1. SC objects to frivolous PIL petitions
Tags: National News
The Supreme Court has urged courts to be cautious while examining the locus standi in PILs to ensure that frivolous or private interests are not presented as genuine claims.
Supreme Court Justice B.R. Gavai and Hima Kohli initially imposed a fine of Rs 18 lakh on the plaintiff, i.e. Rs 1 lakh for each minute of the total 18-minute hearing.
However, the court later, in its order, reduced the amount to ₹ 2 lakh at the request of the plaintiff's counsel.
The bench criticised the highly derogatory practice of filing frivolous petitions wasting valuable time of the judiciary.
Court said this time can otherwise be utilised for addressing genuine concerns.
The petition alleges illegal excavation and construction work at the famous Shri Jagannath Temple in Puri.
What is Public Interest Litigation (PIL)?
Public interest litigation is the use of law to advance human rights and equality or to raise issues of wider public concern.
It was initiated by Justice PN Bhagwati in 1979.
The first reported case of PIL was Hussainara Khatoon vs. State of Bihar (1979).
This is in line with the principles enshrined in Article 39A [a] of the Constitution to protect speedy social justice with the help of law.
Filing of PIL
Any citizen can raise a public matter in the court by filing a petition-
Under Art 32 of the Indian Constitution, in the Supreme Court
Under Art 226 of the Indian Constitution, in the High Court
Under section 133 of the Criminal Procedure Code, in a Magistrate’s Court
2. Telemedicine service 'eSanjeevani' integrated with Ayushman Bharat Digital Mission
Tags: National News
The National Health Authority (NHA) on June 3 announced the integration of eSanjeevani (telemedicine service of the Union Health Ministry) with its flagship scheme Ayushman Bharat Digital Mission (ABDM).
This integration allows the existing users of e-Sanjeevani to easily create their Ayushman Bharat Health Account (ABHA) and use it to add and manage their existing health records like prescriptions and lab reports etc.
Users will also be able to share their health records with doctors on e-Sanjeevani which will help in better clinical decision making and ensure continuity of care.
Ayushman Bharat Digital Mission aims to build a digital route to bridge the gap between existing digital health solutions and stakeholders in India.
The integration of e-Sanjeevani with ABDM is one such example where 22 crore ABHA holders can directly link and store their health records created through e-Sanjeevani in the health locker of their choice.
Users can share their already linked health records with doctors on e-Sanjeevani, making the entire consultation process paperless.
About e-Sanjeevani
It was started in November 2019
It is also called the National Teleconsultation Service
Its aim is to provide healthcare services to patients in their homes.
It was conceptualised by the Mohali branch of the Centre for Development of Advanced Computing (C-DAC) as a Doctor-to-Doctor telemedicine platform.
In March 2020, the Union Ministry of Health and Family Welfare launched another variant of e-Sanjeevani for patient-to-doctor telemedicine.
On 13th April 2020, e-Sanjeevani OPD was launched to provide health services to the patients at their homes.
3. Centre to set up PM Shri Schools
Tags: National
The centre is planning to set up "PM Shree Schools", which will aim to prepare students for the future and will be the laboratory of the new National Education Policy (NEP).
Features of these schools
It can imbibe the 5+3+3+4 (to change 10+2 schooling system) approach of the NEP.
It may cover pre-school to secondary, emphasis on ECCE, teacher training & adult education.
There will be an integration of skill development with school education and prioritising learning in mother tongue.
5+3+3+4 Schooling System
As outlined in NEP 2020, children will spend 5 years in the Foundational stage, 3 years in the Preparatory stage, 3 years in the Middle stage, and 4 years in the Secondary stage.
Stages are divided according to the types of cognitive developmental stages that a child goes through in early childhood, school years, and the secondary stage.
Age-Wise Analysis of Different Levels of the New Schooling System
5 years of Foundation stage
For ages - 3 to 8 years, For classes - Anganwadi/pre-school, class 1, class 2
3 years of Preparatory stage
Age - 8 to 11, Classes - 3 to 5
3 years of Middle stage
Age - 11 to 14, Classes - 6 to 8
4 years of Secondary stage
Ages - 14 to 18, Class - 9 to 12
4. PM Modi lays foundation stone for projects worth Rs 80,000 crore in UP
Tags: National State News
Prime Minister Narendra Modi attended the Investors' Summit (3.0) in Lucknow on June 3 and laid the foundation stone for 1,406 projects worth Rs 80,000 crore.
The event was attended by top industry leaders of the country.
The first ground-breaking ceremony took place on July 29, 2018.
The second Ground Breaking Ceremony was held on July 28, 2019.
The foundation stone for 81 projects worth over Rs 61,500 crore was laid during the first ground breaking ceremony.
In the second ground breaking ceremony, the foundation stone of 290 projects with an investment of over Rs 67,000 crore was laid.
The foundation stone for the following projects was laid
Agriculture and Allied sector, IT and Electronics, MSME, Manufacturing, Renewable Energy, Pharma, Tourism, Defence and Aerospace, Handloom and Textiles etc.
5. India-Senegal sign three MoUs
Tags: International Relations
India and Senegal signed three MoUs for cultural exchange, cooperation in youth affairs and visa-free arrangement for officials.
This is the first ever high level Indian visit to Senegal.
The visit comes at a time when both the countries are celebrating 60 years of their diplomatic ties.
The Vice President of India, M. Venkaiah Naidu, who is on a three-nation tour, arrived in Senegal (West Africa) on June 2.
Three MoUs were signed by both sides
Visa-free arrangement for holders of diplomatic and official passports which will strengthen cooperation between the two countries through seamless travel of officials/diplomats.
Renewal of Cultural Exchange Progarmme (CEP) for the period 2022-26.
To enhance bilateral cooperation in youth matters.
India-Senegal Bilateral Relations
Diplomatic relations between the two countries were established in 1962 at the ambassadorial level in Dakar.
Despite the COVID-19 pandemic, India-Senegal trade grew by 37% to US$1.5 billion during the last one year.
A significant amount of phosphate, an important component of fertilizers, is imported into India from Senegal.
Senegal is a member of the International Solar Alliance (IAS).
Phase II of the upgrade of the Center for Entrepreneurship Training and Development (CEDT) in Dakar has been approved and its implementation will begin soon.
Senegal has supported India for permanent UNSC membership.
About Senegal
Senegal is a country in western Africa
It is known as the “Gateway to Africa
Head Of State And Government - President, Macky Sall
Capital - Dakar
Official Language - French
Literacy - Male (2017) 64.8%, Female (2017) 39.8%
6. THE Asia University Rankings 2022
Tags: Popular International News
Indian Institute of Science (IISc), Bangalore has been ranked highest (42nd) among 71 Indian universities in the Asia University Rankings 2022 released by Times Higher Education (THE).
616 universities from 31 countries have been included in this latest edition.
India is the third-represented country in the Times Higher Education Asia University Rankings 2022, which includes 71 universities in India.
Only 4 Indian universities have been ranked in the top 100.
There has been a decline in the ranking of all the Indian institutions in the top-100 as compared to the previous year.
Major Indian Institutions and their Ranks in Asia University Rankings 2022
Institute | Rank |
Indian Institute of Science | 42 |
JSS Academy of Higher Education and Research | 65 |
IIT Ropar | 68 |
IIT Indore | 87 |
IIT Gandhinagar | 120 |
Banaras Hindu University | 153 |
Jamia Millia Islamia | 160 |
JNU | 167 |
IIIT Delhi | 177 |
7. Turkey rejects Indian wheat consignment
Tags: International News
Turkish authorities refused permission to an Indian wheat consignment due to phytosanitary concerns.
With the return of this 15 million ton wheat consignment, the difficulties of the traders of India have increased.
Turkey is facing a severe wheat crisis.
The government of Turkey is exploring options to buy wheat from abroad.
Keeping in view the domestic demand, India has decided to ban the export of private wheat.
However, 12 countries have requested India for help.
Despite the export ban, India sent a consignment of 60,000 tonnes of wheat to Egypt.
Why Turkey rejected India's wheat consignment?
Turkey claims that Rubella virus has been found in these wheat.
Despite the wheat crisis in the country as a result of the Russia-Ukraine War, Turkey returned the consignment of Indian wheat.
There is a problem of phytosanitary in the wheat of the consignment.
Phytosanitary means a certificate issued by a competent government authority indicating that the particular material or shipment is free from harmful pests and diseases.
What is Rubella disease in humans?
Rubella is an infectious disease caused by a virus.
Rubella is spread when an infected person coughs or sneezes small droplets filled with germs into the air and on surfaces.
Symptoms may include fever, sore throat and rash on the face and rash that spreads to the rest of the body.
Until the 1960s, Rubella was a common childhood infection.
After the MMR vaccine came to the market, the virus stopped spreading in the United States around 2004.
The virus is still present in Asia, Africa and other parts of the world.
8. U.S. to send medium-range rocket systems to Ukraine
Tags: Defence International News
US President Joe Biden's administration has announced that it will send high-tech medium-range rocket systems to Ukraine.
Ukrainian leaders are constantly demanding this, struggling to stop Russia's growing hold in Ukraine's Donbass region.
Russia is making incremental progress in the Donbass, seeking to annex the remaining parts of the region.
In total, the United States has pledged nearly $5 billion in security aid to Ukraine since the beginning of the Biden administration.
The rocket systems are part of a new $700 million tranche of security assistance for Ukraine from the U S.
About the rocket systems
These include Helicopters, Javelin anti-tank weapon systems, tactical vehicles, spare parts etc.
These rocket systems are capable of attacking Russia.
Any of these weapon systems could shoot down Russian if it was close enough to the border.
Medium-range rockets generally can travel about 45 miles (70 kilometers).
The upgraded rocket system will give the Ukrainian military greater accuracy in targeting Russian assets inside Ukraine.
To Ukraine, the US is planning to send the High Mobility Artillery Rocket System, or HIMARS, which is mounted on a truck and can carry a container with six rockets.
9. Centre hands over 10 stolen idols to Tamil Nadu
Tags: National State News
The central government has handed back 10 idols stolen from Tamil Nadu temples to the Tamil Nadu government.
These idols were stolen from different places between 1960 to 2008.
These sculptures were handed over by the US and Australia to the Union Ministry of Culture and Ministry of External Affairs in 2020, 2021, 2022.
These idols were handed over to Tamil Nadu DGP C Shailendra Babu during an event in Delhi.
Among the idols that have been returned are two idols of Dwarapal, which are from the 15-16th century; they were stolen from Tirunelvalli in 1994.
Both the idols were handed over by Australia to India in 2020.
Apart from this, two metal idols were stolen from Narsinghdhar Swamy temple in 1985, it has been handed over by America to India.
A bronze statue of Lord Nataraja, an 11-12th century idol, was stolen from the Punnanallur Arulmigu Mariaman temple in 1966-77. It was kept in the Museum of New York.
Apart from this, another bronze idol of Lord Shiva and Parvati was stolen from Vanamigandhar Swamy temple, this idol has been found from Indiana.
In total, eight bronze and two stone sculptures have been returned. Six of the sculptures have been obtained from America and four from Australia.
Idol Wing of Tamil Nadu
It had been set up in 1983 to investigate cases of theft of idols.
It has retrieved 878 idols so far.
10. India and Sweden Host Industry Transition Dialogue In Stockholm
Tags: International Relations International News
India and Sweden hosted the Industry Transition Dialogue on 2 June in Stockholm as a part of their joint initiative, Leadership for Industry Transition (LeadIT).
The LeadIT initiative focuses on areas that are major stakeholders in global climate action and require specific interventions.
This high level dialogue has made a significant contribution to the United Nations Conference 'Stockholm+50'.
Stockholm +50 is a World Environment Assembly held on 2 and 3 June to commemorate the first United Nations Conference on the Human Environment in 1972.
It sets the agenda for COP27.
Japan and South Africa are the latest members of the initiative.
At present, the total number of LeadIT members is 37, including countries and companies.
Union Minister of Environment, Forest and Climate Change Bhupender Yadav addressed the event.
He said it is a time to celebrate 50 years of collaborative action, as well as a time to introspect on what we have achieved so far and what remains to be achieved.
During the event, India chaired the Round Table Talks on priorities for implementation for 2022-23.
Countries and companies share their initiatives, success stories and plans for the future.
About Sweden
Capital - Stockholm
National Day - 6 June
Parliament - Called ‘riksdag’
Members of parliament - 349 in a single chamber
Head of state - King Carl XVI Gustaf; heir to the throne is Crown Princess Victoria
Total area - 528,447 sq km (fifth largest country in Europe)
Highest mountain - Kebnekaise (2,099 m)
Biggest lake - Vänern (5,650 sq km)
Currency - Swedish krona
