Mines Ministry Launches National Geoscience Data Repository Portal
Ministry of Mines launched the National Geoscience Data Repository (NGDR) Portal in a ceremony in New Delhi. NGDR is a comprehensive online platform for accessing, sharing, and analysing geospatial information across the nation. The launch ceremony was graced by Union Minister of Coal, Mines and Parliamentary Affairs Pralhad Joshi in the presence of Raosaheb Patil Danve, Minister of State for Coal, Mines and Railways.
The NGDR initiative, spearheaded by the Geological Survey of India (GSI) and Bhaskarachaya Institute of Space Applications and Geoinformatics (BISAG-N), represents a significant leap forward in democratising critical geoscience data, empowering stakeholders across industries and academia with unprecedented access to invaluable resources.
The Geological Survey of India (GSI) was set up in 1851 primarily to find coal deposits for the Railways. Over the years, GSI has not only grown into a repository of geo-science information required in various fields in the country but has also attained the status of a geo-scientific organisation of international repute. Its main functions relate to creating and updating of national geoscientific information and mineral resource assessment. These objectives are achieved through ground surveys, air-borne and marine surveys, mineral prospecting and investigations, multi-disciplinary geoscientific, geo-technical, geo-environmental and natural hazards studies, glaciology, seismo-tectonic study and carrying out fundamental research.
Assam Government Unveils 'Ten Cities Development Concept' for Rapid Urban Growth
In a strategic move towards planned and rapid urban development, the Assam government initiated the 'Ten Cities Development Concept' (Doh Shaher, Ek Rupayan).
The ten cities identified for comprehensive development are Silchar, Dibrugarh, Nagaon, Bangaigaon, Biswanath Chariali, Karimganj, Tinsukia, Golaghat, Jorhat, Tezpur, Sibsagar, and North Lakhimpur.
The proposed improvements cover various domains, including the City Infrastructure Development Fund (CIDF), Urban Infrastructure Development Fund (UIDF), Atal Mission for Rejuvenation and Urban Transformation (AMRUT), Swachh Bharat Mission, and more.
Under CIDF, initiatives include the establishment of a Conference Hall, City Beautification, Open-air Theatre, Traffic Control System, Sports Complex, and enhancement of water bodies. UIDF focuses on the Convention Centre, Town Hall, Park cum Open Space, ISBT, and beautification of public areas.
Dec 19, 2023
PM Modi Inaugurates World's Largest Meditation Centre in Varanasi
Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated the world's largest meditation centre 'Swarved Mahamandir' in Varanasi.
Following the inauguration of the Swarved Mahamandir, Modi along with Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath took a tour of the centre that can seat 20,000 people at a time for meditation. Verses of the Swarveda have been carved upon the walls of the Mahamandir -- a seven-floor superstructure.
The foundation of the Mahamandir was laid in 2004 by Sadguru Acharya Swantantra Dev and Sant Pravar Vigyan Dev.
The temple is named after the Swarved, a spiritual text authored by Sadguru Sadafal Deoji Maharaj, an eternal yogi and the founder of Vihangam Yoga.
Hyderabad Leads in Food Adulteration Cases: NCRB
According to the data released by the National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB), Hyderabad topped the nation in food adulteration cases in 2022. In close second place was Andhra Pradesh, trailing after Telangana.
Among 19 major Indian cities, a total of 291 cases of adulterated food were reported, with a staggering 246 cases emerging from Hyderabad alone. This unsettling trend underscores a pressing concern for the city's food safety.
Dec 18, 2023
Manipur Cabinet Nod for Establishment of State Beverages Corporation
Manipur cabinet approved the establishment of the Manipur State Beverages Corporation Limited (MSBCL), signalling a significant shift in the state's alcohol policies.
This decision, made during the cabinet meeting, will legalise the production, sale, and consumption of alcohol in specific regions of the state, marking the end of over 30 years of prohibition in Manipur.
Under the purview of the Finance Minister, the MSBCL will operate with a board of directors comprising key secretaries responsible for diverse sectors like finance, home affairs, health, education, rural development, and municipal governance.
Piyush Goyal Releases the 'Logistics Ease Across Different State (LEADS) 2023'
Union Minister of Commerce & Industry, Consumer Affairs, Food & Public Distribution, and Textiles, Piyush Goyal released the 'Logistics Ease Across Different State (LEADS) 2023' report in New Delhi, in the presence of Sumita Dawra, Special Secretary (Logistics), DPIIT, Sajiv Puri, President-Designate of Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) & MD ITC, and Mihir Shah, Partner, Ernst & Young.
LEADS was conceived on the lines of Logistics Performance Index of World Bank in 2018 and has evolved over time. While the LPI relies entirely on perception-based surveys, LEADS incorporates both perception as well as objectivity thereby enhancing the robustness and comprehensiveness of this exercise.
The 5th edition of the LEADS annual exercise - LEADS 2023 report, provides insights into improvement of logistics performance at State/UT level. It highlighted an enhanced overall stakeholder perception and impact of various reforms, across States and UTs. This report, signalled a positive shift in States' performance across the key pillars – Logistics Infrastructure, Logistics Services and Operating and Regulatory Environment, empowers the State/UT Governments by providing region specific insights for informed decision making and comprehensive growth.
This report is based on a pan-India primary survey, conducted between May and July 2023, covering over 7,300 responses across 36 States/UTs. Additionally, over 750 stakeholder consultations, facilitated by National, Regional, and State Associations, significantly contributed to this comprehensive evaluation.
Ex-CM Raman Singh Files Nomination for Chhattisgarh Assembly Speaker's Post
Senior BJP MLA and former Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Raman Singh filed his nomination for the post of speaker of the newly-elected state legislative assembly.
Earlier in the day, senior BJP MLA Ramvichar Netam was sworn in as the pro-tem speaker by the governor ahead of the first session of the sixth assembly of Chhattisgarh.
Pro-tem speaker is a temporary speaker appointed for a limited period of time to conduct the business of the House in the absence of a regular speaker.
Congress Launches Crowd Funding Campaign to Generate Funds for 2024 Polls
The Congress launched of its nationwide 'Donate for Desh' crowd funding campaign for generating resources for the party ahead of the 2024 Lok Sabha elections.
The campaign was launched by Congress chief Mallikarjun Kharge in Delhi.
According to Congress General Secretary (Organisation) K. C. Venugopal and Treasurer Ajay Maken, Indians above the age of 18 can donate a minimum of Rs. 138 or in multiples such as Rs. 1,380, Rs. 13,800 and so on to the campaign.
Venugopal said that the initiative was inspired by Mahatma Gandhi's historic 'Tilak Swaraj Fund', which was launched more than a hundred years ago in 1920-21.
Jitu Patwari Replaces Kamal Nath as MP Congress Committee Chief
Congress national president Mallikarjun Kharge appointed Jitu Patwari as Madhya Pradesh Congress Committee chief with immediate effect. Patwari was inducted into the office, replacing outgoing PCC president Kamal Nath.
Patwari, who was an MLA from the Rau seat, also chaired the Madhya Pradesh Congress campaign committee. He won the election for the second time from Rau in 2018. Thereafter, Patwari was made the Minister of Higher Education, Youth and Sports Affairs in the Kamal Nath-led government.
Dec 17, 2023
Sultan of Oman's Maiden Visit to India
Oman Sultan Haitham bin Tarik's maiden three-day visit to India signalled a strong support to India from a West Asian power amid Arab-Israeli tensions over Gaza.
The Sultan arrived in India at the invitation of President Droupadi Murmu.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi and President Murmu received the Sultan at the Rashtrapati Bhawan. The sultan then inspected a Guard of Honour by the combined defence services.
India and Oman share a long-standing friendship rooted in historical, cultural, and economic ties. Furthermore, people-to-people contact between India and Oman can be traced back 5,000 years.
The diplomatic relations between the two countries were established in 1955 and were upgraded to a strategic partnership in 2008.
PM Modi Inaugurate Surat Diamond Bourse
Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated the newly-built Surat Diamond Bourse (SDB) building, the world's largest office complex, in Gujarat.
Built at a cost of approximately Rs. 3,500 crore, the building spans 67 lakh square feet of floor space and has the capacity to house nearly 4,500 diamond trading offices.
In August this year (2023), the building, which is part of the Diamond Research and Mercantile (DREAM) City, was recognised by the Guinness World Records as the largest office building in the world.
Apart from offices, the Diamond Bourse campus has facilities such as safe deposit vaults, conference halls, multipurpose halls, restaurants, banks, customs clearance house, convention centre, exhibition centres, training centres, entertainment areas, restaurants, and a club along with security plans.
Telangana to be Divided into Three Zones to Decentralise Development
Telangana Government announced its resolve to decentralise the development in the State. It has accordingly planned to divide the State into three zones with Hyderabad as the centre. One zone will be the city within the outer ring road, second will be the area between the Outer Ring Road (ORR) and the proposed Regional Ring Road (RRR) and the third zone would be covering the areas outside the regional ring road, Governor Tamilisai Soundararajan said.
Dec 16, 2023
Cabinet Okays Pact with US to Enhance Innovation Ecosystem
The Union Cabinet cleared a slew of pacts signed between India and nations such as the US, Saudi Arabia, Italy and Tanzania related to several key sectors like trade, electronic manufacturing and commerce.
The Cabinet approved the draft MoU between India and the US to enhance innovation ecosystems through an innovation handshake.
It would contribute significantly strengthening commercial opportunities in high tech sector.
Centre Launches New Car Programme for Safety Rating of Passenger Vehicles
The Ministry of Road Transport & Highways introduced the "Bharat New Car Assessment Programme (BNCAP)" for the safety rating of passenger cars. The ministry introduced the programme under rule 126E in CMVR (Central Motor Vehicles Rules), 1989.
The car assessment programme under this rule shall be applicable on the type approved vehicles of category M1, manufactured or imported in the country on or after October 1, 2023. Further, the BNCAP shall be a voluntary program monitored by the agency.
Under the new programme, the manufacturer or importer shall send the selected vehicles to the testing agency selected under sub-rule (4). The testing agency shall evaluate the vehicles in accordance with AIS-197 and submit the assessment report to the designated agency in FORM 70B.
Pune Surpasses China, Clinches Guinness World Record for Largest Reading Activity
In a momentous occasion for India, Pune etched its name in the prestigious 'Guinness World Record'books by hosting the largest reading activity in collaboration, surpassing China's previous record. In December 2023, at SP College, a remarkable total of 3,066 parents gathered to read aloud to their children, creating a magical atmosphere and leaving an indelible mark in history.
The previous record, held by China, stood at 2,884 simultaneous readers. The Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC), along with the Maharashtra government, Savitribai Phule Pune University (SPPU), National Book Trust (NBT), and Sir Parashurambhau (SP) College organised the event with the ambitious goal of setting a Guinness World Record.
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