1. Union Minister Dharmendra Pradhan launches 'CRIIIO 4 GOOD' modules
Tags: National News
On 28 September 2023, Union Minister of Education and Skill Development Dharmendra Pradhan launched 'CRIIIO 4 GOOD', a new online, life skills learning module to empower youth and promote gender equality through cricket.
An Overview of the News
The objective of the program is to promote gender equality among children and youth.
'CRIIIO 4 GOOD' was launched at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad in collaboration with ICC, UNICEF and BCCI.
The launch event was attended by various dignitaries and more than 1000 children.
Empowerment through cricket
'CRIIIO 4 GOOD' offers engaging and interactive learning modules.
Indian cricketer Smriti Mandhana presented the first module to school children at the stadium.
The program encourages the adoption of important life skills and promotes gender equality.
'CRIIIO 4 GOOD' module
'CRIIIO 4 GOOD' consists of eight cricket-based animation films.
These films address topics such as leadership, problem-solving, self-confidence, and teamwork.
They use examples from cricket to illustrate these life skills.
The program is free and available in English, Hindi and Gujarati.
Realism and local relevance
The films are made relevant by incorporating extensive research into local nuances.
This initiative is in line with the National Education Policy's emphasis on gender equality and equal opportunities.
'CRIIIO 4 GOOD' represents an important step towards empowering girls and promoting gender equality through cricket-based education.
2. The world's largest Hindu temple will be inaugurated on October 8 in New Jersey, America.
Tags: International News
The world's largest Hindu temple, BAPS Swaminarayan Akshardham, will be inaugurated on October 8 in New Jersey, USA.
An Overview of the News
The temple will be the largest in the United States and the second largest globally after Angkor Wat in Cambodia.
BAPS Swaminarayan Akshardham in Robbinsville Township, New Jersey was built with the help of more than 12,500 volunteers from different parts of the US.
Construction lasted for 12 years from 2011 to 2023.
Temple Dimensions and Design:
The New Jersey branch of Akshardham is spread over 183 acres and measures 255 feet x 345 feet x 191 feet.
It was designed according to ancient Hindu scriptures and incorporates elements of Indian culture, including 10,000 statues, sculptures and carvings of Indian musical instruments and dance forms.
Unique Temple Features:
The temple design consists of a main temple, 12 sub-temples, nine shikharas (spire-like structures), and nine pyramidal pinnacles.
Akshardham boasts the largest elliptical dome in traditional stone architecture, designed to last for a millennium.
Four types of stone - limestone, pink sandstone, marble, and granite - were chosen for their ability to withstand extreme temperatures.
Approximately two million cubic feet of stone was used, which was obtained from various locations around the world, including Bulgaria, Turkey, Greece, Italy, India, and China.
Brahma Kund:
The temple's Brahma Kund, a traditional Indian stepwell, contains water from over 300 reservoirs around the world, including sacred rivers of India and all 50 states of the US.
BAPS Swaminarayan Akshardham incorporates sustainable practices such as solar panel farms, use of fly ash concrete mix and the planting of over two million trees globally in recent decades.
3. Jammu and Kashmir's first Tata Memorial Cancer Care Center inaugurated in Kathua
Tags: State News National News
On September 24, 2023, Jammu and Kashmir inaugurated its first Tata Memorial Cancer Care Center affiliated with Tata Memorial Cancer Care Center (TMC) Mumbai in the newly constructed block of Government Medical College (GMC) in Kathua.
An Overview of the News
The establishment of the Tata Satellite Cancer Care facility in Kathua addresses the increasing incidence of cancer in the region, which is attributed to factors such as aging, lifestyle changes and environmental impacts.
This healthcare facility in Kathua aims to serve not only Jammu and Kashmir but also the neighboring areas of Punjab and Himachal Pradesh, which lack facilities like the Tata Memorial Center (TMC).
The introduction of the day-care chemotherapy unit at GMC Kathua makes cancer treatment more accessible and affordable for the local population, eliminating the inconvenience and high cost associated with travel to TMC Mumbai.
India's Healthcare Vision
Under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, India is expanding its healthcare infrastructure, including the establishment of medical colleges, AIIMS institutes and biotech parks. 'Kathua-Udhampur-Doda' parliamentary constituency is moving towards becoming the future 'health circuit' of India.
India's Vision for Bio-economy
India aims to achieve a $150 billion bioeconomy by 2025, with a significant focus on biotechnology and its contribution to vaccine development and cancer treatment.
Leading Cancer Hospital in India
Tata Memorial Hospital is located in Mumbai.
All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) is located in New Delhi.
Cancer Institute, located in Chennai.
Apollo Specialty Hospital is located in Chennai.
Gujarat Cancer and Research Institute is located in Ahmedabad.
Rajiv Gandhi Cancer Institute and Research Centre is located in Delhi.
Kidwai Memorial Institute of Oncology is located in Bengaluru.
Regional Cancer Centre, located in Thiruvananthapuram.
HCG (Healthcare Global Enterprises), based in Bengaluru.
Institute of Postgraduate Medical Education and Research is located in Chandigarh.
4. Elephant Festival begins in Bandhavgarh Tiger Reserve, Madhya Pradesh
Tags: Festivals National State News
Elephant Mahotsav began in Madhya Pradesh's Bandhavgarh Tiger Reserve and will continue for seven days.
An Overview of the News
Elephants play an important role in protecting the tigers in the reserve and keeping out wild elephants.
The Elephant Festival gives villagers and nearby families a chance to interact with elephants.
The primary goal of the festival in 2023 is to educate villagers about elephants and remove misconceptions about the wild animals.
The festivities will end on September 26, after which the elephants will return to their patrolling camps.
Bandhavgarh Tiger Reserve:
Located in the Eastern Satpura hill range of Umaria and Katni districts in Madhya Pradesh.
Boasts a healthy population of tigers and a diverse range of herbivorous animals.
It has diverse topography, including hills, valleys, rivers, swamps and grasslands supporting diverse vegetation.
Other tiger reserves in Madhya Pradesh:
1. Sanjay-Dubri Tiger Reserve:
Located in the Sidhi district of Madhya Pradesh.
Established in 1975
Known for saving the world-famous white tiger "Mohan".
Forms a wildlife corridor connecting Bandhavgarh and Palamu Tiger Reserve.
Sometimes wild elephants keep coming from the neighboring Chhattisgarh region.
2. Panna Tiger Reserve:
Located in the Vindhya hill region of northern Madhya Pradesh.
Characterized by dry deciduous forests, plateaus, and valleys.
The Ken River flows through the reserve.
It is surrounded by teak forests in the north and teak-Kardhai mixed forests in the east.
The Vindhya hill ranges connect wildlife populations in the east and west.
3. Pench Tiger Reserve:
Inspiration for Rudyard Kipling's "The Jungle Book".
Known for natural beauty and historical importance.
Awarded the "Best Maintained Tourist Friendly National Park" award in 2006-07.
4. Kanha Tiger Reserve:
Home to the hard ground Barasingha, the state animal of Madhya Pradesh.
Conservation efforts have led to an increase in the population of this emblematic deer.
The forests are mainly composed of Sal (Shorea robusta) and mixed forest trees.
5. Satpura Tiger Reserve:
Home to arboreal mammals such as flying squirrels, Indian giant squirrels, and leaf-nosed bats.
The Eurasian otter and smooth-coated otter are also found here.
Allows pollution-free activities like cycling, canoeing, and trekking.
5. Prime Minister inaugurates nine new Vande Bharat trains
Tags: National News
Prime Minister Narendra Modi flagged off nine new Vande Bharat trains, enhancing India's rail connectivity and passenger experience, through video conferencing on September 24, 2023.
An Overview of the News
These trains are part of the government's efforts to improve connectivity across India and provide world-class facilities to rail passengers.
With these nine new trains, the total number of Vande Bharat trains in operation across India has reached 34. This includes 25 trains that were already serving in various states and union territories.
List of New Vande Bharat Trains:
Udaipur-Jaipur Vande Bharat Express
Tirunelveli-Madurai-Chennai Vande Bharat Express
Hyderabad-Bengaluru Vande Bharat Express
Vijayawada-Chennai (via Renigunta) Vande Bharat Express
Patna-Howrah Vande Bharat Express
Kasaragod-Thiruvananthapuram Vande Bharat Express
Rourkela-Bhubaneswar-Puri Vande Bharat Express
Ranchi-Howrah Vande Bharat Express
Jamnagar-Ahmedabad Vande Bharat Express
Important facts about Vande Bharat trains:
These nine trains will increase connectivity in 11 states: Rajasthan, Tamil Nadu, Telangana, Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, Bihar, West Bengal, Kerala, Odisha, Jharkhand and Gujarat.
Vande Bharat trains will run at the fastest speed on its routes, reducing travel time compared to existing trains.
They will facilitate connectivity to important religious pilgrimage sites.
Equipped with world-class amenities and advanced safety features, these trains aim to provide modern, fast and comfortable travel options for a wide range of passengers including professionals, businessmen, students and tourists.
6. Prime Minister laid the foundation stone of International Cricket Stadium in Varanasi
Tags: National
The foundation stone of the International Cricket Stadium was laid by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on September 23, 2023 in Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh.
An Overview of the News
The International Cricket Stadium will be developed at Ganjri, Rajatalab in Varanasi at an estimated cost of Rs 450 crore and will cover an area of 30 acres.
The location of the stadium is at the intersection of Mata Vindhyavasini's route and is near Motikot village, the birthplace of Raj Narayan ji.
The design of the stadium is inspired by Lord Mahadev (Lord Shiva) and features elements such as crescent-shaped roof cover, trident-shaped lights, seating arrangement based on ghat stairs and Bilvipatra-shaped metal sheets on the façade.
The stadium has a seating capacity of approximately 30,000 spectators.
About Uttar Pradesh
Uttar Pradesh is a state located in the northern part of India.
The state was officially established in 1950.
Chief Minister - Yogi Adityanath
Capital - Lucknow (Executive Branch)
Governor - Anandiben Patel
Rajya Sabha - 31 seats
Lok Sabha - 80 seats
7. 1,000-year-old alien corpse unveiled in Mexican Congress
Tags: Science and Technology International News
Jaime Maussan, a leading UFO expert, recently revealed in the Mexican Congress two alleged "non-human" bodies believed to be 1,000 years old.
An Overview of the News
These bodies were reportedly found in a mine in Cuzco, Peru.
Researchers claim that the genetic structure of these dead bodies is 30 percent different from that of humans.
Carbon dating by the National Autonomous University of Mexico (UNAM) confirmed their age to be over 1,000 years.
Unusual Features:
The bodies were human-like in shape but displayed distinctive features such as three-fingered hands and feet.
They had retractable necks and long skulls that resembled bird-like features.
The bones of these creatures were strong, light, and lacked teeth.
Implantation and Embryo:
Eggs with embryos were found in one of these bodies.
Implants made of the metals cadmium and osmium were discovered.
Previous claims by Maussan:
In 2015, Jaime Maussan presented another alleged "alien" body, found near the Nazca Lines in Peru, famous for its giant and mysterious geoglyphs.
8. National Medical Commission achieved the prestigious WFME accreditation status for 10 years
Tags: National News
The National Medical Commission (NMC) in India achieved a remarkable 10-year WFME accreditation status.
An Overview of the News
This recognition reflects NMC's strong commitment to maintaining high standards in medical education and accreditation.
All 706 existing medical colleges in India will get WFME recognition.
New medical colleges established within the next 10 years will automatically receive WFME recognition.
It aims to enhance the quality and standards of medical education in India by aligning it with global best practices.
International Opportunities for Indian Medical Graduates:
Indian medical graduates can now undertake postgraduate training and practice in countries requiring WFME accreditation such as the United States, Canada, Australia and New Zealand.
This recognition is expected to enhance the international reputation of Indian medical schools and professionals.
Advantages for Indian Students:
NMC's WFME accreditation allows all Indian students to apply for the Commission on Foreign Medical Education (ECFMG) and the United States Medical Licensing Examination (USMLE).
It provides global career prospects to Indian medical students.
About WFME:
The World Federation for Medical Education (WFME) is a global organization dedicated to improving the quality of medical education worldwide.
WFME's accreditation program ensures that medical institutions worldwide meet and maintain the highest international standards in education and training.
About NMC:
The National Medical Commission (NMC) is the primary regulatory body overseeing medical education and practice in India.
NMC is committed to maintaining the highest standards in health care education while ensuring the delivery of quality medical education and training across India.
Member of the Ethics and Medical Registration Board and Head of Media Division at NMC -Dr. Yogendra Malik
9. Parliament passes the Constitution (One Hundred and Twenty-eighth Amendment) Bill, 2023
Tags: National News
Parliament successfully passed the Constitution (One Hundred and Twenty-eighth Amendment) Bill, 2023, which provides for the reservation of one-third of the total seats for women in the Lok Sabha, state legislatures, and the Delhi Assembly.
An Overview of the News
The Women's Reservation Bill called the Nari Shakti Vandan Adhiniyam, got approval in the Rajya Sabha with an overwhelming majority on September 21, 2023, as 214 members voted in favor of it, while none opposed it.
The Lok Sabha already passed the Women's Reservation Bill with overwhelming support as 454 MPs voted in favor, while only two MPs opposed it. Speaker Om Birla had formally announced the passage of the bill in the lower house.
Major Provisions and Effects
The Women's Reservation Bill aims to reserve one-third of the seats for women in the Lok Sabha, state assemblies, and the Delhi Assembly.
It includes provisions for 33 percent reservation for women in Scheduled Castes (SC) and Scheduled Tribes (ST) within the existing quota based on census and delimitation.
About Article 243(D)
Article 243(D) of Part IX of the Constitution mandates the reservation of seats for Scheduled Castes (SC) and Scheduled Tribes (ST) in all three levels of Panchayats.
State legislatures are responsible for establishing provisions that reserve the posts of chairpersons in Panchayats for persons belonging to SC and ST communities.
Article 243(D) also provides that at least one-third of the seats in Panchayats should be reserved for women.
Additionally, State Legislatures have the power to provide for reservation in favor of backward classes in terms of seats or the post of Speakers.
Additional Information:-
Union Law Minister Arjun Ram Meghwal introduced the 128th Amendment Bill, 2023 to achieve 33 percent reservation for women in Parliament and state assemblies.
Arjun Ram Meghwal, while introducing the bill, had said that if it is passed, the number of seats reserved for women in the Lok Sabha will increase from 82 to 181.
Chairman of Rajya Sabha - Jagdeep Dhankar
10. India Global Forum and World Governments Summit signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU)
Tags: International News
Manoj Ladwa, Founder and Chairman of India Global Forum and Mohammed Al Sharhan, Managing Director of the World Governments Summit signed the MoU to set up the Emerging Economies Programme.
An Overview of the News
The event will bring together government officials, business leaders, economists, and experts.
It will facilitate discussion on sustainable economic development, geo-economic perspective, and innovative solutions.
The objective of this partnership is to promote thought leadership in the region.
Emerging trends, challenges, and opportunities related to the Global South will be researched.
The program will also improve field data for the benefit of future governments.
Importance of Emerging Economies Programme:
This program is an important initiative that aims to promote sustainable economic development in the Global South.
It reflects the commitment of the India Global Forum and the World Government Summit to build a better future for all.
About India Global Forum:
India Global Forum serves as a gateway for businesses and nations wishing to engage with contemporary India.
It provides insight into India's political, economic, and cultural landscape for those entering the Indian market or looking for global opportunities.
About the World Governments Summit:
The World Government Summit Organization is a global, non-profit organization dedicated to shaping the future of governments.
It focuses on innovation and technology to address global challenges facing governments and humanity as a whole.
About the United Arab Emirates (UAE)
Location: It is located in Western Asia.
Geographical boundaries: It shares borders with Oman and Saudi Arabia.
Maritime Borders: It also has maritime borders with Qatar and Iran in the Persian Gulf.
Capital - Abu Dhabi
Official language - Arabic
President/Crown Prince - Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan
Prime Minister - Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum
Minister of State for Artificial Intelligence and Digital Economy and Vice President of the World Government Summit Organization - Omar Sultan Al Olama
