General Awareness

NATIONAL AFFAIRS - June 2023

Jun 2023

Dec 03, 2024

BJP Appoints Vijay Rupani, Nirmala Sitharaman as Central Observers for Maharashtra

The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) appointed former Gujarat Chief Minister Vijay Rupani and Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman as the party's Central Observers for Maharashtra.
Despite the Mahayuti alliance's landslide victory in the Maharashtra Assembly elections, over a week has passed without the announcement of the next Chief Minister.
Caretaker Chief Minister and Shiv Sena leader Eknath Shinde stated that the decision on the Chief Minister's post rests with the BJP, adding that he would fully support the chosen candidate.

'Mission Arun Himveer': Empowering Arunachal's Economy

The Government of Arunachal Pradesh launched Mission Arun Himveer to enhance market linkages for local agricultural and horticultural producers. In a significant move, the Arunachal Pradesh Agriculture Marketing Board (APAMB) signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP), North East Frontier, in the presence of Chief Minister Pema Khandu.
Objectives
Provide direct market access for local farmers, SHGs, Farmer Producer Organizations (FPOs), and cooperatives.
Foster economic growth in rural and border regions.
Solve employment challenges by promoting reverse migration to villages.
Support the Vibrant Village Programme by addressing the demand for agricultural and horticultural products in border areas.
ITBP will purchase fruits, vegetables, meat, and poultry directly from local farmers through APAMB.
Payments will be processed via a revolving fund of Rs. 4 crore, reimbursed after reconciliation by ITBP.
Farmers receive 100% of the funds from this initiative.

Chennai to Host World Maritime Conference 2024

The World Maritime Technology Conference (WMTC) is a premier global event held every three years under the auspices of the World Maritime Technology Congress. This prestigious gathering brings together industry leaders, professionals, and experts in maritime technology and allied sectors from across the globe. The 2024 edition of WMTC will be hosted in Chennai, India, from December 4-6, by the Institute of Marine Engineers (India) Chennai Branch.
Goals of the Conference
Facilitate knowledge sharing among global maritime professionals.
Showcase advancements in shipbuilding, port operations, and logistics.
Discuss challenges and opportunities in the maritime sector.
Strengthen international cooperation in maritime technology and sustainability.

Dec 02, 2024

Goodbye Yellow Taxis

In a city where time seems to slow down and nostalgia lingers at every street corner, Kolkata's iconic yellow taxis are more than just vehicles -- they are living symbols of the city's culture and spirit.
But now, over half of these iconic ambassadors of Kolkata are set to bid farewell, marking the end of an era that has painted the city's streets in hues of canary yellow for decades.
Once the lifeblood of Kolkata's bustling streets, the Hindustan Ambassador taxis -- lovingly called "yellow cabs" -- have been in decline for years. These sturdy vehicles, with their vintage charm and robust build, were once synonymous with reliability and Kolkata's vibrant character. However, the winds of change have not been kind.
More than 50 percent of the city's yellow taxi fleet will soon be retired. A combination of rising maintenance costs, stricter emission norms, and the surge in ride-hailing services like Uber and Ola has rendered these once-thriving vehicles economically unviable for many owners.

UP Declares Prayagraj's Maha Kumbh Area New District

Ahead of the upcoming Maha Kumbh Mela, the Yogi Adityanath-led Uttar Pradesh government declared the Maha Kumbh area in Prayagraj as a new district.
The decision, which led to the formation of the new Maha Kumbh Mela district, was made to streamline the management and administration of the upcoming Maha Kumbh Mela, ensuring smooth operations for the grand religious event scheduled for January 2025. The newly formed district will be known as Maha Kumbh Mela.
The upcoming Maha Kumbh held once every 12 years, is scheduled to begin on January 13 and conclude on February 26, 2025, in Prayagraj.
The Maha Kumbh is expected to be a milestone in the promotion of Indian culture.

India Secures $98 Million ADB Loan to Enhance Horticulture Health

India secured a $98 million loan from the Asian Development Bank (ADB) to enhance horticulture productivity by promoting plant health management. This initiative aligns with the Government of India's Atmanirbhar Clean Plant Programme (CPP) and aims to increase crop yields, improve quality, and build resilience against climate change.
The funding will focus on the establishment of disease-free planting material systems, which will benefit farmers through access to high-quality planting materials. The project will be overseen by the Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare, in partnership with the National Horticulture Board and Indian Council of Agricultural Research.
The loan agreement was signed by Juhi Mukherjee, Joint Secretary of the Ministry of Finance, and Kai Wei Yeo from ADB's India Mission.

Dec 01, 2024

Centre Receives 28 Proposals from 23 States for New City Development

The Union Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs received 28 proposals from 23 states for the development of new cities, as part of the central government's initiative to meet the growing demand for urban expansion. This marks a significant step in fulfilling the commitment made in February 2021 to develop eight new cities. The proposals are under scrutiny, with a focus on ensuring quality and adherence to eligibility criteria set by the 15th Finance Commission.
In line with the recommendations of the 15th Finance Commission, the central government has allocated Rs. 8,000 crore for the development of eight new cities across different states. Each city will receive Rs. 1,000 crore. States are eligible to propose only one city each, and the proposals are being reviewed by an expert committee formed for finalising bid parameters.

The 13th National Seed Congress in Varanasi

The 13th National Seed Congress (NSC) 2024, organised by the Ministry of Agriculture & Farmers' Welfare, was inaugurated by Union Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan via virtual address. The three-day event hosted at the International Rice Research Institute South Asia Regional Centre (ISARC), Varanasi, brought together over 700 delegates from various sectors. The Congress focused on innovation, collaboration, and actionable strategies to enhance the Indian and global seed sectors.

Three-Member Judicial Inquiry Commission to Probe Sambhal Violence

The Supreme Court ordered the trial court in Sambhal not to proceed with the mosque survey case till the Shahi Idgah committee of the Jama Masjid moves the High Court. The court also said that the report of the mosque survey should be kept in a sealed cover and not to be opened in the meantime.
Meanwhile, the Uttar Pradesh government formed a three-member judicial inquiry commission to investigate the November 24 violence in Uttar Pradesh's Sambhal, which killed four people during clashes over a court-ordered mosque survey in a Mughal-era mosque.
The panel is headed by Justice Devendra Kumar Arora, a retired judge of the Allahabad High Court. The other members include Amit Mohan Prasad, a retired IAS officer, and Arvind Kumar Jain, a retired IPS officer.
According to the government, the commission will investigate whether the violence in Sambhal was a planned conspiracy or a sudden incident. It will also investigate the role of people behind the clashes and submit a report in two months.

Nov 30, 2024

India and Bosnia & Herzegovina Strengthen Ties at 4th Foreign Office Consultations

India and Bosnia & Herzegovina held the 4th Foreign Office Consultations (FOC) in Sarajevo, Bosnia & Herzegovina led by Arun Kumar Sahu, Additional Secretary (Central Europe) from India, and Tarik Bukvic, Head of the Department for Asia and Africa from Bosnia. Discussions focused on strengthening bilateral political ties, trade and investment, scientific collaboration, cultural relations, and enhancing people-to-people connections through student and youth exchanges.
Both sides reviewed developments in their respective regions and addressed global issues, including multilateral cooperation through BRICS, the UN, EU, and NAM. The consultations are part of a broader effort to celebrate 30 years of diplomatic ties in 2025 and deepen multi-faceted relations.

Sanraksha App Launched for Enhancing Rail Passenger Safety

The Indian Railways launched the 'Sanraksha' mobile application aims to enhance the safety and security of passengers. It integrates advanced technology, including data analytics and potential AI applications, to train and build the capacity of railway staff while ensuring passenger safety. The app was launched after a successful pilot project in the Nagpur division, and it is being rolled out across various railway zones to create a more secure environment for travellers.

GST & Customs Pavilion Gets Bronze Medal for Excellence for the Public Communication and Outreach...

The GST and Customs Pavilion by the Central Board of Indirect Taxes and Customs (CBIC) was awarded the Bronze Medal for its exceptional contribution to Public Communication and Outreach at the India International Trade Fair (IITF) 2024. This recognition underscored the CBIC's Pavilion's unwavering commitment to promoting taxpayer awareness and ensuring seamless information dissemination.
The theme of "Facilitating Trade, Fostering Economy" focused on creating an interactive and informative experience for visitors. Fostering greater understanding of the Goods and Services Tax (GST) system and Customs procedures, the pavilion featured comprehensive exhibits and dynamic displays highlighting key aspects of India's Indirect tax ecosystem. For the first time, CBIC also adopted the Red Indian Panda as the official Mascot for the IITF-2024.

India Re-elected to UN Peacebuilding Commission

India was re-elected to the UN Peacebuilding Commission for 2025–2026.
India's current term on the Commission was expiring on December 31.
The Peacebuilding Commission is an intergovernmental advisory body that supports peace efforts in conflict-affected countries and is a key addition to the capacity of the International Community in the broad peace agenda, according to its website.
The PBC is composed of 31 Member States, elected from the General Assembly, the Security Council, and the Economic and Social Council. The top financial contributing countries and the top troop-contributing countries to the United Nations system are also members.
It was established in 2005 with the passage of both A/RES/60/180 and S/RES/1645. Sérgio França Danese (Brazil) is the incumbent chair of the PBC.

Nov 29, 2024

Digital India State Consultation Workshop Held in Lucknow

A Digital India State Consultation Workshop was organised by the National e-Governance Division (NeGD), Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) in collaboration with the Government of Uttar Pradesh and the Uttar Pradesh Development Systems Corporation Ltd. (UPDESCO) in Lucknow.
The workshop focused on various national initiatives launched by NeGD under the Government's flagship Digital India Programme such as DigiLocker, Entity Locker, API Setu, OpenForge, myScheme, UMANG, UX4G among others. Important verticals like Cyber Security and Capacity Building were also discussed. The State led discussions on CM Helpline (1076) & IGRS, UIDAI Ecosystem and Aadhaar Authentication Services.

India, Japan Begin First Talks on Economic Security and Trade

The first round of the India-Japan Dialogue on Economic Security, Strategic Trade, and Technology took place in Tokyo. This important meeting focused on enhancing collaboration between the two nations in areas like economic security, supply chain resilience, and the application of emerging technologies. The dialogue was co-chaired by Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri from India and Vice Minister Masataka Okano from Japan, and it marked a significant step in strengthening the India-Japan Special Strategic and Global Partnership.

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