1. PM inaugurated 'Iconic Week Celebrations' and launch Jan Samarth portal
Tags: National News
Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated the ‘Iconic week celebrations’ of the Ministry of Finance and Ministry of Corporate Affairs at Vigyan Bhawan in Delhi on 6 June.
The "Iconic Week" is being observed as part of the 'Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav' (AKAM) from June 6 to June 11, 2022.
The Prime Minister also inaugurated a digital exhibition, which traces the journey of the two Ministries, Finance and Corporate Affairs, over the past eight years.
He also released a special series of coins of Re 1, Rs 2, Rs 5, Rs 10 and Rs 20.
These special series of coins will have the theme of the 'Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav' logo and will be easily recognizable by the visually impaired.
Jan Samarth Portal
PM Modi launched the national portal for credit-linked government schemes - Jan Samarth Portal on this occasion.
It is a one-stop digital portal linking government credit schemes that directly connects the beneficiaries with the lenders.
The main objective of the portal is to encourage inclusive growth and development of various sectors by providing them appropriate government benefits through simple and easy digital processes.
The portal ensures complete coverage of all linked schemes.
What is the eligibility to apply?
Anyone can apply for the loan.
Firstly the eligibility will be checked under the required loan category and if the individuals are eligible, can apply for the loan under the category through online application.
Documents required to apply under Credit-linked Government schemes
Each scheme has different documentation requirements.
To apply online on the portal, the following basic documents are required-
Aadhaar Number
Voter ID
PAN
Bank statements etc.
2. World’s first fishing cat census done in Chilika
Tags: National
As per the census conducted by the Chilka Development Authority (CDA) in collaboration with The Fishing Cat Project (TFCP), there are 176 fishing cats in Chilka Lake.
The Chilika Lake is Asia’s largest brackish water lagoon.
This is the world's first population estimate of a fishing cat, conducted outside a protected area network.
How was the census conducted?
The estimation was done in two phases.
The first phase was conducted in 2021 on 115 sq km of marshy land in the north and north-eastern section of Chilka.
The second phase took place in Parikud along the coastal islands of Chilika.
During the entire process, a total of 150 camera traps were deployed, each in the field for 30 days.
The Spatially Sxplicit Capture Recapture (SECR) method was used to analyze the data.
The local fishermen and the villagers of Chilka were the primary participants in this exercise.
Ten undergraduate and postgraduate students also volunteered in the exercise.
About fishing cats
Scientific Name - Prionailurus viverrinus
It is nocturnal (active at night)
In India, these are mainly found in the mangrove forests of the Sundarbans, on the foothills of the Himalayas along the Ganga and Brahmaputra river valleys and in the Western Ghats.
IUCN Red List - Vulnerable
Threats - Habitat Destruction, Shrimp Farming, Poaching etc
About Chilika Lake
It is the largest lagoon in Asia and the second largest in the world.
In 1981, Chilka Lake was designated the first Indian wetland of international importance under the Ramsar Convention.
This salt water lake is spread over Ganjam, Puri and Khurda districts of Odisha.
The lake is home to millions of migratory birds and endangered plants and animals.
What is a lagoon?
The word "lagoon" is derived from the Italian word laguna, means 'pond' or 'lake'.
This is a body of water separated from larger bodies of water by a natural barrier.
There are two types of lagoons - atoll and coastal.
3. India to contest for re-election to International Telecommunications Union (ITU) Council
Tags: International News
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The Ministry of Communications said in a statement on June 4 that India will contest for re-election to the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) Council.
As a member since 1869, India is contesting re-election, to the International Telecommunications UnionCouncil (ITU), for the term 2023-2026.
Devusinh Chauhan led the Indian delegation to WSIS 2022 in Geneva, Switzerland which was held from May 31 to June 3, 2022.
Chouhan said that India is a connected society and shares ITU's vision to enable ICT to meet SDG 2030.
WSIS 2022 is co-organized by International Telecommunication Union (ITU), United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO), United Nations Development Program (UNDP) and United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD).
About International Telecommunication Union (ITU)
ITU is the United Nations specialised agency for information and communication technologies – ICTs.
It was established in the year 1865 to facilitate international connectivity in communications networks.
It is committed to connecting all the world's people.
In line with its mandate and the WSIS outcome documents, it continues playing a key role in WSIS implementation.
Its members come from all over the globe.
Its global membership includes 193 Member States as well as 900 companies, universities, and international and regional organisations.
4. Supreme Court Mandates Minimum 1 KM ESZ For Protected Forests
Tags: National News
In a significant order, the Supreme Court on 3 June directed that each protected forest, national park and wildlife sanctuary should have an Eco Sensitive Zone (ESZ) of 1 kilometre.
Directions of the court
The Court also directed that no permanent structure shall be allowed within the ESZ.
Mining cannot be permitted within a National Wildlife Sanctuary or a National Park.
If the existing ESZ extends beyond the 1 km buffer zone or if any statutory instrument prescribes a higher limit, such extended limit shall prevail.
The Chief Conservator of Forests of each state has been directed to make a list of the existing structures in the ESZ and submit a report to the court.
A three-judge bench of Justices L Nageswara Rao, BR Gavai and Aniruddha Bose, in its 60-page judgment, highlighted how the country's natural resources have been depleted over the years by mining and other activities.
What are the Eco-sensitive Zones (ESZs)?
ESZ are also called Ecologically Fragile Areas (EFAs).
These are areas notified by the Ministry of Environment, Forests and Climate Change (MoEFCC) around Protected Areas, National Parks and Wildlife Sanctuaries.
They also act as transition zones from areas of high security to areas of low security.
An ESZ can go up to 10 kilometres around a protected area, as provided in the Wildlife Conservation Strategy, 2002.
5. 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
6. 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.
7. 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
8. 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.
9. 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%
10. 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 |
