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By admin: June 16, 2023

UNGA adopts Resolution to establish a new Memorial Wall for fallen Peacekeepers

Tags: International News

The United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) recently unanimously adopted a resolution to set up a new memorial wall for dead peacekeepers, which was moved by India.

An overview of the news

• The adoption of this resolution is a significant achievement for India and reflects the confidence of the international community in India's contribution and intention.

• India's Permanent Representative to the United Nations, Ambassador Ruchira Kamboj presented the draft resolution titled 'Memorial Wall for Fallen United Nations Peacekeepers' at the UN General Assembly Hall.

• The resolution received widespread support and a record 190 co-sponsorships, demonstrating global recognition of India's efforts in peacekeeping.

About the Memorial Wall

• The Memorial Wall will symbolize the UN's commitment to peacekeeping and serve as a reminder of the sacrifices made by fallen peacekeepers.

• It will stand as a constant reminder of the price paid for global decisions and the importance given to peacekeeping operations by the United Nations.

• The installation of the Memorial Wall for the Deceased Peacekeepers underlines India's commitment to global peacekeeping efforts and recognizes the selfless dedication and sacrifice made by peacekeepers in maintaining peace and security across the world.

• It serves as a tribute to his memory and as a symbol of gratitude and remembrance of the international community for his service.

United Nations General Assembly (UNGA)

• It is the United Nation’s chief policy-making and representative organ and was created in 1945.

• It is one of the six principal organs of the United Nations (UN).

• It serves as the main deliberative, policy making and representative organ of the United Nations.

• Its powers, structure, functions and procedures are set out in Chapter IV of the United Nations Charter.

• Its main functions are to prepare the budget of the United Nations, appoint non-permanent members to the Security Council, appoint the Secretary-General of the United Nations, receive reports from other parts of the United Nations system, and make recommendations through resolutions.

Nehru Memorial Museum and Library Society renamed as Prime Ministers’ Museum and Library Society

Tags: National National News

The Nehru Memorial Museum and Library Society (NMML) in New Delhi has been officially renamed as the Prime Ministers' Museum and Library Society. 

An overview of the news

• A decision in this regard was taken during a special meeting of the NMML Society presided over by Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, who is its Vice-President.

• The idea of setting up a museum dedicated to all the prime ministers of India at the Teen Murti complex in New Delhi was initially proposed by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in 2016.

• The NMML Executive Council approved the construction of the museum within Teen Murti Estate, and the project was completed.

• The museum, which was opened to the public in April 2022, presents a comprehensive portrayal of the Prime Ministers' contribution to the nation.

About Nehru Memorial Museum and Library

• It was established in 1964 in the memory of Jawaharlal Nehru (1889-1964).

• It is an autonomous institute under the Ministry of Culture, Government of India.

• It is located in Teen Murti House, the official residence of the first Prime Minister of India.

• It has four major components, a Memorial Museum, a Library on Modern India, a Center for Contemporary Studies and the Nehru Planetarium.

• It is a specialised library designed and developed as an exclusive research and reference centre on colonial and post-colonial India. It has a rich manuscript section.

Ashwinder R Singh launched the book "Master Residential Real Estate"

Tags: Books and Authors

Real estate expert, Ashwinder Singh launched a book titled "Master Residential Real Estate" on 24th May.

An Overview of the News

• The book, "Master Residential Real Estate," serves as a comprehensive guide to the real estate industry.

• The book covers a wide range of topics related to residential real estate.

• Ashvinder Singh provides valuable insight into the current state of the real estate market.

• "Master Residential Real Estate" aims to empower readers with practical knowledge and advice.

Other Books for 2023 

• Vijay Darda - “Ringside”

• Aditya Bhushan - "Guts Amidst Bloodbath: The Anshuman Gaekwad Narrative"

• Ruskin Bond - “The Golden Years”

• Amitabh Kant - "Made in India: 75 Years of Business and Enterprise"

• Shri Narayanan Vaghul - “Reflections”

• Amitav Ghosh - “Smoke and Ashes”

• Boria Majumdar - “Sachin@50 - Celebrating a Maestro”

• Shantanu Gupta - "The Graphic Novel 'Ajay to Yogi Adityanath'"

CBIC releases National Time Release Study 2023 report

Tags: Reports

Vivek Johri, Chairman, Central Board of Indirect Taxes and Customs (CBIC) recently released the National Time Release Study (NTRS) 2023 report.

Highlight of the report

• According to the report the average import release time by customs authorities has decreased in 2023 compared to 2022. 

• The report states that the import release time has declined by 20% for inland container depots (ICDs), 11% for air cargo complexes (ACCs), and 9% for seaports.

• In absolute terms, the import release time for seaports is 85.42 hours, for ICDs is 71.46 hours, for ACCs is 44.16 hours, and for integrated check posts (ICPs) is 31.47 hours. 

• The CBIC has been actively working towards reducing release time by customs for both imports and exports in order to promote ease of doing business and enhance tax collections.

National Time Release Study

• The National Time Release Study (NTRS) is a performance measurement tool released by the Central Board of Indirect Taxes and Customs (CBIC). 

• It aims to provide a quantitative measure of cargo release time.

• The NTRS report presents port-category wise average release time for a given year. 

• It serves as an essential tool for assessing the efficiency and effectiveness of customs procedures and regulations related to cargo clearance.

Britain appoints Jane Marriott as first female envoy to Pakistan

Tags: Person in news

The United Kingdom appointed Jane Marriott as the next British High Commissioner to Pakistan, making her the first female British envoy to Islamabad.

An Overview of the News

• Jane Marriott previously served as the High Commissioner to Kenya since September 2019.

• She will replace Dr Christian Turner, who held the position of British Ambassador to Pakistan since December 2019.

• Prior to his diplomatic career, he held roles in the Cabinet Office and the Home Office.

About United Kingdom

• It is an island nation located in northwestern Europe. It consists of four countries: England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland.

Capital - London

Prime Minister - Rishi Sunak

Emperor - Charles III

About Pakistan

• Capital - Islamabad

• Chairman - Arif Alvi

• Prime Minister - Shahbaz Sharif

• President of the Senate - Sadiq Sanjrani

Agriculture festival 'Raja' organised in Odisha

Tags: Festivals

Raja or Mithun Sankranti is a three-day festival of womanhood celebrated in Odisha, India.

An Overview of the News

Duration and name of festival days

• Raja Utsav is celebrated for three days.

• Day 1: 'The First King'

• Day 2: 'Majhi Raja' or 'Raja Sankranti' or 'Mithuna Sankranti'

• Third Day: 'Bhoodah' or 'Bassi Raja' or 'Shesh Raja'

Festival of Agriculture and Worship of Mother Earth

• This is a unique festival of Odisha where Mother Earth is revered.

• Agricultural activities like ploughing and digging are suspended during the festival.

• Like a menstruating woman, Mother Earth is given rest without any disturbance.

Significance of Raja Mahotsav in relation to monsoon

• 'Pahili Raja' falls on the last day of the month 'Jyestha', while 'Raja Sankranti' falls on the first day of the month 'Ashadha'.

• 'Raja Sankranti' marks the beginning of the rainy season.

• Farmers believe that the fertility of the earth doubles with the first shower of monsoon.

The ritual of 'Basumati Snan'

• The fourth day of the festival is called 'Basumati Snan'.

• Women, after completing three days of symbolic menstruation, take a ceremonial bath for the grinding stone.

• The grinding stone represents Mother Earth or Basumati.

About Odisha

Formation - 1 April 1936

Capital - Bhubaneswar

Governor - Ganeshi Lal

Chief minister - Naveen Patnaik

Rajya Sabha - 10 seats

Lok Sabha - 21 seats

Indian Navy's Outreach Program "Jully Ladakh" (Hello Ladakh)

Tags: Defence

The Indian Navy recently has launched an outreach program called "Julley Ladakh" (Hello Ladakh) to increase awareness about the Navy and engage with the youth and civil society in the pristine state of Ladakh. 

An overview of the news

• As part of this initiative, a 5000 km Motorcycle Expedition was flagged off from the National War Memorial on June 15, 2023, by Vice Admiral Sanjay Jasjit Singh, the Vice Chief of Naval Staff.

• This outreach program follows the successful efforts of the Indian Navy in the North East region and the Sam No Varunah car expedition, which aimed to connect with citizens in coastal states.

Outreach activities

• The outreach activities planned for this program include a Motor Cycle Expedition that will pass through a significant part of Ladakh.

• In addition the famous Navy band concert, a medical camp, and a football match between the Navy and the Ladakh Football Club have also been organised.

Key objectives of the "Julley Ladakh" initiative

• Celebrate Azadi ka Amrit Mahotsav, which marks 75 years of Indian Independence.

• Conduct awareness drives at schools and colleges in Ladakh to highlight the career opportunities offered by the Indian Navy, including the Agnipath Scheme.

• Motivate the youth to consider joining the Indian Navy.

• Showcase "Nari Shakti," an initiative of Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi, by including women officers and spouses in the program.

• Interact with naval veterans and Veer Naris (war widows) in the region.

Defence Ministry signs Rs 500 crore contract to strengthen Indian Army’s communication system

Tags: Defence National News

In a significant move to promote indigenous manufacturing and support the vision of Aatmanirbhar Bharat, the Ministry of Defence has signed a contract with ICOMM Tele Limited, Hyderabad, on June 15, 2023, in New Delhi. 

An overview of the news

• The contract is for the procurement of 1,035 units of 5/7.5 Ton Radio Relay Communication equipment containers, with a contract value of approximately Rs 500 crore. 

• The delivery of these containers is scheduled to commence in the current financial year 2023-24.

• The acquisition of these Radio Relay Containers fulfills a long-pending requirement for mobile communication detachments of the Indian Army. 

• These containers will play a crucial role in providing a protected environment for communication equipment, ensuring its efficient and reliable functioning. 

• To support the indigenous manufacturing of defence equipment, the company, ICOMM Tele Limited, will produce these containers using equipment and systems sourced entirely from indigenous manufacturers. 

Significance of MoU

• This approach will not only enhance domestic production capabilities but also encourage the active participation of the private sector in achieving the goals of Aatmanirbhar Bharat. 

• By investing in domestic manufacturing and promoting self-reliance in the defence sector, the Ministry of Defence aims to strengthen India's defence capabilities while reducing dependency on foreign imports. 

• This contract marks a significant step towards achieving the vision of Aatmanirbhar Bharat and stimulating the growth of the indigenous defence industry.

Third ASW SWC class ship 'Anjadeep' launched at Chennai

Tags: Defence

The third ship of the Anti-Submarine Warfare Shallow Water Craft (ASW SWC) project 'Anjadeep' was launched on June 13, 2023 at M/s L&T, Kattupalli.

An Overview of the News

• Kattupalli is a suburb located north of Chennai, a metropolitan city in Tamil Nadu, India.

• The launch function was presided over by VADM RB Pandit, C-in-C (SFC).

• The ship has been named 'Anjadeep' to reflect the strategic maritime importance of Anjadeep Island.

• The ASW SWC ships are being built by M/s GRSE for the Indian Navy.

Signing of contract for construction of ASW SWC ships:

• The contract for construction of eight ASW SWC ships was signed between MoD and GRSE on April 29, 2019.

• Four ships are being built at GRSE, Kolkata, while the remaining four ships are being built by M/s L&T Shipbuilding, Kattupalli.

• The ASW SWC ships are designed to replace the in-service Abhay class ASW corvettes and are meant for anti-submarine operations in coastal waters, low intensity maritime operations (LIMO), mine laying operations and subsurface surveillance in coastal waters.

• The ASW SWC ships have a length of 77 metres, a displacement of 900 tonnes, a maximum speed of 25 knots and an endurance of 1800 nautical miles.

• The launch of the three ships within six months reflects India's commitment towards indigenous shipbuilding and the government's vision of 'Atmanirbhar Bharat'.

About Tamil Nadu

• The state was formed on 26 January 1950 but its boundaries were redrawn on 14 January 1969.

• It is situated at the mouth of the Arabian Sea, the Bay of Bengal and the Indian Ocean.

Governor - Ravindra Narayan Ravi

Chief Minister - MK Stalin

Assembly seats - 235 seats

Rajya Sabha seats - 18

Lok Sabha seats - 39

Guwahati becomes first railway station in Northeast to get FSSAI's 'Eat Right Station' certification

Tags: State News

The Guwahati Railway Station located in Assam under the North East Frontier Railway recently received the prestigious 'Eat Right Station' certification from the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI).

An Overview of the News

• FSSAI has acknowledged Guwahati Railway Station for its commitment to providing high-quality and nutritious food options to passengers.

• As the first railway station within the North East Frontier Railway to receive this certification, Guwahati Railway Station has successfully met the stringent guidelines laid down by FSSAI.

• The 'Eat Right Station' certification is a testament to the station's compliance with FSSAI's established standards for food storage and hygiene practices.

• This certification is an acknowledgment of the station's efforts in maintaining the benchmark in serving safe and wholesome food to the passengers.

Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI):

• It is a statutory body.

• It functions under the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, Government of India.

• FSSAI was established as per the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006.

• The Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006 is a comprehensive law that governs food safety and regulation in India.

Established - 5 September 2008

Headquarters - New Delhi

Founder - Anbumani Ramdas

About Assam

• Formation (as a state) - 26 January 1950

• Capital - Dispur

• Chief Minister - Himanta Biswa Sarma

• Governor - Gulab Chand Kataria

• Rajya Sabha - 7 seats

• Lok Sabha - 14 seats

• Official Animal - Indian Rhinoceros

• Official Bird - White-winged Duck

• Official Dance - Bihu Dance

• Official flower - Rhynchostylis retusa

Akashvani and Doordarshan emerge as most trusted electronic media organization in country

Tags: National National News

According to Reuters Institute's Digital News Report 2023, DD India and All India Radio have been recognized as the most trusted electronic media organizations in the country.

An overview of the news

• The report highlights that although overall trust in news has decreased marginally by 3 percentage points, public broadcasters and print brands have managed to maintain a relatively high level of trust among the public.

• DD India and All India Radio have been specifically described as electronic media organizations with the highest degree of trust.

• This recognition reflects the credibility that these public broadcasters have established among their audiences.

• Their longstanding presence in the media landscape as well as their commitment to providing accurate and unbiased news coverage has contributed to their strong reputation as reliable sources of information.

• Being recognized as the most trusted electronic media organizations reflects the belief that the public space in DD India and All India Radio highlights their importance in the media ecosystem and the role they play in shaping public opinion.

About the Reuters Institute Digital News Report

• The Digital News Report of the Reuters Institute is an annual publication.

• It provides valuable insight into the evolving landscape of digital news around the world.

• The report is widely recognized as a comprehensive and reliable source of information on news trends and media patterns.

• The report aims to examine the changing dynamics of news, the impact of digital technologies on news and the emerging role of news organizations in the digital age.

Renowned novelist Cormac McCarthy passed away

Tags: Person in news

Renowned Pulitzer Prize winning novelist Cormac McCarthypassed away at the age of 89.

An Overview of the News

• McCarthy, best known for such acclaimed novels as "The Road" and "No Country for Old Men," was born in Providence, Rhode Island, in 1933.

• He began his fiction writing journey in the early 1960s and published his first novel "The Orchard Keeper" in 1965.

• Throughout his career, McCarthy wrote more than 20 novels, including such notable works as "Blood".

• In recognition of her literary achievements, McCarthy was awarded the Pulitzer Prize for Fiction in 2007 for her novel "The Road".

• Additionally, his novel "No Country for Old Men" was adapted into an Academy Award-winning film in 2007.

Pulitzer Prize

• It is an award administered by Columbia University.

• It was established in 1917 by provisions of the will of Joseph Pulitzer.

• The award recognizes achievements in newspaper, magazine, online journalism, literature, and musical composition within the United States.

• The award covers various categories such as newspaper reporting, investigative journalism, editorial writing, feature writing, commentary, criticism, photography, fiction, drama, history, biography, poetry and music.

First Janjatiya Khel Mahotsav

Tags: Festivals

Recently, the first Janjatiya Khel Mahotsav was organized at the Kalinga Institute of Social Sciences, Bhubaneswar, in a collaborative effort between the Ministry of Culture, the Odisha Government, and KIIT University.

An overview of the news

• The event brought together 5,000 tribal athletes and 1,000 officials from 26 states, showcasing the diversity and richness of indigenous sports in India.

• By organizing such events and supporting the promotion of indigenous sports, the government aims to preserve and revive these traditional games, ensuring their continued relevance and encouraging the younger generation to participate and excel in them.

About Indigenous Sports

• The promotion and development of indigenous sports primarily lie with the respective State/Union Territory Governments, as 'Sports' is a state subject. 

• However, the Union Government supports their efforts through initiatives such as the 'Khelo India – National Programme for Development of Sports' Scheme. 

• This scheme includes a specific component dedicated to the development and promotion of rural and indigenous/tribal games across the country.

• It provided an opportunity for athletes from different states to come together, compete, and exchange their experiences, thereby promoting cultural exchange and unity.

• Under this scheme, certain indigenous games have been identified for promotion, such as Mallakhamb, Kalaripayattu, Gatka, Thang-Ta, Yogasana, and Silambam.