1. Jyotiraditya Scindia inaugurates 4th Heli-India Summit 2022
Tags: National National News
Union Civil Aviation Minister Jyotiraditya Scindia and Jammu and Kashmir Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha inaugurated the 4th Heli-India Summit 2022 in Srinagar on 10 October.
Important facts
The theme of 4th Heli-India Summit 2022 is ‘Helicopters for last Mile Connectivity’.
He said that a civil enclave will be built in Jammu at a cost of Rs 861 crores and the Srinagar’s present terminal will be expanded three times from 20,000 square meters to 60,000 square meters at a cost of Rs 1500 crores.
He said that the decrease in VAT on Aviation Turbine Fuel (ATF) from 26.5 percent to one percent by the J&K government.
The HeliSewa portal is completely online and is being used by all operators to obtain landing permissions for helipads, and is also creating a database of helipads in the country.
Helidisha, guidance material on helicopter operations for the state administration has been distributed in 780 districts.
Helicopter Accelerator cell is fully proactive in resolving helicopter issues and an advisory group of industry representatives is helping to identify the problem areas.
Three helicopter corridors have been built from Mumbai-Pune, Ahmedabad-Gandhinagar and Shamshabad-Begumpet and new IFR corridors are being planned.
In terms of railway connectivity, Jammu and Kashmir will be connected with Kanyakumari by next year.
2. National Conference on Skilling in Non- Traditional Livelihood for Girls “Betiyan Bane Kushal”
Tags: National National News
Women and Child Development Ministry to organize National Conference on Skilling in Non-Traditional Livelihood for Girls 'Betiyan Bane Kushal' on 11 October.
Important facts
The conference is being organized under the banner of Beti Bachao Beti Padhao on the occasion of International Day of the Girl Child on October 11, 2022.
Under the Betiyan Bane Kushal initiative, the emphasis will be on convergence between Ministries and Departments to ensure skill development of girls.
It will be organized by the Union Ministry of Women and Child Development.
The conference will emphasise on the importance of boosting the capacity and skills of girls in STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics) fields to increase their participation in related professions and research.
During the conference, the Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship (MSDE) and Minority Affairs will sign a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to promote the skills of young girls so that they can participate in the workforce in an equitable and empowered manner.
During the event, both these ministries will commit towards focusing on promoting entrepreneurship skills, digital literacy, financial literacy and employability skills of girls and women.
Minister of Women and Child Development - Smriti Zubin Irani
Minister of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship - Dharmendra Pradhan
3. The Plenary Session of North Eastern Council Concludes
Tags: National National News
The two-day plenary session of the North Eastern Council (NEC), which was held in Guwahati, under the chairmanship of Union Home Minister Amit Shah concluded in Guwahati on 9 October.
Important facts
The meeting was attended by the Governors, Chief Ministers of North Eastern States, Union Ministers and Ministers of State for North Eastern Affairs and senior officers of various departments of the Centre and North Eastern States.
In his address, Amit Shah said that there were three major hurdles in the path of development of the Northeast for decades - violence and unrest by extremist groups, lack of rail, road and air connectivity in the Northeast and previous governments' lack of emphasis on development of the Northeast.
He said that the whole of India considers the languages, cultures, food and costumes of the Northeast of the country as its heritage and the Government of India is making every effort to preserve and promote the natural identity of this region.
The 70th Plenary meeting reviewed the status of different ongoing social and developmental projects in the North Eastern Region.
NEHHDC Mobile Application launched
The Home Minister launched the North Eastern Handicrafts & Handlooms Development Corporation Limited (NEHHDC) Mobile Application during the session.
It would help register artisans and weavers online and collect authentic data through the app.
About North Eastern Council
It is the nodal agency for the economic and social development of the North Eastern Region.
It consists of the eight States of Arunachal Pradesh, Assam, Manipur, Meghalaya, Mizoram, Nagaland, Sikkim and Tripura.
It was constituted under the North Eastern Council Act in 1971.
The Council comprises Governors and Chief Ministers of constituent States and three members nominated by the President.
The Union Cabinet, in June 2018, approved the proposal of the Ministry of Development of North Eastern Region (DoNER) to nominate the Union Home Minister as the ex-officio Chairman of the North Eastern Council (NEC).
The Cabinet also approved that the Minister of State (Independent Charge), Ministry of DoNER will act as the Vice-Chairman of the Council.
It discusses any matter in which some or all the States represented on the Council have a common interest and advises the Central Government and the respective State Governments as to the action to be taken on any such matter.
The headquarters - Shillong
4. 'Project Mausam': ASI holds two-day meet
Tags: National National News
Under “Project Mausam”, the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) organised a two-day event on 7th and 8th October, 2022 at India Habitat Centre, New Delhi with an aim to promote future research and broaden our understanding of the subject.
Important facts
The "Jaladhipurayatra: Exploring Multi-Cultural Relations among Indian Ocean Rim Countries" conference covered many aspects of maritime exchanges and interactions.
The conference was inaugurated by Arjun Ram Meghwal, Minister of State for Culture and Parliamentary Affairs and Meenakshi Lekhi, Minister of State for Culture and External Affairs.
A brochure on the objectives and scope of the Mausam project along with a brief outline of India's maritime heritage and a list of World Heritage properties of India was released on the occasion.
The conference consisted of a plenary session followed by six academic sessions, each dealing with a particular aspect of India's maritime dialogue.
On the second day an interaction session with eminent ambassadors of the Indian Ocean Rim countries was organized, which was presided over by the Minister of State for Culture and External Affairs Meenakshi Lekhi.
About "Project Mausam"
It was launched by the Ministry of Culture, Government of India, at UNESCO's 38th World Heritage Committee Meeting held in Doha, Qatar, in 2014.
Its main objective is to conduct archaeological and historical level research in relation to the multi-faceted Indian Ocean in order to uncover the cultural, commercial and religious interrelationships of this diverse region.
Presently, the Archaeological Survey of India is in charge of overseeing the project.
The Archaeological Survey of India (ASI)
It is the premier organisation for archaeological research and conservation of the nation's cultural heritage.
It works under the Ministry of Culture.
It manages more than 3650 ancient monuments, archaeological sites and remains of national importance.
It was founded in 1861 by Alexander Cunningham.
Alexander Cunningham was the first Director-General of ASI.
He is also known as the “Father of Indian Archaeology”.
It is headed by a Director-General and is headquartered in New Delhi.
Director General - V. Vidyavathi
5. S Jaishankar inaugurates new Indian High Commission Chancery at Wellington in New Zealand
Tags: International Relations International News
External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar on 9 October inaugurated the new Indian High Commission Chancery in Wellington, New Zealand.
Important facts
He said that coordinating each other's potentials is a more prudent way to further deepen the vital ties between India and New Zealand.
S. Jaishankar, who is on his first visit to New Zealand as External Affairs Minister, also said that there is a need to take the ties between the two countries afresh.
He also said that there is massive potential for partnership between India and New Zealand in the field of agri-business.
Strong cooperation between India and New Zealand will ensure peace, prosperity and progress in the shared region, he said.
There is huge potential in business, digital, agriculture, education, skills, traditional medicine and maritime security domains, he said.
About New Zealand
It is a remote, mountainous group of islands located off the southeast coast of Australia.
Prime Minister - Jacinda Ardern
Capital - Wellington
Currency - New Zealand dollar
New Zealand was the first country to allow women to vote in 1893.
New Zealand's wetapunga is one of the heaviest insects in the world.
Major rivers - Waikato, Clurtha, Rangitaiki, Wanganui, Manawatu, Buller, Rakaia, Waitaki, Waiau
Major Mountain Ranges - Southern Alps, Kaikoura Ranges
New Zealand's two main islands - North and South Islands, are separated by the Cook Strait.
6. U S and India launch a joint task force on energy storage technologies
Tags: Science and Technology International News
India and the United States have launched a new task force under the Strategic Clean Energy Partnership (SCEP), which will focus on the accelerated deployment of energy storage technologies.
Battery energy storage systems (BESS), are devices that enable energy from renewables, like solar and wind, to be stored and then released when customers need power most.
The task force was announced during the meeting of the Union minister for Petroleum and Natural Gas Hardeep Puri and the US Energy Secretary Jennifer Granholm in Washington on 7 October 2022.
They also issued a US India Strategic Clean Energy Partnership (SCEP) joint statement which highlighted the importance of bilateral clean energy engagement to strengthen energy security and to accelerate clean, secure, and just energy transition.
7. Solomon PM told Australia, no Chinese military presence in the country
Tags: place in news International News
Solomon Islands Prime Minister Manasseh Sogaware assured Australia on 7 October that his country would not allow a Chinese military presence in its territory.
Important facts
The island nation has been at the centre of a diplomatic conflict in the southern Pacific Ocean between the United States, Australia and their allies on the one hand and China on the other.
Earlier this year, the Solomon Islands struck a security agreement with China, saying it needed Beijing's assistance with its domestic security situation.
The agreement shook the US and Australia.
There was concern that the deal could potentially lead to a Chinese military base and power test on the island nation.
The United States and its regional allies fear that China could open a Chinese naval base, which would significantly increase China's military reach in the South Pacific.
About Solomon Islands
The Solomon Islands is a nation located in Melanesia, east of Papua New Guinea, consisting of more than 990 islands.
Melanesia is a subregion of Oceania in the southwestern Pacific Ocean.
It does not include the Santa Cruz Islands and the outlying islands such as Rennell and Bellona.
Its capital is Honiara, which is located on the island of Guadalcanal.
8. Govt approves creation of new Weapon Systems branch in Indian Air Force
Tags: Defence National News
On the occasion of the 90th anniversary of the Indian Air Force (IAF) on 8 October, the Centre has approved the creation of a weapon system branch for IAF officers.
Important facts
This branch will enhance the war capability of the Indian Air Force.
Chief of Air Staff Air Chief Marshal VR Choudhary said that this is the first time after independence that a new operational branch has been created in the Indian Air Force.
The Weapon Systems Branch will work to strengthen the branches dealing with Surface-to-Surface Missiles, Surface-to-Air Missiles, Remotely Operated Aircraft and Special Weapon System Operators in twin and multi-crew aircraft.
The establishment of this branch will save Rs 3,400 crore by reducing the expenditure on flight training.
The Indian Air Force is also planning to induct women Agniveers from next year.
9. Centre set up a committee to consider ‘Scheduled Caste’ status for converted dalits
Tags: committee Person in news National News
Center has set up a committee to consider SC status for Converted Dalits new persons who have historically belonged to the Scheduled Castes’’ but have converted to religions other than Hinduism, Buddhism and Sikhism”. The committee has been set up by the Union Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment.
Head of the committee
The three member committee will be headed by former Chief Justice of India K G Balakrishnan. It includes retired IAS officer Dr Ravinder Kumar Jain and UGC member Prof (Dr) Sushma Yadav as members.
The commission will have to submit its report to the Ministry in two years.
What is the issue?
The Constitution (Scheduled Castes) Order, 1950, stipulates that no person professing a religion different from Hinduism, Sikhism or Buddhism can be deemed to be a member of a Scheduled Caste. The original order under which only Hindus were classified was later amended to include Sikhs and Buddhists.
However many Scheduled caste persons who converted to Islam and Christianity are demanding that they should also be included in the list as they continue to face discrimination.
A Public Interest Litigation (PIL) has been filed in the Supreme Court by the National Council of Dalit Christians (NCDC), demanding the status of Scheduled Caste for converted dalits. In August 2022, the Supreme Court had directed the Centre to submit its current position on the issue.
The new commission has been set up by the government so that it can present its view on the matter before the court.
Union Minister for Social Justice and Empowerment: Virendra Kumar
10. Railways plans to achieve net-zero carbon emission by 2030
Tags: National National News
Indian Railways has adopted an integrated approach for green environment and plans to reduce carbon footprint to become net zero carbon emitter by 2030.
Important facts
Railways will endeavour to reduce its carbon footprint by meeting its energy requirements primarily from renewable energy sources.
Other strategies for net zero emitters include a multi-pronged approach to electrification of rail routes, shifting from diesel to electric traction, promoting energy efficiency and building dedicated freight corridors.
By 2029-30, the expected requirement for installation of renewable capacity will be around 30 GW.
Indian Railways has installed 142 MW solar rooftop capacity and 103.4 MW wind power capacity by August, 2022.
Railways has electrified 52,508 kms out of 65,141 kms of broad gauge network (80.61%).
Contribution of railways towards combating Climate Change
Indian Railways has adopted an integrated approach to green transport to increase the total share of Indian Railways in land based freight traffic from the present 36 per cent to 45 per cent by 2030.
Indian Railways is setting up Dedicated Freight Corridors (DFCs) across the country. Its first phase is estimated to reduce emissions by about 457 million tonnes over a period of 30 years.
The traction diesel fuel will use 5 percent blending of biofuels.
Water use efficiency will be improved by 20 percent by 2030.
Plantation will be done to increase carbon absorption, there will be emphasis on waste management and pollution control.
The Minister of Railways - Ashwini Vaishnaw
