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By admin: April 13, 2024

Siachen Day - 13 April

Tags: Important Days

Siachen Day is annually observed by the Indian Army on 13 April.

An Overview of the News

• It commemorates Operation Meghdoot, initiated on 13 April 1984.

• The day pays tribute to the courage and sacrifice of Indian Army soldiers stationed at the Siachen Glacier.

Location and Significance:

• Siachen Glacier, situated in the eastern Karakoram range in the Himalayas, forms part of the Union Territory (UT) Ladakh.

• It is recognized as the highest and coldest battlefield in the world.

• The area symbolizes India's strategic presence and territorial integrity in the region.

Operation Meghdoot:

• Operation Meghdoot was a significant military endeavor launched by India.

• Objective: Secure control of the entire Siachen Glacier, located in Jammu and Kashmir (now part of northern Ladakh).

• It marked India's proactive stance in response to escalating activities by Pakistan in the Ladakh region.

• The operation was pivotal in gaining Indian control over the entire Siachen Glacier.

Role of Indian Air Force (IAF):

• Integral to Operation Meghdoot was the participation of the Indian Air Force (IAF).

• Airlifting Troops: IAF helicopters played a crucial role in transporting Indian Army soldiers to the Siachen region.

• Support and Logistics: IAF provided essential support and logistics during the operation, facilitating troop deployment and sustenance in the challenging terrain.

UN DESA Report: $4.2 Trillion Investment Gap for Sustainable Development

Tags: Reports

On April 9, 2024, the United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs (UN DESA) issued the 9th edition of the 'Financing for Sustainable Development Report 2024 (FSDR 2024)'.

An Overview of the News

• The report, developed by the Inter-agency Task Force on Financing for Development, centers on the theme 'Financing for Development at a Crossroads'.

• An estimated USD 4.2 trillion in investments is now deemed necessary to address the development financing gap, compared to the pre-COVID-19 estimate of USD 2.5 trillion.

Significance of Economic Transitions:

• The report underscores the critical role of economic transitions in realizing Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), emphasizing the need for unprecedented investment levels.

Collaborative Production:

• 'FSDR 2024' is a collaborative endeavor involving the Inter-agency Task Force on Financing for Development (IATF), comprising various UN agencies and international organizations.

Debt Servicing Expenses for LDCs:

• Between 2023 and 2025, Least Developed Countries (LDCs) are projected to face debt servicing costs amounting to USD 40 billion, representing a notable increase of over 50% (USD 26 billion) from 2022.

About UN DESA:

• The head of UN DESA is the Under-Secretary-General (USG) for Economic and Social Affairs, currently held by Li Junhua.

• Its headquarters are situated in New York, United States (US), established in 1948.

NTPC Launches Latest Edition of GEM Initiative: Empowering Girls Across India

Tags: National News

NTPC Limited, formerly National Thermal Power Corporation, unveiled the latest edition of its flagship Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) initiative, the Girl Empowerment Mission (GEM), on April 9, 2024.

An Overview of the News

• The new phase of GEM will encompass approximately 3000 underprivileged children across 42 locations of NTPC, marking an expansion to benefit a total of 10,000 girls.

• This expansion aligns with the Government of India's "Beti Bachao, Beti Padhao" campaign, aiming to foster girl empowerment and combat gender inequality.

Program Progress:

• Since its inception, GEM has facilitated the empowerment of 7,424 girls, with a consistent increase in participation each year.

• In 2023, the initiative saw 2,707 girls engaging in workshops across 40 NTPC locations spanning 16 states in India.

Origins and Evolution:

• GEM originated as a pilot project in 2018, initially spanning three locations. Over the years, it has evolved into a nationwide endeavor.

• GEM aims to empower girls as agents of change, capable of influencing not only their own lives but also those of their families, communities, and the nation at large.

About NTPC Limited:

• NTPC Limited is a Central Public Sector Undertaking (CPSU) operating under the Ministry of Power.

• Recognized as a Maharatna company since 2010, NTPC is helmed by Gurdeep Singh, serving as Chairman & Managing Director.

• The company's headquarters are situated in New Delhi, Delhi, with its establishment dating back to 1975.

Moody's Report: India's GDP to Slide to 6.1% in 2024

Tags: Reports

Moody's Analytics report titled "APAC Outlook: Listening Through the Noise" forecasts India's GDP to decline to 6.1% in 2024 from the 7.7% growth observed in 2023.

An Overview of the News

• Output in India is noted to be 4% lower than it would have been without the COVID-19 pandemic and its aftermath, which includes supply disruptions and international conflicts.

• Economies in the South and Southeast (SE) Asia region are expected to experience robust output gains in 2024, although their performance is somewhat inflated due to delays in the post-pandemic rebound.

• The overall APAC region is projected to achieve a growth rate of 3.8% in 2024, while the global economy is expected to grow by 2.5%.

• China and India face greater uncertainty regarding inflation, according to the report.

• India's Consumer Price Index inflation rate, at around 5%, is close to the inflation target range of 2% to 6% set by the Reserve Bank of India (RBI), indicating no clear trend toward easing price pressures.

Gagandeep Kang becomes first Indian woman to win 2024 Canada Gairdner Global Health Award

Tags: Awards

On April 11, 2024, Gagandeep Kang, an Indian microbiologist and virologist, received the prestigious John Dirks Canada Gairdner Global Health Award from the Toronto-based Gairdner Foundation.

An Overview of the News

• Kang is the first Indian woman to be bestowed with this honor.

• Kang's recognition stemmed from her extensive cohort-based epidemiological, environmental, and clinical trial research on enteric diseases in children.

• Her work has had a significant impact on vaccine development and health policy in India and globally.

Background of Gagandeep Kang

• Kang serves as an adjunct professor at the Christian Medical College (CMC) in Vellore, Tamil Nadu.

• Additionally, she holds the position of Director of enteric diagnostics, genomics, and epidemiology at the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation.

• Kang's contributions include playing a pivotal role in the development and introduction of two Indian rotavirus vaccines, Rotavac and Rotasiil, into the National Immunisation Program.

John Dirks Canada Gairdner Global Health Award

• This award is presented annually to researchers who have utilized rational, scientifically based research to improve the health and well-being of populations facing health inequities globally.

About the Canada Gairdner Awards

• Established in 1957 with a donation from philanthropist James A. Gairdner, the Gairdner Foundation is a non-profit organization that acknowledges outstanding achievements in biomedical research worldwide.

• The Canada Gairdner Awards have been presented annually since 1957 by the Gairdner Foundation.

• Recipients of these awards receive CDN 100,000 each along with a medal.