1. National Conference of Labour Ministers of all States and Union Territories
Tags: National Summits National News
Prime Minister Narendra Modi addressed the National Conference of Labour Ministers of all States and Union Territories on 25 August via video conferencing.
IMPORTANT FACTS -
- The two-day conference is being organised by the Union Ministry of Labour and Employment on August 25-26 at Tirupati, Andhra Pradesh.
The conference was presided over by Union Labour Minister Bhupendra Yadav.
It has been named Vision Shramev Jayate @2047.
The last session of the conference was held in July 2015 under the chairmanship of the then Labour Minister Bandaru Dattatreya.
This is the first Labour Ministers' Conference in the eight years of the Narendra Modi government's tenure.
It is being organised in the spirit of cooperative federalism to discuss various important labour related issues.
This conference will help in creating more synergy between the Central and State Governments in making better policies and ensuring effective implementation of schemes for the welfare of the workers.
Four Thematic Sessions of the Conference :
Integration of e-Shram portal for on-boarding social security schemes to make social security universal
'Swasthya se Samriddhi' for improving medical care through ESI hospitals run by state governments and integration with PMJAY
Formulation of rules under the four labour codes and the modalities of implementation of those rules
Vision 'Shramev Jayate @ 2047' To focus on equitable and equal working conditions, social security to all workers and other issues
2. National Conference of Labour Ministers of all States and Union Territories
Tags: National Summits National News
Prime Minister Narendra Modi addressed the National Conference of Labour Ministers of all States and Union Territories on 25 August via video conferencing.
IMPORTANT FACTS -
- The two-day conference is being organised by the Union Ministry of Labour and Employment on August 25-26 at Tirupati, Andhra Pradesh.
The conference was presided over by Union Labour Minister Bhupendra Yadav.
It has been named Vision Shramev Jayate @2047.
The last session of the conference was held in July 2015 under the chairmanship of the then Labour Minister Bandaru Dattatreya.
This is the first Labour Ministers' Conference in the eight years of the Narendra Modi government's tenure.
It is being organised in the spirit of cooperative federalism to discuss various important labour related issues.
This conference will help in creating more synergy between the Central and State Governments in making better policies and ensuring effective implementation of schemes for the welfare of the workers.
Four Thematic Sessions of the Conference :
Integration of e-Shram portal for on-boarding social security schemes to make social security universal
'Swasthya se Samriddhi' for improving medical care through ESI hospitals run by state governments and integration with PMJAY
Formulation of rules under the four labour codes and the modalities of implementation of those rules
Vision 'Shramev Jayate @ 2047' To focus on equitable and equal working conditions, social security to all workers and other issues
3. 8th India-Brazil Joint Commission Meeting
Tags: Summits International News
External Affairs Minister, S Jaishankar who is on his first ever visit to South America, co-chaired the 8th India-Brazil Joint Commission Meeting on 24 August with his Brazilian counterpart, Carlos Franca.
IMPORTANT FACTS -
- The two leaders held wide-ranging discussions on trade, investment and other consular domains.
The two ministers signed agreements in the field of broadcasting and taxation, exchanging views on BRICS, IBSA, UN, G20 and Ukraine conflict.
The Joint Commission meeting saw wide-ranging discussions on trade and investment, petroleum, biofuels, edible oils and minerals, health, pharma, traditional medicine, science and technology, agriculture and livestock, space, defence, terrorism and consular.
The Brazilian Government released a commemorative stamp on the occasion of India's 75th Independence day.
On 22 August, Jaishankar concluded his first ever official visit to Paraguay where he inaugurated the newly-opened Indian Embassy in the capital city Asuncion.
He also unveiled a bust of Mahatma Gandhi in Paraguay on 21 August and appreciated the Asuncion Municipality’s decision to locate it at the prominent waterfront of the city.
He also visited the historic Casa de la Independencia, from where Paraguay's independence movement began more than two centuries ago.
India-Brazil Relations :
Diplomatic relations were established between India and Brazil in 1948, both countries opened embassies in the same year.
India's strategic partnership with Brazil continues to intensify with several high-level partnerships.
President Bolsonaro was the chief guest at India's Republic Day parade in 2020.
As strategic partners, India and Brazil have several institutional mechanisms to coordinate various aspects of their bilateral relations.
This includes Joint Commission Meeting, Strategic Dialogue, Foreign Office Consultations, Trade Monitoring Mechanism, Economic and Financial Dialogue, Dialogue on Consular and Mobility Issues, Joint Defence Commission, Joint Committee on Science & Technology and India-Brazil Business Leaders Forum.
In Brazil, the Brazil-India Parliamentary Friendship Group has been established.
President - Jair Bolsonaro
Capital - Brasília
Official Language - Portuguese
Currency - Brazilian real
4. Sri Lanka ranks 5th among the 10 countries with highest food price inflation - World Bank
Tags: International News
Sri Lanka ranks 5th among the 10 countries with the highest food price inflation, according to the latest World Bank assessment.
IMPORTANT FACTS -
- According to the World Bank assessment, Lebanon, Zimbabwe, Venezuela and Turkey ranked first four countries, while Iran, Argentina, Suriname, Ethiopia and Moldova ranked behind Sri Lanka.
The World Bank said record high food prices have triggered a global crisis that drives millions of people to extreme poverty, hunger and malnutrition.
The Ukraine war, supply chain disruptions, and the COVID-19 pandemic have pushed food prices to an all-time high.
Rising food prices have a greater impact on people in low- and middle-income countries.
These countries spend a larger share of their income on food than people in high-income countries.
Domestic food price inflation at high worldwide :
According to the data, almost all low and middle income countries have high inflation between April and July 2022.
The World Bank says countries should lift trade restrictions or export bans on fertilizers.
The use of fertilizers should be made more efficient by giving proper incentives to the farmers.
Investing in innovation to develop best practices and new technologies can help increase production per kilogram of fertilizer.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION -
Top 10 Countries hit hardest by Food Inflation :
Lebanon
Zimbabwe
Venezuela
Turkiye
Sri Lanka
Iran
Argentina
Suriname
Ethiopia
Moldova
5. Defence Minister to attend SCO Defence Ministers’ meeting at Tashkent, Uzbekistan
Tags: International News
Defence Minister Rajnath Singh will attend the SCO Defence Ministers’ meeting at Tashkent in Uzbekistan on 24 August.
IMPORTANT FACTS -
- He will attend the Annual Meeting of the Defence Ministers' of Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) Member States.
Chinese Defence Minister General Wei Fenghe and Russian Defence Minister Sergei Shoigu are also expected to attend the SCO meeting.
Other defence ministers of member countries of the grouping will also attend the meet.
The SCO Defence Ministerial meeting is taking place about three weeks before the annual summit of this grouping.
The annual summit will be held in Samarkand on September 15-16.
During his visit to Tashkent, the Defence Minister will call on the Defence Minister of the Republic of Uzbekistan, Lieutenant General Bakhodir Kurbanov.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION -
What is Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) ?
It is a permanent intergovernmental international organisation.
It was founded in 2001.
The SCO Charter was signed in 2002, and came into force in 2003.
It is a Eurasian political, economic and military organisation.
Its aim is to maintain peace, security and stability in the region.
China, Russia and four Central Asian states – Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Uzbekistan and Tajikistan – were founding members of the SCO.
Official Languages - Russian and Chinese
Chairmanship - On the basis of rotation for a year by Member States
6. IREDA signs MoU with MAHAPREIT to provide loans for Green Energy projects
Tags: National News
Indian Renewable Energy Development Association Limited (IREDA) yesterday signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Mahatma Phule Renewable Energy and Infrastructure Technology Limited (Mahapreet).
IMPORTANT FACTS -
- The MoU was signed by Shri Pradeep Kumar Das, Chairman and Managing Director (CMD) of IREDA and Shri Bipin Shrimali, CMD, Mahapreet.
As per this MoU, IREDA will provide financial facilities to Mahapreet for the renewable energy projects to be implemented for developing the infrastructure of state utilities, local bodies and renewable energy parks.
Under this partnership, IREDA will also bear the appropriate techno-financial responsibility of renewable energy and energy efficiency and conservation projects for Mahapreet.
Through this partnership, we will be able to assist the Government of India in achieving its target of 50% share of energy from non-fossil fuels by 2030.
This is IREDA's ninth MoU in the last two years to provide consultancy services for the sustainable development of the country.
Indian Renewable Energy Development Agency Limited (IREDA) :
It was incorporated as a Public Limited Company in the year 1987 as a 'Non-Banking Financial Institution'.
It is a Miniratna (Category 1) type company functioning under the administrative control of 'Ministry of New and Renewable Energy, Government of India.
Its function is to encourage projects related to new and renewable energy sources and to provide them financial assistance for their development.
It has been notified as a 'Public Financial Institution' under section 4'A' of the 'Companies Act, 1956'.
7. MoU between Indian Navy and Space Applications Center (ISRO)
Tags: National National News
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Recently a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) has been signed between the Space Applications Centre (ISRO) and the Indian Navy on data sharing and cooperation on satellite based naval applications in oceanography and meteorology.
IMPORTANT FACTS -
- This will enhance cooperation and usher in a common platform of mutual cooperation.
Scientific advances by the Space Applications Centre will be synergized with the efforts of the Indian Navy to ensure the nation's defence with the rapid development in the field of satellite data retrieval and applications.
The collaboration will cover various dimensions :
Sharing of non-confidential observational data.
Includes provision of subject experts (SMEs) for processing satellite data for use in military operations and development of new equipment, calibration and validation of ocean models for use of meteorological information generated from the Space Applications Centre (SAC).
Providing calibration and validation of ocean models.
Space Applications Centre :
The Space Applications Centre is a premier R&D centre of the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO).
It is a one-of-a-kind centre that deals with various disciplines ranging from payload development to social use.
It is located in Ahmedabad in the state of Gujarat, India.
8. MoU between Indian Navy and Space Applications Center (ISRO)
Tags: National National News
Recently a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) has been signed between the Space Applications Centre (ISRO) and the Indian Navy on data sharing and cooperation on satellite based naval applications in oceanography and meteorology.
IMPORTANT FACTS -
- This will enhance cooperation and usher in a common platform of mutual cooperation.
Scientific advances by the Space Applications Centre will be synergized with the efforts of the Indian Navy to ensure the nation's defence with the rapid development in the field of satellite data retrieval and applications.
The collaboration will cover various dimensions :
Sharing of non-confidential observational data.
Includes provision of subject experts (SMEs) for processing satellite data for use in military operations and development of new equipment, calibration and validation of ocean models for use of meteorological information generated from the Space Applications Centre (SAC).
Providing calibration and validation of ocean models.
Space Applications Centre :
The Space Applications Centre is a premier R&D centre of the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO).
It is a one-of-a-kind centre that deals with various disciplines ranging from payload development to social use.
It is located in Ahmedabad in the state of Gujarat, India.
9. World Water Week - 2022
Tags: Important Days International News
World Water Week - 2022 is being held in Stockholm, Sweden from 23 August to 1 September.
IMPORTANT FACTS -
- Theme of World Water Week 2022 - “Seeing the unseen: The value of water”.
The event has been organised by the Stockholm International Water Institute (SIWI).
The theme of World Water Week 2022 is covered under three main approaches -
The value of water for people and sustainable development
the value of water for nature and climate change
the financial and economic value of water
The event will provide many opportunities for people around the world to unite, promote ideas, innovate and discuss the future.
Around 300 sessions will be organised under World Water Week on water related topics including food security, health, agriculture, technology, biodiversity, climate change etc.
World Water Week will attract top scientists, UN experts, local community groups, entrepreneurs, top politicians, students, CEOs and many more.
This will help in achieving reforms towards the Sustainable Development Goals.
10. India nominates GARBA to be inscribed on UNESCO's intangible cultural heritage list
Tags: National National News
India has nominated the dance form Garba to be inscribed in the UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage List.
IMPORTANT FACTS -
- After including 'Durga Puja' in UNESCO's list of intangible cultural heritage last year, India has now nominated 'Garba' dance for 2022.
India was selected by UNESCO in July 2022 to serve on the Specialized Intergovernmental Committee on the 2003 Convention for the Protection of the Intangible Cultural Heritage.
India received 110 votes from 155 state parties making the selection final.
Garba Dance :
It is a type of Indian dance usually performed on festivals and other special occasions in the state of Gujarat, India.
Traditionally this nine day Hindu festival is performed during Navratri.
It is a dance performed by women around it by filling an earthen pot, called a garbo, with water.
A betel nut and silver coin are kept inside the pot, which is called Kumbh. A coconut is placed on top of it.
The dancing women move round the pot and a singer and a dholak or tabla player give the music.
'Garba' is born according to a lamp, which is called Garbhadeep, which means the lamp placed inside the pot.
India's 'Intangible Cultural Heritage' recognized by UNESCO :
(1) Tradition of Vedic chanting (3) Ramlila, traditional performance of Ramayana (3) Kutiyattam, Sanskrit theatre (4) Ramman, religious festivals and rituals of the Garhwal Himalayas, India (5) Mudiyettu, ritual theatre and dance drama of Kerala (6) Kalbelia Folk Songs and Dances of Rajasthan (7) Chhau Dance (8) Buddhist Chanting of Ladakh: Recitation of Sacred Buddhist Scriptures in the Ladakh Region of the Himalayas, Jammu and Kashmir, India (9) Sankirtana, Traditional Singing, Nagade of Manipur and dance (10) Brass and copper utensils made by Thathers of Punjab (11) Yoga (12) Navroz, (13) Kumbh Mela (14) Durga Puja, Kolkata.
UNESCO was established in the year 1945 to develop the "intellectual and moral solidarity of mankind" in the form of lasting peacekeeping.
UNESCO officially recognizes sites of cultural and natural importance as World Heritage.
India has a total of 40 Tangible Heritage Heritage Sites (31 Cultural, 8 Natural and 1 Mixed) and 14 Intangible Cultural Heritages recognized by UNESCO.
