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By admin: May 31, 2023

PM Modi flags off Assam’s first Vande Bharat Express

Tags: State News

Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated the Northeast's first and India's 18th Vande Bharat Express on 29 May, connecting Guwahati to New Jalpaiguri in West Bengal.

An overview of the news

  • The Prime Minister also dedicated to the nation the newly electrified sections of New Bongaigaon-Dudhnoi-Mendipathar and Guwahati-Chaparmukh.

  • He also inaugurated the new DEMU/MEMU (workshop for trains) shed at Lumding.

  • This new service will cover the distance of 411 km between Guwahati and New Jalpaiguri in 5 hrs 30 mins.

  • The Vande Bharat Express train service will operate six days a week.

About Vande Bharat Express Train

  • The first Vande Bharat Express was launched by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on 15 February 2019.

  • These trains have a self-propelled engine which can save diesel and reduce electricity usage by up to 30%.

  • The first Vande Bharat Express was manufactured by Integral Coach Factory (ICF), Chennai.

  • It was manufactured under the ‘Make in India’ programme, at a cost of about Rs 100 crore.

  • These trains can achieve a maximum speed of 160 kmph. 

  • In the Union Budget for 2022-2023 the government has proposed the development and manufacture of 400 new Vande Bharat trains in the next three years.

PM Modi to chair SCO Summit virtually

Tags: Summits National News

PM-Modi-to-chair-SCO-Summit-virtuallyPrime Minister Narendra Modi will chair the 22nd Summit of the SCO Council of Heads of State on 4th July. 

An overview of the news

  • It will be held in the virtual format. India assumed the rotating Chairmanship of SCO at the Samarkand Summit on 16 September last year. 

  • All the SCO Member States, China, Russia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Pakistan, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan have been invited to attend the Summit.

  • In addition, Iran, Belarus and Mongolia have been invited as observer states.

  • As per SCO tradition, Turkmenistan has also been invited as the Guest of the Chair.

  • In addition, heads of six international and regional organizations have also been invited.

  • The theme of the summit is 'Towards a Secure SCO'.

  • The SECURE acronym was given by Prime Minister Narendra Modi at the 2018 SCO summit which refers to security, economy and trade, connectivity, unity, respect for sovereignty and territorial integrity and environment.

Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) :

  • It is a permanent intergovernmental international organization.

  • It was founded in 2001.

  • The SCO Charter was signed in 2002, and came into force in 2003.

  • It is a Eurasian political, economic and military organization.

  • Its aim is to maintain peace, security and stability in the region.

  • China, Russia and four Central Asian states – Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Uzbekistan and Tajikistan – were founding members of the SCO.

  • Its members include China, Russia, India and Pakistan, as well as 4 Central Asian countries - Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Uzbekistan and Tajikistan.

  • Official Languages - Russian and Chinese

  • Chairmanship - On the basis of rotation for a year by Member States

Sri Lanka's National Poson Week begins

Tags: Festivals International News

Sri-Lanka's-National-Poson-Week-beginsIn Sri Lanka, the National Poson Week began on 31 May.

An overview of the news

  • The Posan festival will be held till June 6 and will be centered around the holy city of Mihinthalaya, Thanthirimalaya and Anuradhapura.

  • The festival celebrates the introduction of Buddhism to Sri Lanka in 236 BCE by Arhat Mahinda, the son of Emperor Ashoka.

  • A large number of devotees are expected to visit Anuradhapura for the festival this year and steps have been taken to provide all facilities to the devotees.

  • Due to economic crisis and lockdown in the last few years the festival could not be celebrated on a large scale.

  • Apart from this, the traffic police have implemented a special traffic plan to make travel easier in Anuradhapura.

About Poson Festival

  • Posan, also known as Poson Poya, is an annual festival held by Sri Lankan Buddhists celebrating the arrival of Buddhism in Sri Lanka in the 3rd century BCE.

  • The festival is the most important Poya (full moon) holiday of the year and the second most important Buddhist holiday of the year.

  • Posan is celebrated throughout the island, with Anuradhapura and Mihintale holding the most important celebrations of the festival.

  • The festival is held in early June, coinciding with the June full moon.

J&K govt makes 'life saving jackets' mandatory for Shikara boats in Dal and Nigeen Lakes

Tags: State News

The Jammu and Kashmirgovernment has announced making 'life jackets' mandatory for shikara boats in Dal and Nigeen lakes, besides other water bodies in the region.

An overview of the news

  • These instructions have been issued to ensure the safety of tourists riding shikaras in Dal and Nigeen lakes and other water bodies and to prevent any untoward incident due to inclement weather conditions or any other reasons.

  • Ordered that as per the guidelines of J&K Tourism Policy, every Shikara boat registered under J&K Tourism Trade Act, 1978 shall maintain availability of minimum three life saving jackets of recommended quality and specifications in the boat at all times .

  • Failure to do so will result in cancellation of registration under the said Act.

  • Life saving jackets are designed to stay afloat in water. This helps prevent the risk of drowning.

World NoTobacco Day - 31 May

Tags: Important Days

World-NoTobacco-Day---31-MayWorld No Tobacco Day is celebrated every year on 31 May with the aim of making people aware about the harmful effects of tobacco consumption.

An overview of the news

  • The theme for World No Tobacco Day 2023 is “We need food, not tobacco”. 

  • The World Health Organisation honours governments, organisations and individuals every year for their efforts and contributions to prevent tobacco use.

History of the day

  • The World No Tobacco Day initiative was adopted by WHO in 1987.

  • After this, resolution WHA 42.19 was passed in 1988, in which 31 May was issued as 'World No Tobacco Day'.

  • Recently the Global Burden of Disease has published a study on the number of smokers around the world.

Smokers in India

  • According to this study, there were around 20 million smokers in the age group of 15-24 in India in 2019. This is the second largest number of tobacco smokers worldwide.

Global scenario

  • According to this study, the number of smokers increased to 1 billion in 2019.

  • Tobacco use killed 7 million people.

  • Among new smokers, 89% had become addicted by the age of 25.

  • There are 155 million smokers worldwide aged 15-24.

  • Top 10 countries with the highest number of smokers

  • The top 10 countries are China, India, Indonesia, USA, Russia, Bangladesh, Japan, Turkey, Vietnam and Philippines.

New Liberation War Gallery Inaugurated at the Indian Cultural Centre in Dhaka

Tags: International News

New-Liberation-War-Gallery-Inaugurated-at-the-Indian-Cultural-Centre-in-DhakaOn 30 May a new Liberation War Gallery of 1971 was inaugurated at the Indian Cultural Center of the Indian High Commission in Dhaka.

An overview of the news

  • Bangladesh Home Minister Asaduzzaman Khan was the chief guest on the occasion.

  • India's High Commissioner to Bangladesh Pranay Verma joins Home Minister in inauguration of Liberation War Gallery

  • The War Gallery houses some rare photographs of the Liberation War of 1971, which culminated in the liberation of then East Pakistan and its rise as the newest nation of South Asian countries.

  • The inaugural program was attended by many freedom fighters, Bir Muktijodha, and distinguished guests, including many eminent personalities of Bangladesh, representatives of the cultural and educational fields of Bangladesh, and youth.

  • The gallery displays heroic photographs and documents from the Bangladesh Liberation War of 1971 as a testament to the enduring bond of friendship between India and Bangladesh.

  • It pays tribute to the brave freedom fighters who fought against oppression and tyranny.

  • The gallery honors the memory of the unknown millions who laid down their lives during the Liberation War of Bangladesh in 1971.

Liberation War of 1971 

  • In the 1950s, Pakistan was ruled by a military-bureaucratic rule that ruled the entire country (East and West Pakistan) in an undemocratic manner.

  • The Bengalites had no political representation in this system of governance.

  • This dominance of West Pakistan was challenged by the Bengalis during the general elections of 1970.

  • In the general election of 1970, the Awami League of East Pakistan's Sheikh Mujibur Rahman got a clear majority.

  • West Pakistan was not ready for any leader of East Pakistan to rule the country.

  • On March 26, 1971, West Pakistan launched Operation Searchlight in East Pakistan.

  • As a result, lakhs of Bangladeshis had to take refuge in India.

  • The Pakistani army had to face defeat due to the bravery of the 'Muktiwahini Sena' and Indian soldiers who fought for the independence of Bangladesh.

  • On 6 December 1971, a new nation Bangladesh was born out of 13 days of war with the intervention of India.

Maharashtra Government launched Namo Shetkari Mahasanman Yojana

Tags: Government Schemes State News

Maharashtra-Government-launched-Namo-Shetkari-Mahasanman-YojanaThe Maharashtra government has approved a new financial scheme under which Rs 6,000 will be paid annually to over one crore farmers in the state.

An overview of the news

  • On May 30, the 'Namo Shetkari Mahasanman Yojana' was approved in a cabinet meeting chaired by Chief Minister Eknath Shinde in Mumbai.

  • Chief Minister Shinde said that this amount is in addition to the Rs 6,000 being given to farmers by the Center under PM Kisan Yojana.

  • The Maharashtra cabinet also approved the implementation of 'Gender Inclusive Tourism Policy' named 'Aai' to empower women in the tourism sector.

  • The cabinet also approved the starting of women bike-taxi service at some tourist places.

About Maharashtra

  • It is a state located in the western part of India and covers a significant part of the Deccan Plateau.

  • Chief Minister - Eknath Shinde

  • Governor - Ramesh Bais

  • Official Animal - Indian giant squirrel

  • Official Bird - Yellow-footed Green Pigeon

  • Official Dance - Lavani

Recep Tayyip Erdogan becomes the President of Türkiye

Tags: Person in news International News

Justice and Development Party (AK Party) leader Recep Tayyip Erdogan became the President of Turkey.

An Overview of the News

  • In the parliamentary elections, the AK Party and its allieswon 323 out of 600 seats.

  • Erdogan has been in power for two decades after becoming prime minister in March 2003.

  • Erdogan won the presidential election, defeating Kemal Kilikdaroglu, the opposition leader of the Republican People's Party (CHP).

  • Erdogan's government aims to prioritise fighting inflation and dealing with the aftermath of the devastating February 6 earthquake.

About Türkiye

  • It is officially known as the Republic of Turkey, a transcontinental country.

  • It is located mainly on the Anatolian Peninsula in Western Asia, with a small portion on the Balkan Peninsula in Southeast Europe.

  • Ankara is the capital of Türkiye.

  • Istanbul is the largest city in Turkey and serves as the main financial center.

President - Fuat Octay

Assembly Speaker -Mustafa Sentop

Chief Justice - Zuhu Arslan

Official languages - Turkish

Justice Augustine George Masih sworn in as Chief Justice of Rajasthan High Court

Tags: Person in news State News

Augustine-George-Masih-swornJustice Augustine George Masih was sworn in as the Chief Justice of the Rajasthan High Court on May 30, 2023.

An Overview of the News

  • Governor Kalraj Mishra administered the oath of office at a function held at Raj Bhavan.

  • Justice Masih's appointment as Chief Justice comes after the previous Chief Justice, Justice Pankaj Mithal, was appointed as a Supreme Court judge in February 2023.

  • Prior to his appointment as the Chief Justice, Justice MM Srivastava was serving as the Acting Chief Justice of the Rajasthan High Court.

  • Justice Masih was sworn in as an Additional Judge of the Punjab and Haryana High Court on July 10, 2008 and became a permanent Judge on January 14, 2011.

  • Recently, Justice Prashant Kumar Mishra and senior advocate KV Vishwanathan were also sworn in as judges of the Supreme Court.

About Rajasthan

  • It is a state in northern India and is the largest Indian state by area and the seventh largest by population.

  • It is bordered by five other Indian states: Punjab to the north; Haryana and Uttar Pradesh in the northeast; Madhya Pradesh in the southeast; and Gujarat in the southwest.

  • Rajasthan is also home to three national tiger reserves, Ranthambore National Park in Sawai Madhopur, Sariska Tiger Reserve in Alwar and Mukundra Hills Tiger Reserve in Kota.

  • The state was formed on 30 March 1949 when Rajputana was merged with the Dominion of India.

Capital- Jaipur

District - 33 (7 Circle)

Governor - Kalraj Mishra

Chief Minister - Ashok Gehlot (INC)

State Legislature - Unicameral

Legislative Assembly - Rajasthan Legislative Assembly (200 seats)

Maharashtra's Bandra-Versova sea bridge to be named after Veer Savarkar

Tags: State News

Maharashtra-Government-launched-Namo-Shetkari-Mahasanman-YojanaMaharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde has announced that the Bandra-Versova sea route in Mumbai will be renamed as 'Veer Savarkar Bandra-Versova Sagari Setu'.

An Overview of the News

  • The announcement was made during an event organised in Mumbai on May 28, 2023, to commemorate the 140th birth anniversary of Swatantra Veer Vinayak Damodar Savarkar.

  • As part of the announcement, Maharashtra will also introduce the 'Veer Savarkar Shaurya Puraskar' award to honour individuals who have made notable contributions to the state, similar to the gallantry awards given by the central government.

  • Veer Savarkar, born on May 28, 1883 in Bhagur, Nashik, Maharashtra, was a prominent politician, activist and writer.

  • While imprisoned in Ratnagiri, Savarkar developed the ideology of Hindutva, a Hindu nationalist movement in 1922.

  • Veer Savarkar died on February 26, 1966.

About Maharashtra

  • It is a state located in the western part of India and covers a significant part of the Deccan Plateau.

  • Chief Minister - Eknath Shinde

  • Governor - Ramesh Bais

  • Official Animal - Indian giant squirrel

  • Official Bird - Yellow-footed Green Pigeon

  • Official Dance - Lavani

Bola Tinubu of Nigeria sworn in as President

Tags: Person in news International News

Bola Tinubu was sworn in as the President of Nigeria on 29 May.

news overview

  • Tinubu was inaugurated at Eagles Square in Abuja, which was attended by local and foreign dignitaries.

  • Tinubu's presidency is marked by economic crisis, security concerns, and the need for political stability.

  • Economic challenges in Nigeria include the need for diversification to reduce dependence on oil revenues.

Nigeria

  • It is an African country located on the Gulf of Guinea.

  • Capital -Abuja

  • Vice President - Kashim Shettima

  • Senate President - Ahmed Lawan

  • House Speaker - Femi Gbazbiamila

  • Chief Justice - Olukayode Arivula

India's defence exports increased 23 times since 2014

Tags: National Economy/Finance National News

India's-defence-exports-increased-23-times-since-2014India's defence exports have grown 23-fold since 2014, reaching an all-time high of nearly Rs 16,000 crore in the last financial year.

An Overview of the News

  • The development reflects India's progress in the global defence manufacturing sector.

  • The country's defence industry has shown its capability in design and development by exporting to more than 85 countries.

  • Presently, 100 firms are exporting defence products from India.

  • The Government has implemented policy initiatives and reforms in the last nine years to boost defence exports.

  • The Atma Nirbhar Bharat initiative encourages indigenous design, development and manufacturing of defence equipment, thereby reducing dependence on imports in the long run.

  • Expenditure on defence purchases from foreign sources has declined from 46% in 2018-19 to over 36% in December last year.

  • India currently exports aircraft (Dornier-228), artillery guns, BrahMos missiles, Pinaka rockets and launchers, radars, simulators and major platforms such as armoured vehicles.

  • There is a growing global demand for India's indigenous products including LCA-Tejas, Light Combat Helicopter, Aircraft Carrier and MRO activities.

'Atmanirbhar Bharat':

  • Atmanirbhar Bharat translates to 'self-reliant India' and is a concept promoted by Prime Minister Narendra Modi for the economic development of India.

  • It aims to make India more efficient, competitive and resilient in the global economy.

  • Modi first used the term in 2014 while focusing on national security, poverty alleviation and Digital India initiative.

  • Educational institutions like Visva-Bharati University played a role in furthering self-reliance in education.

Savitribai Phule Pune University won its first gold medal in the women's tennis event at the Khelo India University Games

Tags: Sports Sports News

first-gold-medal-in-the-women's-tennis-event-at-the-Khelo-India-University-GamesKhelo India University Games: Savitribai Phule Pune University won the first gold medal by defeating Osmania University in the women's tennis event.

An Overview of the News

  • They won 2–0 over defending champions Osmania University in the final match.

  • The tournament took place at the Ekana International Tennis Stadium in Lucknow.

  • The Jain University women's tennis team won the bronze medal by defeating Madras University by a score of 2-0.

  • The match between Anna University and Bharathiar University went into a deciding double, with Anna University eventually winning in a super tie-break.

  • Gujarat University won the bronze medal in a closely fought match against Kalinga Institute of Industrial Technology (KIIT) with a score of 2-1.

About Uttar Pradesh

  • Uttar Pradesh is a state located in the northern part of India.

  • It has a population of over 240 million, making it the most populous state in India as well as the most populous subdivision in the world.

  • The state was officially established in 1950.

Chief Minister - Yogi Adityanath

Capital - Lucknow

Governor - Anandiben Patel

Rajya Sabha - 31 seats

Lok Sabha - 80 seats

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