DAILY CURRENT AFFAIRS

By admin: Sept. 16, 2023

Assam Governor unveils 'Sarpanch Samvad' mobile app

Tags: State News

Assam Governor Gulab Chand Kataria unveiled the 'Sarpanch Samvad' mobile application developed by the Quality Council of India (QCI) at Raj Bhavan.

An Overview of the News

• QCI launched 'Sarpanch Samvad' as an initiative with the goal of connecting approximately 2.5 lakh Sarpanches (village heads) from across India.

• It serves as a comprehensive platform for networking, knowledge sharing, and promoting collaboration among Sarpanches.

• This initiative enables Sarpanches to showcase the developmental activities taking place in their respective villages, gain knowledge of best practices, and network with fellow Sarpanches across the country.

About Assam:

• Location: It is a state located in the north-eastern region of India. It is bounded by Bhutan in the north, Arunachal Pradesh in the east, Nagaland in the northeast, Manipur in the southeast, Mizoram in the south, and West Bengal in the west.

• Wildlife: Includes Kaziranga National Park, Manas National Park, and Nameri National Park.

Formation (as a state) - 26 January 1950

Capital - Dispur

Official Language - Assamese

Chief Minister - Himanta Biswa Sarma

Governor - Gulab Chand Kataria

Rajya Sabha - 7 seats

Lok Sabha - 14 seats

Official Dance - Bihu Dance

Fashion designer Rahul Mishra honored with France's "Chevalier de l'Ordre des Arts et des Lettres" award

Tags: Awards

Famous Indian fashion designer Rahul Mishra was awarded the prestigious "Chevalier de l'Ordre des Arts et des Lettres" (Knight of the Order of Arts and Letters) by the Government of France.

An Overview of the News

• This prestigious award was given to Rahul Mishra for his outstanding achievements in the field of art and design, especially his dedication to promoting Indian craftsmanship and expertise on a global scale.

• Additionally, the award serves as a tribute to his significant contribution to promoting cultural relations and cooperation between France and India.

• The presentation of the award took place on September 12, 2023, at the French residence in New Delhi with Emmanuel Lenain, Ambassador of France to India, conducting the ceremony.

"Chevalier de l'Ordre des Arts et des Lettres":-

• The Order of Arts and Letters is an honor established by the French Minister of Culture in 1957.

• It was recognized as part of the National Order of Merit by President Charles de Gaulle in 1963.

• This prestigious award presented by the French Government is the highest recognition in the field of arts and culture.

• It is awarded to individuals who have made significant contributions to music, art, literature, and the cultural and artistic relations between France and India.

• The Order of Arts and Letters has three distinct levels of recognition: Commander (Commandeur), Officer (Officier), and Knight (Chevalier).

Rahul Navin appointed as Director-in-charge of the Enforcement Directorate of India

Tags: Person in news

Indian Revenue Service (IRS) officer Rahul Navin has taken over as director-in-charge of the Enforcement Directorate (ED). He replaced outgoing director Sanjay Kumar Mishra.

An Overview of the News

• This leadership change is a significant development for the Enforcement Directorate, which plays a key role in enforcing economic laws and regulations in India.

• Rahul Navin currently holds the post of Special Director in the Enforcement Directorate.

• As per the official order, Rahul Navin, a distinguished IRS officer of the 1993 batch, has been appointed as Director-in-charge.

• He will continue in this post until the appointment of a regular director or until further orders are issued.

Sanjay Kumar Mishra:-

• Sanjay Kumar Mishra's tenure as Director of Enforcement in ED ends on September 15, 2023.

• Sanjay Kumar Mishra initially assumed the role of Director in the Enforcement Directorate for a two-year tenure from November 19, 2018.

• The central government later issued an order on November 13, 2020, which extended Mishra's tenure from two years to three years with retrospective effect.

About Enforcement Directorate (ED)

• Established: 1 May 1956

• Headquarters: New Delhi, India

• Mandate: A special agency responsible for enforcing economic laws and regulations in India.

• Focus Area: Investigation and prosecution of financial crimes, money laundering, foreign exchange violations, and economic crimes.

• Administrative Control: Works under the administrative control of the Revenue Department.

• Ministry Affiliation: Part of the Ministry of Finance, Government of India.

• Role: Critical role in maintaining the integrity of India's financial and economic systems by ensuring compliance with economic laws and regulations.

Defense Minister Rajnath Singh approved 23 new Sainik Schools in partnership mode

Tags: Defence

Defense Minister Rajnath Singh approved the creation of an additional 23 new Sainik Schools under this partnership mode.

An Overview of the News

• The Government of India approved the establishment of 100 new Sainik Schools starting from Class 6 in partnership with NGOs, private schools, and state governments.

• Sainik School Society signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOA) with 19 new proposed Sainik Schools located across the country.

• Further evaluation of the applications has led to the approval of 23 additional new Sainik Schools under the partnership mode, taking the total number of such schools to 42, in addition to the existing 33 Sainik Schools operating under the previous model.

Objective and operational details

• The objectives of this initiative envisioned by Prime Minister Narendra Modi includeproviding quality education in line with the National Education Policy and enhancing career opportunities for students, including the option to join the armed forces.

• It also promotes collaboration between the private sector and the government for nation-building and the development of responsible citizens.

• These new Sainik Schools, with affiliation to the respective education boards, will operate under the guidance of the Sainik School Society and will follow the rules and regulations prescribed for new Sainik Schools operating in partnership mode.

• Apart from the regular curriculum affiliated with the education boards, these schools will offer an academic plus curriculum following the Sainik School pattern.

Indian government approves defense acquisitions worth Rs 45,000 crore from domestic vendors

Tags: Defence

The Government of India gave a significant boost to the "Atmanirbhar Bharat" initiative by approving defense acquisitions worth Rs 45 thousand crore from domestic vendors.

An Overview of the News

• The Defense Acquisition Council (DAC), chaired by Defense Minister Rajnath Singh, has granted Approval of Requirement (AoN) for nine capital acquisition proposals.

• These acquisitions will exclusively involve Indian vendors, which will significantly contribute to the growth of the Indian defense industry and align with the objective of achieving self-reliance in defense manufacturing.

Approved acquisitions:

DAC grants AoN for the following purchases:

• Lightly armored multi-role vehicle and integrated surveillance and targeting system.

• High Mobility Vehicle Gun Towing Vehicle for rapid mobilization of artillery guns and radar.

• Next-generation survey ship to enhance hydrographic capabilities of the Indian Navy.

• Dhruvastra short-range air-to-surface missiles for indigenous ALH Mk-IV helicopters.

• 12 Su-30 MKI aircraft with associated equipment from Hindustan Aeronautics Limited.

World Ozone Day - 16 September

Tags: Important Days

World Ozone Day, also known as the International Day for the Preservation of the Ozone Layer, is observed annually on 16 September.

An Overview of the News

• The ozone layer is composed primarily of trioxygen molecules (O3) and acts as a protective shield against harmful ultraviolet (UV) rays from the Sun.

• The theme of World Ozone Day 2023 is "Montreal Protocol: Recovering the ozone layer and mitigating climate change".

• This theme underlines the important role of the Montreal Protocol not only in protecting the ozone layer but also in addressing and mitigating climate change.

History of World Ozone Day

• On September 16, 1987, a landmark environmental treaty called the Montreal Protocol was established in Montreal, Canada.

• The Montreal Protocol represents an important moment in global efforts to address the depletion of the ozone layer.

• Its primary focus was on regulating ozone-depleting substances (ODS), which included substances such as chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs), halons, carbon tetrachloride, and methyl chloroform.

Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik launched 'Mukhyamantri Sampoorna Pushti Yojana' in the state

Tags: Government Schemes State News

Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik unveiled the 'Mukhyamantri Sampoorna Pushti Yojana' to promote nutrition.

An Overview of the News

• The primary objective of the program is to meet the nutritional needs of mothers, adolescent girls, and children in Odisha.

• Specific provisions of the scheme include supplementary nutrition for adolescent girls aged 15 to 19 years, additional dry food for pregnant women, and complete meals for severely malnourished children. Moderately malnourished children will get vitamin-rich Chhatua (roasted gram flour) and eggs.

• Odisha is the first state in India to make a dedicated nutrition budget for the financial year 2020-21.

'Pada Pushti Yojana':-

• Apart from the 'Chief Minister Sampoorna Pushti Yojana', Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik also launched the 'Pada Pushti Yojana' especially targeting children.

• The initiative aims to provide high-quality cooked food to children, especially those living in remote and tribal areas of Odisha.

• The Government of Odisha has launched various programs including 'Mamta Yojana' to ensure the health and well-being of pregnant women and newborn babies in the state.

About Odisha

• Formation - 1 April 1936

• Capital - Bhubaneswar

• Governor - Ganeshi Lal

• Chief Minister - Naveen Patnaik

• Rajya Sabha - 10 seats

• Lok Sabha - 21 seats

PM Modi to launch PM Vishwakarma Scheme on Vishwakarma Jayanti in New Delhi

Tags: Government Schemes

Prime Minister Narendra Modi will launch the "PM Vishwakarma" scheme at the India International Convention and Expo Center in Dwarka, New Delhi on September 17, 2023.

An Overview of the News

• “PM Vishwakarma” scheme aims to support traditional artisans and craftsmen.

• The Central Government will fully fund it with an allocation of Rs 13,000 crore.

• Artisans (Vishwakarma) can register free of cost through Common Service Centres.

• They will be given identity through PM Vishwakarma certificate and ID card.

• The scheme also includes a toolkit incentive of ₹15,000 along with offering skill upgradation, and primary and advanced training.

• Artisans will get access to collateral-free credit assistance with concessional interest rates.

• Incentives will be provided for digital transactions and marketing assistance.

• Eighteen traditional crafts like carpentry, blacksmithing, goldsmithing, pottery, and tailoring will be covered.

Vishwakarma Jayanti:

• It is a Hindu festival dedicated to the divine architect, Vishwakarma.

• The celebration includes not only engineers and architects but also artisans, craftsmen, mechanics, blacksmiths, welders,andindustrial workers.

• Prayers are also offered for the smooth operation of machines and equipment.

• Vishwakarma Jayanti falls on 'Kanya Sankranti' of the Hindu calendar, usually between 16 and 18 September in the Gregorian calendar.

• The festival is also celebrated in Nepal, and Haldia in West Bengal is known for its Vishwakarma Puja celebrations.