1. 1st ASEAN-India Start-up Festival 2022 held in Indonesia
Tags: place in news Summits
Dr. Srivari Chandrasekhar, Secretary, Department of Science and Technology, inaugurated the 1st ASEAN-India Start-up Festival (AISF) on 27th October 2022 in Bogor, Indonesia.
The four-day event is being hosted in conjunction with the Indonesia Research and Innovation Expo (INA-RIE) from the 27th until the 30th October 2022 at the Innovation Convention Centre, Cibinong Bogor, Indonesia. The AISF is part of a series of events to commemorate the 30th Anniversary of the ASEAN-India diplomatic relationship.
The festival is part of the over-all ASEAN-India Science, Technology and Innovation Cooperation program between the ASEAN Committee on Science, Technology, and Innovation (COSTI) and the Department of Science and Technology (Govt of India) and is supported under the ASEAN-India Science and Technology Development Fund (AISTDF) of Govt of India which is jointly contributed by Department of Science and Technology and Ministry of External Affairs (MEA).
The festival commemorates and strengthens cooperation and collaboration in science, technology, and innovation between the ASEAN countries and India.
ASEAN (Association of SouthEast Asian Nation) is a regional organization which was set up in 1967. It is an association of 10 countries of Southeast Asia namely; Indonesia, Philippines, Brunei, Thailand, Vietnam, Malaysia, Singapore, Laos, Cambodia, Myanmar.
Headquarters of ASEAN: Jakarta, Indonesia.
2. Ministry of Corporate Affairs organises an Investor Education, Awareness and Protection Conference in Srinagar
Tags: place in news Summits Economics/Business State News
The Investor Education and Protection Fund Authority (IEPFA) under the Ministry of Corporate Affairs organised an Investor Education, Awareness and Protection Conference in Srinagar, Jammu & Kashmir on 28 October 2022. The Conference was inaugurated by Chief Guest, Union Minister of State for Ministry of Corporate Affairs Rao Inderjit Singh.
During the conference the minister launched various initiatives of the IEPFA.
- The IEPFA Mascot “Fundoo” was released.
- “Niveshak Didi” or female dakiya, is a joint venture of IEPF Authority with India Post Payment Bank wherein Investor Education will be promoted in “By the women, for the women” concept.
- “Niveshak Sarathi”, an investor awareness van was flagged by the minister. It is an initiative by IEPFA to promote financial literacy among people in far-flung areas by spreading knowledge through dedicated audio-visual and print material & a specially designed Van.
- “Investors’ Handbook” - a concise compilation of information on savings, budgeting, and investments which provides a vast knowledge of financial instruments.
The Investor Education and Protection Fund Authority (IEPFA)
It was set up by the Government of India on 7 September 2016 under the Companies Act 2013, to administer the Investor Education and Protection Fund.
Investor Education and Protection Fund
The fund was set up under the Companies act in 1999 under the Union Ministry of Corporate Affairs. The main aim of the Fund is to promote investors’ awareness and protection of the interests of investors. Here investor means those who have invested in companies shares, debentures, fixed deposits etc.
Source of Fund
The following amounts that remained unpaid and unclaimed by the investor for a period of seven years from the date they became due for payment are credited to the Fund:
- Amounts in the unpaid dividend accounts of the companies
- The application moneys received by companies for allotment of any securities and due for refund
- Matured deposits with companies
- Matured debentures with companies
- Grants and donations given to the fund by the Central Government, State Governments, companies or any other institutions for the purposes of the Fund;
- And, the interest or other income received out of the investments made from the fund.
3. 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.
4. 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.
5. 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
6. 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)
7. 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
8. 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.
9. 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.
10. 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
