1. Union Cabinet approves sharing of Kushiyara River between India and Bangladesh
Tags: National International News
The Union Cabinet chaired by the Prime Minister, Narendra Modi on 28 September 2022 , has given its ex-post facto approval for a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the Government of the Republic of India and the Republic of Bangladesh on withdrawal of upto 153 cusecs of water each by India and Bangladesh from common border river Kushiyara.
The Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed on 6th September, 2022 between the Ministry of Jal Shakti, and Ministry of Water Resources, Government of the People’s Republic of Bangladesh during the visit of the Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina to India.
This MoU will enable Government of Assam to withdraw upto 153 cusecs of water from the common stretch of Kushiyara river during dry season (1st November to 31st May) for their consumptive water requirement.
A Joint Monitoring Team shall be set up by both the countries to monitor the withdrawal of water by each side during the dry season.
India and Bangladesh share 54 rivers including Ganges, Teesta, Manu, Muhuri, Khowai, Gumti, Dharla, Dudhkumar and Kushiyara and others.
Kushiyara River
- It is a branch of the Barak River. The Barak River rises in Manipur Hill in Manipur and after flowing through Mizoram it enters Assam.
- The river next splits into two branches, the Surma (north) and the Kushiyara (south), which enter Bangladesh and turn southwest.
- The Kushiyara River forms the boundary between Assam and Sylhet district of Bangladesh.
2. Saudi Arabia’s Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman appointed as the Prime Minister
Tags: Person in news International News
The Saudi King Salman has appointed the Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman as the Prime Minister of the country, according to a royal decree published on 27 September 2022.
Prince Mohammed is already de facto ruler of the world’s largest oil exporter, and the appointment formalises his role as leader of the kingdom’s government.
The crown prince, known by his initials MBS, previously served as deputy prime minister as well as defence minister. He is being replaced as defence minister by his younger brother, Khalid bin Salman, who was deputy defence minister.
Kingdom of Saudi Arabia
- Saudi Arabia is a West Asian kingdom founded by Ibn Saud in 1923. The country is known for its oil and Islam.
- According to the BP Statistical Review of World Energy 2020, Saudi Arabia has the world’s 2nd largest oil reserves in the world after Venezuela.
- At present it is the world's largest exporter of crude oil.
- It has two of the holiest shrine of Islam, Mecca and Medina mosque
- The world's largest mosque Al-Haram or forbidden mosques is in Mecca.
- The world's second largest mosque, Mosque of the Prophet, or Masjid al-Nabawi is in Medina.
- The Organisation of Islamic Countries (OIC) headquarters is also in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia.
- The world’s largest sand area, the Rub al-Khali (“Empty Quarter”) which is spread around 647,500 square km, is also in Saudi Arabia.
Capital of Saudi Arabia: Riyadh
Currency: Saudi Riyal
King of Saudi Arabia: King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud
3. Bangladesh launches interactive gaming portal to mark Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina’s birthday
Tags: International News
Bangladesh launched its first interactive gaming platform named ‘Hasina and Friends’ to mark the 75th birth anniversary of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on September 28.
Important facts
Unveiling this platform, Minister of State for ICT Junaid Ahmed Palak said that it is the first learning platform built in Bangladesh.
The Minister announced that from now on every year Hasina and Friends Festival will be organized in which children will also be rewarded.
About interactive gaming platform ‘Hasina and Friends’
It is designed to educate children about the environment, education and digital connectivity.
Children will be able to learn many life skills through this gaming platform.
It has been designed to foster creativity among children, make them smart and inculcate in them progressive and liberal values.
This will give a boost to Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina's Vision 2041 to make Bangladesh a developed country.
Through this platform, children will be taught the lessons of the history, culture and development of Bangladesh.
About Sheikh Hasina
Sheikh Hasina secured a fourth term as prime minister after winning the 2018 general election.
Hasina has become the longest-serving Prime Minister of Bangladesh since independence.
4. NDMA 18th Foundation Day
Tags: National Important Days National News
28 September, 2022 is NDMA's 18th Foundation Day. Addressing the 18th Foundation Day of National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) in New Delhi, Home Minister Amit Shah said that India has significantly reduced the damage caused by disasters in recent years.
Important facts
Minister of State for Home, Nityanand Rai said, since 2014 the government has taken practical steps in disaster response.
He said that Aapda Mitra Scheme is being implemented which has helped in involving the local people in disaster management.
India has achieved great success in the direction of overall strengthening of disaster management and several schemes are being implemented in this direction.
National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA)
NDMA was established through the Disaster Management Act, 2005 and was constituted in Dec 2006.
The aim of the National Disaster Management Authority is to build a safer and disaster-resilient India by developing a holistic, proactive, multi-disaster and technology-driven strategy for disaster management.
Organisational Structure
The Prime Minister is the ex-officio chairperson of the NDMA.
The Cabinet Minister is the Vice-Chairman.
The NDMA Secretariat, headed by a Secretary, is responsible for providing secretarial support and continuity.
Along with this, NDMA has 8 Ministers of State as its Members.
Steps taken by indian government in Disaster Management
India is a signatory to the Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction.
India is working closely with the United Nations International Strategy for Disaster Reduction (UNISDR).
India has formulated the National Disaster Management Plan (NDMP).
NDMA has taken an initiative on Earthquake Disaster Risk Indexing (EDRI) for 50 important cities and 1 district in seismic zone IV and V zones.
30 most flood affected districts of 25 states have been included in NDMA's Aapdamitra scheme.
The government has constituted a National Crisis Management Committee and a Crisis Management Group.
5. NDMA 18th Foundation Day
Tags: National Important Days National News
28 September, 2022 is NDMA's 18th Foundation Day. Addressing the 18th Foundation Day of National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) in New Delhi, Home Minister Amit Shah said that India has significantly reduced the damage caused by disasters in recent years.
Important facts
Minister of State for Home, Nityanand Rai said, since 2014 the government has taken practical steps in disaster response.
He said that Aapda Mitra Scheme is being implemented which has helped in involving the local people in disaster management.
India has achieved great success in the direction of overall strengthening of disaster management and several schemes are being implemented in this direction.
National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA)
NDMA was established through the Disaster Management Act, 2005 and was constituted in Dec 2006.
The aim of the National Disaster Management Authority is to build a safer and disaster-resilient India by developing a holistic, proactive, multi-disaster and technology-driven strategy for disaster management.
Organisational Structure
The Prime Minister is the ex-officio chairperson of the NDMA.
The Cabinet Minister is the Vice-Chairman.
The NDMA Secretariat, headed by a Secretary, is responsible for providing secretarial support and continuity.
Along with this, NDMA has 8 Ministers of State as its Members.
Steps taken by indian government in Disaster Management
India is a signatory to the Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction.
India is working closely with the United Nations International Strategy for Disaster Reduction (UNISDR).
India has formulated the National Disaster Management Plan (NDMP).
NDMA has taken an initiative on Earthquake Disaster Risk Indexing (EDRI) for 50 important cities and 1 district in seismic zone IV and V zones.
30 most flood affected districts of 25 states have been included in NDMA's Aapdamitra scheme.
The government has constituted a National Crisis Management Committee and a Crisis Management Group.
6. India, Netherlands formalise fast track mechanism for investments
Tags: National Economics/Business National News
The Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT) and the Embassy of the Netherlands on 27 September officially signed a Joint Statement to formalize the Bilateral Fast-Track Mechanism (FTM) between India and the Netherlands.
Important facts
The Ambassador of The Netherlands to India, Marten van den Berg, and Secretary, DPIIT, Anurag Jain, formally signed the Joint Statement on 27th September 2022.
It aims to serve as a platform for faster resolution of investment cases of Dutch companies operating in India.
Invest India, the National Investment Promotion and Facilitation Agency, is the executive body of bilateral FTMs.
The FTM will function in close collaboration between DPIIT, the concerned Ministries and Departments, Invest India and the Embassy of the Netherlands.
This mechanism will strengthen bilateral efforts to enhance mutual investment activities, as well as support and develop business cooperation between companies in the two countries.
Diplomatic relations between India and The Netherlands
The diplomatic relations between both countries were established in 1947.
Since then, the two countries have developed strong political, economic and commercial ties and various regional cooperations.
According to official Indian statistics, the Netherlands is the fourth largest foreign direct investor in India.
Between April 2000 and June 2022, the cumulative inflow of foreign direct investment from the Netherlands to India reached approximately US$ 42.3 billion.
In 2021-2022, the bilateral trade between the two countries stood at USD 17 billion.
India exports mainly mineral fuels and mineral based products, organic chemicals, electrical machinery and equipment, aluminum, iron and steel and pharmaceutical products to the Netherlands.
7. India, Netherlands formalise fast track mechanism for investments
Tags: National Economics/Business National News
The Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT) and the Embassy of the Netherlands on 27 September officially signed a Joint Statement to formalize the Bilateral Fast-Track Mechanism (FTM) between India and the Netherlands.
Important facts
The Ambassador of The Netherlands to India, Marten van den Berg, and Secretary, DPIIT, Anurag Jain, formally signed the Joint Statement on 27th September 2022.
It aims to serve as a platform for faster resolution of investment cases of Dutch companies operating in India.
Invest India, the National Investment Promotion and Facilitation Agency, is the executive body of bilateral FTMs.
The FTM will function in close collaboration between DPIIT, the concerned Ministries and Departments, Invest India and the Embassy of the Netherlands.
This mechanism will strengthen bilateral efforts to enhance mutual investment activities, as well as support and develop business cooperation between companies in the two countries.
Diplomatic relations between India and The Netherlands
The diplomatic relations between both countries were established in 1947.
Since then, the two countries have developed strong political, economic and commercial ties and various regional cooperations.
According to official Indian statistics, the Netherlands is the fourth largest foreign direct investor in India.
Between April 2000 and June 2022, the cumulative inflow of foreign direct investment from the Netherlands to India reached approximately US$ 42.3 billion.
In 2021-2022, the bilateral trade between the two countries stood at USD 17 billion.
India exports mainly mineral fuels and mineral based products, organic chemicals, electrical machinery and equipment, aluminum, iron and steel and pharmaceutical products to the Netherlands.
8. Indian fertiliser firms sign MoU with Canada's Canpotex
Tags: National National News
India’s fertiliser companies- Coromandel International, Chambal Fertilizers and Indian Potash Limited signed an MoU with Canpotex, Canada on 27 September 2022.
Important facts
The MoU was presented to Union Minister of Chemicals and Fertilizers Dr Mansukh Mandaviya, at Delhi.
As part of the MoU, Canpotex, Canada will supply 15 LMT of potash annually to Indian fertilizer companies for a period of 3 years.
This supply sharing is expected to improve fertilizer availability within the country and reduce the cost of fertilizers.
It is a significant step towards ensuring long-term fertiliser availability for the farming community.
The MOU will reduce both supply and price volatility and ensure stable long-term supply of Potassic fertilisers to India.
Significance of Potash
Potash is a source of potassium and is used directly as a combination of 'N' (nitrogen) and 'P' (potash) nutrients in MOP (Muriate of Potash) as well as NPK fertilizers.
India meets 100% of its potash requirement through imports.
India imports approximately 40 LMT MOP annually.
About Canpotex
It is a joint venture between leading fertiliser players, Mosaic and Nutrien, and markets Potash being produced at Saskatchewan region in Canada.
Canpotex, Canada is one of the largest suppliers of potash globally, exporting approximately 130 LMT of potash annually.
It exports potash to more than 40 countries and is one of the major suppliers of potash to India.
9. Indian fertiliser firms sign MoU with Canada's Canpotex
Tags: National National News
India’s fertiliser companies- Coromandel International, Chambal Fertilizers and Indian Potash Limited signed an MoU with Canpotex, Canada on 27 September 2022.
Important facts
The MoU was presented to Union Minister of Chemicals and Fertilizers Dr Mansukh Mandaviya, at Delhi.
As part of the MoU, Canpotex, Canada will supply 15 LMT of potash annually to Indian fertilizer companies for a period of 3 years.
This supply sharing is expected to improve fertilizer availability within the country and reduce the cost of fertilizers.
It is a significant step towards ensuring long-term fertiliser availability for the farming community.
The MOU will reduce both supply and price volatility and ensure stable long-term supply of Potassic fertilisers to India.
Significance of Potash
Potash is a source of potassium and is used directly as a combination of 'N' (nitrogen) and 'P' (potash) nutrients in MOP (Muriate of Potash) as well as NPK fertilizers.
India meets 100% of its potash requirement through imports.
India imports approximately 40 LMT MOP annually.
About Canpotex
It is a joint venture between leading fertiliser players, Mosaic and Nutrien, and markets Potash being produced at Saskatchewan region in Canada.
Canpotex, Canada is one of the largest suppliers of potash globally, exporting approximately 130 LMT of potash annually.
It exports potash to more than 40 countries and is one of the major suppliers of potash to India.
10. Sixth anniversary of Surgical Strike
Tags: National Defence Important Days National News
The nation celebrates the sixth anniversary of surgical strike on 28 September.
Important facts
On 28 September 2016, the Indian Army launched surgical strikes against terrorist camps situated in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir.
Eleven days after the Uri attack, in which 18 soldiers lost their lives, the Indian Army conducted surgical strikes on the intervening night of 28 and 29 September 2016, in which terrorists inflicted heavy losses.
The Indian Army, including commandos of various units of the Para (Special Forces) stationed in Jammu and Kashmir, raided several positions across the border.
With this action, India gave a befitting message that if needed, it can cross the border and attack terrorist hideouts.
What is a Surgical Strike?
A surgical strike or surgical operation is a military attack carried out only for the purpose of destroying a designated military target.
In a surgical strike, every effort is made to cause less damage to the surrounding construction, vehicles, buildings or other public.
Such an action requires tremendous coordination between the government, intelligence agencies and security forces.
India has conducted surgical strikes against insurgent groups in Myanmar in 2015 and terror launch pads along the Line of Control in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir in 2016.
