DAILY CURRENT AFFAIRS

By admin: Sept. 12, 2024

Union Cabinet Approves Rs. 2,000 Crore 'Mission Mausam'

Tags: National News

The Union Cabinet, led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, has approved 'Mission Mausam' with a Rs. 2,000 crore budget for the next two years, to be spearheaded by the Ministry of Earth Sciences.

An Overview of the News

• Mission Mausam aims to significantly enhance India's weather and climate science, research, and services. 

• It is designed to improve resilience against extreme weather events and climate change impacts.

Key Components

• Advanced Technology Integration: Includes next-generation radars, satellite systems with advanced sensors, high-performance supercomputers, and AI/machine learning technologies.

• Enhanced Forecasting: Improved accuracy and timeliness of weather and climate information, including monsoon forecasts, air quality alerts, and extreme weather warnings.

Benefits

• Sectoral Impact: Direct benefits to agriculture, disaster management, defence, aviation, water resources, power, tourism, shipping, transport, energy, and health sectors.

• Data-Driven Decision Making: Enhancements in urban planning, transport, offshore operations, and environmental monitoring.

Implementation

• Primary Institutes: India Meteorological Department, Indian Institute of Tropical Meteorology, and National Centre for Medium-Range Weather Forecasting.

• Supporting Institutions: Includes Indian National Centre for Ocean Information Services, National Centre for Polar and Ocean Research, National Institute of Ocean Technology, along with national and international collaborations.

Cabinet Approves ₹5 Lakh Health Insurance for Senior Citizens Aged 70

Tags: Government Schemes

The Cabinet has approved a new health insurance scheme for senior citizens aged 70 years and above under the Ayushman Bharat PM Jan Arogya Yojana (AB PM-JAY).

An Overview of the News

• The scheme provides free treatment coverage of up to ₹5 lakh per year

• The scheme will benefit approximately 4.5 crore families and 6 crore senior citizens across the country.

• Senior citizens already covered under AB PM-JAY will receive an additional top-up cover of up to ₹5 lakh per year.

• Those not covered by AB PM-JAY will receive a cover of up to ₹5 lakh per year on a family basis.

Options for Existing Insured Individuals

• Senior citizens who are beneficiaries of other public health insurance schemes (e.g., Central Government Health Scheme, Ex-Servicemen Contributory Health Scheme) can choose to either continue with their existing scheme or switch to AB PM-JAY.

• Senior citizens with private health insurance or Employees’ State Insurance can also avail benefits under AB PM-JAY.

State Cabinet Approves Five Additional POCSO Fast-Track Courts in West Bengal

Tags: State News

West Bengal will establish five new POCSO fast-track courts, Bringing Total to 67. 

An Overview of the News

• The state currently has 62 POCSO courts and 6 e-POCSO courts.

• Minister of State (Independent Charge) Chandrima Bhattacharya announced the decision at a press conference.

• The Protection of Children from Sexual Offences Act, 2012 (POCSO) aims to ensure speedy justice for sexual offences against children.

• The proposal for the new courts was previously submitted by the judicial department and has now been approved by the state cabinet.

• After this addition, there will be a total of 67 POCSO fast-track courts and 6 e-POCSO courts in West Bengal.

About West Bengal

• Neighbouring Countries - Bangladesh borders it in the east, Nepal, and Bhutan in the north.

• Neighbouring States - Assam, Jharkhand, Bihar, Sikkim, and Odisha are joined by its border.

• Capital- Kolkata

• Governor- C. V. Ananda Bose

• Chief Minister- Mamata Banerjee

• Lok Sabha seats- 42

• Rajya Sabha seats- 16

Prasanthi Ram Wins 2024 Singapore Literature Prize for English Fiction

Tags: Awards

Prasanthi Ram, an Indian-origin lecturer at Nanyang Technological University, won the Singapore Literature Prize for English Fiction in 2024.

An Overview of the News

• Prasanthi Ram winning work, "Nine Yard Sarees," is a short story cycle published at the end of 2023.

• The collection traces generations of a Tamil Brahmin family across Singapore, Sydney, New York, and Connecticut.

• Prasanthi expressed surprise and humility at receiving the award, noting she wrote the collection while caring for her late father.

• The Straits Times hailed her debut as "one of the best in Singapore fiction."

• A three-member panel described her writing as "skilful, assured, comedic at times, and profoundly moving."

• The panel praised Prasanthi as a "clear-sighted and ruthlessly principled observer" and highlighted how her collection reveals "the damage women inflict on each other and the men in their families" with "remorseless precision."

Singapore Literature Prize:

• Purpose: Recognizes excellent published works by Singaporean authors in the four official languages: Chinese, English, Malay, or Tamil.

• Organizer: Singapore Book Council (SBC).

• Support: National Arts Council.

Other Winners:

• Poetry: "Yaamakkodangi" (2023) by Mathikumar Thayumanavan

• Fiction: "Cheenalakshumi" (2022) by Kanagalatha K

• Creative Nonfiction: "Appan" (2023) by Azhagunila

• Best Debut: "Kaatralalyll" (2023) by Tamilselvi Rajarajan

Maharashtra Adopts 'One Village, One Ganapati'Initiative for Unified Ganeshotsav

Tags: State News

The 'One Village, One Ganapati' initiative is being widely adopted across Maharashtra for this year's Ganeshotsav to promote unity and streamline celebrations.

An Overview of the News

• The festival was initiated by Lokmanya Bal Gangadhar Tilak to unite people and support India's independence.

• The 'One Village, One Ganapati' initiative is being embraced by numerous villages in Maharashtra, reflecting the festival's spirit of unity.

• In Palghar’s Urse, the initiative has been in place since 1973, uniting local communities with a single communal idol and creating a Dekhava to celebrate major events.

• The scheme is gaining traction in Hingoli (305 villages), Nashik (804 villages), Washim (225 villages), and Satara (571 villages), demonstrating a strong response to celebrating Ganpati Bappa together.

Nashik District

• In Nashik, 804 villages are participating in the initiative, maintaining the same number as last year.

• The local police, led by Additional SP Aditya Mirkhelkar, support this approach to prevent competition and foster social integration.

Kolhapur District

• Kolhapur has 289 villages following the 'One Village, One Ganpati' model.

• Superintendent of Police Mahendra Pandit emphasized strict arrangements and enforcement of High Court orders regarding sound levels.

About Maharashtra

• It is a state located in the western part of India and covers a significant part of the Deccan Plateau.

• Chief Minister -Eknath Shinde

• Governor - C. P. Radhakrishnan

• Official Animal - Indian giant squirrel

• Official Bird - Yellow-footed Green Pigeon

• Official Dance - Lavani

Additional Information:-

• President Droupadi Murmu inaugurated the Vishwashanti Buddha Vihara in Udgir, Latur district, Maharashtra.

• Sujata Saunik Appointed Maharashtra's First Woman Chief Secretary.

• Maharashtra becomes the first state in the country to approve Good Governance Regulations.

• Maharashtra was awarded Best Agriculture State for 2024 by the 15th Agriculture Leadership Awards Committee.

Switzerland Named World's Best Country for the Seventh Time

Tags: INDEX

The Best Countries Ranking by US News & World Report has been released for 2024. Switzerland continues to hold the crown as the best country in the world.

An Overview of the News

• The ranking is conducted in collaboration with the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania.

• The list is based on a survey of nearly 17,000 participants evaluating 89 countries worldwide. 

• Switzerland is one of the most developed and economically stable countries globally. 

• It boasts low unemployment rates and a high GDP per capita. The country’s financial sector is strong, with a secure and reliable banking system.

• Switzerland attracts global businesses and startups due to its innovation-driven economic policies.

The 10 best countries in the world for 2024:

• Switzerland, Japan, USA, Canada, Australia, Sweden, Germany, UK, New Zealand, and Denmark.

Switzerland

• Official Languages: Romansh, German, French, Italian

• Currency: Swiss Franc (CHF)

• President: Viola Amherd

• Vice President: Karin Keller-Sutter