1. Election Commission of India host an International Conference on the Role, Framework & Capacity of EMBs’ at New Delhi
Tags: place in news Summits
Chief Election Commissioner of India (ECI) Rajiv Kumar along with Election Commissioner Anup Chandra Pandey inaugurated a two day international conference (31October and 1 November) on 31 October 2022 on the theme ‘Role, Framework & Capacity of Election Management Bodies (EMB)’.
The conference is organized by Election Commission of India at New Delhi under Cohort on Election Integrity led by ECI, which was established as a follow on to the ‘Summit for Democracy’ held in December, 2021.
Nearly 50 Participants from Eleven EMBs from 11 countries including Armenia, Mauritius, Nepal, Cabo Verde, Australia, Chile, Federal States of Micronesia, Greece, Philippines, Sao Tome & Principe, USA and three international organisations namely, IFES, International IDEA and UNDP(United Nation Development Programme) India are expected to join the Conference..
‘Summit for Democracy’, an initiative of the US President Joe Biden was hosted by him in December 2021. Following this Summit, a “Year of Action” was proposed with events and dialogues on themes related to Democracy.
As part of the ‘Summit for Democracy’ Year of Action, India through the ECI, is leading the ‘Democracy Cohort on Election Integrity’ to share its knowledge, technical expertise, and experiences with other democracies of the world.
2. India to contribute 5 lakh dollars to the UN Trust Fund for Counter terrorisms
Tags: Summits
The Minister for External Affairs S. Jaishankar has announced on 29 October 2022 that India will contribute $ 5, 00,000 to the United Nations Trust Fund for Counter Terrorism efforts to counter global terrorism.
He was speaking at the special session of the United Nations Security Council Counter-Terrorism Committee being hosted by India. It is for the first time that the UN Security Council Counter-Terrorism Committee meeting is being held outside New York, United States.
First Counter-Terrorism Committee meeting held outside New York
India is at present the chairman of the UN Security Council’s Counter-Terrorism Committee and it hosted the two day meeting at Mumbai and New Delhi on 28 October and 29 October respectively.
The meeting started on 28 October 2022 in Mumbai which witnessed a massive terror attack in 2008 that left 140 Indian nationals and 26 citizens of 23 other countries dead by terrorists who had entered India from Pakistan.
The meeting moved to New Delhi on 29 October for its final session.
Focus area of the Counter-Terrorism Committee meeting
The discussion focused on three areas:
- Internet and social media;
- financing for global terror networks; and
- The proliferation of unmanned aerial systems, such as drones.
Participants of the meeting
According to the Ministry of External Affairs which is hosting the meeting, UNSC members, including the 15 present and 5 new non-permanent member who will join the Security Council next year, leading experts from the UN's operational partners and specialized agencies participated in the meeting.
Minister’s speech
Speaking on the occasion the External Affairs Minister warned about the threat posed by the misuse of new and emerging technologies for terror activities, stressing the need for the international community to adopt measures to combat the threats.
“Internet and social media platforms have turned into potent instruments in the toolkit of terrorist and militant groups for spreading propaganda, radicalization and conspiracy theories aimed at destabilizing societies,” he said in his keynote address.
United Nation Security Council Counter-Terrorism Committee
The Counter-Terrorism Committee was established by unanimous consent on 28 September 2001, in the wake of the 11 September terrorist attacks in the United States.
All the 15 Security Council members are part of the Counter-Terrorism Committee.
The Committee is tasked with monitoring the implementation of measures to enhance countries’ legal and institutional counter-terrorism abilities, at every level, locally and internationally.
3. PM Modi calls for ‘one Nation One uniform’ for police at the Chintan Shivir held in Surajkund
Tags: place in news Summits
Prime Minister Narendra Modi in his virtual address to the Chintan Shivir of state home ministers on 28 October 2022, suggested the idea of “One Nation, One Uniform" for police to have uniformity among various forces.
The two day (27&28 October) Chintan Shivir at Surajkund, Haryana, chaired by the Union Home Minister Amit Shah was attended by chief ministers of eight states and home ministers and deputy chief ministers of 16 states. Home Secretaries and Director General of Police (DGPs) of the States, Director Generals of Central Armed Police Forces (CAPFs) and Central Police Organisations (CPOs) also attended the Shivir.
Speaking on the occasion the Prime Minister said he thinks that the identity of the police across the country could be identical.
He also urged the state governments to review old laws and amend them to the current context as he batted for coordinated action by all the agencies to meet the emerging challenges of law and order and security.
Police a state subject
Law and Order, Police is a state subject in India and the central government has no power on the matter. It is for the state government to decide the uniform of the state police and the uniform of the policies varies across the states in the countries.
4. First Global Digital Health Summit, Expo, and Innovation Awards held in New Delhi
Tags: place in news Summits
The first ever two day (28&29 October 2022) Global Digital Health Summit, Expo, and Innovation Awards is being held in New Delhi.
The summit has been organized in association with the world's foremost digital health associations; The Global Health Connector Partnership, The International Society for Telemedicine & Health, Switzerland, and United Nations Internet Governance Forum- Dynamic Coalition on Digital Health.
Global leaders in digital health and healthcare from across the USA, European Union, Africa, UK, and Southeast Asia are participating in the Summit.
Theme of the Global Digital Health Summit, Expo, and Innovation Awards: Digital Health for All
What is Digital Health?
Digital health refers to the use of information and communications technologies in medicine and other health professions to manage illnesses and health risks and to promote wellness.
Digital health has a broad scope and includes the use of wearable devices, mobile health, telehealth, health information technology, and telemedicine.
5. 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.
6. 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.
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. 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
10. Union Ministry of Home Affairs will organize a Chintan shivir of Home Ministers in Haryana
Tags: place in news Summits State News
The Union Ministry of Home Affairs will organises a two day (27-28 October 2022) Chintan Shivir at Surajkund, Haryana. The Chintan shivir will be presided by the Union Minister for Home and Cooperation, Amit Shah. Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi, will address the Chintan Shivir through video conferencing on October 28, 2022.
Who will participate in the Chintan Shivir
Home Ministers of all States and Lieutenant Governors and Administrators of Union Territories have been invited to participate in the two-day Chintan Shivir.
State Home Secretaries, Director Generals of Police and Director Generals of Central Armed Police Forces and Central Police Organizations will also participate in the Chintan Shivir.
Objective of the Chintan Shivir
- The objective of the two-day Chintan Shivir is to prepare an Action Plan for the implementation of "Vision 2047" and ‘Panch Pran’ announced in the Independence Day speech of Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi.
- In the conference of Home Ministers, development of eco-system for cybercrime management, modernization of police forces, increase in usage of IT in criminal justice system, land border management and coastal security and other internal security issues will be discussed.
- The role of ‘Nari Shakti’ is important to achieve the goal of 'Developed India by 2047' and special emphasis will be given to the safety of women and creating a safe environment for them.
- The aim of the Conference is also to facilitate national policy making and better planning and coordination in the above mentioned areas.
