1. Solomon PM told Australia, no Chinese military presence in the country
Tags: place in news International News
Solomon Islands Prime Minister Manasseh Sogaware assured Australia on 7 October that his country would not allow a Chinese military presence in its territory.
Important facts
The island nation has been at the centre of a diplomatic conflict in the southern Pacific Ocean between the United States, Australia and their allies on the one hand and China on the other.
Earlier this year, the Solomon Islands struck a security agreement with China, saying it needed Beijing's assistance with its domestic security situation.
The agreement shook the US and Australia.
There was concern that the deal could potentially lead to a Chinese military base and power test on the island nation.
The United States and its regional allies fear that China could open a Chinese naval base, which would significantly increase China's military reach in the South Pacific.
About Solomon Islands
The Solomon Islands is a nation located in Melanesia, east of Papua New Guinea, consisting of more than 990 islands.
Melanesia is a subregion of Oceania in the southwestern Pacific Ocean.
It does not include the Santa Cruz Islands and the outlying islands such as Rennell and Bellona.
Its capital is Honiara, which is located on the island of Guadalcanal.
2. 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.
3. 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
4. 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
5. 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
6. AIIA signs Mou with NIAIST, Japan to promote collaboration in Research of Ayurveda and Traditional medicine
Tags: National Science and Technology
The All India Institute of Ayurveda (AIIA), under the Ministry of AYUSH, and the National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology (AIST), Japan have signed an Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on 7 October 2022 in New Delhi to promote Institute’s research activities both at a national and international stage.
The MoU will enable both countries to promote research collaboration and building capacities in the field of the Indian Ayurvedic system of traditional medicines. All these activities will be executed in support of the Ministry of Ayush.
AIIA already has MoUs with the European Academy of Ayurveda, Bernstein, Germany; Western Sydney University, Australia; Graz Medical University, Austria; College of Medical, UK; London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, UK and Federal University of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
All India Institute of Ayurveda (AIIA)
All India Institute of Ayurveda is an apex institute for Ayurveda which is being set up in New Delhi. It has been set up to make Ayurveda an evidence based treatment and standardize the Ayurveda drugs.
Current Director of AIIA: Professor Tanuja Manoj Nessari.
AYUSH (Ayurveda, Yoga, Unani, Siddha, Homoeopathy)
- The Ministry of AYUSH was set up on the 9th of November 2014 to revive the knowledge of traditional Indian systems of medicine.
- It focuses on education and research in the fields of Ayurveda, Yoga Naturopathy, Unani, Siddha, and Homoeopathy.
- Minister of AYUSH: Sarbananda Sonowal
7. 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
8. 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.
9. 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.
10. 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
