1. Union Minister Jitendra Singh to lead Indian delegation at the Global Clean Energy Action Forum meeting in America
Tags: place in news Science and Technology Summits International News
Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) Science and Technology Dr Jitendra Singh will lead a Joint Indian Ministerial official delegation of Ministry of Power, New & Renewable Energy and the Ministry of Science & Technology on a 5-day (19-23 September) visit to USA, to participate in Global Clean Energy Action Forum. The delegation includes Minister for Power and New and Renewable Energy R K Singh.
IMPORTANT FACTS -
Meeting in the United States of America :
- They will take part in the joint convening of the Clean Energy Ministerial (CEM13) and Mission Innovation (MI-7) which will take place from 21st to 23rd September at Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, United States of America.
- They will also participate in the 1st Roundtable on Sustainable Bioenergy and Bio-refineries and the 2nd Roundtable on Net Zero Built Environment with Connected Communities.
- At the Clean Energy Action Forum the ministers are likely to underline India's commitment to a low-carbon future that aims to transform the energy landscape of the country by accelerating clean energy innovations.
India’s commitment on clean energy :
- The government of India has committed itself to reach 500 GW of renewable energy capacity by 2030 and increase the contribution of renewable energy in total energy to 50%.
- It has also committed to reduce carbon emissions by one billion tons, reduce carbon intensity of the economy by 45 per cent over 2005 levels and finally achieve net zero emissions by 2070.
2. Union Social Justice minister Virendra Kumar inaugurates Model District Disability Rehabilitation centers in the country
Tags: National Person in news
The Union Minister for Social Justice and Empowerment Dr Virendra Kumar inaugurated model District Disability Rehabilitation centers (DDRC) across the country on 18 September 2022.
He virtually inaugurated 9 model DDRC in Badaun, Pilibhit, Bareilly, Balaghat, Golaghat, Ahmedabad, Amravati, Kullu and Rampur.
District Disability Rehabilitation centers (DDRC) have been set up across the country to provide effective rehabilitation services to the persons with disabilities. These centers are run jointly by District Management Team headed by DM/Collector and a reputed NGO (Usually Indian Red Cross Society).
IMPORTANT FACTS -
Model DDRC :
- The government is upgrading these DDRC to model DDRC. In the model DDRC’s services like hearing aids test lab, speech therapy room, visual therapy room, psychologist room, physiotherapist room, gait practice parallel bar and tele-medicine/tele-therapy like facilities shall be available.
3. Himachal Chief Minister Jai Ram Thakur inaugurates National Conference of tourism ministers
Tags: place in news National State News
The Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Jai Ram Thakur inaugurated a three-day (18-20 September) national conference of tourism ministers from various states and Union territories at Dharamshala, Himachal Pradesh on 18 September 2022.
IMPORTANT FACTS -
- Union Minister for Culture and Tourism G Kishan Reddy was the Chief Guest.
- The conference in Dharamshala is being attended by tourism ministers from various states and Union Territories and other officials related to the tourism sectors.
- With India assuming the Presidency of the G20 for one year from December 1, 2022, to November 30, 2023, Tourism-related aspects of the G20 leaders' summit will be discussed at the event.
- India is expected to host over 200 G20 meetings during its year-long Presidency of the influential group, which will culminate with an annual summit on September 9 and 10 next year.
4. Tajikistan -Kyrgyzstan border clash at ‘Vorukh’ leaves at least 54 people dead
Tags: place in news International News
The old border dispute at Vorukh area between the two former Soviet Central Asian republics of Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan flared up again on 16 September leading to the death of at least 54 persons. The bloody clash in the Vorukh area has seen frequent clashes between the two sides.
Both the sides accused each other of using tanks, mortars, rocket artillery and assault drones to attack outposts and nearby settlements.
The border clash came at the time when the leaders of both the countries, Tajik President Emomali Rakhmon and Kyrgyz President Sadyr Japarov were attending the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) summit meeting in Samarkand, Uzbekistan.
IMPORTANT FACTS -
Border Dispute :
- Both Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan were part of the Soviet Union. Both gained Independence in 1991 after the collapse of the Soviet Union.
- The current boundary dispute between the two countries lies in the demarcation of boundaries during the Soviet era.
- Vorukh is an enclave of Tajik territory surrounded by Kyrgyzstan. Many times there have been clashes over the issue of the access of the Tajiks living in Vorukh to Tajikistan. The Tajiks living in the Vorukh territory has to cross the Kyrgyz territory to go to Tajikistan.
- Tajikistan has proposed an exchange of territory with Kyrgyzstan so that Vorukh can have access to Tajikistan but so far Kyrgyzstan has refused to accept this offer.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION -
Kyrgyzstan :
- Capital: Bishkek
- Currency: Kyrgyzstan Som
- President: Sadyr Japarov
- Tajikistan
- Capital: Dushanbe
- Currency: Somoni
- President: Emomali Rakhmon
5. PM Modi unveils National Logistics Policy
Tags: National Economy/Finance National News
Prime Minister Narendra Modi launched the National Logistics Policy (NLP) at Vigyan Bhawan, New Delhi on 17 September.
IMPORTANT FACTS -
- The central government has been working on the National Logistics Policy for three years.
The commerce ministry released a draft logistics policy for consultation in 2019, but it was delayed due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman announced the National Logistics Policy in the budget 2022-23.
PM said faceless assessment has started in customs and e-way bills and FASTag are bringing efficiency in the logistics sector.
He said the Sagarmala project to link ports and dedicated freight corridors has started improving logistics connectivity and systematic infrastructure development work.
The Prime Minister said that India is now the fifth largest economy in the world and is emerging as a manufacturing hub.
Aim of the National Logistics Policy :
It aims to promote smooth movement of goods and enhance the competitiveness of the industry.
Through this policy, the focus will be on areas like process re-engineering, digitization and multi-modal transport.
Highlight of the Policy :
This policy seeks to support rapid growth in the aftermath of the corona pandemic.
It will streamline regulations and remove supply-side bottlenecks, besides providing a roadmap to reduce fuel costs and logistics costs.
The draft policy seeks to create a reference point for all logistics and trade facilities and to reduce costs for the logistics sector by 10 percent over five years.
The logistics sector is estimated to account for 13-14 per cent of the GDP.
This policy is an attempt to improve the competitiveness of Indian goods, increase economic growth and employment opportunities.
India's logistics sector :
India's logistics sector has more than 20 government agencies, 40 participating government agencies (PGAs), 37 export promotion councils, 500 certifications, over 10,000 items and a $160 billion market.
As per the World Bank Logistics Index of 2018, India is ranked 44th in logistics costs.
6. PM Modi unveils National Logistics Policy
Tags: National Economy/Finance National News
Prime Minister Narendra Modi launched the National Logistics Policy (NLP) at Vigyan Bhawan, New Delhi on 17 September.
IMPORTANT FACTS -
- The central government has been working on the National Logistics Policy for three years.
The commerce ministry released a draft logistics policy for consultation in 2019, but it was delayed due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman announced the National Logistics Policy in the budget 2022-23.
PM said faceless assessment has started in customs and e-way bills and FASTag are bringing efficiency in the logistics sector.
He said the Sagarmala project to link ports and dedicated freight corridors has started improving logistics connectivity and systematic infrastructure development work.
The Prime Minister said that India is now the fifth largest economy in the world and is emerging as a manufacturing hub.
Aim of the National Logistics Policy :
It aims to promote smooth movement of goods and enhance the competitiveness of the industry.
Through this policy, the focus will be on areas like process re-engineering, digitization and multi-modal transport.
Highlight of the Policy :
This policy seeks to support rapid growth in the aftermath of the corona pandemic.
It will streamline regulations and remove supply-side bottlenecks, besides providing a roadmap to reduce fuel costs and logistics costs.
The draft policy seeks to create a reference point for all logistics and trade facilities and to reduce costs for the logistics sector by 10 percent over five years.
The logistics sector is estimated to account for 13-14 per cent of the GDP.
This policy is an attempt to improve the competitiveness of Indian goods, increase economic growth and employment opportunities.
India's logistics sector :
India's logistics sector has more than 20 government agencies, 40 participating government agencies (PGAs), 37 export promotion councils, 500 certifications, over 10,000 items and a $160 billion market.
As per the World Bank Logistics Index of 2018, India is ranked 44th in logistics costs.
7. Kazakhstan renames its capital to Astana and bars second term for President
Tags: place in news International News
The Parliament of Kazakhstan voted to amend the constitution on 16 September 2022 to revert back the name of the nation’s capital to Astana. It also extended the term of the President and barred a person from becoming President more than once.
IMPORTANT FACTS -
Term of the President :
- The term of the President has been extended to seven years from the present five years.
- Also a person can become the President of Kazakhstan only once. Earlier a person can become the President for a maximum two consecutive times.
Renaming of the Capital :
- It also passed a constitutional amendment to change the name of the capital to Astana from Nur-Sultan.
- Kazakhstan moved its capital from Almaty to Astana in 1997 after it became an Independent country in 1991. In Soviet times Astana was called Tselinograd.
- Later when Kazakhstan first President Nur Sultan Nazarbayev resigned after being in power for almost thirty years in 2019, his successor the current President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev renamed Astana to Nur-Sultan in honour of the ex-leader.
- However, now again the name has been changed back to Astana.
Parliament of Kazakhstan :
- The Parliament of Kazakhstan is bicameral. It consists of the upper house senate and a lower house called National Assembly (Mazhilis).
Republic of Kazakhstan :
- Kazakhstan was part of the Soviet Union which gained Independence on 16 December 1991, after the disintegration of the Soviet Union.
- It lies in Central Asia. It is the largest country in central Asia and 9th largest country in the world.
- It has the Baikonur Cosmodrome, which is the world’s first spaceport. The Soviet Union used to launch its space rocket from here.
- The first Indian astronaut Rakesh Sharma was launched into space from here on the Soviet Soyuz T-11 rocket on 3 April 1984.
- Now it has been leased to the Russians.
- Capital: Astana
- Currency: Tenge
- President: Kassym-Jomart Tokayev
8. External Affairs Minister Jaishankar to lead Indian Delegation at the 77th UNGA Session
Tags: National Person in news
According to a 17 September press release of the External Affairs Ministry, the External Affairs Minister Dr S. Jaishankar will be on an official visit to the United States from 18-28 September 2022.
During his visit to the United States he will be leading the India delegation for the High Level Week at the 77th Session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA).
IMPORTANT FACTS -
- The theme of 77th UNGA is "A Watershed Moment: Transformative Solutions to Interlocking Challenges”.
His other engagements in the United States are as follows :
- To commemorate and showcase Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav, EAM would be addressing a special event "India@75: Showcasing India UN Partnership in Action” on 24 September, which would highlight India’s development journey and its contributions to South-South Cooperation.
- He will host a Ministerial meeting of the G4 (India, Brazil, Japan, Germany) countries. G4 countries support the inclusion of the member countries as the permanent member of the United Nation Security Council.
- He will also participate at the High Level Meeting of the L.69 Group on "Reinvigorating Multilateralism and Achieving Comprehensive Reform of the UN Security Council”.
- The L.69 Group consists of developing countries from Asia, Africa, Latin America, Caribbean and Small Island Developing States, focused on reforms of the UN Security Council.
9. Amidst controversy Amit shah inaugurates Hyderabad Liberation Day celebration
Tags: place in news National State News
Union Home Minister Amit Shah inaugurated the year-long celebrations of Hyderabad Liberation Day at the parade grounds in Hyderabad, Telangana on 17 September 2022. However the celebration has become controversial after the Telangana Chief Minister announced to observe the day as Telangana National Integration Day. The center move has also been criticized by the Hyderabad MP Asaduddin Owaisi.
Both the Chief Minister and Owaisi considers Centre’s move as communal.
IMPORTANT FACTS -
- Speaking on the occasion, Amit Shah said for the first time liberation day is being held officially on the land of Telangana after 75 years. He said some political parties feel ashamed to call September 17 Hyderabad Liberation Day as they still have fear of Razakars (Nizam’s para military force) in their mind.
- Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde, Karnataka Transport Minister Sriramulu and Union Culture minister Kishan Reddy participated in the event while Telangana Chief Minister K Chandrasekhar Rao stayed away from the event.
- Telangana Liberation Day is observed on 17 September to mark the popular rebellion against the ruler of Hyderabad, Nizam after Independence. It subsequently led to the Police action by India, code named ‘operation polo in 1948 and the Hyderabad princely state was merged with India.
10. AN-32 Transport Aircraft
Tags: National Defence Science and Technology
To reduce its carbon footprint, the Indian Air Force (IAF) is planning to fly a modified AN-32 transport aircraft operating on 10% blended biodiesel for 200 flight hours in the next six months.
IMPORTANT FACTS -
- The aircraft flew on biodiesel mixed with aviation turbine fuel (ATF) for the first time in December 2018.
So far, one AN-32 has flown 65 hours with 10% biofuel mixture and the performance has been quite satisfactory.
Another aircraft, the Dornier, is undergoing ground testing after being approved by the engine's original manufacturer Honeywell to use 50% biofuel.
The global aviation industry is one of the largest emitters of greenhouse gases that cause global warming.
The indigenous bio-jet fuel was first produced in 2013 by the CSIR-IIP laboratory in Dehradun, but could not be tested for commercial use on aircraft.
This fuel is made from Jatropha oil procured from Chhattisgarh Biodiesel Development Authority (CBDA) and then processed at CSIR-IIP, Dehradun.
About AN-32 :
It is a twin-engine, tactical light transport aircraft designed and manufactured by Antonov Design Bureau of Ukraine for the Indian Air Force (IAF).
The AN-32 is derived from the AN-26 transport aircraft.
The current total number of AN-32 transport aircraft operating around the world is 240.
It can fly at a maximum speed of 530km/h and its cruise speed is 470km/h.
It has ten variants.
