1. India and Germany Hold 17th Military Cooperation Meeting in Berlin
The 17th edition of the India-Germany Military Cooperation Sub Group (MCSG) meeting took place from 01-02 October 2024 in Berlin, Germany.
An Overview of the News
The event aimed to further strengthen and enhance military cooperation between the two nations.
Key Discussion Points:
Focus on new initiatives to enhance bilateral military cooperation.
Discussions on strengthening ongoing defence engagements across various areas.
The meeting was conducted in a friendly, warm, and cordial atmosphere.
MCSG Structure and Leadership:
Objective: Boost defence cooperation through regular strategic and operational talks.
Participants:
Indian side: Deputy Assistant Chief of Integrated Defence Staff for International Defence Cooperation.
German side: Deputy Director, Department of International Cooperation, Armed Forces Office.
Involvement: Headquarters, Integrated Defence Staff (India) and Department of International Cooperation (Germany).
2. UNESCO Adds Three Indian Literary Gems to 'Memory of the World' Asia-Pacific Register
The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO) has added three significant Indian literary works to its "Memory of the World (MOW) Asia-Pacific Regional Register": The Ramcharitmanas (Rāmacaritamānasa), Panchatantra (Pañcatantra Fables), and Sahṛdayāloka-Locana.
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This decision was made at the 10th meeting of the Memory of the World Committee for Asia and the Pacific (MOWCAP), which took place in Ulaanbatar, Mongolia.
During the 2024 cycle, the Asia-Pacific Member States included a total of 20 items from various countries, with three from India.
Authored by Goswami Tulsidas, Pt. Vishnu Sharma, and Acharya Anandvardhan, respectively, these literary works hold significant cultural and historical importance.
IGNCA's Role and Representation:
The Indira Gandhi National Centre for the Arts (IGNCA) played a pivotal role in ensuring the placement of The Ramcharitmanas, Panchatantra, and Sahṛdayāloka-Locana in UNESCO's Memory of the World Asia-Pacific Regional Register.
Prof. Ramesh Chandra Gaur, Dean (Administration) and Head of Department (HOD) at the Kala Nidhi Division of IGNCA in New Delhi, Delhi, effectively represented the three entries from India.
IGNCA's participation marked its first-ever submission of nominations to the Regional Register since its inception in 2008, underscoring its commitment to preserving and promoting cultural heritage.
MOWCAP:
MOWCAP, a regional arm of UNESCO's Memory of the World Programme (MOW), was inaugurated in 1998 at its inaugural General Meeting in Beijing, China.
The committee administers the Asia-Pacific register of MOW documentary heritage, updating it every two years with new inscriptions.
Its primary objective is to aid in the preservation and promotion of access to the documentary heritage of the Asia-Pacific region.
MOWCAP's mission extends to raising awareness about the significance and presence of this heritage.
It encompasses a membership of 43 countries spanning the Asia-Pacific region.
3. 6-year-old Indian girl Takshavi sets world record for lowest limbo skating
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6-year-old Takshavi Vaghan from Ahmedabad, Gujarat made the world record for lowest limb skating.
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On April 18, 2024, the remarkable 6-year-old prodigy from Ahmedabad, Gujarat, displayed extraordinary agility, effortlessly crossing a distance of 25 meters with a minimum clearance of only 16 cm (6.29 inches) from the ground.
Guinness World Records (GWR) confirmed Takshavi's record and shared a video of his achievement.
The video shows Takshavi completing the limbo skating challenge with ease.
Previous record holder: Manasvi Vishal
Before Takshvi, the record for lowest limbo skating of more than 25 meters was held by Manasvi Vishal of Pune, India.
Manasvi achieved this feat by covering a distance of 25 meters at a height of 16.5 centimeters from the ground.
4. Operation Indravati Begins: Evacuation of Indian Citizens from Haiti
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Operation Indravati was launched to evacuate Indian citizens from Haiti amid increasing gang violence.
An Overview of the News
Armed gangs have attacked the suburbs of Port-au-Prince, prompting India to intervene.
The evacuation plan includes relocating Indian nationals to the Dominican Republic.
More than 15 Americans are being airlifted to Santo Domingo.
Haiti is facing a crisis exacerbated by gang violence following the 2010 earthquake.
Gangs are carrying out attacks, burning police stations and spreading anarchy.
The airport was closed, prisoners were released, a state of emergency was declared, and a curfew was imposed.
Gang leader Jimmy Charizier demanded the resignation of acting Prime Minister Ariel Henry. Ariel Henry announced his decision to step down but remained in power. Henry is currently in exile in Puerto Rico.
About Haiti:
Haiti, located in the Caribbean, shares the island of Hispaniola with the Dominican Republic to its east.
Despite ongoing efforts to recover from the devastating 2010 earthquake, Haiti has preserved many sites dating back to the early 19th century.
These sites include the Citadelle La Ferriere, which sits atop a mountain and serves as a fortress.
The Sans-Souci Palace, the Baroque former royal residence of King Henry I, is located in nearby ruins, offering a glimpse of Haiti's historic past.
Capital - Port-au-Prince
Official languages - Haitian Creole, French
Currency - Haitian Gourde
Continent - North America
5. Cricket star Deepak Chahar launches 'DNINE Sports'
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Indian cricketer Deepak Chahar forayed into the sports equipment industry with the launch of DNINE Sports.
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Deepak Chahar has invested ₹2.5 crore in DNINE Sports.
DNINE Sports aims to revolutionize athletic gear, offering a wide range of products to suit the needs of athletes, including professional cricketers.
Establishment and Founder:
DNINE Sports was established under the entity LCDC Athletics Pvt. Ltd.
Deepak Chahar and his father Lokendra Singh Chahar are the co-founders of the company.
Distribution Strategy:
DNINE Sports adopts a multi-pronged distribution approach, encompassing both online and offline.
The importance of word-of-mouth marketing in establishing a brand identity for DNINE Sports is emphasized.
6. Union Minister Harsh Shanghvi grants Indian citizenship to 108 Pakistani migrants in Ahmedabad
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On September 12, 2023, in Ahmedabad, Union Minister Harsh Shanghvi provided citizenship to 108 migrants from Pakistan.
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The right to grant Indian citizenship to minority communities from Afghanistan, Bangladesh, and Pakistan came through gazette notifications issued in 2016 and 2018.
The district collectors of Ahmedabad, Gandhinagar, and Kutch in Gujarat are empowered to follow the process under the Citizenship Act for granting Indian citizenship.
Ahmedabad District Collectorate has already granted Indian citizenship to about 1,149 Pakistani Hindu immigrants.
About Citizenship Act
Articles 5 to 11 under Part II of the Constitution address citizenship.
Article 5 - Citizenship at the commencement of the Constitution
Article 6 - Rights of citizenship of certain persons who have migrated to India from Pakistan
Article 7 - Rights of citizenship of certain migrants to Pakistan
Article 8 - Rights of citizenship of certain persons of Indian origin resident outside India
Article 9 - Persons who voluntarily acquire the citizenship of a foreign State not to be citizens
Article 10- Continuance of rights of citizenship
Article 11- Parliament shall regulate by law the right of citizenship
The Constitution recognizes those persons who became citizens of India upon its commencement on January 26, 1950.
It lacks detailed provisions for acquiring or losing citizenship after commencement.
The Constitution gives Parliament the right to make laws in matters related to citizenship.
Parliament enacted the Citizenship Act (1955) as the primary legal framework for citizenship.
Amendments to the Citizenship Act, including the repeal of the Commonwealth citizenship provision, were made through legislative acts such as the Citizenship (Amendment) Act of 2003.
7. India begins construction of world's highest combat airfield at Nyoma in Ladakh
The Border Roads Organization (BRO) is building the world's highest combat airfield at Nyoma in Ladakh.
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Defense Minister Rajnath Singh will lay the foundation stone of this project at Devak Bridge in Jammu on September 12, 2023.
Nyoma, a major village in southern Ladakh, already hosts an Indian Air Force base and an Advanced Landing Ground (ALG), established in 1962.
The altitude of Nyoma reaches an impressive 4,180 meters (13,710 ft) above sea level, making it one of the highest altitudes in the region.
Budget Allocation:
The Central Government has consistently increased its budget allocation for the development of border infrastructure.
Last year, around ₹12,340 crore was allocated, underscoring the government's commitment to strengthening India's border infrastructure.
Goals of India's infrastructure development:
Lieutenant General Rajiv Chaudhary, who heads the BRO, is optimistic about India's rapid progress in developing border infrastructure.
India aims to surpass China in this regard on the 3,488 km long Line of Actual Control (LAC) within the next two to three years.
About Ladakh
Union Territory - 31 October 2019
Capitals - Leh, Kargil
Lieutenant Governor - B. D. Mishra
Member of Parliament - Jamyang Tsering Namgyal
8. GSV Vadodara and Airbus sign MoU
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Gati Shakti Vishwavidyalaya (GSV) Vadodara and Airbus signed an MoU for aerospace education and research. The aim is to strengthen the Indian aviation sector through this partnership.
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The MoU was signed by Rémi Maillard (President and Managing Director, Airbus India and South Asia) and Professor Manoj Chowdhary (Vice-Chancellor, Gati Shakti University).
The signing ceremony was attended by Minister of Railways, Communications, Electronics and IT Ashwini Vaishnav, who also serves as the first Chancellor of Gati Shakti University.
Jaya Verma Sinha, Chairperson and CEO, of the Railway Board and senior officials of the Railway Board, were also present.
Airbus' commitment to India:
Airbus recognizes India as a key driver of global aviation and an important resource center.
Airbus is committed to "Make in India" and increasing India's contribution to its global products.
Objectives of Industry-Academia Partnership:
The partnership will involve co-development and co-delivery of sector-relevant skill courses and programs.
It will also include joint research initiatives and industry experiences for faculty, internships, placements and scholarship programs for students.
Through this collaboration, an estimated 15,000 students are expected to get job opportunities in Airbus' Indian operations.
Gati Shakti Vishwavidyalaya (GSV):
GSV Vadodara was established in 2022 through an Act of Parliament.
It is sponsored by the Ministry of Railways, Government of India, with the first chancellor being Shri Ashwini Vaishnav.
Focus and Mission of GSV:
GSV focuses exclusively on the transportation and logistics sectors.
It aims to complement national developmental plans including PM Gati Shakti National Master Plan 2021 and National Logistics Policy 2022.
Educational Approach:
GSV follows a demand-driven curriculum.
It leverages the state-of-the-art infrastructure of Centralized Training Institutes of Indian Railways.
The University aims to create a resource pool of professionals in technology, economics, management and policy through multidisciplinary education.
Industry Collaboration:
GSV is an industry-driven and innovation-driven university.
It already has several collaborations with leading institutions and industries globally.
Airbus and Tata partnership:
Airbus and Tata recently announced a partnership to set up a C295 aircraft facility in Vadodara, Gujarat.
9. 'Gujarat Declaration' outlining the outcome of the first WHO Traditional Medicine Global Summit 2023 released
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The World Health Organization (WHO) released the outcome document of the first WHO Traditional Medicine Global Summit 2023 as the "Gujarat Declaration".
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The "Gujarat Manifesto" reaffirms the global commitment to traditional medicine for health and wellness.
This emphasizes the need for rigorous scientific methods to understand and implement holistic and context-specific healthcare approaches.
India, as the host of the WHO Global Center for Traditional Medicine in Gujarat, plays an important role in supporting Member States and taking forward the work agenda of the summit.
Key objectives include enhancing evidence-based traditional complementary integrative medicine (TCIM), promoting standardized documentation, and establishing a global network of TCIM reference clinical centers.
The declaration emphasizes leveraging digital health technologies, especially artificial intelligence, for digital resources related to TCIM.
The summit was organized by WHO and co-hosted by the Ministry of AYUSH in Gandhinagar, Gujarat on 17 - 18 August 2023.
AYUSH (Ayurveda, Yoga, Unani, Siddha, Homeopathy):-
The Ministry of AYUSH was established on 9 November 2014to revive the knowledge of traditional Indian systems of medicine.
It focuses on education and research in the fields of Ayurveda, Yoga Naturopathy, Unani, Siddha and Homeopathy.
AYUSH Minister - Sarbananda Sonowal
World Health Organization (WHO)
It is a specialized agency of the United Nations.
Established - April 7, 1948
"World Health Day" - 7 April
Headquarters - Geneva, Switzerland
Director General - Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus of Ethiopia
10. Rashtriya Chemicals & Fertilizers gets Navratna status
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On September 2, 2023, Rashtriya Chemicals and Fertilizers Limited (RCF) was conferred 'Navratna status' by the Department of Public Enterprises (DPE).
An Overview of the News
The 'Navratna Status' designation empowers RCF as one of the select groups of Public Sector Enterprises in India with significant financial autonomy.
These companies can invest up to Rs 1000 crore in projects without approval from the central government.
Before achieving 'Navratna status', RCF had earlier achieved 'Miniratna status' from the Department of Public Enterprises.
Navratna companies are recognized as pillars of excellence in India's public sector and are known for their exceptional performance and significant contribution to the country's economy.
These companies have substantial financial freedom, which allows them to make investment decisions for projects up to a specific limit without requiring government approval.
Navratna companies fall under the category of Central Public Sector Enterprises (CPSEs) and are evaluated based on specific operational and financial parameters, including factors such as net profit, total cost of production, earnings per share, and cross-sector performance.
Rashtriya Chemicals and Fertilizers Limited (RCF):-
Ownership: Government-owned enterprise in India
Headquarters: Mumbai, India
Primary operations: production of chemicals and fertilizers
Government Ministry: Comes under the Ministry of Chemicals and Fertilizers
Establishment: Established in 1978 after the restructuring of the Fertilizer Corporation of India.
Product Portfolio: Includes Urea and Complex Fertilizers (NPK) and Industrial Chemicals
Ranking: Fourth largest producer of state-owned fertilizers in India
Urea Production: 4th largest urea producer in India
Chairman and Managing Director: S. C. Mudgerikar
