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By admin: Sept. 15, 2023

International Democracy Day - 15 September

Tags: Important Days

International Democracy Day is celebrated every year on 15 September. 

An Overview of the News

• International Democracy Day emphasizes the importance of democracy, considering it not only a fundamental human right but also a vital element in promoting good governance and peace.

• The day reminds us of the important role of democracy in shaping societies globally.

• In 2023, the theme of International Democracy Day focuses on "Empowering the Next Generation", highlighting the important contribution of young individuals in promoting democracy.

• Acknowledging and promoting youth participation in democratic processes is a fundamental element for safeguarding the future of democracy.

History of International Democracy Day:-

• It has its origins in the Universal Declaration on Democracy, which was adopted by the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU) on September 15, 1997.

• The IPU is an international organization consisting of national parliaments around the world.

• Qatar took a leading role in advocating the establishment of International Democracy Day following the adoption of the Universal Declaration on Democracy.

• On November 8, 2007, the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) took an important step by unanimously adopting a resolution entitled "Support by the United Nations System of Governments' Efforts to Promote and Consolidate New or Restored Democracies". This resolution formalized the International Day of Democracy.

About Democracy

• It is a term that originates from the Greek words 'demos', which refers to a citizen of a city-state, and 'kratos', which refers to the concept of power or government.

• Democracy is considered a fundamental value within the United Nations. It is built on key principles, including:

  • Respect for human rights: Democracy involves a commitment to upholding the rights of individuals.

  • Fundamental Freedom: It involves the protection of basic freedoms.

  • Periodic and genuine elections: Democracy involves the practice of holding honest and legitimate elections on a regular basis.

  • Universal suffrage: Ensures that all eligible citizens have the right to vote.

• Democracy is a system that gives citizens the right to choose their leaders.

• It encourages active participation of citizens in the processes that determine decisions affecting their lives.

CM Bhagwant Singh Mann laid the foundation stone of Saragarhi Memorial in Firozpur, Punjab

Tags: State News

Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann laid the foundation stone of Saragarhi Memorial at a formal ceremony in Firozpur, Punjab.

An Overview of the News

• The Saragarhi Memorial is dedicated in honor of the brave Sikh warriors who sacrificed their lives during the Battle of Saragarhi.

• The memorial is planned to be a state-of-the-art memorial and is expected to be completed within six months.

Historical Battle of Saragarhi:

• The Battle of Saragarhi took place on September 12, 1897, near Samana Ridge (Pakistan), in which 21 soldiers of the 36 Sikh Regiment bravely defended their post against about 10,000 Afghan attackers.

• He chose to fight to the death rather than surrender, making this an important chapter in military history.

Firozpur as a tourist centre:

• Chief Minister Mann's vision includes transforming Ferozepur district into a major tourist destination in the state.

• The district hosts not only the Saragarhi Memorial but also the Hussainiwala Memorial, where famous freedom fighters Shaheed Bhagat Singh, Shaheed Sukhdev and Shaheed Rajguru were martyred.

• It aims to showcase these historically important sites to attract tourists from across the world, highlighting the rich heritage and sacrifices made by Indian heroes.

Actress Mita Vashishtha appointed Chair of Haryana Entertainment Policy Council

Tags: Person in news

Haryana Government appointed Mita Vashishtha as the Chair of Entertainment Policy Council.

An Overview of the News

• Mita Vashishtha will lead the Governing Council for Haryana Film and Entertainment Policy.

• Her appointment comes after the death of previous president Satish Kaushik.

• Mita Vashishtha is a native of Pune and has had a long and illustrious career in the Indian entertainment industry.

• Her career spans several decades and includes various entertainment mediums including cinema, television, theater and more.

• She has an extensive portfolio, which includes 43 films, several television serials, web series and theater productions.

• She has served as visiting faculty in prestigious institutes such as National School of Drama (NSD), National Institute of Fashion Technology (NIFT), National Institute of Design (NID), and Film and Television Institute of India (FTII). ,

Haryana Film and Entertainment Policy:-

• Haryana Film and Entertainment Policy is overseen by a Governing Council, which consists of a wide variety of individuals.

• The Council comprises key members such as the Administrative Secretary of the Department of Tourism and the Administrative Secretary of the Department of Art and Cultural Affairs.

• It also includes the Vice Chancellor of Rohtak-based State University of Performing and Visual Arts.

• The Council benefits from the insights of the Chief Minister's Media Advisor.

• Apart from these official members, seven non-official nominees appointed by the State Government will also participate in the activities of the Council.

RITES Limited awarded with Safety Innovation Award 2023

Tags: Awards

Rail India Technical and Economic Service (RITES) Limited has received the 'Safety Innovation Award 2023' in the 'Construction' category.

An Overview of the News

• The award was given for the implementation of 'Innovative Safety Management System' in RITES operations.

• The award was presented by The Institution of Engineers (India) during the 20th Safety Conference at Hotel Le Meridien, New Delhi.

• RITES is a multi-sector company that consistently prioritizes safety at its workplaces.

RITES LTD:-

• Previous Name: Rail India Technical and Economic Service Limited

• Category: Miniratna (Category - I) Schedule 'A' Public Sector Enterprises

• Expertise: Specializing in transportation consultancy and engineering services in India.

• Global presence: Has implemented projects in 55 countries in Asia, Africa, Latin America, South America and the Middle East.

• Current Chairman and MD: Rahul Mithal

• Headquarters: Gurugram, India

• Established: 1974

Renowned army ophthalmologist Brigadier Sanjay Kumar Mishra awarded the Dr. AM Gokhale Award

Tags: Awards

Renowned Ophthalmologist Brigadier Sanjay Kumar Mishra, working at the Research and Referral Hospital of the Indian Army, received the prestigious "Dr AM Gokhale Award" in Pune.

An Overview of the News

• This prestigious award was presented to Dr. Sanjay Kumar Mishra during the Retina Conclave program held in Pune.

• Dr. AM Gokhale, after whom the award is named, was a renowned ophthalmology teacher.

Brigadier Sanjay Kumar Mishra:-

• He originally hails from Mau, Uttar Pradesh and completed his education in Prayagraj.

• He received the Bar to Sena Medal (Distinguished) from the President of India just before January 26, 2021.

• Earlier, he was awarded the Sena Medal and Bar to Vishisht Seva Medal (VSM).

• During his tenure at Command Hospital Lucknow, he established the State of the Art Retinal Center in 2018, which serves patients from different states.

• Brigadier Mishra is one of the highest ranking officers in the Indian Armed Forces Medical Services.

• Notably, he is the only ophthalmologist known to have performed surgery on two Indian Presidents during their service, including Ram Nath Kovind.

• According to the President's Office report, President Draupadi Murmu also underwent cataract surgery on her right eye at the Army Hospital (Referral and Research) at Rashtrapati Bhavan.

Jamia Millia Islamia Vice Chancellor Professor Najma Akhtar received Lifetime Achievement Award in Academia

Tags: Awards

Jamia Millia Islamia (JMI) Vice-Chancellor Professor Najma Akhtar received the 'Lifetime Achievement Award-Academia'.

An Overview of the News

• The award was presented to Najma Akhtar by Padma Vibhushan awardee Dr. Raghunath Anant Mashelkar during the "Making India Employable" Grand Conference and Awards Ceremony organized by TeamLease EdTech.

• Professor Najma Akhtar was selected for this prestigious award by a jury panel comprising academicians and industry experts.

• Under his leadership, Jamia Millia Islamia (JMI) achieved the third position in the National Institutional Ranking Framework (NIRF 2023) ranking in the university category for two consecutive years.

• A team of engineering students from Jamia won the Kavach 2023, a 36-hour cyber security hackathon organized by the Ministry of Home Affairs and the Ministry of Education from August 8 to 9.

• The university also lauded the achievements of three alumni, Amit Kumar Bhardwaj, Mohammad Kashif and Arib Ahmed, who were part of the ISRO Chandrayaan-3 team that successfully made a soft landing on the south pole of the Moon.

'Making India Employable Awards':-

• These awards recognize excellence, innovation and real-world impact in education, employability and skills.

• The awards celebrate individuals who have made exemplary contributions towards the goal of improving employability in India.

• In May, the University Placement Cell (UPC) organized "Career Connect" or Job Utsav, a job and internship fair, with 2,000 student registrations.

• 500 students were selected for the earlier round in the employment fair.

Sindhu Gangadharan appointed Vice-Chairperson of NASSCOM

Tags: Person in news

Sindhu Gangadharan, currently Senior Vice-Chairperson and Managing Director at SAP Labs India, was named Vice Chairperson of the National Association of Software and Service Companies (NASSCOM).

An Overview of the News 

• As the first woman to lead SAP Labs India, which is SAP's largest R&D center globally, Gangadharan is responsible for overseeing product development and innovation across all five centers located in Bangalore, Gurgaon, Pune, Hyderabad, and Mumbai.

• Earlier this year, Gangadharan was appointed as the Chairman of the NASSCOM GCC Council for the period 2023-2025.

• She also holds positions on the boards of organizations such as Siemens India and Titan Company Limited.

• Gangadharan is a member of the steering committee of the Indo-German Chamber of Commerce, an industry association promoting bilateral trade and discussion between India and Germany.

NASSCOM (National Association of Software and Service Companies):

• It is the apex body for India's technology industry.

• Established as a non-profit organization in 1988.

• Membership exceeds more than 3000 companies, including Indian and multinational companies.

• Membership spans the entire industry spectrum.

• NASSCOM's mission includes policy advocacy and strategic guidance for the development and progress of the technology sector.

• Founder - Nandan Nilekani, Devang Mehta

• Headquarters - Noida, Uttar Pradesh, and New Delhi

Cognizant India Chairman and Managing Director Rajesh Nambiar has been appointed as the new chairperson of the Indian IT and technology trade body NASSCOM.