General Awareness

NATIONAL AFFAIRS - August 2024

Aug 2024

Dec 05, 2024

Devendra Fadnavis Becomes Maharashtra CM for the Third Term

Devendra Fadnavis, a prominent leader of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), was unanimously elected as the leader of the Maharashtra BJP legislature party. This development paved the way for his swearing-in as the Chief Minister of Maharashtra for a record third term. Alongside him, Shiv Sena leader Eknath Shinde and Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) leader Ajit Pawar are set to assume the roles of Deputy Chief Ministers.
The BJP secured a monumental victory in the Maharashtra assembly elections held in November 2024.
BJP won 132 out of 288 assembly seats, its best-ever performance in the state.
The Mahayuti coalition, comprising BJP, Shiv Sena, and NCP, secured a dominant 230 seats out of 288, ensuring a strong majority in the assembly.

CII Hosts 9th International Conference on Waste to Worth

"Let us strive for a Green and Sustainable Viksit Bharat. Achieving zero waste and eco-friendly production demands skilled expertise in recycling technologies and sustainable product design," remarked Bhupender Yadav, Union Minister of Environment, Forest, and Climate Change, at the 9th International Conference on Waste to Worth, organised by the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) in New Delhi.
The conference aimed to address pressing waste management challenges through innovation, advanced technologies, and global collaboration.
Highlighting India's proactive policies, Yadav discussed the Plastic Waste Management Rules, Construction and Demolition Waste Management Rules, E-Waste Management Rules, and the Motor Vehicle Scrap Policy, all of which are designed to streamline waste management and promote environmentally conscious industrial practices.
The event also marked the release of the second edition of the National Circular Economy Framework (NCEF), which provides industries with actionable strategies to implement circular economy principles.

SheSTEM 2024: Empowering Youth-Led Innovation for a Sustainable Future

Atal Innovation Mission (AIM) and the Swedish Embassy, in collaboration with Nordic partners like Innovation Norway, Innovation Centre Denmark, and Business Finland, successfully concluded SheSTEM 2024. This initiative, aimed at inspiring young innovators, celebrated the contributions of women in STEM fields and invited students from grades 6–12 across India to present innovative ideas on Battery Technology and Energy Storage (BEST) systems. The event was part of the India-Nordic BEST project, designed to foster sustainability through advancements in energy storage technologies.
The SheSTEM 2024 challenge encouraged students to create prototypes or concepts for energy storage solutions, submitted in a two-minute video format. Over 1,000 submissions were received, reflecting India's youth's creativity and problem-solving skills. These ideas showcased the future leaders of science, technology, and sustainability.
More than just a competition, SheSTEM 2024 provided a platform for students to engage with critical STEM topics and contribute to global sustainability efforts. The event highlighted the importance of collaboration and teamwork, underscoring the power of collective innovation in addressing today's challenges.

The 16th GRIHA Summit 2024

The 16^th GRIHA Summit, the annual flagship event organised by GRIHA Council, was held in New Delhi, with a focus on the theme 'Accelerating Climate Action in the Built Environment.' The Summit brought together industry leaders, policymakers, and sustainability experts to explore innovative approaches for sustainable urban development and climate resilience in the construction and infrastructure sectors, addressing the challenges of climate change.
This year's (2024) theme underscores the critical role of transitioning the built environment towards sustainability as a cornerstone of effective climate action. As the 2030 deadline for global climate commitments nears and the 2050 target for decarbonising the building and construction sector looms large, the summit provides a platform to explore opportunities for climate-resilient development, breaking the cycle of rising heat, energy demand, and carbon emissions.

Dec 04, 2024

CII Partnership Summit 2024

External Affairs Minister (EAM) S. Jaishankar, during the 29^th CII Partnership Summit in New Delhi, met with many international ministers and leaders and engaged in talks about India's growth and potential partnerships on the global stage. Jaishankar also interacted with his cabinet colleague and Union Minister for Commerce and Industry, Piyush Goyal.
The 29^th CII Partnership Summit brought together 61 participating countries, 30 global speakers, and 11 international ministers. The summit aimed at fostering productive partnerships and global cooperation, ensuring a shared vision for a sustainable and prosperous future.
Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) organised 29^th CII Partnership Summit 2024. The CII Partnership Summit, held annually since 1995, has been regularly partnered by Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT), Ministry of Commerce and Industry, Government of India.

India's First Vertical Lift Rail Bridge

The New Pamban Bridge, India's first vertical lift railway sea bridge, is replacing the 105-year-old Pamban Bridge to enhance connectivity between the Indian mainland and Rameswaram in Tamil Nadu. This state-of-the-art bridge is a leap in railway infrastructure, designed for speed, safety, and modern train compatibility.
The 2.05 km long bridge, being built at a cost of Rs. 535 crore by RVNL, features a fully automated vertical lift span that provides 22 metres of air clearance for ships. It's designed to handle double tracks and supports high-speed trains. The original Pamban Bridge, constructed in 1914, was decommissioned in December 2022 due to corrosion, and the new bridge is set to replace it after several years of development.

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.

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