1. Turkey's Erdogan warns Greece to demilitarise Aegean islands
Tags: International News
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan on June 9 warned Greece to demilitarise islands in the Aegean Sea.
Turkey says Greece is increasing its military presence on the Aegean islands in violation of treaties.
Turkey argues that the islands were ceded to Greece on the condition that they remain demilitarized.
What is the dispute?
Greece and Turkey are allies of NATO, but the two countries have a history of disputes on many issues.
Some of the issues are mineral exploration in the eastern Mediterranean and rival claims in the Aegean Sea.
Greece says Turkey deliberately misinterpreted the treaties.
Turkey argues that this sea should be divided equally.
About Aegean Sea
It is located between Anatolia and the Balkan Peninsula and spans Turkey and Greece.
Nine of the 12 administrative regions of Greece are bordered by the sea.
It has a surface area of about 215,000 km2.
Its maximum length is about 700 km and width is 400 km.
The Aegean is divided into the Myrtoian Sea and the Thracian Sea.
It is a major cause of dispute between Turkey and Greece, affecting relations between the two countries since the 1970s.
2. Thailand Becomes the First Asian Country to Legalize Marijuana
Tags: International News
Thailand has become the first country in Asia to legalize the cultivation, sale and use of Marijuana.
Uruguay and Canada are, so far, the only two countries that have legalized recreational marijuana on a national basis.
Thailand's government has warned that those who smoke in public will be sentenced to 3 months in prison and a fine of 25,000 baht ($780).
What is Marijuana?
Marijuana also called weed, is a greenish-grey mixture of the dried flowers of Cannabis sativa.
The main psychoactive (mind-altering) chemical in marijuana, responsible for most of the intoxicating effects, is delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC).
The chemical is found in resin produced by the leaves and buds primarily of the cannabis plant.
More than 500 other chemicals are also found in the plant, including more than 100 compounds that are chemically related to THC.
It is used for smoking, drinking, within food, or as an extract.
Some benefits of Marijuana
It works as a healer and has found mention in the Ayurveda.
It can be used to treat a number of diseases like multiple sclerosis, arthritis, epilepsy, insomnia, HIV/AIDS treatment, cancer.
It is a super-industrial carbon negative raw material.
It is being used to make bio-fuel, bio-plastics and even construction material in certain countries.
By legalizing and taxing marijuana, the government can generate huge amounts of revenue.
It has the potential to become a cash crop for poor marginal farmers.
Its consumption was never regarded as a more socially deviant behaviour than drinking.
Its consumption was never regarded as a more socially deviant behavior than drinking alcohol.
3. PM Gati Shakti to help achieve India's aim of USD 5 Trillion economy
Tags: Government Schemes National News
Minister of State for Commerce and Industry Som Prakash has said that PM Gati Shakti National Master Plan will help in achieving India's goal of a five trillion dollar economy.
About PM Gati Shakti Master Plan
In October 2021, the government announced the PM Gati Shakti programme.
It will bring 16 Ministries together for integrated planning and implementation of infrastructure connectivity projects.
It is multi-modal connectivity and will help in improving global competitiveness, boost manufacturing and modernise infrastructure in the country.
Its targets are to cut logistic costs, increase cargo handling capacity and reduce the turnaround time.
Economic zones like Textile Clusters, Pharmaceutical Clusters, Defence Corridor, Electronic Park, Industrial Corridor, Fishing Clusters, Agri Zone will be covered under this program to improve connectivity.
Significance
It will give a boost to the overall infrastructure of the country.
It will strive to build next generation infrastructure that improves ease of living as well as ease of doing business.
It will provide integrated and seamless connectivity for movement of people, goods and services as a mode of transport.
It will create many employment opportunities and boost the economy.
It will improve the global competitiveness of local products by cutting logistics costs and improving the supply chain.
4. Presidential elections on July 18 : Election Commission
Tags: Popular National News
On 9 June, the Election Commission announced the election date as 18 July for the election of the 16th President of India.
The notification for the election will be issued on June 15, the last date for nomination is scheduled June 29.
Counting of votes, if required, will be done on July 21.
The term of President Ram Nath Kovind will end on July 24, 2022, and according to Article 62 of the Constitution, elections are required to be completed before term to fill a vacancy caused by the expiration of the term.
The President of India
The President of India is recognized as the first citizen of the country and the head of state.
He is a part of the Central Executive along with the Vice President, Prime Minister, Council of Ministers and Attorney General of India.
How is the President elected?
There is no direct election for the Indian President, an electoral college elects The President.
Votes are cast by national and state level MPs and MLAs.
The electoral college is made up of all the elected members of both Houses of Parliament.
Elected Members of the Legislative Assemblies of States and Union Territories are also part of the electoral college.
The provisions of the election of the President are given in Article 54 of the Constitution of India.
Status of The electoral college
There will be a total of 4,809 members in the electoral college for the elections.
Rajya Sabha MPs - 233
Lok Sabha MPs - 543
MLAs of State Assemblies and the Assemblies of the Union Territories of Delhi and Puducherry - 4,033
Total value of the votes - 10 lakh 86 thousand 431
Constitutional provisions
Article 54 - Election of President
Article 55 - Manner of election of President.
Article 56 - Term of office of President
Article 57 - Eligibility for re-election.
Article 58 - Qualifications for election as President
5. Central Government launches National Awards Portal for nomination of various awards
Tags: Awards National News
The Central Government has launched the National Awards Portal to invite nominations for various awards from various Ministries, Departments and Agencies to ensure transparency and public participation.
This portal has been developed by the government to bring all the awards together under a single digital platform.
The portal aims to facilitate citizens to nominate individuals and organisations for various awards instituted by the Government of India.
Currently nominations and recommendations for Padma awards are open till 15th September this year for Sardar Patel National Integration Award, nominations will be open till 31st of July.
Nomination for Tenzing Norgay National Adventure Award will remain open till the 16th of June.
nomination for Jeevan Raksha Padak series of Awards will be open till 30th September 2022.
Anyone can nominate for the Pandit Deendayal Upadhyay Telecom Skill Excellence Award till June 16.
6. Prime Minister mentioned India’s efforts to create ‘green jobs
Tags: National News
On the occasion of World Environment Day, the Prime Minister mentioned India’s efforts to create ‘green jobs.
What are Green Jobs?
It refers to a class of jobs that directly have a positive impact on the planet, and contribute to overall environmental well-being.
Jobs that ensure renewable energy, conservation of resources, and energy efficient means are classified under this category.
It aims to reduce the negative environmental impact of economic sectors and advance the process of creating a low-carbon economy.
India and green jobs
The Skill Council for Green Jobs was launched by the Central Government on 1 October 2015.
It was promoted by the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE) and Confederation of Indian Industry (CII).
Awareness and training of green jobs skills will ensure individuals limit greenhouse gas emissions, reduce waste and pollution, protect and restore ecosystems, and support adaptation to the effects of climate change.
As per the ILO, India is moving strongly towards a green economy by the next decade, with the renewable energy sector alone creating about 3 million jobs.
According to ILO data, the renewable energy sector created about 47,000 new jobs in 2017, representing a growth of 12% over a period of one year.
7. NCPCR launches “CiSS application” under Baal Swaraj portal
Tags: Popular National News
National Commission for Protection of Child Rights (NCPCR) has launched a “CiSS Application” under Bal Swaraj Portal to help in the rehabilitation process of Children in Street Situations (CiSS).
About CiSS Application
It is used to collect data of children found abandoned on roads from all states and union territories.
The application tracks their rescue and rehabilitation process.
This initiative has been started under the direction of the Supreme Court of India.
This program is in conformity with the provision given in Article 51(a) of the Constitution of India.
This platform serves to collect data and report to the District Child Protection Officer (DCPO) for taking necessary action for such children.
It also provides a platform for professionals and organizations to provide any help to children in need.
Its working framework
It categorises any child under ‘Children in Street Situation’ if the child -
is living on the streets alone
is living on the streets during the day
or living on the streets with the family.
The root cause of this phenomenon is the migration of families from rural to urban areas in search of better living standards.
8. Defence Minister Rajnath Singh hands over 12 High Speed Guard Boats to Vietnam
Tags: International News
Defence Minister Rajnath Singh handed over 12 high speed guard boats to Vietnam during his visit to Hong Ha Shipyard in Hai Phong on June 9, 2022.
The boats have been built under the Defence Line of Credit of US$ 100 million from the Government of India for Vietnam.
The initial five boats were built in India at Larsen & Toubro (L&T) Shipyard and the other seven at Hong Ha Shipyard.
The speed boat will be operated by the Vietnamese Border Guard Force.
This project is a vivid example of India's 'Make in India - Make for the World' mission.
The Defence Minister said, India would be very happy if close friends like Vietnam bring about a transformation in its defence industry through increased defence industry cooperation.
Rajnath Singh is on a three-day visit to Vietnam.
Note - for more information please click the link
9. Cabinet approves increase in MSP for various Kharif crops
Tags: Economy/Finance National News
The Union Cabinet on June 8 approved an increase in the Minimum Support Price (MSP) for various Kharif (summer) crops for the year 2022-23.
In the cabinet meeting, the MSP of 14 kharif crops was approved.
The approved rates are at least 1.5 times the All India Weighted Average Cost of Production.
MSP of common grade variety of paddy - increased to ₹2,040 per quintal for the 2022-23 crop year from ₹1,940 in the previous year.
The support price of 'A' grade variety of paddy - increased to ₹2,060 per quintal from ₹1,960.
The increase in MSP over the previous year is recommended by -
Sesamum 523 rupees per quintal
Moong 480 rupees per quintal
Sunflower seed 385 rupees per quintal
Tur, Urad and Groundnut 300 rupees per quintal
Cotton (Medium Staple) 354 rupees and Cotton (Long Staple) 355 rupees
Farmers benefit from increase in MSP
It will provide assured remunerative prices to the farmers and will help in achieving the goal of Atmanirbhar Bharat.
It will also lead to more investment and production.
It will empower crores of farmers of the country.
What is the Kharif Season?
It starts in June and ends in October where monsoon crops are cultivated and harvested.
Some important Kharif Crops
Bajra
Jowar
Maize
Millet
Rice (paddy and deepwater rice)
Soybean
What is Minimum Support Price (MSP)?
MSP is the rate at which the government buys food grains from farmers.
This is based on the calculation of at least one and a half times the cost of production incurred by the farmers.
The Government of India fixes the MSP for 24 items twice a year.
When the market price falls below the declared MSP, the government buys food grains from the farmers at the MSP rate.
10. PM Modi inaugurated Biotech Startup Expo 2022
Tags: Popular National News
Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated the Biotech Startup Expo – 2022 at Pragati Maidan, New Delhi on 9 June.
The Biotech Startup Expo – 2022 is a two-day event being held on June 9 and 10.
The organiser of the expo is the Department of Biotechnology and Biotechnology Industry Research Assistance Council (BIRAC).
This expo is being organised to commemorate the ten years of the establishment of BIRAC.
The theme of the Expo - ‘Biotech Startup Innovations: Towards AatmaNirbhar Bharat’.
The expo will act as a platform to connect entrepreneurs, investors, industry leaders, scientists, researchers, bio-incubators, manufacturers, regulators, government officials, etc.
Around 300 stalls will be set up at the expo, showcasing the applications of biotechnology in various sectors such as healthcare, genomics, biopharma, agriculture, industrial biotechnology, waste-to-value, clean energy.
The event will also witness the launch of an e-portal of 750 biotech products.
About Biotechnology Industry Research Assistance Council (BIRAC)
It was set up by the Department of Biotechnology on 20th March, 2012.
It is an industry-academia interface agency to strengthen and empower the emerging biotech enterprise.
It conducts strategic research and innovation while addressing nationally relevant product development needs.
DBT and BIRAC have been at the forefront of India's fight against the COVID-19 pandemic by intervening in the development of indigenous vaccines etc.
India ranks among the top 12 biotechnology destinations in the world and third in the Asia-Pacific.
