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By admin: Sept. 29, 2023

India and UN launch “India-UN Capacity Building Initiative”

Tags: International News

India and the United Nations jointly launched the "India-United Nations Capacity Building Initiative".

An Overview of the News

• The India-UN Capacity Building Initiative aims to share India's development expertise with countries in the Global South.

• The initiative was officially announced during the “India-UN for the Global South – Delivering for Development” event held in New York on September 23, 2023.

• India's Foreign Minister, Dr. S. Jaishankar, and eminent personalities Dennis Francis, President of the 78th General Assembly, attended the event.

• This initiative builds on India's established bilateral cooperation in development and capacity building with partner countries.

• India's United Nations Development Partnership Fund has launched 75 development projects in 61 countries in the last six years, highlighting India's commitment to international development.

Strategic Partnership with Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation:

• Under this initiative, a strategic partnership has been formed between the UN India team and the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation.

• The partnership aims to utilize India's technical and economic cooperation platform to share India's development experiences and best practices with a global audience.

• A Joint Declaration of Intent has been exchanged to formalize this cooperation.

India's G20 Presidency aligns with goals:

• The “India-UN Capacity Building Initiative” aligns with the goals of India's G20 Presidency, including the G20 Action Plan.

• These objectives include accelerating progress toward achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), promoting technological transformation, and establishing digital public infrastructure, among other key priorities.

Taiwan unveils first domestic submarine 'Haikun'

Tags: International News

Taiwan recently unveiled its first domestically built submarine "Haikun".

An Overview of the News

• It aims to enhance its defense capabilities amid the constant threat of a possible Chinese attack.

• Taiwan President Tsai Ing-wen presided over the launch ceremony in Kaohsiung.

• Taiwan, officially the Republic of China, is a democratic island nation that China considers a rebel province.

• The enduring dispute over Taiwan's status has been a long-term source of regional tension, with China stressing its intention to reunify Taiwan with the mainland, even by force if necessary.

Importance of Taiwan's domestically built submarine

• The $1.54 billion Haikun submarine is a diesel-electric powered ship that marks a substantial advance in Taiwan's defense capabilities.

• Taiwan aims to establish a fleet of 10 submarines, including two older Dutch-built submarines, all equipped with missiles.

• The purpose of this fleet expansion is to deter possible Chinese encirclement, invasion attempts, or naval blockade and act as a buffer until support from American and Japanese forces could be received.

Banmali Agarwal appointed Chairman of Tata Advanced Systems

Tags: Person in news

Banmali Agarwal has been appointed as the new Chairman of Tata Advanced Systems Limited (TASL).

An Overview of the News

• He will replace Vijay Singh, who has retired.

• This leadership change is part of the Tata Group's commitment to strengthen its presence in the aerospace and defense sector.

Background of Banmali Agarwal:

• Banamali Agarwal is a key figure within the Tata Group.

• He also serves as a senior advisor to Tata Sons and holds the position of Chairman at Tata Electronics.

Contribution of Vijay Singh:

• Vijay Singh, the outgoing Chairman of TASL, has also been the Vice Chairman of Tata Trust.

• During his tenure, TASL witnessed significant developments and strategic initiatives aimed at enhancing the Tata Group's presence in the aerospace and defense sector.

Role of TASL within the Tata Group:

• TASL serves as the strategic aerospace and defense arm of Tata Sons, the parent company of the Tata Group.

• It plays a vital role in both operational and operational tasks related to defense efforts within the group.

Integration of Defense Institutions:

• In 2018, Tata Sons took the initiative to integrate various group entities into a single defense sector.

• The move brings together companies like Tata Power SED, TAL Manufacturing, Tata Advanced Materials and the defense division of Tata Motors under TASL.

Government approves Airbus deal:

• Government of India approves ₹21,000 crore deal between TASL and Airbus.

• Under this agreement, Airbus will deliver 16 aircraft in fly-away condition within four years, while TASL will manufacture and assemble the remaining 40 aircraft at its newly established facility in Vadodara.

UP achieves 100% ODF+ coverage in Swachh Bharat Mission Gramin

Tags: State News

Uttar Pradesh achieved 100% ODF Plus status for all 95,767 villages as part of Swachh Bharat Mission (Gramin) Phase II.

An Overview of the News

• An ODF Plus village is one that has achieved open defecation-free status through the establishment of effective systems for solid or liquid waste management.

• As of January 1, 2023, only 15,088 villages were ODF Plus in the state.

• In just nine months, more than 80,000 villages achieved ODF Plus status, accelerating the success of the programme.

• Of the 95,767 ODF Plus villages, 81,744 are ODF Plus Aspirational Villages, 10,217 are ODF Plus Emerging Villages, and 3,806 are ODF Plus Model Villages.

• Solid waste management exists in 15,649 villages, while liquid waste management exists in 95,048 villages.

ODF Plus Model Village:

• ODF Plus model villages maintain ODF status, have both solid and liquid waste management, minimal waste, no plastic waste in public areas, and display ODF Plus related IEC messages.

• At present, there are 96,192 such villages across India.

Swachhta Hi Seva (SHS) Campaign 2023:

• The feat was achieved during the ongoing SHS campaign, which takes place from 15 September to 2 October every year.

• About 88 lakh people participated in SHS and contributed significantly in achieving ODF Plus status.

Progress across India:

• About 75% of India's 4.43 lakh villages have declared themselves ODF Plus.

• This progress is in line with the targets of Swachh Bharat Mission Phase II for 2024-25.

Best Performing States/UTs:

• Many states and union territories, including Andaman and Nicobar Islands, Dadra and Nagar Haveli, Goa, Gujarat, Himachal Pradesh, Jammu and Kashmir, Karnataka, Kerala, Ladakh, Puducherry, Sikkim, Tamil Nadu, Telangana and Tripura have achieved 100% ODF Plus villages.

Details of ODF Plus Villages:

• There are currently 4,43,964 ODF Plus villages in India.

• This includes villages making progress towards solid waste management or liquid waste management (2,92,497), villages having both (55,549) and ODF plus model villages (96,018).

• There are 2,31,080 villages with solid waste management and 3,76,353 villages with liquid waste management.

Components of Phase-II of SBM(G):

• Phase II includes sustaining ODF-S, solid waste management, plastic waste management, liquid waste management, faecal sludge management, cow dung, IEC/BCC and capacity building.

Participation in Swachhta Hi Seva (SHS) – 2023 Campaign:

• More than 5 crore people participated in this campaign in India, in which more than 2.05 crore people donated labor.

• Additionally, 34 States/UTs and 42 partner Ministries/Departments actively participated in SHS 2023.

Waste Management:

• Plastic waste management includes setting up of units with utilization of waste plastic in road construction and waste collection and segregation sheds in 23 States/UTs.

• Biodegradable waste management includes composting at the community level and the construction of biogas and CBG plants in various districts.

Gray Water Management:

• In rural areas, grey-water management is important, and initiatives like the 'Sujlam' campaign have achieved success in this regard.

• About 63% of the villages have implemented grey-water management, contributing to the ODF Plus status.

MSME Ministry to lead Swachhta Hi Seva campaign on October 1, 2023

Tags: National News

The MSME Ministry will actively participate in the “One Date One Hour Ek Saath” initiative as part of the Swachhta Hi Seva campaign on October 1, 2023.

An Overview of the News

• The ministry has planned more than 200 programs for the “One Date, One Hour, Together” activity, which will be conducted by its subordinate organizations.

• Organizations such as the National Small Industries Corporation (NSIC), Khadi and Village Industries (KVI), COIR Board, MGIRI-Wardha, NIMSME-Hyderabad, and Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises- Development Facilitation Offices (MSME-DFOs) will actively participate in this campaign.

• A Joint Secretary level nodal officer has been appointed to oversee the preparation and implementation of the entire campaign and its activities to be held on October 1, 2023 across India.

• The theme of Swachhata Hi Seva Abhiyan in 2023 is “Garbage Free India”.

• The Ministry is also actively pursuing the Special Drive for Disposal of Pending Cases (SCDPM) 3.0 and Swachhta Hi Seva Abhiyaan, which will run from September 15 to October 2, 2023.

World Heart Day - 29 September

Tags: Important Days

World Heart Day is celebrated every year on 29 September.

An Overview of the News

• The primary objective of World Heart Day is to raise awareness about cardiovascular diseases (CVD), their prevention and global impacts.

• This day was started by the World Heart Federation (WHF).

• The WHF is a non-governmental organization founded in 1972 in Geneva, Switzerland.

2023 themes and key messages:

• The theme of World Heart Day in 2023 is "Use Heart, Know Heart".

• This highlights the importance of preventing CVD by addressing risk factors such as tobacco use, unhealthy diet and physical inactivity.

• WHF emphasizes advocacy for a healthy heart lifestyle as a fundamental human right.

Global impact and statistics:

• According to the World Health Organization, CVD is a major global health concern, causing 17.9 million deaths annually.

• World Heart Day serves as a global event to raise awareness about the dangers of cardiovascular disease and the vital importance of prevention.

ICCR's 4th Indo-Latin America Cultural Festival begins in New Delhi

Tags: Festivals

Indian Council for Cultural Relations (ICCR) launched the fourth edition of the Indo-Latin America Cultural Festival in New Delhi.

An Overview of the News

• The festival brings together artists from Colombia, Ecuador, and Chile to showcase their talents and cultural heritage.

Participation of three Latin American countries:

• A total of 34 artists from Colombia, Ecuador, and Chile are actively participating in this two-day cultural event.

• Each country contributes its own unique cultural elements to the festival, promoting intercultural understanding and appreciation.

Promoting cultural and educational cooperation:

• ICCR President Dr. Vinay Sahasrabuddhe emphasized the festival's goal of showcasing the rich cultural heritage of Latin America.

• The event serves as a platform to bring together key stakeholders to discuss prospects and opportunities, promoting cultural and educational cooperation between India and Latin American countries.