General Awareness

NATIONAL AFFAIRS - June 2022

Jun 2022

Nov 01, 2023

Maharashtra Grants Kunbi Certificates to Marathas

The Maharashtra Government accepted the first report of a committee appointed to decide the procedure for granting Kunbi caste certificates to the Marathas in the Marathwada region. The process of the issuance of Kunbi certificates has begun.
Kunbi, a community associated with agriculture, is grouped under the OBC category and enjoys reservation benefits in education and government jobs.
These decisions by the government came amid activist Manoj Jarange's indefinite fast for quota for the Maratha community, and incidents of violence mainly in the Marathwada region.

Prime Minister Modi Launches 'Mera Yuva Bharat (MY Bharat)' Platform

The Prime Minister Narendra Modi launched 'Mera Yuva Bharat (MY Bharat)' platform for youth of the country, at Kartavya Path on the National Unity Day. In a momentous decision on October 11, 2023, the Union Cabinet, chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, gave its approval for the establishment of an autonomous body known as 'Mera Yuva Bharat (MY Bharat)'.
'Mera Yuva Bharat (MY Bharat)' is envisioned as a pivotal, technology-driven facilitator for youth development and youth-led development, with the overarching goal of providing equitable opportunities to empower the youth in realizing their aspirations and contributing to the creation of a 'Viksit Bharat' (developed India), across the entire spectrum of the Government.
The primary objective of Mera Yuva Bharat (MY Bharat) is to make it a whole of Government platform dedicated to the advancement of the youth. Its objectives include:
Leadership Development in the Youth
Improve the leadership skills through experiential learning by shifting from isolated physical interaction to programmatic skills
Investing in youth to make them social innovators, and leaders in the communities
Better alignment between the aspirations of the youth and the community needs
Enhanced efficiency through Convergence of existing programmes
Act as a one-stop shop for young people and Ministries
Create a centralized youth database
Improved two-way communication to connect youth government initiatives and activities of other stakeholder that engage with youth
Ensuring accessibility by creating a Phygital Ecosystem - a blend of physical and digital experiences

Oct 31, 2023

Norway to Support India's 'Hunger Project' in Uttarakhand

Norway embarked on a significant initiative to support India's 'Hunger Project' in Uttarakhand. This project aims to empower women leaders, enhance food security, and protect the environment, particularly in the ecologically sensitive region of Uttarakhand. With a budget of Rs. 44.7 million and a three-year duration until September 2026, this endeavour holds great promise for the marginalized households in the state.
The Hunger Project is primarily focused on building the capacity of elected women representatives (EWRs) and federations. These women play a vital role in strengthening local governance and, in turn, improving food security and livelihood opportunities for marginalized households. The project's emphasis on strengthening van panchayats, or forest councils, is key to achieving these objectives.
One of the main goals of the program is to enhance the leadership of women in gram panchayats, the local self-governing bodies. Empowered women leaders can play a pivotal role in conserving forests and natural resources, as well as promoting sustainable living and food security. Collaboration with van panchayats and the broader community, especially women, is a key strategy in this endeavor.

Union Finance Minister Launches Phase IV of 'Operation Sesha'

Union Minister for Finance and Corporate Affairs Nirmala Sitharaman presided over as Chief Guest at the inaugural session of the first ever three-day-long Global Conference on Cooperation in Enforcement Matters (GCCEM) in New Delhi.
The Union Finance Minister also launched phase IV of 'Operation Sesha' by Indian Customs in collaboration with RILO Asia-Pacific and RILO Middle-East to curb the illegal trade of timber including red sanders. Sitharaman stressed on curbing of illicit trade of red sanders with emphasis on preserving other precious flora and fauna.

Oct 30, 2023

Parliamentary Panel on Home Affairs Withholds Draft Report on Bills Replacing Criminal Laws

The Parliamentary Standing Committee on Home Affair postponed its adoption of a draft report on three Bills seeking to replace the existing criminal laws, after pressure from the Opposition seeking more time to examine it. According to sources, the English version of the draft report was circulated just last week and the Hindi version was sent to members of the Parliamentary panel, just hours before the adoption of the report was slated at meeting of the panel.
Congress MPs Adhir Ranjan Chowdhary and Digivijay Singh, along with Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam MP N. R. Elango — have so far filed dissent notes. They are demanding several changes in the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023 that will replace the Indian Penal Code, and the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023 that will replace the Criminal Procedure Code (CrPC). More dissent notes are expected to follow.
The panel's draft report accepted a host of suggestions on the Bharatiya Sakshya, 2023 that is meant to replace the Indian Evidence Act; there is unanimity on that portion of the draft report.

India, EU Review FTA Negotiation Progress

Union Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal discussed progress in India-EU Free Trade Agreement negotiations with European Commission's Executive Vice-President Valdis Dombrovskis in Japan as an invitee for the G7 Trade Ministers' Meeting in Osaka.

Mumbai's Iconic 'Kaali-peeli' Taxis Take their Final Ride

The iconic black-and-yellow 'Premier Padmini' taxis, affectionately referred to as 'kaali-peeli,' took their final bow on the bustling streets of Mumbai.
These taxis have been an integral part of Mumbai's identity for several decades and were recently retired, following the phasing out of the city's iconic red double-decker diesel buses operated by the BEST (Brihanmumbai Electric Supply and Transport) undertaking.
The last Premier Padmini taxi to be officially registered as a black-and-yellow taxi in Mumbai was noted on October 29, 2003, at the Tardeo RTO, responsible for the island city of Mumbai. This marked the beginning of the end for Premier Padmini taxis in Mumbai since the city's cab age limit is 20 years.

Oct 29, 2023

IFS Officer Vani Sarraju Rao New Indian Ambassador to Italy

Senior diplomat Vani Sarraju Rao was appointed as India's new ambassador to Italy.
Rao, who is a 1994-batch Indian Foreign Service (IFS) officer, succeeded Neena Malhotra.
Rao served as an Additional Secretary in the MEA.

India to Issue Visas to Canadians but Not under These Four Categories

In what comes as the first sign of a thaw between Canada and India following weeks of tensions over the Khalistan issue, India resumed visa services for Canadians.
The Indian embassy in Ottawa started processing business, medical and conference visas.
Emergency services will continue to be handled by the Indian High Commission and the consulates in Toronto and Vancouver.
However, it mentioned that visa services won't be available for the following purposes: Tourism, Studies (For students), Employment and Cinema.
The embassy added that these services would be dealt with as the circumstances dictate.

India May Host QUAD Leaders' Summit around Republic Day Next Year (2024)

India is expected to host the Quad Leaders' Summit around Republic Day next year (2024), depending on the availability of Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese.
The Quad consists of four nations, viz, Australia, India, Japan, and the United States.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi had previously announced India's intention to host the Quad summit in 2024. The Quad is a significant grouping formed in 2017, with its member nations emphasising that it is not a military alliance.

J&K Gets a New Police Chief

R. R. Swain, an AGMUT cadre IPS officer of 1991 batch, is set to take charge as Director General of Police, Jammu & Kashmir, from November 1.
Swain will succeed DGP Dilbag Singh, who retires October 31.
After taking over as intelligence chief in June 2020 following his repatriation to the Union Territory after 15 years of central deputation, Swain has been instrumental in destroying the terror ecosystem by initiating stern action against militant sympathisers and their over-ground workers, as well as their channels of funding.
As head of the intelligence wing of the UT police, he became the first ex-officio Director of the State Investigation Agency (SIA), which was constituted by the J&K government in November 2021 to coordinate with the National Investigation Agency and other central agencies for speedy and effective investigation and prosecution of terror-related cases.

Oct 28, 2023

PM Modi Inaugurates the 7th Edition of Indian Mobile Congress (IMC) in New Delhi

Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated the 7th edition of the India Mobile Congress (IMC) at Bharat Mandapam, Pragati Maidan, New Delhi. This prestigious event brought together leading figures from the telecommunications industry to showcase cutting-edge technologies, discuss vital issues, and promote innovation.
Under the theme 'Global Digital Innovation,' IMC 2023 aims to reinforce India's position as a developer, manufacturer, and exporter of cutting-edge technologies. This includes 5G, 6G, Artificial Intelligence (AI), and critical discussions on issues related to the semiconductor industry, green technology, and cybersecurity.
This year (2023), IMC introduces a start-up program called 'Aspire' to facilitate connections between start-ups, investors, and established businesses. The program promotes fresh entrepreneurial initiatives and collaborations, fostering an environment of innovation and growth.

India to Host UN Forum on Forests to Deliberate on Forest Fires and Certification

The Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change held a Country-Led Initiative (CLI) event as part of the United Nations Forum on Forests (UNFF) from 26-28 October, 2023 at the Forest Research Institute (FRI), Dehradun, Uttarakhand.
More than 80 delegates participated from over 40 countries and 20 international organizations, both in person and online.
The Country Led Initiative (CLI) of UNFF focuses on two thematic areas -- forest fires and best practices on its prevention and restoration in fire- affected areas, and forest certification and sustainable forest management.
The United Nations Forum on Forests promotes the management, conservation, and sustainable development of all types of forests. India holds the distinction of being a founding member of UNFF.
The UN General Assembly adopted the first-ever UN Strategic Plan for Forests for the period of 2017-2030. This Strategic Plan serves as a global framework for actions at all levels to achieve the sustainable management of all types of forests, including trees outside forests, and to combat deforestation and forest degradation.
The meeting is expected to come out with implementable frameworks and recommendations for management of forest fire and forest certification leading towards Sustainable Forest Management, which will be considered for discussions at the 19th session of UNFF scheduled at UN Headquarters, New York in May 2024.

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