1. India to double the output of crude steel in the next 10 years: PM Modi
Tags: place in news Economy/Finance
Addressing a gathering on the occasion of expansion of ArcelorMittal Nippon Steel plant at Hazira in Surat, Gujarat on 28 October 2022 via video message, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said that his government has set a target to double the production of crude steel from the present 154 million tonnes per annum to 300 MT production capacity in the next 9-10 years.
ArcelorMittal Nippon Steel India (AM/NS India) is a joint venture between Luxembourg based ArcelorMittal and Nippon Steel of Japan .
The company is investing Rs 60,000 crores to expand crude steel capacity at its Hazira plant from 9 million tonnes per annum (MTPA) to 15 MTPA.
Underlining the growing role of the steel industry in goals of moving towards a developed India by 2047, he said that a strong steel sector leads to a robust infrastructure sector.
Steel and India
India was the largest producer of Sponge Iron in the world in 2021.
India was the second largest consumer of steel in the world in 2021 after China .
India is the second largest producer of crude steel in the world after China .
India has set a target to increase the crude steel production to 300 million tonnes per annum by 2030.
India has set the target to increase per capita steel consumption to the level of 160 Kgs by 2030.
2. 7th India France bilateral Air exercise 'Garuda VIl'commences in Jodhpur
Tags: place in news Defence
The Indian Air Force (IAF) and French Air and Space Force (FASF) are participating in a bilateral exercise, named 'Garuda VIl', from 26 October to 12 November 2022 at Air Force Station Jodhpur.
This is the seventh edition of the bilateral exercise. The first, third and fifth editions were conducted in India in 2003, 2006 and 2014 at Air Force Stations Gwalior, Kalaikunda and Jodhpur, respectively. The second, fourth and sixth editions were conducted in France in 2005, 2010 and 2019.
In this exercise, FASF will participate with four Rafale fighter aircraft, one A-330 Multi Role Tanker Transport aircraft and a contingent of 220 personnel. The IAF is participating with Su-30 MKI, Rafale, Tejas and Jaguar fighter aircraft, as well as the Light Combat Helicopter and Mi-17 helicopters.
Participation of the IAF and FASF in this exercise will promote professional interaction, exchange of experiences and enhancement of operational knowledge, besides strengthening bilateral relations between the two countries.
3. Nirmala Sitharaman inaugurates new IIFT campus at Kakinada, Andhra Pradesh
Tags: place in news Economy/Finance Person in news
Union Finance and Corporate Affairs minister Nirmala Sitharaman inaugurated the new campus of the Indian Institute of Foreign Trade (IIFT), at Kakinada in Andhra Pradesh. The campus has been set up with the help of Andhra Pradesh government and it will be temporarily hosted in the Jawaharlal Nehru Technological University , Kakinada.
Speaking on the occasion the Union Minister for Commerce and Industries, Consumer Affairs, Food, Public Distribution and Textiles Piyush Goyal said that at present, the Indian economy is worth 3.5 trillion US dollars. With continuous efforts Indian economy will reach tenfold in the next 25 years, by 2047, when we mark the 100th year of independence. The development can be achieved by making available expert human resources to the maximum extent.
Indian Institute of Foreign Trade (IIFT)
The Indian Institute of Foreign Trade (IIFT) was established in 1963 as an autonomous body under the Union Ministry of Commerce & Industry to contribute in the skill building for the external trade sector of India..
It is one of the top business schools of India with a special focus on Trade and Finance.
The Institute was granted “Deemed to be University” status in 2002.
It has campuses at Delhi, Kolkata and Kakinada .
Vice Chancellor : Manoj Pant
4. Government of India extends license of Vedanta’s Barmer oil block by 10 years
Tags: place in news Economy/Finance State News
The government of India has extended the production sharing contract license of the Barmer oil block owned by Cairns Oil and Gas, a unit of Vedanta limited, till 14 May 2030. This information was given by the Anil Agarwal owned company in a stock exchange filing on 27 October 2022.The initial licence to explore and produce oil and gas from the Barmer block expired on May 14, 2020.
Barmer oil field
The Barmer block, with 38 discoveries, till date, has a reserve of hydrocarbons of 5.9 billion barrels of oil equivalent. The block has cumulatively produced more than 700 million barrels of oil in the last decade.
The main oil producing wells have been named by Cairns as Mangala, Bhagyam and Aishwarya.
On 21 February 2022, Cairns announced the fresh discovery of oil in the Barmer oil block of Rajasthan the oil well was named as“Durga ''.
Government of India Company ONGC holds a 30% stake in the block while Cairn Oil & Gas, a unit of Vedanta Ltd., is the operator with a 70% stake.
Fact files Oil
- Edwin L. Drake drilled the world's first oil well in 1859 at Titusville, Pennsylvania, USA, in 1866,
- The first oil well to be dug in India was at Digboi field in Assam in September 1889-1890 by Assam Railways and Trading Company Limited registered in London.
- In 1901, Asia's first oil refinery was set up at Digboi, Assam. It is still functional and the world's oldest operating refinery.
- The first oil discovery in independent India was made in 1953 in Naharkatia and then in Moran in 1956 both in Upper Assam.
- Within a year of being formed, Oil and Natural Gas Corporation (ONGC) discovered oil at Cambay (Gujarat), the giant Ankleshwar field in the state of Gujarat in 1960, Kalol (Gujarat) in 1961, Lakwa (Assam)in 1964, Geleki(Assam) in 1968.
- However, the biggest discovery of oil in India was made by ONGC in Mumbai High in 1974. It is an offshore oilfield 176 km off the west coast of Mumbai, in the Gulf of Cambay region of India, in about 75 m of water.
Source : Directorate General of Hydrocarbons (Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas, Government of India)
5. Union Minister V. Muraleedharan attends Dakar International Forum on Peace and Security in Africa
Tags: place in news Summits
Union Minister of State for External Affairs, V. Muraleedharan who was on an official visit to Senegal from October 24-25, attended the 8th edition of the Dakar International Forum on Peace and Security in Dakar.
Being held annually since 2014, the Dakar Forum has become a key event for decision-makers involved in Africa. This is the first time that India is participating in the Forum at a Ministerial level.
During the visit on 24th and 25th of this month, Mr. Muraleedharan interacted with the Indian community in Dakar and greeted them on the occasion of Diwali celebrations.
On the eve of National Unity Week, Mr. Muraleedharan was joined by the Indian community in forming a Unity Chain to commemorate the birth anniversary of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel.
India and Senegal relationships
Diplomatic relations between the two countries were established at the Ambassadorial level in 1962. The bilateral trade between India and Senegal was $ 1.65 billion in 2021-22.
Major items of export from India include textiles, food items, automobiles and pharmaceuticals.
Major items of import from Senegal are phosphoric acid and raw cashew.
Senegal
It is located in the western most point in Africa. It is also called the gateway to Africa.
It is rich in phosphates of lime and aluminium phosphates minerals.
Capital: Dakar
Currency: CFA Franc
President: Macky Sall
6. Government to set up NIA offices in all states by 2024; Amit Shah
Tags: place in news Summits Person in news
Addressing the two day (27-28 October 2022) Chintan Shivir at Surajkund, Haryana on 27 October 2022, the Union Home Minister Amit Shah said that National Investigation Agency (NIA) will set up its branches in all the State’s by 2024.
The Chintan shivir which has been organized by the Union Home Ministry is being attended by Chief Ministers of the States, Home Ministers of States and Lieutenant Governors and Administrators of Union Territories .
NIA was set up by the Government of India in 2009 after Mumbai terrorist attack in 2008. It is the premier counter - terrorist agency in India.
7. Shaurya Diwas celebrated in Srinagar
Tags: place in news Defence
The Defence ministry organised the ‘Shaurya Diwas’ celebrations in Srinagar, Jammu & Kashmir (J&K) on October 27, 2022 to commemorate the 75th year of air landed operations of the Indian Army at Budgam Airport in 1947.
The Defence Minister Rajnath Singh was the Chief Guest at the Shaurya Diwas’ celebrations. The event was organised as part of ‘Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav’.
Background to the Day
On October 27, 1947, the Indian Army was air-lifted by the Indian Air Force and landed at the Budgam Airport to evict the Pakistani backed Tribal invaders from J&K, a day after the ‘Instrument of Accession’ was signed between Maharaja Hari Singh and the Republic of India.
Infantry Day
27th October is also observed by the Indian Army as ‘Infantry Day’. It was on this day in 1947 that Infantry-men from the Indian Army became the first troops to land at Srinagar airport.
Speaking on the occasion Rajnath Singh paid rich tribute to the courage and valour of the first Param Vir Chakra recipient, Major Somnath Sharma, who despite being injured led a company & saved the Srinagar airfield. This enabled the Indian to land its forces in Jammu and Kashmir and saved the state from falling into Pakistan’s hand.
He also paid glowing tributes to the bravery of other Gallantry award winners such as Brigadier Rajinder Singh and Lt Col Dewan Ranjit Rai, who gave away their lives to protect the motherland.
8. 12th World Hindi Conference to be held in Nadi, Fiji in February 2023
Tags: place in news Summits
The Minister of State for External Affairs V Muraleedharan has announced at an event in New Delhi on 27 October 2022 that the 12th World Hindi Conference will be held in Nadi, Fiji from 15-17 February 2023.
The event is being organised by the External Affairs Ministry, Government of India and the Government of Fiji. The event will be used to promote Hindi as a global language.
Why Fiji?
It is for the first time that Fiji will be hosting the conference. English, Fijian and Fijian Hindi are the three official languages of Fiji.
Around 30% of the Fijian population is of Indian descent and majority of them speak Hindi.
Effort to make Hindi a UN language
Speaking at the event the External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar said efforts are on to get Hindi recognised as an official language at the United Nations (UN) and progress has been made in that direction but it will take some time.
He said that Hindi is being used by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO). The UN Secretariat is using Hindi language in its use in social media and newsletters.
However Hindi is not the official language of the UN.
The UN has six official languages: English, Russian, Spanish, Chinese, Arabic and French.
World Hindi Conference
The first world Hindi conference to popularize Hindi as a global language was held in Nagpur in 1975. Indira Gandhi was the Prime Minister of India.
S.NO | Year | Place | Country |
1 | 10-12 January 1975 | Nagpur | India |
2 | 28-30 August 1976 | Port Louis | Mauritius |
3 | 24-28 October 1983 | New Delhi | India |
4 | 2-4 December 1993 | Port Louis | Mauritius |
5 | 4-8 April 1996 | Port of Spain | Trinidad and Tobago |
6 | 14-18 September 1999 | London | United Kingdom |
7 | 5-9 June 2003 | Paramaribo | Suriname |
8 | 13-15 July 2007 | New York City | United States of America |
9 | 22-24 September 2012 | Johannesburg | South Africa |
10 | 10-12 September 2015 | Bhopal | Madhya Pradesh /India |
11 | 18-20 August' 2018 | Port Louis | Mauritius |
12 | 15-17 February 2023 | Nadi | Fiji |
Hindi Diwas:
Every year 14 September is observed as Hindi Diwas in India. On this day in 1949 the Constituent Assembly adopted Hindi as the official language of the country.
Republic of Fiji
It is an archipelago consisting of around 300 islands in the South Pacific Ocean.
Capital: Suva
Currency: Fijian Dollar
Prime Minister: Frank Bainimarama
9. IGI Airport Delhi emerges as the 10th Busiest Airport in the world in 2022
Tags: place in news Economy/Finance
The Indira Gandhi International Airport, New Delhi has emerged as the world's 10th busiest airport in October 2022, improving its ranking compared to the pre-pandemic period.
In its report, aviation analytics firm OAG said Delhi airport has improved its position from 14th place in October 2019, which was the pre-pandemic time.
The rankings by OAG are based on scheduled airline capacity in the current month and compared to the equivalent month in 2019, pre-pandemic.
The world’s top 10 busiest airports 2022 (includes both domestic and International capacity )
- Atlanta International Airport , United States of America
- Dubai International Airport ,United Arab Emirates
- Tokyo Haneda International Airport. Japan
- Fort Worth International Airport, Dallas,United States of America
- Denver International Airport , United States of America
- Heathrow Airport, London , England
- Chicago O'Hare International Airport , United States of America
- Istanbul Airport,Turkiye
- Los Angeles International Airport , United States of America
- Indira Gandhi International Airport ,New Delhi
Busiest International Airport in 2022
No Indian airport has been included in the top 10 busiest International Airport in 2022. The top three busiest international airport are as follows ;
- Dubai airport
- Heathrow Airport,
- Amsterdam Airport Schiphol , Netherlands
10. Union Ministry of Home Affairs will organize a Chintan shivir of Home Ministers in Haryana
Tags: place in news Summits State News
The Union Ministry of Home Affairs will organises a two day (27-28 October 2022) Chintan Shivir at Surajkund, Haryana. The Chintan shivir will be presided by the Union Minister for Home and Cooperation, Amit Shah. Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi, will address the Chintan Shivir through video conferencing on October 28, 2022.
Who will participate in the Chintan Shivir
Home Ministers of all States and Lieutenant Governors and Administrators of Union Territories have been invited to participate in the two-day Chintan Shivir.
State Home Secretaries, Director Generals of Police and Director Generals of Central Armed Police Forces and Central Police Organizations will also participate in the Chintan Shivir.
Objective of the Chintan Shivir
- The objective of the two-day Chintan Shivir is to prepare an Action Plan for the implementation of "Vision 2047" and ‘Panch Pran’ announced in the Independence Day speech of Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi.
- In the conference of Home Ministers, development of eco-system for cybercrime management, modernization of police forces, increase in usage of IT in criminal justice system, land border management and coastal security and other internal security issues will be discussed.
- The role of ‘Nari Shakti’ is important to achieve the goal of 'Developed India by 2047' and special emphasis will be given to the safety of women and creating a safe environment for them.
- The aim of the Conference is also to facilitate national policy making and better planning and coordination in the above mentioned areas.
