General Awareness

NATIONAL AFFAIRS - May 2022

May 2022

Oct 18, 2023

Telangana Elections: BRS Betting Big on 'Rythu Bandhu' Scheme for Farmers

As the campaign for Telangana state assembly elections scheduled on November 30 gains momentum, the ruling party Bharat Rashtra Samithi (BRS) is counting on its 'Rythu Bandhu' investment support scheme for farmers to woo voters in the state.
BRS MLC and Chief Minister K Chandrasekhar Rao's daughter K. Kavitha said that the 'Rythu Bandhu', a first-of-its-kind scheme in the country, was appreciated even by the United Nations. It is historic that CM KCR announced increasing the benefit under the scheme incrementally up to Rs. 16,000 per acre in the BRS manifesto released before the state assembly elections, she said.
The scheme was started with Rs. 8,000 per acre. The party has promised the 'Soubhagyalakshmi scheme' to provide 3000 per month to all eligible poor women.

PM Modi to Inaugurate 17km Stretch of Delhi-Meerut Rapid Train

RapidX, India's first regional train service, is set to start on a 17-kilometre stretch from October 20. Prime Minister Narendra Modi will inaugurate the stretch on the Delhi-Ghaziabad-Meerut Regional Rapid Transit System (RRTS) in Ghaziabad. The entire 82-km-long corridor will be functional by 2025.
PM Modi laid the foundation stone of the RRTS project in March 2019. As part of the first phase, five stations, Sahibabad, Ghaziabad, Guldhar, Duhai and Duhai Depot, will be operational. The 17-kilometre stretch will reduce the travel time on the 20-kilometre stretch to 12 minutes from the current 35 minutes.
The RapidX trains will look similar to metro trains, but they are equipped with features such as luggage carriers, mini-screens, Wi-Fi and mobile and laptop charging facilities on board.
Once the entire 82-kilometre stretch is operational, the high-speed train will cover the distance between Delhi and Meerut in an hour.

India, UK Hold Inaugural '2+2' Foreign, Defence Dialogue

The inaugural India-UK '2+2' foreign and defence dialogue saw the two sides focusing on ways to boost cooperation in a range of key areas such as trade and investment, defence, critical technologies, civil aviation, health and energy.
At the senior official-level dialogue, the two sides also discussed international developments including in the Indo-Pacific region and considered the possibility of enhancing anti-terror collaboration, according to the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA).
The 2+2 dialogue at the senior official level is a mechanism to discuss and review all aspects of the India-UK comprehensive strategic partnership.
The dialogue took place as the two sides are exploring the possibility of a visit to India by British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak later this month.
The Indian delegation at the dialogue was co-chaired by Piyush Srivastava, Joint Secretary (Europe West) at the MEA and Vishwesh Negi, Joint Secretary (International Cooperation) at the defence ministry.
The UK delegation was co-chaired by Ben Mellor, India Director at the Indian Ocean Directorate in the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) and Lt General Rob Magowan, Deputy Chief of Defence Staff, Finance and Military Capability at the British Ministry of Defence.

Five Central Asian Nations to Join India-Iran-Russia Corridor

National Security Adviser Ajit Doval said that all five Central Asian countries (Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, Turkmenistan, Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan) will become a member of the India-Iran-Russia (International North-South Transport Corridor) corridor.
Inviting all Central Asian neighbours to fully utilise the Shaheed Bahesti terminal in Chabahar, Iran, operated by an Indian company, Doval at the second meeting of the India-Central Asia NSAs held in Kazakhstan solicited support for including the Chabahar Port within the framework of the International North-South Transport Corridor (INSTC).

Oct 17, 2023

Government Amends Aircraft Rules

Commercial pilot licences will now be valid for 10 years, with the government amending rules as part of efforts to further improve ease-of-doing business in the aviation sector.
Till now, the validity of commercial pilot licence (CPL) was for five years and after completion of that period, it had to be renewed.
The civil aviation ministry amended the Aircraft Rules, 1937.
Among various changes made, the validity of licences in relation to Airline Transport Pilot Licence (ATPL) and CPL holders was increased from five years to 10.
Besides, rules have been amended to address concerns related to the display of lights in the vicinity of an aerodrome.

Arindam Bagchi Appointed India's Ambassador to UN in Geneva

External Affairs Ministry spokesperson Arindam Bagchi was appointed India's permanent representative to the United Nations (UN) and other international organisations in Geneva. Bagchi, a 1995-batch Indian Foreign Service (IFS) official, took over as spokesperson of the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) in March 2020 and deftly handled a number of critical issues and developments including the eastern Ladakh border row, India's COVID-19 response and New Delhi's G20 presidency.
In Geneva, Bagchi would succeed Indra Mani Pandey who is set to return to New Delhi.
Earlier, Bagchi served as ambassador to Croatia and deputy High Commissioner to Sri Lanka.
He also had a stint in the Prime Minister's Office as a director as well as at India's permanent mission at the UN in New York.

MP: Yadvendra Singh Quits Congress

Congress leader and a former MLA from Nagod constituency of Madhya Pradesh's Satna, Yadvendra Singh, resigned from the party after being denied a ticket for the upcoming Assembly elections in the state.
He also attacked former Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister and senior Congress leader Kamal Nath, saying he would teach him a lesson.

PM Modi Inaugurates Third Edition of Global Maritime India Summit 2023

Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated the third edition of the Global Maritime India Summit 2023 via video conferencing. The summit is being from October 17 to 19 at MMRDA Grounds in Mumbai.
During the programme, Prime Minister unveiled 'Amrit Kaal Vision 2047', the long-term blueprint for the Indian maritime blue economy. The blueprint outlines strategic initiatives aimed at enhancing port facilities, promoting sustainable practices, and facilitating international collaboration. Prime Minister inaugurated, dedicated to the nation and laid the foundation stone of projects worth more than 23 thousand crore rupees that are aligned with the 'Amrit Kaal Vision 2047' for the Indian maritime blue economy.
As per the Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways, the summit will focus on key areas of the maritime sector with sessions and discussions around ports of the future; decarbonisation; coastal shipping & IWT; shipbuilding; repair and recycling; finance, insurance & arbitration; maritime clusters; innovation & technology; maritime safety and security; and maritime tourism, among others. The inaugural session was graced by Maharashtra CM Eknath Shinde and Goa CM Pramod Sawant. The session is also set to witness the participation of ministers from 12 countries, including Armenia, Bangladesh, Belarus, Comoros, Iran, Italy, Sri Lanka, Tanzania, Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan, Spain, and Nepal.

Vizhinjam Port Welcomes First-ever Ship

Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan welcomed the first ever ship at the Rs. 7,700 crore international deep-water port at Vizhinjam in Thiruvananthapuram, at an event which saw the Congress attribute credit for the project to late party stalwart Oommen Chandy.

Central Electricity Authority Celebrates Its 50th Foundation Day

The Central Electricity Authority, the organization under the Ministry of Power, Government of India, which provides technical and policy support to the government and to all other stakeholders in the power sector, celebrated its 50th Foundation Day.
Working towards the vision of ensuring reliable 24×7 power supply of adequate quality to all consumers in the country, the CEA has been at the forefront of the evolution of the power sector in India, with its pivotal role in planning and managing the country's electricity needs. Over the last five decades of its history, the Authority has consistently demonstrated its commitment to ensuring reliable and sustainable power supply to the nation.
The commemorative event was graced by the presence of R. K. Singh, India's Minister of Power and New & Renewable Energy.
As part of the celebration, Minister Singh unveiled a compendium compiled by the CEA, which encompasses the Electricity Rules notified by the Ministry of Power under the Electricity Act of 2003. This comprehensive reference guide is designed to assist stakeholders, policymakers, regulators, industry professionals, and the public in better understanding and navigating the framework of electricity rules underpinning India's power supply.

Oct 16, 2023

Govt. Completes Eastern Dedicated Freight Corridor

One of the key infrastructure projects which received a push from Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the 1,337-kilometre (km) Eastern Dedicated Freight Corridor (EDFC) from Punjab to Bihar, achieved completion ahead of the Lok Sabha elections. The project is now ready for commissioning, and operations on the full corridor are likely to begin on November 1, according to Dedicated Freight Corridor Corporation of India (DFCC) Managing Director R. K. Jain.
Thermal power plants in Uttar Pradesh, Punjab, Haryana, and partly Rajasthan will benefit from the corridor as it will cater largely to coal traffic.

Udaipur Set to Become India's First Wetland City

The Rajasthan government, in collaboration with the Environment and Forest Department, is making concerted efforts to elevate Udaipur, also known as the 'City of Lakes,' to international prominence by aiming to become India's first wetland city. As per reports, the city was chosen as a potential Ramsar Convention site of International Importance, a recognition coveted by wetland-rich regions around the globe.
The Ramsar Convention, officially known as the Ramsar Convention on Wetlands of International Importance Especially as Waterfowl Habitat, is a global treaty designed to protect and sustainably utilize wetlands of international importance.
Udaipur, with its striking natural beauty and ecological significance, is poised to fulfill all the requirements stipulated by the Ramsar Convention. Covering an area of 37 square kilometers, the city is graced by five major lakes – Pichola, Fateh Sagar, Rang Sagar, Swaroop Sagar, and Doodh Talai. These stunning bodies of water, collectively known as the 'City of Lakes,' have long been integral to Udaipur's identity and culture. They are not only picturesque but also essential to the city's ecology, supporting a diverse range of species and contributing to the region's biodiversity.

Oct 15, 2023

Union Cabinet Approves MoU between India, Papua New Guinea in Digital Solutions

The Memorandum of Understanding was approved between the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology of India and the Ministry of Information and Communications Technology of Papua New Guinea on cooperation in the field of sharing successful digital solutions.
The Union Cabinet chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, gave its approval to the Memorandum of Understanding which was signed between the two nations in July this year (2023).
The MoU intends to promote closer cooperation and exchange of experiences and digital technologies-based solutions (viz. INDIA STACK) in the implementation of digital transformational initiatives of both the country. The MoU shall come into effect from the date of signature of the parties and shall remain in force for a period of 3 years.

Union Cabinet Approves Setting up of 'Mera Yuva Bharat' Autonomous Body for Youth Development

The Union Cabinet, chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, approved establishment of an autonomous body, Mera Yuva Bharat (MY Bharat), to serve as an overarching enabling mechanism powered by technology for youth development and youth-led growth and to provide equitable access to them.
The primary objective of MY Bharat is to make it a holistic government platform for youth development. Under the new arrangement, with access to resources and connection to opportunities, MY Bharat will benefit the youth in the age-group of 15-29, in line with the definition of 'youth'. In case of programme components specifically meant for the adolescents, the beneficiaries will be in the age-group of 10-19.
The platform will create a centralised data base to engage with youth and ensure their empowerment in a rapidly changing world, which is greatly influenced by social media, new digital opportunities and emergent technologies under an overarching enabling mechanism.

Oct 14, 2023

Department of Animal Husbandry and Dairying Launch 'A-HELP' Programme in Jharkhand

The Department of Animal Husbandry and Dairying, Government of India, unveiled the 'A-HELP' (Accredited Agent for Health and Extension of Livestock Production) programme in the state of Jharkhand. The launch event, graced by dignitaries, shed light on the vital role that women play in the state's livestock sector and the potential of this new initiative to transform the landscape of animal husbandry.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi Inaugurate the 9th G20 Parliamentary Speakers' Summit (P20) in New D...

Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated the 9th G20 Parliamentary Speakers' Summit (P20) at Yashobhoomi, New Delhi. The summit was hosted by the Parliament of India under the broader framework of India's G20 Presidency.
In line with the theme of India's G20 Presidency, the theme of the 9th P20 Summit is 'Parliaments for One Earth, One Family, One Future'. The event was attended by Speakers of Parliaments of G20 members and invitee countries. The Pan-African Parliament took part in the P20 Summit for the first time after the African Union became a member of G20 at the New Delhi G20 Leaders' Summit in September 2023.
The thematic sessions during this P20 Summit focused on the following four subjects - Transformation in People's Lives through Public Digital Platforms, Women-led development, Accelerating SDGs and Sustainable Energy Transition.

Uttarakhand CM Launches App & Portal to Boost Self-Employment

The state government of Uttarakhand took a significant step towards empowering its youth by launching the 'Yuva Uttarakhand mobile application.' The primary objective of this innovative app is to provide valuable information about self-employment opportunities to the state's unemployed youth.
In addition to the 'Yuva Uttarakhand mobile application,' the Chief Minister also inaugurated the 'Prayag portal.' This portal is dedicated to providing job information and serves as a comprehensive resource for job-seeking youth in the state.

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