1. 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.
2. 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
3. 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
4. Divyangana Sharma and Ritika Saxena have been honoured with the prestigious Victorian Premier Award.
Tags: Awards Person in news International News
Two Indian students, Divyangana Sharma and Ritika Saxena have won the prestigious Victorian Premier's award. Divyangana Sharma has won the coveted Victorian Premier's Award - International Student of the Year 2021-22, while Ritika Saxena won the International Student of the Year award in the Research category.
Divyangana has also won Victorian International Education Awards 2021-22 in the Higher Education category. Divyangana Sharma came to Melbourne to study nursing at Holmesglen Institute in February 2020.
Ritika moved to Melbourne as an 18-year-old and is now a PhD student involved in stem cell research,
Victoria
Victoria is one of the six states of Australia. It is the second largest state of Australia after New South Wales.
Like all states of Australia, it has a constitution of its own.
The head of the Victorian government is called Premier.
The current Premier is : Daniel Andrews
Capital of Victoria: Melbourne
5. U.N. peacekeeping chief to visit India
Tags: International News
UN peacekeeping chief Jean-Pierre Lacroix is on a visit to India, the United Arab Emirates, Pakistan and Japan from 6 October to 15 October.
Important facts
He participated in a two-day meeting organized by the Challenges Forum, which brings together leading policy makers, practitioners and academics on key issues related to peacekeeping.
India is one of the largest military contributors to its missions in UN peacekeeping.
The purpose of Lacroix's visit is to review the countries' contributions to and support for UN peacekeeping and progress in enhancing the effectiveness of peacekeeping.
The Challenge Forum (CAF) 22 was co-hosted by the organization's Indian partner United Service Institution of India (USI).
About UN Peacekeeping
UN peacekeeping began in 1948 when the UN Security Council authorized the deployment of UN military observers in the Middle East.
It helps to bring countries from conflict to a difficult path of peace.
It deploys soldiers and police from all over the world for peacekeeping.
India is one of the largest military and police contributors to UN peacekeeping operations.
There are currently more than 5,700 Indian peacekeepers deployed in nine of the 12 UN peacekeeping missions.
6. UN Human Rights Council rejects debate on China's mistreatment of Uighur Muslims in Xinjiang
Tags: International News
The United Nations Human Rights Council on 6 October voted against a Western-led resolution to discuss China's alleged human rights abuses against Uighurs and other Muslims in Xinjiang.
Important facts
The vote was a diplomatic victory for China, proving that criticism of China's actions in Xinjiang was baseless, so the allegation was dismissed.
The US, Britain, Germany and other allies proposed holding the debate, but 19 members of the council voted against the resolution and 17 countries voted in favor of the resolution, while 11 did not participate in the vote.
India also did not participate in the voting.
The 47-member council is the apex human rights body of the United Nations.
Why was the motion brought up for debate?
In August, the United Nations published a report concluding that the rampant arbitrary detentions of Uighurs and other Muslims in Xinjiang and "serious human rights violations" were occurring.
The report also said Beijing's action could be a crime against humanity.
The report detailed "credible" allegations of "brutal, inhuman or degrading" treatment, sexual and gender-based violence against detainees.
Who are Uighurs?
There are about 12 million Uighurs living in northwestern China, mostly Muslims, in the region of Xinjiang.
Uighurs speak their own language similar to Turkish.
They see themselves culturally and ethnically closer to the Central Asian countries.
Their population in Xinjiang is slightly less than half of the total population.
About Xinjiang
It lies in the north-west of China and is the country’s biggest region.
It is a mostly desert region, which produces about a fifth of the world's cotton.
It is also rich in oil and natural gas and Beijing sees it as an important trade link due to its proximity to Central Asia and Europe.
7. 30th Rapid Action Force Anniversary Parade in Hyderabad
Tags: Defence National News
Minister of State for Home Ajay Kumar Mishra attended the 30th Rapid Action Force Anniversary Parade in Hyderabad on October 7.
Rapid Action Force
It is a special force which was created in October 1992 by converting 10 independent battalions of CRPF.
These units were formed for riots, riot-like situations, to build trust among all sections of the society and for internal security duty.
It is the most reliable force that reaches the site without wasting time, in the shortest possible time when a crisis situation arises.
This force is in possession of a separate flag which is a symbol of peace.
This flag was presented by the then Deputy Prime Minister Lal Krishna Advani on 7 October 2003 to commemorate the 11 years of the RAF's service to the nation.
It is continuously training men and women jointly every year for UN peacekeeping missions in different countries (Haiti, Kosovo, Libera etc.).
There are 10 battalions in this special force, which are battalion numbers 99 to 108 in CRPF, they are headed by an Inspector General.
Inspector-General of RAF - Arun Kumar
8. NHRC notice to Haryana govt over sewer deaths in Faridabad
Tags: National National News
The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) has issued notices to Haryana Chief Secretary and Director General of Police (DGP) in connection with the death of four persons who died of toxic fumes while cleaning sewer tanks at a private hospital in Haryana's Faridabad district on October 6.
Important facts
NHRC has taken suo motu cognizance of the news published in the media.
The commission has issued a notice to the Haryana Chief Secretary and the Director General of Police, seeking a detailed report in four weeks.
The commission has also sought a detailed report of the steps taken or the steps to be taken by the government to prevent gross violation of human rights of the poor and deprived people.
The officers have also been directed to inform about the status of the FIR registered in the case and compensation, if any, to be given to the next of kin of the deceased persons.
National Human Rights Commission
The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) of India was established on 12 October 1993 through an ordinance issued by the President.
It was provided statutory status by the The Protection of Human Rights Act (PHRA), 1993.
Headquarters - New Delhi
Chairperson - A retired Supreme Court Chief Justice or a Supreme Court Judge can be appointed by the President as the Chairman of the NHRC.
The First Chairman of NHRC - Justice Ranganath Mishra
The Current and the 8th Chairman of NHRC is Justice Arun Kumar Mishra
Role - NHRC’s role is to protect human rights and recommend measures for their effective implementation.
MOTO of NHRC - “सर्वे भवन्तु सुखिनः / May all be happy.”
It has been taken from Brihadāraṇyaka Upanishad
9. CDSCO takes up investigation on WHO's complaint for India-made cough syrups
Tags: National National News
After the World Health Organization (WHO) issued an alert on four India-made cough syrups used for pediatric groups, the Central Drugs Standard Control Organization (CDSCO) has launched an immediate investigation in this regard.
Important facts
Based on the available information, following the information received from WHO, CDSCO has started an immediate investigation of the matter with the State Regulatory Authorities.
The pharmaceutical company Madden Pharmaceuticals is located in Sonipat, Haryana.
It is worth noting that in the case of the death of 66 children in the African country of Gambia, 4 cough syrups manufactured in India are being considered as possible responsible.
The United Nations agency World Health Organization (WHO) has issued an alert on 5 October regarding a cough-cold syrup made by Maiden Pharmaceutical Limited of India.
WHO has advised not to use these syrups.
10. Gujarat becomes first state to launch Gati Shakti Portal
Tags: National State News National News
Gujarat Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel launched the Gati Shakti Portal on 6 October and said that Gujarat is the first state in India to have launched Gati Shakti Port at the state level.
Important facts
In order to rapidly expand the Internet service, the Gati Shakti Portal started by the Central Government was also started by the Gujarat Government.
This portal has been started based on the guidance and guidelines of Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
The portal has been developed by Gujarat Infrastructure Development Board in collaboration with Bhaskaracharya National Institute for Space Applications and Geo-informatics.
The portal will provide ease of doing business to the investors by bringing more transparency in governance. This will save time, money and logistics cost.
It will integrate more than 500 layers of data from 21 state government departments and 52 sub-departments.
Portal focuses on the speedy execution of infrastructure projects in the state.
The main objective of this portal is to reduce red tapism.
With the help of this, infrastructure projects will be accelerated.
PM Gati-Shakti Scheme
Gati Shakti Yojana or 'National Master Plan for Multi-Modal Connectivity Plan' was launched on 13 October 2021 for coordinated and execution of infrastructure projects to reduce logistics cost.
It is a digital platform that will bring together 16 Ministries including Railways and Roadways for integrated planning and coordinated implementation of infrastructure connectivity projects.
This will help in overcoming long-standing issues such as inconsistent planning, lack of standardisation, problems related to clearances, and timely construction and utilization of infrastructure capabilities.
This platform aims to prevent overlapping of works by addressing the issue of government departments working in tandem.
