1. NITI Aayog and UNDP come together to accelerate SDGs
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In an important step towards accelerating progress on the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), NITI Aayog and UNDP India strengthened their commitment by signing a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU).
An Overview of the News
This MoU serves as a formal agreement, outlining the collaborative framework between the two entities.
The MoU symbolizes cooperation in several key areas:
Localizing the SDGs: The partnership underlines the importance of bringing the SDGs to the grassroots level, ensuring their effective implementation and impact.
Data-driven monitoring: Using data as a powerful tool, the Coalition aims to enhance Monitoring and evaluation of SDG progress.
Empowering Aspirational Districts and Blocks: Cooperative efforts extend to empowering and uplifting specific areas designated as Aspirational Districts and Blocks.
Diverse Collaborative Initiatives: The partnership includes a wide range of collaborative projects and initiatives contributing to overall development.
Signatories to the MoU
NITI Aayog CEO B. V. R. Subrahmanyam
Dr. Yogesh Suri, Senior Advisor (SDG), NITI Aayog
Shoko Noda, UNDP India Local Representative
UNDP's Pledge of Progress
Shoko Noda, UNDP India's local representative, emphasized the organization's dedication. He acknowledged India's important role in making the SDGs a reality, citing significant reduction in multidimensional poverty.
The scope of the partnership includes SDG localisation, data-driven decision making and promotion of various programs like Aspirational Districts and Block Initiative, SDG financing, women's livelihoods, innovation and Mission LiFE.
Period of Cooperation
The MoU establishes a five-year cooperation period.
During this period, joint efforts between NITI Aayog and UNDP India will be engaged in various developmental initiatives and projects.
Roles of NITI Aayog and UNDP
NITI Aayog plays the role of the key coordination body for SDG implementation and monitoring at both national and sub-national levels.
Conversely, UNDP takes on the important responsibility of integrating and harmonizing actions within the UN system to accelerate progress towards the SDGs.
2. Raja Anirudh Sriram won silver medal in Singapore Math Olympiad
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Raja Anirudh Sriram, a Class IV student from Tirupati, won a silver medal in the prestigious Singapore Maths Olympiad.
An Overview of the News
This achievement made his family, school, and the state of Andhra Pradesh proud.
Among the 23 Indian participants in the Singapore International Math Olympiad Challenge (SIMOC), Raja Anirudh was the only representative from Andhra Pradesh.
The SIMOC program hosted over 2000 students from 32 countries, providing a global platform for young math talents.
At only four years old, he set a record by identifying 100 cars in 160 seconds, demonstrating an extraordinary memory.
At the age of six, he became the youngest Indian to earn the 'Microsoft Office Specialist Certificate', highlighting his technical prowess.
He achieved recognition at international forums such as the International Mathematics Olympiad and ABACUS Mental Mathematics competitions.
Successive victories in the Singapore and Asian School Mathematics Olympiads at the age of seven and eight demonstrated his dedication.
Minister of Education of Singapore - Chan Chun Sing
3. CM MK Stalin launches construction of South East Asia's largest desalination plant at Perur, Chennai
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Chief Minister MK Stalin inaugurated the Rs 4,276.44 crore desalination plant at Perur on 21 August 2023.
An Overview of the News
Development of Southeast Asia's largest desalination plant begins.
Funding is provided by the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA).
The project covers 85.51 acres of land, which is targeted to be completed by 2026.
Innovative Water Treatment Technologies:
Advanced Methods: Dissolved Air Flotation and Dual Media Filtration.
High-density polyethylene (HDPE) pipelines extend up to 1,150 meters into the sea.
59 km long drinking water pipeline up to Porur area.
Augmentation of water supply and distribution:
Enhanced supply: 400 MLD additional water after completion of the plant.
To meet the water needs of: 22.67 lakh people in Chennai and surrounding areas.
Beneficiary Areas: Chennai, Tambaram, Kovilanchery, Perumbakkam, Kolappakkam, Vandalur.
Desalination Plant Network of Chennai:
Fourth desalination facility for the water demands of Chennai.
Inaugurated Plant: 100 MLD Capacity, Minjur, July 31, 2010.
Nemmeli Desalination Plant: 100 MLD, foundation stone laid on 23 February 2010.
Ongoing construction: 150 MLD desalination plant at Nemmeli.
Publicity and Communication:
CMWSSB made a video to highlight the characteristics of plants.
Video shared with a wide consumer base for information dissemination.
4. Assam's International Airport Becomes 1st Airport In Northeast India To Launch 'Digi Yatra' Facility
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Guwahati's popular Gopinath Bordoloi International Airport (LBBI) has become the first airport in Northeast India to launch a 'Digi Yatra' facility.
An Overview of the News
The innovative service aims to enhance the air travel experience in the region by streamlining airport processes.
Cooperation and Objectives:
The 'Digi Yatra' initiative is a collaboration with the Ministry of Civil Aviation with the goal of modernizing and improving air travel.
It aims to revolutionize passenger navigation through airports, making it more intuitive and convenient.
Major Areas of Implementation:
The 'Digi Yatra' service has been implemented in three main areas of the airport: entry points, check-in counters, and boarding zones.
Traditional long queues and delays during check-in and security procedures are expected to come down significantly.
Facial Recognition Technology:
The core of the 'Digi Yatra initiative is the use of facial recognition technology for seamless airport travel.
This eliminates the need for traditional methods of ticket verification and ID checking.
Security and Privacy Measures:
Passenger data is encrypted and stored in the passenger's smartphone wallet, ensuring privacy.
No personally identifiable information (PII) is stored during the process.
Industries and Commerce Minister of Assam - Chandra Mohan Patowary
About Assam:
It is a state located in the northeastern region of India. It is bounded by Bhutan in the north, Arunachal Pradesh in the east, Nagaland in the northeast, Manipur in the southeast, Mizoram in the south, and West Bengal in the west.
Formation (as a state) - 26 January 1950
Capital - Dispur
Chief Minister - Himanta Biswa Sarma
Governor - Gulab Chand Kataria
5. Srinagar's Indira Gandhi Memorial Tulip Garden enters the record books with 1.5 million flowers
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The Indira Gandhi Memorial Tulip Garden, located at the foothills of the beautiful Zabarwan Range, earned recognition in the World Book of Records as the largest and most stunning park of its kind in Asia.
An Overview of the News
The garden features an impressive array of 1.5 million flowers in bloom, a remarkable testament to the beauty and diversity of the natural world.
Recognition by World Book: Santosh Shukla, President & CEO, of World Book officially certified the achievement and presented the recognition to Fayaz Shaikh, Secretary, of Floriculture, Gardens, and Parks.
Diverse Tulip Collection: With a collection of 68 distinct varieties of tulips, the Indira Gandhi Memorial Tulip Garden is a spectacle of colors and shapes. Each tulip variety brings its own unique character, with shades ranging from delicate pastels to vibrant, eye-catching colors.
Efforts of the Gardeners and Botanists: The careful selection of flowers in the garden highlights the dedicated work of the gardeners and botanists who have worked tirelessly to develop this breathtaking display of nature's wonders.
Inspired by Ghulam Nabi Azad: The origin of the garden is linked to the visionary thoughts of Ghulam Nabi Azad, former Chief Minister of Jammu and Kashmir. He conceived the idea of a natural haven that would showcase the region's diverse flora. The garden was carefully developed in less than two years, involving many laborers and gardeners.
A Spectrum of Colours: A walk across the vast landscape of the garden offers visitors a stunning display of colors that engages the senses and evokes emotion. The color of the garden ranges from serene white and soft pink to fiery red and passionate purple, providing an intense experience beyond the ordinary.
6. Parliament passed the Cinematograph (Amendment) Bill, 2023
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The Cinematograph (Amendment) Bill, 2023 was recently passed by the Parliament after approval from the Lok Sabha. It is a historic moment as the Cinematograph Act is being amended after a gap of 40 years, with the last significant changes being made in 1984.
An Overview of the News
The primary objective of the Cinematograph (Amendment) Bill is to combat film piracy in a big way, as it is causing an estimated loss of Rs 20,000 crore to the film industry.
The government wants to protect and promote the growth of the film industry, in line with the vision of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who sees India as a global content hub.
Measures to Curb Piracy
The bill introduces strict penalties for piracy-related offences to deter unauthorized recording, exhibition, and transmission of films, including online piracy.
Offenders will face a minimum imprisonment of 3 months and a fine of Rs. 3 lakhs, with the possibility of extended imprisonment up to 3 years and a fine of up to 5% of the audited gross production cost.
Empowerment of Film Industry
The bill eliminates the need to renew a film's licence every 10 years, making the licence valid for a lifetime.
This move streamlines the licensing process and reduces bureaucratic hurdles for filmmakers.
Improved Film Certification Process
Age-Based Certification: The bill introduces age-based categories for film certification, dividing the existing UA category into three age groups: seven years (UA 7+), thirteen years (UA 13+), and sixteen years (UA 16+).
These age markers are meant for parental guidance to help determine suitable content for children.
Alignment with Supreme Court Judgements
The bill aligns the law with relevant Supreme Court judgments and other legislations, providing a consistent legal framework for the film industry.
Perpetual Validity of Certificates
Certificates issued by the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) will now be valid perpetually, removing the previous 10-year restriction.
TV Broadcast and Recertification
Only films under the Unrestricted Public Exhibition category can be shown on television.
Films intended for television broadcast will require recertification of edited versions.
7. UNESCO urges global ban on smartphones in schools to promote human-centred education approach
The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) published its 2023 Global Education Monitoring Report titled "Technology in Education: A Tool on Whose Terms", which supports a worldwide ban on smartphones in schools where technology integration Does not improve learning outcomes.
An Overview of the News
UNESCO advocates a more "human-centred approach" to education and highlights the need to reduce reliance on digital technology.
Excessive use of smartphones has negative effects on children's academic performance and emotional competence.
UNESCO's Manos Antoninis raised concerns about data leaks in educational technology, revealing that only 16 percent of countries have laws guaranteeing data privacy in the classroom.
The shift to online-only learning during the COVID-19 pandemic has resulted in the loss of approximately 500 million students worldwide.
The report emphasises that the right to education is increasingly linked to meaningful connectivity. One in four primary schools do not have access to electricity, making it important to set standards for connecting schools to the Internet.
The survey conducted by UNESCO reveals that only 11 out of 51 governments have implemented a curriculum for artificial intelligence (AI) in schools.
About UNESCO
The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) is a specialised agency of the United Nations (UN)
It is also a member of the United Nations Sustainable Development Group (UN SDG), a coalition of United Nations agencies and organisations that aims to meet the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
Headquarters:- Paris, France
Director General: -Audrey Azoulay
Founded:- 16 November 1945 in London, United Kingdom
The organisation has -193 members and 11 associate members
8. Kerala to set up India's first fisheries Atal Incubation Centre
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After receiving a grant of ₹10 crore from NITI Aayog, the Kerala University of Fisheries and Ocean Studies (KUFOS) will set up India's first Atal Incubation Center (AIC) in fisheries.
An Overview of the News
NITI Aayog, as the premier policy think tank of the Government of India, provided a grant to KUFOS to promote innovation and entrepreneurship in the fisheries sector.
The AIC initiative is part of the Atal Innovation Mission, which aims to foster a culture of innovation and entrepreneurship across various industries in the country.
Fisheries Atal Incubation Centre:
Fisheries Atal Incubation Centre will act as a focal point to foster innovation and inspire young individuals to create advanced technologies and solutions that will address challenges faced by our marine ecosystem and fishing communities .
Its primary objective is to promote progress in the fisheries industry by providing a supportive and encouraging environment for startups and innovative initiatives within the sector.
The centre will play a key role in creating employment opportunities, creating a conducive environment for startups and entrepreneurs to flourish and succeed.
Vice Chancellor of KUFOS - T. Pradeepkumar
About Kerala
Capital - Thiruvananthapuram
Official Bird - Great Hornbill
Governor - Arif Mohammad Khan
Chief Minister - Pinarayi Vijayan
Origin of rivers in Kerala
Periyar River
Bharathapuzha River
Pamba River
Chaliyar River
Chalakudy River
India's longest lake - Vembanad, Kerala
9. Naveen Patnaik holds the record for being India's second longest serving chief minister
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Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik holds the distinction of being the second longest serving Chief Minister in India.
An Overview of the News
Patnaik held the office of Chief Minister for an impressive period of 23 years and 138 days, assuming office on 5 March 2000.
In achieving this feat, he surpassed the previous record holder, former Chief Minister of West Bengal Jyoti Basu, who served for 23 years and 137 days from June 21, 1977 to November 5, 2000.
The title of longest-serving Chief Minister is held by former Chief Minister of Sikkim, Pawan Kumar Chamling, who held the post for an even longer period of 24 years and 166 days.
Patnaik's journey in politics has been remarkable, and his turning point came when he was called on to lead the newly formed Biju Janata Dal on 17 April 1997, following the death of his father, former Chief Minister of Odisha, Biju Patnaik.
He began his political journey by winning the election from the Aska Lok Sabha constituency in his home district of Ganjam, marking the beginning of his successful leadership tenure.
Naveen Patnaik:
In 1998, Naveen Patnaik joined the Atal Bihari Vajpayee government at the Center as the Minister of Steel and Mines. However, he later decided to return to the state and contest the assembly elections in 2000.
Under the leadership of Naveen Patnaik, the Biju Janata Dal (BJD) has achieved an impressive record of being undefeated in all elections including Lok Sabha, Assembly and Panchayat elections.
In 2000, Naveen Patnaik successfully formed a coalition government with the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in Odisha and became the 14th Chief Minister of the state on 5 March.
One of the most significant challenges Naveen Patnaik faced was in 2009 when communal violence in Kandhamal ended his alliance with the BJP.
In 2012, Naveen Patnaik faced an alleged political coup attempt organised by his advisor Pyari Mohan Mohapatra, which he successfully foiled.
10. India's first online gaming academy launched in Madhya Pradesh
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Madhya Pradesh is launching its first online gaming industry "MP State Esports Academy".
An Overview of the News
The Academy aims to provide a platform for aspiring gaming and esports professionals to advance their skills and reach a professional level.
MP Junior Esports Championship
"MP Junior Esports Championship" is a 10-day talent hunt tournament from 27th July to 7th August.
It is exclusively for e-sports enthusiasts in the age group of 12 to 17 years.
The tournament provides a platform for young participants to engage, compete and showcase their gaming skills.
Inclusive Selection Procedure
80% seats in the academy are reserved for gamers from Madhya Pradesh.
The remaining 20% seats are open to enthusiastic gamers from across India.
The selection process is open to all, giving a fair chance to the participants to compete for admission.
Combination of tradition and innovation
MP State Esports Academy aims to promote the sport represented in the Asian Games and Olympics.
It seeks to integrate traditional and modern sports while providing opportunities in both emerging esports and traditional sports.
Government Sponsored Excellence
Selected eSports athletes will receive 12 months of intensive coaching and high-quality eSports education.
The coaching and education is fully funded by the government, with an aim to nurture and groom talented sportspersons.
Exports in India: Growing Recognition and Growth Projections
With its inclusion as a medal sport in the Asian Games 2022 and a pilot program in the Commonwealth Games 2022, eSports is gaining recognition in India.
The gaming industry in India is expected to grow four-fold to reach Rs 1,100 crore by 2025.
India's potential as a lucrative market for eSports has attracted major gaming companies from around the world.
Due to its increasing popularity, global players are looking for opportunities and investing in Indian e-sports.
Sports minister of Madhya Pradesh: Yashodhara Raje Scindia
