DAILY CURRENT AFFAIRS

By admin: Aug. 31, 2023

Geetika Srivastava becomes the first woman Charge d'Affaires (CDA) in Pakistan

Tags: Person in news

Geetika Srivastava, a 2005 batch IFS officer, was named as the first woman Charge d'Affaires (CDA) at the Indian High Commission in Islamabad, Pakistan.

An Overview of the News

• Geetika Srivastava is currently Joint Secretary in the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) and looks after the Indo-Pacific Division. She will replace Dr. M Suresh Kumar.

• He worked in the Indian Embassy in China from 2007 to 2009.

• Srivastava also held the position of Director in the Indian Ocean Region (IOR) Division of the Ministry of External Affairs and served as the Regional Passport Officer in Kolkata, West Bengal.

Important Points

• Saad Ahmad Waraich has been appointed as the new Charge d'Affaires at the High Commission of Pakistan in New Delhi, Delhi.

• Diplomatic relations between India and Pakistan were downgraded in August 2019, following India's decision to abrogate Article 370 that granted special status to Jammu and Kashmir. As a result, the Indian and Pakistani High Commissions in Islamabad and Delhi are managed by their respective charge d'affaires.

Union Minister Bhupendra Yadav started chemotherapy services in 30 ESIC hospitals

Tags: National News

Union Minister for Labor and Employment and Environment, Forest and Climate Change Bhupendra Yadav inaugurated chemotherapy services in 30 Employees' State Insurance Corporation (ESIC) hospitals across India.

An Overview of the News

• The inauguration took place during the 191st ESI Corporation meeting at ESIC Headquarters in New Delhi.

• This initiative is in line with Prime Minister Narendra Modi's vision for the overall welfare of Indian workers (Shram Yogis) in the Amrit Kaal of India.

• In-house chemotherapy services will provide better cancer treatment for the insured workers and their dependents.

Control Panel with Dashboard: Streamlining Hospital Operations

• Minister Bhupendra Yadav also inaugurated a control room having ESIC dashboard.

• These dashboards will enhance monitoring of hospital resources, bed availability, and ongoing construction projects.

Focus on Medical Education: Strengthening Health Care Professionals

• The plans include setting up new ESIC Medical Colleges and Hospitals based on the assessed needs.

• Presently, ESIC operates 8 Medical Colleges, 2 Dental Colleges, 2 Nursing Colleges and 1 Para-Medical College.

Agenda deliberations: promotion and approval

• In-principle approval given for setting up of 15 new ESI hospitals and 78 ESI dispensaries.

• ESIC Hospital, Beltola, Assam, ESIC Medical College and Hospital, K.K. Nagar, Chennai, Tamil Nadu and ESIC Medical College and Hospital, Faridabad, Haryana approved bed capacity enhancement.

Unveiling Important Documents: Promoting Transparency

• Minister Bhupendra Yadav unveiled key documents during the event, which include Citizen's Charter, Audit and Accounts Manual of ESIC, Referral Policy and Equipment Policy.

Identifying iGOT Learners: Capacity Development

• Minister Bhupendra Yadav felicitated 5 top performing IGOT learners of ESIC on IGOT (Karmayogi Bharat) learning platform.

• These learners excelled in ESIC offices located in Rajasthan, Kerala and Bengaluru.

• The iGOT platform aims to enhance capacity development among the civil services.

About ESIC

• It is one of the two social security bodies in India, supervised by the Ministry of Labor and Employment of the Government of India.

• Its counterpart is the Employees Provident Fund Organisation.

• ESIC operates under government ownership and comes under the Ministry of Labor and Employment.

• The management of the Employees' State Insurance Fund is under the purview of ESIC.

• The guidelines and provisions for the operation of ESIC are outlined in the Employees' State Insurance Act 1948.

Formation - 24 February 1952

Headquarter - New Delhi

Civil Aviation Minister Inaugurates Utkela Airport and Direct Flight between Utkela and Bhubaneswar

Tags: State News

Minister of Civil Aviation, Jyotiraditya M. Scindia and Minister of State, Ministry of Civil Aviation, General Vijay Kumar Singh (Retd) inaugurated the Utkela Airport and a new flight route connecting Utkela and Bhubaneswar through video conferencing.

An Overview of the News

• Utkela Airport, owned by the Government of Odisha, has been set up as a regional airport under the UDAN scheme of the Ministry of Civil Aviation with a project cost of Rs 31.07 crore.

• The airport has a 917-metre (2,995 ft) runway and a runway width of 30 metres, which contributes to better regional connectivity.

• This increases the number of airports in Odisha to five, underscoring efforts to boost transport infrastructure.

Increase in connectivity through Utkela-Bhubaneswar flight route

• The newly launched Utkela-Bhubaneswar flight route, operated by IndiaOne, is set to strengthen regional air connectivity and boost economic growth in the region.

• This route will be operated by 9-seater Cessna C-208 aircraft, which is a part of the UDAN scheme initiative.

• The travel time between Utkela and Bhubaneswar, which usually takes about 8 hours by road, will now be reduced to just one hour and twenty minutes by air.

Economic benefits and development for Kalahandi region

• The new Utkela-Bhubaneswar air connection is set to stimulate economic activities and create many employment opportunities in the Kalahandi region.

• Collaboration between the Central Government and the Government of Odisha in advancing civil aviation infrastructure was highlighted as an important step towards development.

About Odisha

• Formation - April 1, 1936

• Capital -Bhubaneswar

• Districts - 30 (3 divisions)

• Governor - Ganeshi Lal

• Chief Minister - Naveen Patnaik

NITI Aayog and UNDP come together to accelerate SDGs

Tags: Popular

In an important step towards accelerating progress on the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), NITI Aayog and UNDP India strengthened their commitment by signing a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU).

An Overview of the News

• This MoU serves as a formal agreement, outlining the collaborative framework between the two entities.

The MoU symbolizes cooperation in several key areas:

• Localizing the SDGs: The partnership underlines the importance of bringing the SDGs to the grassroots level, ensuring their effective implementation and impact.

• Data-driven monitoring: Using data as a powerful tool, the Coalition aims to enhance Monitoring and evaluation of SDG progress.

• Empowering Aspirational Districts and Blocks: Cooperative efforts extend to empowering and uplifting specific areas designated as Aspirational Districts and Blocks.

• Diverse Collaborative Initiatives: The partnership includes a wide range of collaborative projects and initiatives contributing to overall development.

Signatories to the MoU

• NITI Aayog CEO B. V. R. Subrahmanyam 

• Dr. Yogesh Suri, Senior Advisor (SDG), NITI Aayog

• Shoko Noda, UNDP India Local Representative

UNDP's Pledge of Progress

• Shoko Noda, UNDP India's local representative, emphasized the organization's dedication. He acknowledged India's important role in making the SDGs a reality, citing significant reduction in multidimensional poverty.

• The scope of the partnership includes SDG localisation, data-driven decision making and promotion of various programs like Aspirational Districts and Block Initiative, SDG financing, women's livelihoods, innovation and Mission LiFE.

Period of Cooperation

• The MoU establishes a five-year cooperation period.

• During this period, joint efforts between NITI Aayog and UNDP India will be engaged in various developmental initiatives and projects.

Roles of NITI Aayog and UNDP

• NITI Aayog plays the role of the key coordination body for SDG implementation and monitoring at both national and sub-national levels.

• Conversely, UNDP takes on the important responsibility of integrating and harmonizing actions within the UN system to accelerate progress towards the SDGs.

World Sanskrit Day - 31 August

Tags: Important Days

World Sanskrit Day is celebrated annually on 31 August, an occasion dedicated to celebrating the importance of Sanskrit.

An Overview of the News

• The day serves as an opportunity to spread awareness about the language that was used by scholars and saints in ancient India to compose revered texts, especially those related to religious teachings and philosophy.

Alternate name - Vishva-Sanskrit-dinam:

• Also known as Vishva-Sanskrit-Dinam, this day is an annual event focusing on the ancient Indian language Sanskrit.

• It consists of lectures about the language and aims to promote its revival and preservation.

History of World Sanskrit Day

• It started in 1969 when the Government of India started its establishment.

• This day honors the contribution of Panini to Sanskrit language and linguistics.

• It coincides with the birth anniversary of Panini, which emphasizes the purpose of the celebration.

• The event has gained global recognition, bringing together Sanskrit scholars and enthusiasts from around the world.

India to host the first edition of the 'Global IndiaAI 2023' conference in October

Tags: Summits

The inaugural edition of 'Global IndiaAI 2023' will be hosted by India in October.

An Overview of the News

• The responsibility for organizing this program will be of the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology.

• The conference will attract leading figures in the field of AI, such as key players, researchers, startups, and investors from India and around the world.

• A variety of topics will be covered during the program, ranging from next-generation learning and foundational AI models to applications of AI in healthcare, governance and the advancement of electric vehicles.

• The conference will also discuss future trends in AI research, AI computing systems, investment prospects and strategies to promote AI talent.

• The proceedings of the conference are being monitored by Rajiv Chandrashekhar, Union Minister of State for Skill Development and Entrepreneurship and Electronics and IT.

Goa Shipyard and Kenya Shipyard sign MoU for ship design and building cooperatio

Tags: International Relations

Goa Shipyard Limited (GSL) and Kenya Shipyard Limited (KSL) signed an MoU for cooperation in ship design and construction.

An Overview of the News

• The MoU was formalized during a meeting between India's Union Defense Minister Rajnath Singh and Kenya's Cabinet Secretary Defense Aden Bare Duale on August 29, 2023.

• The signing event took place in New Delhi, Delhi.

• Chief of Defense Staff (CDS) General Anil Chauhan and Defense Secretary Giridhar Aramane attended the bilateral meeting.

• Aden Bare Duale, serving as the Defense Cabinet Secretary of Kenya, is on a 3-day visit to India.

• Kenya Shipyard Limited is a state-owned company under the Ministry of Defense of Kenya, established in 2020 to meet the operational needs of the Kenya Navy through shipbuilding, repair, maintenance, and marine services.

Highlights of the bilateral meeting between India and Kenya:

Defense Cooperation and Regional Security:

• Discussion Strengthening defense industry ties and cooperation in equipment development.

• Both countries are engaged in dialogue on mutual regional security concerns.

Symbolic gifts and technical assistance:

• Defense Minister Rajnath Singh presented 15 pairs of Glider India Limited parachutes to Aden Beyer Duelle for the Kenyan forces.

• India offered assistance in setting up an advanced CT scan facility in Kenya.

Expanded participation in various fields:

• Cooperation commitment for maritime security in the Indian Ocean Region (IOR) was expanded.

• It was agreed upon for intensive cooperation in counter-insurgency training.

• Reciprocated commitment to an expanded partnership in UN peacekeeping efforts.

About Goa Shipyard Limited:

• GSL is a Miniratna Central Public Sector Undertaking (CPSU) operating under the Ministry of Defense (MoD) of India.

• Chairman & Managing Director - Brajesh Kumar Upadhyay

• Establishment - 1957

• Headquarters - Vasco da Gama, Goa

ISRO's Chandrayaan-3 Pragyan Rover Confirms Presence of Sulfur on Moon

Tags: Science and Technology

The Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO) confirmed the presence of sulfur on the Moon's surface through the Pragyan rover module of Chandrayaan-3.

An Overview of the News

• This important discovery is the result of in-situ recordings made near the Moon's south pole.

• The confirmation of sulfur has essential implications for understanding the elemental composition of the Moon and its geological history.

About Pragyan Rover

• Lunar Rover: Pragyan is a lunar rover designed by the Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO) as a component of the lunar exploration project Chandrayaan-3.

• Previous attempt: In an earlier attempt, an earlier version of the rover was included in the Chandrayaan-2 mission. Launched on July 22, 2019, the rover was lost along with its lander Vikram due to an accident on the Moon on September 6.

• Chandrayaan-3 Launch: The next mission, Chandrayaan-3, was launched on July 14, 2023. It carried updated versions of both the Vikram lander and the Pragyan rover.

• Successful Landing: The Chandrayaan-3 mission was crowned with success when its Vikram lander and Pragyan rover successfully landed around the Moon's south pole on August 23.

Assam's Chokuwa rice gets GI tag

Tags: State News

Chokuwa rice, popularly known as "magic rice", received the Geographical Indication (GI) tag.

An Overview of the News

• The GI tag recognizes its exceptional qualities and heritage.

• Chokuwa rice is closely linked to the history of Assam and has a historical connection with the Ahom dynasty.

• This variety of rice is specially cultivated in the Brahmaputra river region.

• Cultivation areas include Tinsukia, Dhemaji, and Dibrugarh in Assam.

Geographical Indication (GI) Tag:

• Geographical Indication (GI) is a label given to products from a specific geographical area.

• GIs confirm that products have unique properties or have been produced using traditional methods because of their geographical origin.

• Applicable to various products such as food, handicrafts, and industrial goods.

• GI tags ensure that only authorized producers can use the product name.

Who awards and regulates geographical indications?

• Geographical indications are a form of intellectual property rights (IPR) protected under the Paris Convention for the Protection of Industrial Property.

• The World Trade Organization (WTO) Agreement on Trade-Related Aspects of Intellectual Property Rights (TRIPS) establishes an international framework for GI protection.

• In India, GI registration and protection of goods is governed by the Geographical Indications (Registration and Protection) Act, 1999.

• This act came into effect in September 2003.

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