Current Affairs search results for tag: national
By admin: June 12, 2023

1. Indian Navy commemorates 130th anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi's 'Satyagraha' in Durban

Tags: National Defence National News

INS Trishul, a flagship warship of the Indian Navy, celebrated the 130th anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi's 'Satyagraha' at the Durban port in South Africa.

An Overview of the News 

  • The purpose of its visit was to commemorate the 130th anniversary of an incident that took place on 7 June 1893 at Pietermaritzburg railway station.

  • The incident led to Mahatma Gandhi being ejected from a train and played an important role in his fight against discrimination.

  • INS Trishul's visit to Durban harbour serves as a commemoration of Gandhi's 'Satyagraha'.

  • 'Satyagraha' refers to Gandhi's doctrine of nonviolent resistance.

  • By celebrating 'Satyagraha' on board INS Trishul, the Indian Navy pays tribute to the principles of Gandhi and inspires generations to come.

About the visit of INS Trishul warship to Durban

  • Its visit to Durban is part of the Navy's celebrations for India's 75th Independence anniversary and the resumption of diplomatic relations between India and South Africa 30 years ago.

  • The visit included a commemorative meeting at Pietermaritzburg Railway Station, paying homage to the Gandhi Plinth and a performance by the Indian Navy Band.

  • A 'Gandhi-Mandela-King Conference' will be organised in association with the Pietermaritzburg Gandhi Foundation and the University of KwaZulu-Natal.

Mahatma Gandhi Satyagraha

  • Satyagraha was a nonviolent resistance movement initiated by Mahatma Gandhi during the Indian independence struggle against British rule.

  • Satyagraha was first employed in South Africa in 1915 when Gandhi led a successful resistance against discriminatory racial laws.

  • The movement gained momentum in India during the 1920s and 30s, leading to important civil disobedience campaigns such as the Salt March and the Quit India Movement.

  • The principles of satyagraha were also applied to other struggles around the world, including the fight against colonialism in Africa and Latin America.

  • Mahatma Gandhi's Satyagraha is considered one of the most powerful and successful tools for social and political change, adopted by people across the world.



By admin: June 12, 2023

2. Indian Navy commemorates 130th anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi's 'Satyagraha' in Durban

Tags: National Defence National News

INS Trishul, a flagship warship of the Indian Navy, celebrated the 130th anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi's 'Satyagraha' at the Durban port in South Africa.

An Overview of the News 

  • The purpose of its visit was to commemorate the 130th anniversary of an incident that took place on 7 June 1893 at Pietermaritzburg railway station.

  • The incident led to Mahatma Gandhi being ejected from a train and played an important role in his fight against discrimination.

  • INS Trishul's visit to Durban harbour serves as a commemoration of Gandhi's 'Satyagraha'.

  • 'Satyagraha' refers to Gandhi's doctrine of nonviolent resistance.

  • By celebrating 'Satyagraha' on board INS Trishul, the Indian Navy pays tribute to the principles of Gandhi and inspires generations to come.

About the visit of INS Trishul warship to Durban

  • Its visit to Durban is part of the Navy's celebrations for India's 75th Independence anniversary and the resumption of diplomatic relations between India and South Africa 30 years ago.

  • The visit included a commemorative meeting at Pietermaritzburg Railway Station, paying homage to the Gandhi Plinth and a performance by the Indian Navy Band.

  • A 'Gandhi-Mandela-King Conference' will be organised in association with the Pietermaritzburg Gandhi Foundation and the University of KwaZulu-Natal.

Mahatma Gandhi Satyagraha

  • Satyagraha was a nonviolent resistance movement initiated by Mahatma Gandhi during the Indian independence struggle against British rule.

  • Satyagraha was first employed in South Africa in 1915 when Gandhi led a successful resistance against discriminatory racial laws.

  • The movement gained momentum in India during the 1920s and 30s, leading to important civil disobedience campaigns such as the Salt March and the Quit India Movement.

  • The principles of satyagraha were also applied to other struggles around the world, including the fight against colonialism in Africa and Latin America.

  • Mahatma Gandhi's Satyagraha is considered one of the most powerful and successful tools for social and political change, adopted by people across the world.



By admin: June 12, 2023

3. CACP recommends Centre to bring urea under NBS regime

Tags: National National News

urea-under-NBS-regimeThe Commission for Agricultural Costs and Prices (CACP) has recently recommended the Centre to bring urea under the nutrient-based subsidy (NBS) regime to address the problem of imbalanced use of nutrients.

An overview of the news

  • The purpose of this recommendation is to address the problem of nutrient imbalance in agriculture.

  • Nutrient-based subsidy (NBS) scheme was introduced in 2010 for non-urea fertilisers. 

  • Presently urea has been kept out of NBS scheme which has led to inequitable use and deterioration in soil health.

  • The CACP believes that this would help address the problem of imbalanced use of nutrients, which has adversely affected soil health and crop productivity. 

  • According to CACP fertiliser subsidy has been rising over the years, while fertiliser response and efficiency have been declining.

  • In December 2022, the government informed Parliament that there was no proposal to shift urea to NBS.

Imbalanced use of fertilisers

  • Urea, containing nitrogen, is the only fertiliser whose price is regulated directly by the government. 

  • Other fertilisers like DAP and NPK, containing phosphorus and potassium, have prices determined by market forces.

  • The government provides a fixed subsidy per tonne of fertilisers based on their nutrient content.

  • Due to the price difference, urea is significantly cheaper compared to other fertilisers, incentivizing farmers to use more urea than necessary.

  • Excessive use of urea and lower application of other essential nutrients create an imbalance in soil fertility, leading to soil degradation.

Commission for Agricultural Costs and Prices (CACP)

  • It was formed in January 1965.

  • It is an expert body that recommends Minimum Support Price (MSP) to the government after taking into account the cost of production, trends in domestic and international prices.

  • It is a statutory body of the Ministry of Farmers Welfare.

  • It recommends MSP for 22 Kharif and Rabi crops.

  • Its recommendations are not binding on the government.

By admin: June 12, 2023

4. CACP recommends Centre to bring urea under NBS regime

Tags: National National News

urea-under-NBS-regimeThe Commission for Agricultural Costs and Prices (CACP) has recently recommended the Centre to bring urea under the nutrient-based subsidy (NBS) regime to address the problem of imbalanced use of nutrients.

An overview of the news

  • The purpose of this recommendation is to address the problem of nutrient imbalance in agriculture.

  • Nutrient-based subsidy (NBS) scheme was introduced in 2010 for non-urea fertilisers. 

  • Presently urea has been kept out of NBS scheme which has led to inequitable use and deterioration in soil health.

  • The CACP believes that this would help address the problem of imbalanced use of nutrients, which has adversely affected soil health and crop productivity. 

  • According to CACP fertiliser subsidy has been rising over the years, while fertiliser response and efficiency have been declining.

  • In December 2022, the government informed Parliament that there was no proposal to shift urea to NBS.

Imbalanced use of fertilisers

  • Urea, containing nitrogen, is the only fertiliser whose price is regulated directly by the government. 

  • Other fertilisers like DAP and NPK, containing phosphorus and potassium, have prices determined by market forces.

  • The government provides a fixed subsidy per tonne of fertilisers based on their nutrient content.

  • Due to the price difference, urea is significantly cheaper compared to other fertilisers, incentivizing farmers to use more urea than necessary.

  • Excessive use of urea and lower application of other essential nutrients create an imbalance in soil fertility, leading to soil degradation.

Commission for Agricultural Costs and Prices (CACP)

  • It was formed in January 1965.

  • It is an expert body that recommends Minimum Support Price (MSP) to the government after taking into account the cost of production, trends in domestic and international prices.

  • It is a statutory body of the Ministry of Farmers Welfare.

  • It recommends MSP for 22 Kharif and Rabi crops.

  • Its recommendations are not binding on the government.

By admin: June 12, 2023

5. Second summit of Supreme Audit Institutions of G20 countries began in Goa

Tags: National National News

G20-countries-began-in-GoaThe second summit of the Supreme Audit Institutions (SAIs) of the G20 countries began on 12 June in Panaji, the capital of Goa.

An overview of the news

  • The inaugural address at the summit was delivered by the Comptroller and Auditor General of India (CAG) Girish Chandra Murmu.

  • Goa Governor PS Sreedharan Pillai and India's G20 Sherpa Amitabh Kant also attended the meeting.

  • SAIs from Australia, Brazil, Indonesia, South Korea, Russia, Saudi Arabia, Turkey, Bangladesh, Egypt, Mauritius, Nigeria, Oman, Spain, UAE, Morocco and Poland participated in the summit.

  • Apart from the proceedings of the summit, the CAG is expected to sign MoUs with SAIs of Indonesia and Turkey to strengthen cooperation and knowledge sharing.

  • Apart from SAI, over 80 national and international delegates as well as representatives from Think20 and Youth20 Engagement Groups are participating in the three-day summit.

Summit Focus Areas

  • The two primary areas of focus at the summit will be Blue Economy and Responsible Artificial Intelligence, with Girish Chandra Murmu discussing these topics.

  • The concept of blue economy revolves around the conservation and utilization of oceans, seas and marine resources for sustainable development.

  • Responsive Artificial Intelligence (AI) enables fraud detection, automates redundant auditing processes and identifies high-risk transactions.

By admin: June 12, 2023

6. Second summit of Supreme Audit Institutions of G20 countries began in Goa

Tags: National National News

G20-countries-began-in-GoaThe second summit of the Supreme Audit Institutions (SAIs) of the G20 countries began on 12 June in Panaji, the capital of Goa.

An overview of the news

  • The inaugural address at the summit was delivered by the Comptroller and Auditor General of India (CAG) Girish Chandra Murmu.

  • Goa Governor PS Sreedharan Pillai and India's G20 Sherpa Amitabh Kant also attended the meeting.

  • SAIs from Australia, Brazil, Indonesia, South Korea, Russia, Saudi Arabia, Turkey, Bangladesh, Egypt, Mauritius, Nigeria, Oman, Spain, UAE, Morocco and Poland participated in the summit.

  • Apart from the proceedings of the summit, the CAG is expected to sign MoUs with SAIs of Indonesia and Turkey to strengthen cooperation and knowledge sharing.

  • Apart from SAI, over 80 national and international delegates as well as representatives from Think20 and Youth20 Engagement Groups are participating in the three-day summit.

Summit Focus Areas

  • The two primary areas of focus at the summit will be Blue Economy and Responsible Artificial Intelligence, with Girish Chandra Murmu discussing these topics.

  • The concept of blue economy revolves around the conservation and utilization of oceans, seas and marine resources for sustainable development.

  • Responsive Artificial Intelligence (AI) enables fraud detection, automates redundant auditing processes and identifies high-risk transactions.

By admin: June 12, 2023

7. UN suspends food aid to Ethiopia over diversion of supplies

Tags: International News

United Nations World Food Program

The United Nations World Food Program has temporarily suspended food aid to Ethiopia on June 9 because it is not reaching those in need in the African country.

An overview of the news

  • America had also made a similar announcement a day earlier. WFP executive director Cindy McCain said the transfer of food aid is completely unacceptable.

  • About 20 million Ethiopians out of the country's population of about 120 million are dependent on food aid due to drought and conflict.

  • Much of this aid comes from the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) and the World Food Program.

  • Ethiopia has a population of about 120 million. This move by the United Nations agency is expected to increase malnutrition in Africa's second most populous country.

United Nations World Food Program

  • It is an international organization within the United Nations. 

  • It provides food assistance worldwide. 

  • It is the world’s largest humanitarian organization and the leading provider of school meals.

  • It was founded in 1961.

  • Its Headquarter is in Rome, Italy.

  • Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) and the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) are the founders of WFP.

By admin: June 11, 2023

8. Sarbananda Sonowal lays Foundation Stone of Cochin Fisheries Harbour

Tags: National National News

The foundation stone for the modernization and upgradation works of the Cochin Fishing Harbour was laid at Willingdon Island in Kochi on 11 June.

An overview of the news

  • Union Minister for Fisheries, Animal Husbandry, and Dairying,Parshottam Rupala, and Union Minister of Ports, Shipping, and Waterways, Sarbananda Sonowal, jointly laid the foundation stone for the project.

  • The modernization project is expected to be completed next year, enhancing the infrastructure and capabilities of the Cochin Fishing Harbour.

  • The project aims to modernize and upgrade the Cochin Fishing Harbour at a cost of 169 crore rupees.

  • Rupala mentioned the Sagar Parikrama program which aims to identify ground-level gaps and make necessary policy changes.

Significance of Cochin Fisheries Harbour 

  • The modernization of the Cochin Fishing Harbour will boost fish and fish product exports, estimated to reach 1500 crore rupees per annum.

  • Coastal economic development is a key aspect of the Sagar Mala Project. 

  • Government initiatives will empower fishermen to contribute further to the country's economy.

  • The upgraded harbour will enable increased trade and export opportunities for fish and fish products, benefiting the local economy and the livelihoods of fishermen.

By admin: June 11, 2023

9. Sarbananda Sonowal lays Foundation Stone of Cochin Fisheries Harbour

Tags: National National News

The foundation stone for the modernization and upgradation works of the Cochin Fishing Harbour was laid at Willingdon Island in Kochi on 11 June.

An overview of the news

  • Union Minister for Fisheries, Animal Husbandry, and Dairying,Parshottam Rupala, and Union Minister of Ports, Shipping, and Waterways, Sarbananda Sonowal, jointly laid the foundation stone for the project.

  • The modernization project is expected to be completed next year, enhancing the infrastructure and capabilities of the Cochin Fishing Harbour.

  • The project aims to modernize and upgrade the Cochin Fishing Harbour at a cost of 169 crore rupees.

  • Rupala mentioned the Sagar Parikrama program which aims to identify ground-level gaps and make necessary policy changes.

Significance of Cochin Fisheries Harbour 

  • The modernization of the Cochin Fishing Harbour will boost fish and fish product exports, estimated to reach 1500 crore rupees per annum.

  • Coastal economic development is a key aspect of the Sagar Mala Project. 

  • Government initiatives will empower fishermen to contribute further to the country's economy.

  • The upgraded harbour will enable increased trade and export opportunities for fish and fish products, benefiting the local economy and the livelihoods of fishermen.

By admin: June 11, 2023

10. PM Modi inaugurated first-ever National Training Conclave in New Delhi

Tags: National National News

Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated the first-ever National Training Conclave at the International Exhibition and Convention Centre at Pragati Maidan in New Delhi on 11 June.

An overview of the news

  • The Conclave is aimed to enhance capacity building in the civil services and is organised under the auspices of the National Programme for Civil Services Capacity Building (NPCSCB) - 'Mission Karmayogi.'

  • The Conclave is being hosted by the Capacity Building Commission.

  • More than 1500 representatives from various training institutes, including Central Training Institutes, State Administrative Training Institutes, Regional and Zonal Training Institutes, and Research institutes are participating in the conclave.

  • Civil servants from central government departments, state governments and local governments as well as experts from the private sector are participating in the deliberations.

  • During the conclave, eight-panel discussionswill take place, each focusing on key concerns pertinent to civil services training institutes.

Topics of discussion

  • It includes faculty development, training impact assessment, content digitisation, and other significant areas that contribute to the enhancement of civil services training.

About Mission Karmayogi Scheme

  • Mission Karmayogi Yojana was launched on 2nd September 2020.

  • This scheme is operated under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

  • The main objective of the Mission Karmayogi scheme is to develop the capabilities of government employees.

  • Under the Mission Karmayogi scheme, a budget of Rs 510.86 crore has been set by the government for a period of 5 years for about 46 lakh central employees.

  • For the successful operation of the scheme iGOT Karmayogi platform has also been formed through which online contact is made available.