted to virtual exoneration of the dastardliest beheading at Udaipur in broad daylight.
"By no stretch, these observations, which are not part of the judicial order, can be sanctified on the plank of judicial propriety and fairness. Such outrageous transgressions are without parallel in the annals of Judiciary.
One fails to understand why Nupur's case is treated at a different pedestal. Such an approach of the Supreme Court deserves no applause and impacts the very sanctity and honour of the highest court of land.

Odisha Tops State Ranking for Implementation of National Food Security Act

Odisha topped in the state ranking for implementation of the National Food Security Act (NFSA) through ration shops, followed by Uttar Pradesh and Andhra Pradesh.
Union Food and Consumer Affairs Minister Piyush Goyal released the 'State Ranking Index for NFSA' 2022 during a conference of state Food Ministers on food and nutrition security in India.
Among the special category states (the North Eastern states, Himalayan states, and the Island states), Tripura obtained the first rank. Himachal Pradesh and Sikkim were at the second and third positions.
The current version of the Index measures the effectiveness of NFSA implementation majorly through operations and initiatives under TPDS (Targeted Public Distribution System).

Six Indian States Sign Declaration of Intent to Combat Human Trafficking

Women and Child welfare representatives from six Indian States, Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, Kerala, Odisha, Tamil Nadu, and Telangana, signed an Inter-State Declaration of Intent to work in collaboration to combat trafficking in persons.
The first of its kind agreement focusses on joint efforts on intelligence gathering and sharing; legal and witness protection; and rehabilitation and care for survivors. The declaration concluded the two-day Regional Consultation to Combat Human Trafficking, which was hosted by Telangana government in collaboration with non-profits Prajwala and Shakti Vahini.

Jul 05, 2022

CM Eknath Shinde Wins Floor Test, NCP's Ajit Pawar Elected LoP

As new government of Chief Minister Eknath Shinde and Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis won the trust vote in Maharashtra Assembly, Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) leader and former deputy CM Ajit Pawar was selected as the Leader of the Opposition.
The Eknath Shinde-Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) government proved majority in the Assembly floor test and crossed the midway mark (144) after getting 164 votes in their favour.

CM Mann Expands Punjab Cabinet

Five AAP MLAs were inducted as ministers in the Punjab government as Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann expanded his cabinet.
It was the first cabinet expansion of the Mann-led government after AAP stormed to power in the state during the Assembly elections earlier this year.
Punjab Governor Banwarilal Purohit administered the oath of office and secrecy to the MLAs at Guru Nanak Dev Auditorium of Punjab Raj Bhawan.
The five AAP MLAs were Arora, Dr. Inderbir Singh Nijjar, Fauja Singh Sarari, Chetan Singh Jourmajra and Anmol Gagan Mann.
Anmol Gagan Mann is the second woman who became the cabinet minister in the Mann-led cabinet.

PM Narendra Modi Inaugurates Digital India Week 2022 at Gandhinagar

Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated Digital India Week 2022 in Gandhinagar, with the theme of 'Catalyzing New India's Techade', to transform the nation into a digitally empowered society and knowledge economy.
PM Modi launched 'Digital India Bhashini' that would enable Indians an easy access to the internet and digital services in vernacular languages, along with 'Digital India GENESIS' (Gen-next Support for Innovative Start-ups), a national deep-tech start-up platform. For both schemes, the total budget of Rs. 750 crore was envisaged.
The Prime Minister also dedicated 'MyScheme' to the citizens, which would provide access to government schemes at a single place.

Jul 04, 2022

Akhilesh Yadav Dissolves All Party Units after Twin Bypoll Losses in UP

Samajwadi Party president Akhilesh Yadav dissolved all party units, from national to district level, including executive committees, in the wake of the recent Lok Sabha bypoll losses in Rampur and Azamgarh.
The party's youth and women's wing also stand dissolved, setting the stage for a comprehensive overhaul. The party has, however, decided to continue with its Uttar Pradesh state unit chief Naresh Uttam.

Rahul Narwekar Elected As Assembly Speaker

BJP MLA Rahul Narwekar was elected as the Maharashtra Assembly Speaker with 164 votes. Shiv Sena legislator Rajan Salvi got 107 votes. The Eknath Shinde-led government will face the test of strength in the Assembly.
The post of Assembly Speaker was lying vacant since Nana Patole of Congress resigned in February 2021 to become his party's state unit president. Deputy Speaker Narhari Zirwal was officiating as acting Speaker in the meantime.

Doraiswami is India's Envoy to UK, Dalela May Move to Dhaka

Indian ambassador to Bangladesh Vikram Doraiswami is expected to take over as Indian envoy to United Kingdom. A 1992 batch Indian Foreign Service officer, Doraiswami is a Chinese speaker who served as Indian ambassador to Uzbekistan, South Korea and served in US as well as private secretary to Prime Minister.
Vikram Doraiswami would replace ambassador Gaitri Issar Kumar, who superannuated on June 30, 2022. The present Deputy Chief of Mission in US, Sudhakar Dalela, a 1993 batch IFS officer, is expected to replace Vikram in Dhaka.

India, Pakistan Exchange Lists of Prisoners and Fishermen

India and Pakistan exchanged lists of civilian prisoners and fishermen in each other's custody even as New Delhi called for the speedy release of 536 Indian fishermen and three civilian prisoners who have completed their prison terms.
Such lists are exchanged through diplomatic channels on January 1 and July 1 every year keeping with the provisions of the Agreement on Consular Access signed in May 2008.
India handed over lists of 309 Pakistani civilian prisoners and 95 fishermen in Indian custody. Pakistan shared lists of 49 civilian prisoners and 633 fishermen in its custody who are Indians or believed to be Indians.

Jul 03, 2022

NITI Aayog Report Forecasts 100 pc Electric Two-wheelers Penetration by FY27

A report put out by public policy think tank NITI Aayog and Technology Information, Forecasting and Assessment Council (TIFAC) optimistically forecasts 100 per cent penetration of electric two-wheelers in the Indian market by FY2026-27.
TIFAC is an autonomous organization set up in 1988 under the Department of Science & Technology to look ahead in the technology domain, assess the technology trajectories, and support innovation.
The report was titled 'Forecasting Penetration of Electric Two-Wheelers in India'. The report provided important insights into the required infrastructure, manufacturing capability, policies, and technology-development priorities in the sector.

Modi Virtually Inaugurates First Smart Campus of Bosch India in Bengaluru

Prime Minister Narendra Modi virtually inaugurated Bosch India's first smart campus in Bengaluru built at a cost of Rs. 800 crore.
This campus will take lead in developing futuristic products and solutions for India and for the world.
The new campus has the capacity to potentially house 10,000 associates.

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