General Awareness

NATIONAL AFFAIRS - May 2022

May 2022

Jul 27, 2023

PM Modi Opens International Exhibition-cum-Convention Centre, Names it Bharat Mandapam

Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated the International Exhibition-cum-Convention Centre (IECC) complex and unveiled its new name 'Bharat Mandapam'.
The revamped IECC complex was developed as a national project at a cost of about Rs. 2,700 crore and has a campus area of approximately 123 acres.
The inaugural ceremony was attended by around 3,000 guests including Cabinet ministers, captains of industry, film personalities and others.
The IECC complex is India's largest MICE (Meetings, Incentives, Conferences, and Exhibitions) destination. In terms of the covered space available for events, the complex finds its place among the top exhibition and convention complexes in the world.

Centre Moves SC Seeking Extension of Tenure for ED Chief S. K. Mishra

The Centre moved the Supreme Court to extend the tenure of Enforcement Directorate (ED) chief Sanjay Kumar Mishra, reported Bar and Bench.
Earlier this month (in July), a bench of Justices B. R. Gavai, Vikram Nath, and Sanjay Karol ordered Mishra to resign on July 31 - four months before his third extension expires in November. The court ruled that the two extensions granted to him in November 2021 and November 2022 were illegal.
Solicitor General Tushar Mehta urged a bench led by Gavai to urgently hear a petition for a revision of the judgement. The court agreed to hear the case.
Mishra was first appointed as the ED's director for a two-year term on November 19, 2018. The Bharatiya Janata Party-led Central government extended his tenure for a year in 2020.

National Conference on 'Moving Mental Health Beyond Institutions'

Minister of State for Health Bharati Pravin Pawar inaugurated a national conference on 'Moving Mental Health Beyond Institutions', in New Delhi. Chairperson of the National Human Rights Commission Justice Arun Mishra was also present on the occasion. The objective of the conference is to discuss the challenges in the implementation of the Mental Healthcare Act, 2017, and deliberate on the way forward on the resolution of mental health issues.
Pawar said that mental health is an integral part of our health as it affects all aspects of our lives. Underlining the importance of mental health, she stated that it is critically important to remove the stigma that prevents individuals from seeking the help that they need. She also said that under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, mental health has been given a lot of importance which is demonstrated by the passing of the landmark Mental Healthcare Act 2017.
The Commission has also worked on a book, 'Mental Health- Concern for All: In Context of the Mental Healthcare Act, 2017' and the same was released on this occasion. The book tries to incorporate significant aspects of mental health, such as the mental health of children, women, geriatric, LGBTQIA+, prison inmates; mental health and homelessness; disaster and mental health, among others. It also includes mental health policies and laws in India to make it serve the purpose of a reference book.

Jul 26, 2023

Jammu to Pioneer India's First Cannabis Medicine Project

Union Minister Jitendra Singh said that Jammu is going to pioneer India's first cannabis medicine project, stressing that the project undertaken by the CSIR-IIIM will produce export quality medicines meant for different kinds of neuropathies and diabetic pains.
The 'Cannabis Research Project' of CSIR-IIIM Jammu is a first-of-its-kind in the country in public-private partnership with a Canadian firm, which has a great potential to put substance of abuse for the good of mankind especially for patients suffering from neuropathies, cancer and epilepsy.
This project of CSIR-IIIM is also important from the perspective of 'Atmanirbhar Bharat' (self-reliant India) as after getting all the approvals, it will be able to produce export quality drugs meant for different kinds of neuropathies and diabetic pains.

Third and Final G-20 Disaster Risk Reduction Working Group Meeting Concludes in Chennai

The G20 Disaster Risk Reduction Working Group, under the Indian presidency, held its third and final meeting in Chennai from July 24 to 26.
This was the first time a dedicated working group on Disaster Risk Reduction (DRR) was constituted, signifying India's commitment to addressing global challenges posed by disasters and climate emergencies.
This meeting brought together G20 countries and their leadership, international organisations and knowledge partners to engage in drafting the communique encapsulating shared commitments and key recommendations regarding the working group's priority areas. These areas included the Global Coverage of Early Warning Systems, Disaster and Climate Resilient Infrastructure, Financing Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction, Disaster Response System, and the Ecosystem-based Approach to DRR.
The communique, endorsed by all, will serve as a seminal guiding document for G20 nations, underscoring the critical significance of disaster risk reduction. It will outline concrete actions to be undertaken at national and international levels.

Phangnon Konyak Becomes First Nagaland Woman MP to Preside over Rajya Sabha

S. Phangnon Konyak became the first woman member from Nagaland to preside over Rajya Sabha. The BJP leader broke another record last week when she became the first ever woman member of Rajya Sabha (RS) to be appointed to the panel of vice-chairpersons.
She also holds the title of being the first woman to be elected to RS from Nagaland and only the second woman from the northeastern state to be elected to either house of the Parliament or the state assembly.

India and Argentina Agree for Bilateral Exchange of Young Researchers and Start-ups in Biotechnol...

India and Argentina agreed to a bilateral exchange of young researchers and start-ups, particularly in the field of biotechnology and agriculture. Union Minister for Science and Technology Jitendra Singh said this in New Delhi after meeting a high-level delegation led by the Governor of Santa Fe province of Argentina, Omar Angel Perotti. Singh said that the two countries also decided to hold comprehensive talks between delegations comprising academia, research, and development institutes, and industry in the field of science and technology and biotechnology.
The Indian delegation evinced interest in collaborating in geospatial technology, quantum computation, and bio-enzymes. It was pointed out that India has the world's third largest start-up ecosystem and there is huge potential for joint studies and collaboration at various levels such as institutional, universities, and multilateral fora.
India is the 4th largest trading partner of Argentina, with bilateral trade touching a historic peak of 6.4 billion US dollar in the year 2022, recording a growth rate of 12 per cent over 2021.

Congress Move No-confidence Motion against Government in Lok Sabha

The Congress moves a motion of no-confidence against the government in Lok Sabha on the issue of governance failures in the state (Manipur).
Top party sources confirmed that the decision to give the notice to Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla was taken, and the entire opposition was on board.
The last motion of no-confidence against the Narendra Modi government was moved by the TDP in July 2018 on alleged discrimination against Andhra Pradesh.
The government had survived the motion.
Prime Minister Modi in February 2019 while speaking in Lok Sabha had predicted that the opposition would bring a no-confidence motion against him in 2023.
The opposition felt a no-confidence motion is its last resort to get PM Modi to speak in the House on Manipur and send a message of solidarity with the north-eastern state.

Jul 25, 2023

Fifth Helicopter & Small Aircraft Summit at Khajuraho, MP

The 5th Helicopter & Small Aircraft Summit was held at Khajuraho, Madhya Pradesh. The event was jointly organised by the Ministry of Civil Aviation, the Government of Madhya Pradesh, Pawan Hans Ltd., and the Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FICCI).
The Summit's theme, 'Reaching the Last Mile: Regional Connectivity through Helicopters & Small Aircraft', underscored its mission to explore ways to enhance India's transportation ecosystem by leveraging the potential of helicopters and small aircraft. The Summit was inaugurated by Shivraj Singh Chouhan, Chief Minister, Government of Madhya Pradesh, and Jyotiraditya M. Scindia, Union Minister of Civil Aviation & Steel.
One of the primary objectives of the Summit was to provide a common platform for industry stakeholders and policymakers to discuss the growth story of the Indian Helicopter and Small Aircraft industry. Helicopters and small aircrafts have emerged as critical players in improving accessibility, particularly in remote and hilly terrains. By facilitating smoother transportation, these aircrafts can connect regions that were previously inaccessible and contribute to the nation's overall development.

Naveen Patnaik Becomes 2nd Longest-Serving CM in Indian History

Odisha's Naveen Patnaik became the second longest-serving Chief Minister in the country, replacing West Bengal's Jyoti Basu.
Former Sikkim Chief Minister Pawan Kumar Chamling still holds the record of being the longest-serving Chief Minister in the country. He was the Chief Minister of the Himalayan state from December 12, 1994 till May 27, 2019 -- more than 24 years.
Patnaik, the five-time chief minister of Odisha, took charge on March 5, 2000, and holds the post for 23 years and 138 days.
Basu served as the Chief Minister of West Bengal from June 21, 1977 to November 5, 2000, which was 23 years and 137 days.

Jul 24, 2023

Admiral Lisa Franchetti Becomes First Woman to Lead US Navy

President Joe Biden chose Admiral Lisa Franchetti as the Navy's highest-ranking officer. If confirmed, she will make history as the first woman to hold this position in the Navy and the first woman to be part of the joint chiefs of staff.
Admiral Lisa Franchetti is currently the Vice Chief of Naval Operations. She has a background as a surface warfare officer with extensive experience in both operational and policy roles. Previously, she held positions as the Director for Strategy, Plans, and Policy for the Joint Chiefs of Staff and as the commander of the U.S. Sixth Fleet. Additionally, she served as commander of U.S. Naval Forces Korea, commander of Carrier Strike Group 9, and commander of Carrier Strike Group 15.

Nirmala Sitharaman Inaugurates GST Bhawan at Agartala

Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman inaugurated the 'GST Bhawan' in Agartala, Tripura's capital. The newly established office complex will serve as the headquarters for CGST, CX, and Customs for the Agartala, Guwahati Zone under CBIC. Situated at Mantri Bari Road, Agartala, the GST Bhawan is designed to offer quick and easy accessibility to all taxpayers in the region, with its proximity to the newly created Agartala Airport complex.
The establishment of the GST Bhawan marks a transformative step in tax administration in Agartala. Prior to its construction, the CGST Agartala Commissionerate operated from rented buildings.
Now, with a dedicated and state-of-the-art infrastructure, the office can efficiently serve taxpayers, providing them with improved services and convenience.

Congress Government in Chhattisgarh Survives No-trust Motion

The Bhupesh Baghel-led Congress government in Chhattisgarh survived a no-trust motion moved by the BJP on the last day of the Monsoon Session of the state assembly.
The no-confidence motion was defeated by voice vote in the state assembly.
While the Congress has 71 members in the 90-member assembly, the BJP has 13 MLAs in the House.

Global Food Regulators Summit 2023 Paves Way for Robust Food Safety

The first-ever Global Food Regulators Summit (GFRS) 2023 in the national capital (New Delhi) paved the way for a more robust food safety and regulatory ecosystem. This groundbreaking initiative garnered global acclaim for its potential to transform and strengthen the world's food safety systems. The discussion and outcomes of the sessions laid a strong foundation for collective action in tackling regulatory challenges and ensuring the well-being of consumers worldwide.
The first technical session of the summit focused on food regulatory systems in different countries, key strategies adopted by food regulators to mitigate various risks associated with foods, challenges faced by the regulators globally and the exchange of perspectives on strengthening food safety systems across the food value chain through a cohesive approach.

Tribal Belt in Gujarat Observe Bandh

A bandh was observed in the tribal belt of Gujarat in protest against the ethnic violence and atrocities on women in Manipur.
The opposition Congress supported the bandh in protest against the ruling BJP's failure to control the situation in the north-eastern state.
Several tribal outfits, including Adivasi Ekta Manch, came together for the shutdown in the tribal-dominated districts of Gujarat.

Jul 23, 2023

B. R. Sharma, Ex J&K Chief Secretary, Takes Oath as State Election Commissioner

Former Jammu and Kashmir chief secretary B. R. Sharma took oath as the State Election Commissioner of the Union Territory. Jammu and Kashmir Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha administered the oath of office to B. R. Sharma at the Raj Bhavan in Srinagar.
He succeeded K. K. Sharma.
A 1984-batch IAS officer hailing from Kathua district of the Jammu region, B R Sharma has served as the chief secretary of the erstwhile state of Jammu and Kashmir from 2015 to 2017.
He has also served as Additional Secretary in the Union Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA), as well as the Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) of Jammu and Kashmir.

Haryana Govt. Appoints Nodal Officials to Facilitate the MoR

The Haryana Government appointed nodal officials to facilitate the Ministry of Railways to ensure the timely implementation of PM Gati Shakti - National Master Plan for establishing goods sheds in every district of Haryana. A decision was taken at a meeting chaired by Chief Secretary Sanjeev Kaushal at Chandigarh today. Additional Deputy Commissioners and Executive Engineers of PWD (Building and Roads) will coordinate and supervise the smooth functioning of goods sheds within their respective districts. This strategic move is expected to significantly boost the State's economy, enhancing trade and logistics across the region.

Jagdeep Dhankhar Reconstitutes Rajya Sabha Panel of Vice-chairpersons

Rajya Sabha Chairman Jagdeep Dhankhar reconstituted the panel of vice-chairpersons of Parliament's Upper House with half of them being women.
Among the Rajya Sabha members who are the new vice-chairpersons are P. T. Usha, S. Phangnon Konyak, Fauzia Khan, Sulata Deo, V. Vijaysai Reddy, Ghanshyam Tiwari, L. Hanumanthaiah and Sukhendu Sekhar Ray.
As per Rajya Sabha rules, the chairman shall, from time to time, nominate from amongst the members of the Council a panel of not more than six vice-chairmen, one of whom may preside over the Council in the absence of the chairman and the deputy chairman when so requested by the chairman, or in his absence, by the deputy chairman.
This is the first time in the history of the Upper House that equal representation has been given to women members in the panel of vice-chairpersons.

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