General Awareness

NATIONAL AFFAIRS - August 2024

Aug 2024

Aug 02, 2024

Gujarat Unveils GRIT: A New Era in State-Level Policy Planning

In a significant move towards enhancing Gujarat's development trajectory, Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel announced the creation of the Gujarat State Institution for Transformation (GRIT), a state-level think tank modelled after the NITI Aayog. This announcement came during the NITI Aayog governing council meeting, chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, marking a new chapter in Gujarat's approach to policy formulation and implementation.

India, Vietnam Sign Several MoUs to Enhance Bilateral Ties

India and Vietnam adopted an action plan to expand their strategic ties with Prime Minister Narendra Modi vowing to work jointly for a rules-based Indo-Pacific and asserting that New Delhi supports development and not expansionism in remarks that came amid concerns over China's military posturing in the region.
The two sides signed six memorandums of understanding (MoUs) and finalised three other documents to broadbase cooperation in a range of areas following wide-ranging talks between PM Modi and Vietnamese Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh.
It was also decided that India will provide USD 300 million credit line to Vietnam primarily to strengthen the Southeast Asian nation's maritime security.
An agreement was sealed between the central banks of the two countries for rolling out digital payment connectivity.

Women Entrepreneurship Program Launched

In a pivotal move towards empowering women entrepreneurs and spurring economic growth, the National Skill Development Corporation (NSDC) unveiled the Women Entrepreneurship Program. This program is designed to address the distinct challenges that women face when starting and growing businesses.
In partnership with Britannia Industries Limited, the initiative will also offer financial grants and feature their products and services on the Skill India Digital Hub, reflecting a strong commitment to fostering an inclusive environment for women entrepreneurs. At the launch of this program, Atul Kumar Tiwari, Secretary, Ministry of Skill Development & Entrepreneurship said that it is our privilege that Britannia has partnered with us, focusing on women entrepreneurship.
This initiative aims to empower approximately 25 lakh women across India, providing them with the skills, knowledge, and resources needed to start and grow successful businesses.
The program has been launched with the introduction of complimentary self-learning basic entrepreneurship courses available in multiple languages on the Skill India Digital Hub (SIDH).

Aug 01, 2024

India to Host Third Global South Summit in August 2024

India will be hosting the third edition of the Global South Summit next month, around August 17. The summit, which will take place in virtual mode, will be chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi alongside the meetings at ministerial level. Currently, New Delhi is sending out invites, with sources in various global capitals confirming that they have received the invites.
The August 2024 edition of the summit will be the first such edition of the summit under Prime Minister Modi's third term in power.
Officially referred to as the 'Summit of the Global South', the first edition of the summit took place in January 2023 in the year of India's G20 presidency. India by hosting this summit plans to provide a platform for countries of the Global South to share their perspectives, challenges and priorities on a common platform.
The second edition of the summit took place in November 2023 after the New Delhi G20 leaders' summit in September.
The theme of the inaugural summit was 'Unity of Voice, Unity of Purpose', and the theme of the second summit was 'Together, for Everyone's Growth, with Everyone's Trust'.

C. P. Radhakrishnan Sworn in As Governor of Maharashtra

C. P. Radhakrishnan was sworn in as the Governor of Maharashtra.
He was administered the oath of office and secrecy by the Chief Justice of the Bombay High Court, Devendra Kumar Upadhyaya.
C. P. Radhakrishnan, the 21st Governor of Maharashtra since the state was formed in 1960, succeeded Ramesh Bais.
Chief Minister Eknath Shinde, Deputy Chief Ministers Devendra Fadnavis and Ajit Pawar, other ministers and senior officials were present at the function at Durbar Hall, Raj Bhavan.
C. P. Radhakrishnan served as Governor of Jharkhand for nearly one and a half years prior to his new appointment.
He also held additional charge as Governor of Telangana and lieutenant governor of Puducherry for brief periods.

Jiya Rai: 16-year-old with Autism Swims 34 km across English Channel, Breaks 150-year Record

A 16-year-old girl, Jiya Rai, who has autism spectrum disorder, achieved the remarkable feat of swimming across the 34 km wide English Channel in 17 hours and 25 minutes, making her the youngest and fastest para swimmer to do so solo. Jiya, daughter of Madan Rai, MC-at-Arms II in the Indian Navy, began her swim on July 28 from Abbotts Cliff in England and completed it in the early hours of July 29 at Pte De La Courte-Dune in France.
Her achievement is particularly significant as Jiya is the first girl with autism spectrum disorder to swim across the English Channel in its 150-year history.

Preeti Sudan New UPSC Chief

Preeti Sudan was appointed as the new Chairperson of the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC). Her appointment was sanctioned under Article 316A of the Indian Constitution and came in the wake of the resignation of ex-chairperson of UPSC, Manoj Soni.
Sudan, who has been a member of the UPSC since November 29, 2022, will serve as Chairperson until her retirement in April 2025, when she reaches the age of 65.
Preeti Sudan brings a wealth of experience to her new role, with approximately 37 years in government administration. Her tenure as Union Health Secretary spanned from 2017 to July 2020, during which she played a pivotal role in the national response to the COVID-19 pandemic, particularly in the final six months of her service.

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