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By admin: June 20, 2024

World Refugee Day - 20 June 2024

Tags: Important Days

World Refugee Day is observed annually on 20 June.

An Overview of the News

• World Refugee Day is an internationally recognized day established by the United Nations.

• Its purpose is to pay tribute to refugees around the world.

• The day serves as a platform to acknowledge the bravery and determination of individuals who have been forced to flee their homeland due to conflict or persecution.

• This year's theme, "Solidarity with Refugees," underscores the crucial need to develop inclusive health systems and provide fair healthcare access to refugees globally, as highlighted by WHO.

History of World Refugee Day

• It originated with the resolution 55/76 of the United Nations General Assembly passed on 4 December 2000.

• The purpose of the resolution is to raise awareness of the growing global refugee population and to mark the 50th anniversary of the 1951 Refugee Convention.

• The Refugee Convention of 1951 was established after World War II to establish a legal framework to protect and ensure the rights of refugees.

• The convention defined criteria for identifying individuals as refugees, outlined their rights, and defined the responsibilities of states in providing protection and assistance to them.

June 2024 Days and Themes

• World Sickle Cell Disease Day - 19 June - Theme - "Hope Through Progress: Advancing Sickle Cell Care Globally."

• International Day for Countering Hate Speech - 18 June - Theme -  "The Power of Youth for Countering and Addressing Hate Speech".

• World Day to Combat Desertification and Drought - 17 June - Theme - “United for Land. Our Legacy. Our Future,”

• World Blood Donor Day - 14 June - Theme - "20 years of celebrating giving: thank you, blood donors!"

• World Day Against Child Labour - 12 June -  Theme - "Let's act on our commitments: End Child Labour."

• World Accreditation Day - 9 June - Theme -"Accreditation: Empowering Tomorrow and Shaping the Future."

The International Day for the Elimination of Sexual Violence in Conflict - 19 June 2024

Tags: Important Days

The International Day for the Elimination of Sexual Violence in Conflict is observed annually on 19 June to raise global awareness and honor victims and survivors of Conflict-Related Sexual Violence (CRSV).

An Overview of the News

• The 2024 theme is "Attacks against health care in conflict-affected areas: Impacts for survivors of conflict-related sexual violence."

• The focus highlights the need for safe healthcare environments, crucial for all conflict-injured individuals, including survivors of sexual violence.

2024 Event

• On 19 June 2024, an event was held in New York, USA, co-hosted by the Secretary-General on Sexual Violence in Conflict (OSRSG-SVC), Office of the Special Representative of the Secretary-General for Children and Armed Conflict (OSRSG CAAC), and the Permanent Mission of Argentina to the UN.

Background and Significance

• Origin: Proclaimed by the United Nations General Assembly in resolution A/RES/69/293 on 19 June 2015.

• Resolution 1820 (2008): Adopted by the UN Security Council on 19 June 2008, condemning sexual violence as a tactic of war and an obstacle to peacebuilding.

• Addressing Violent Extremism: Resolution S/RES/2331 (2016) recognized sexual violence as a tactic used by terrorist groups, ensuring victims are eligible for official support.

Conflict-Related Sexual Violence (CRSV)

• Definition: Includes rape, sexual slavery, forced prostitution, forced pregnancy, forced abortion, enforced sterilization, forced marriage, and trafficking for sexual exploitation.

• Underreporting: Fear and cultural stigma lead to significant underreporting; experts estimate that only a fraction of cases are documented compared to actual occurrences.

Assam Secretariat Becomes India's First Eco-Friendly State HQ

Tags: State News

The Assam secretariat has made history as India's first eco-friendly state government headquarters, inaugurating a 2.5 Megawatt (MW) solar power project on the Janata Bhawan campus in Dispur, Guwahati, Assam.

An Overview of the News

• Costing Rs 12.5 crore, this grid-connected rooftop solar plant enables the entire complex to operate solely on solar energy.

Financial and Environmental Impact

• Implementation of the solar power project is projected to save Rs 30 lakh per month in electricity costs.

• This initiative underscores Assam's commitment to sustainable practices and reducing carbon footprint.

Energy Efficiency Measures

• Automatic disconnection facilities for power are scheduled from 8-9 pm, with exceptions for critical areas like the home, finance, and Chief Minister's secretariat.

• This measure aims to optimize energy usage and promote responsible electricity consumption.

Policy Changes

• Effective July 2024, ministers and officials residing in official quarters will assume responsibility for their electricity bills, ending a long-standing practice.

• This policy shift aligns with efforts to enhance fiscal discipline and promote accountability in energy consumption.

Consumer Benefits

• The Assam Power Distribution Company Ltd (APDCL) plans to reduce power tariffs by Re 1 per unit starting April 1, 2025.

• This reduction is expected to benefit consumers across the state, making electricity more affordable and accessible.

About Assam:

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

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

  • Language: Assamese 

  • 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 Dance - Bihu Dance

  • Official river - Brahmaputra

Ukraine Launches World's First Unmanned Systems Forces

Tags: International News

Ukraine has established the world's first stand-alone military branch solely dedicated to unmanned systems, known as the Unmanned Systems Forces (USF).

An Overview of the News

• The USF was officially launched by the Ukrainian Armed Forces and the Ministry of Defence (MoD) in Kyiv, Ukraine.

Objectives of USF:

• USF aims to enhance capabilities in unmanned and robotic warfare across air, sea, and ground domains during combat operations.

• It focuses on advancing the development and deployment of unmanned systems for military purposes.

Leadership and Command:

• Colonel Vadym Sukharevsky, former Deputy Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, has been appointed as the inaugural Commander of the USF.

• He will lead the strategic direction and operational readiness of the USF.

Symbolism:

• The symbol representing the USF is a "steel swallow," which was designed by a neural network.

• The swallow holds cultural significance in Ukrainian tradition as a symbol of victory.

Functions and Responsibilities:

• The USF is responsible for providing operational units with drones and ensuring their logistical support.

• It oversees the recruitment and training of specialists in unmanned systems.

• It plays a crucial role in planning and executing military operations that involve unmanned technologies.

Government Unveils Ambitious Development Plans: MSP Hike, Mega Port, Offshore Wind Terminals, and Airport Upgrade

Tags: National News

Government unveiled development plans including increase in MSP, mega ports, offshore wind terminals and airport upgrades.

An Overview of the News

Minimum Support Price (MSP) Increase:

• MSP approved for 14 Kharif crops for the marketing season 2024-25.

• Significant increases in MSP for crops including Paddy, Cotton, Millets, Pulses, and Oilseeds to benefit farmers.

Vadhavan Port Development:

• Government to develop an all-weather greenfield port at Vadhavan in Maharashtra.

• Estimated cost of over 76 thousand crore rupees.

• Planned to be among the top 10 ports globally after completion.

• Phase-wise development with a capacity of 23 million TEU.

• Expected to create 12 lakh job opportunities.

Offshore Wind Terminals:

• First offshore wind terminals to be developed in Gujarat and Tamil Nadu.

• Each terminal to have a capacity of 500 megawatts.

• Part of the government's efforts to increase renewable energy capacity.

Varanasi Airport Development:

• Approval for the development of Lal Bahadur Shastri International Airport, Varanasi.

• Project cost estimated at 2,869 crore rupees.

• Emphasis on developing the airport as a green airport for environmental sustainability.

National Forensic Infrastructure Enhancement Scheme:

• Cabinet approval for the scheme.

• Establishing off-campus facilities of National Forensic Science University and Central Forensic Science Laboratories across the country.

PM Modi unveils 1,500 crore Multiple Development Projects in J&K during visit

Tags: State News National News

PM Modi launched development projects worth Rs 1,500 crore in Jammu and Kashmir during his two-day visit.

An Overview of the News

• He laid the foundation stone and inaugurated 84 major developmental projects in the Union Territory, worth over 1,500 crore rupees.

• PM Modi attended the "Empowering Youth, Transforming J&K" event in Srinagar on 20 June.

• During the event, he distributed appointment letters to over 2,000 newly appointed government employees.

• He also launched the Competitiveness Improvement in Agriculture and Allied Sectors Project, valued at 1,800 crore rupees.

• On 21 June, PM Modi will lead the tenth International Yoga Day celebration in Srinagar, participating in a yoga session and addressing the gathering.

About Jammu and Kashmir

• Jammu and Kashmir was a state of India till August 2019, which was bifurcated on 31 August 2019 to form two union territories named Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh.

• Capital- Srinagar (May–October), Jammu (November–April)

• Lieutenant Governor - Manoj Sinha

• Legislative Council - 36 seats

• Legislative Assembly - 89 seats