1. Union AYUSH Minister inaugurates PCIM&H 'e-office' and online portal
Tags: National National News
Union Minister for AYUSH Sarbananda Sonowal inaugurated "PCIM&H e-Office Portal" and an online portal.
An Overview of the News
The objective of the online portal is to facilitate easy access of Pharmacopoeia Monographs to the stakeholders across the globe.
During his visit to the Pharmacopoeia Commission for Indian Medicine and Homeopathy (PCIM&H), the Minister inspected various laboratories: Pharmacognosy, Phytochemistry, Microbiology, Herbal Garden, and Raw Drug Repository of ASU&H drugs.
PCIM&H, under the Ministry of AYUSH, is actively involved in standardisation and quality control of Ayurveda, Siddha, Unani and Homeopathic (ASU&H) drugs, and publishes standards in the form of Pharmacopoeia.
In addition, the Minister released the monthly newsletter published by PCIM&H.
Advisor (Ayurveda), Ministry of AYUSH - Dr. Kaustubh Upadhyay
PCIM&H Director - Dr. Raman Mohan Singh
About Ministry of AYUSH
It is a government ministry in India.
It is responsible for the development, promotion and regulation of traditional systems of medicine.
AYUSH is the abbreviation of Ayurveda, Yoga and Naturopathy, Unani, Siddha and Homoeopathic Pharmacopoeia Society and aims to promote education and research of the above.
The ministry provides educational and training programs.
Establishment - 2014
Responsible Ministers - Sarbananda Sonowal, Cabinet Minister and Mahendra Munjapara, Minister of State
Ministry Executive - Rajesh Kotecha, Secretary
Ministry of Motherhood - Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, Government of India
2. Ministry of Civil Aviation launches UDAN 5.1
Tags: Government Schemes National News
The Ministry of Civil Aviation in India has launched UDAN 5.1 on 24 May, a special edition of the UDAN (Ude Desh ka Aam Nagrik) scheme, with a special focus on helicopter routes.
The main features of UDAN 5.1
For the first time under Regional Connectivity Scheme RCS-UDAN, this round is designed specifically for helicopter routes.
There will be an increase in the scope of operations for the operators, which will now also allow routes where one of the origin or destination points is in the priority zone.
The airfare ceiling has been reduced by 25% to make flying in helicopters more affordable for passengers.
The Viability Gap Funding (VGF) cap for single and twin-engine helicopter operators has been substantially increased to enhance the financial viability for operating the routes.
So far 46 helicopter routes have been operationalized under the scheme, benefitting many hilly and North East states and UDAN 5.1 is targeting coverage of a much larger number of routes.
About UDAN Scheme
Ude Desh Ka Aam Nagrik (UDAN) was launched in 2016 as a Regional Connectivity Scheme (RCS) under the Ministry of Civil Aviation.
Its objective is to make affordable, economically viable and profitable air travel on regional routes available to the common man even in small towns.
It seeks to improve air connectivity to tier-2 and tier-3 cities through revival of unused and underused airports.
The scheme will be jointly funded by the central government and state governments.
The scheme will run for 10 years and can be extended thereafter.
3. More than 90% of funds allocated under Smart Cities Mission utilised
Tags: National Government Schemes National News
Union Housing and Urban Affairs Minister Hardeep Singh Puri has announced that more than 90% of the funds allocated under the Smart Cities Mission are being utilized and 73% of the projects have already been completed.
An overview of the news
The smart city project was to be completed within five years of the selection of the city.
However, in 2021, the ministry changed the deadline to June 2023 for all cities.
About Smart Cities Mission
Smart Cities Mission is an initiative of the Union Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs which was launched in 2015.
It aims to transform urban areas into sustainable, citizen-friendly and technologically advanced cities.
The mission's primary objective is to enhance the quality of life for citizens by providing them with improved infrastructure, better governance, and increased economic opportunities.
Between January 2016 and June 2018 (when the last city, Shillong, was selected), the ministry selected 100 cities for the mission in five rounds.
Selection Process
The mission follows a competitive approach where cities submit proposals based on specific criteria, including the adoption of smart solutions, citizen engagement, and sustainable development.
The selected cities undergo redevelopment in a phased manner.
Core components
Infrastructure development: Emphasis is placed on developing physical infrastructure such as transportation systems, water supply, sanitation, and affordable housing to meet the needs of the urban population.
Technology integration: The mission integrates technology to improve service delivery, including data analytics and smart grids devices for efficient resource management and real-time monitoring.
Citizen engagement: The mission focuses on citizen participation and engagement through mobile applications and feedback mechanisms, empowering them to contribute to decision-making processes and hold authorities accountable.
Sustainable practices: The mission promotes sustainable development by encouraging the use of renewable energy sources, green building practices, waste management systems, and efficient urban planning.
Funds Utilisation
Till 1 May 2023, a total of Rs 38,400 crore was released for the Smart Cities Mission.
Out of this amount, ₹35,261 crore has already been utilized for various projects.
Project Completion
The Smart Cities Mission includes around 7,800 projects worth Rs 1.8 lakh crore.
Of these projects, more than 5,700 projects worth Rs 1.1 lakh crore have been completed.
The remaining projects are expected to be completed by June 30, 2024.
Currently, only 22 out of 100 designated cities have successfully completed all the projects under the mission.
4. Ministry of Education and PARAKH organise the 1st National level workshop
Tags: National Government Schemes National News
Recently, the Ministry of Education organized a workshop in New Delhi to discuss the integration of 60 school examination boards operating in different states and union territories.
An overview of the news
The key component of the scheme is PARAKH, a National Assessment Center set up under the National Council of Educational Research and Training.
The central government is planning for uniformity of boards to facilitate seamless transition for students in different boards or regions.
It aims to align curriculum standards, grading system and evaluation methods so as to enhance the credibility and recognition of certificates and grades obtained across all boards.
The workshop highlighted the need to re-evaluate the rote-examination culture prevalent in the education system.
What is PARAKH?
PARAKH full name is -Performance Assessment, Review and Analysis of Knowledge for Holistic Development.
It will act as a constituent unit of the NCERT.
It will also be tasked with conducting periodic learning outcome tests like National Achievement Survey (NAS) and State Achievement Survey.
This framework will seek to curb the emphasis on rote learning as envisaged by the National Policy on Education (NEP) 2020.
It will be the proposed implementing agency and also will be part of the NEP proposal.
Its team will consist of leading assessment experts with a deep understanding of the education system in India and internationally.
5. Ireland to become the first country in the world to introduce health warnings on alcohol
Tags: International News
Ireland's health minister, Stephen Donnelly, signed new regulations on May 22 that will carry warnings about the health risks of drinking alcohol, as well as the product's calorie count.
An overview of the news
This innovative step aims to raise awareness about the potential health risks associated with alcohol consumption.
The introduction of health warnings on alcohol bottles and cans will serve as a powerful tool for public health promotion and education.
The warnings will provide concise information about the health hazards linked to excessive alcohol consumption, encouraging individuals to make informed decisions.
Health warnings include liver disease, heart problems, increased risk of cancer, mental health problems and other associated risks.
By emphasizing the risks and potential harms associated with alcohol consumption on alcohol packaging, youth can be deterred from drinking at an early age.
Republic of Ireland
The Republic of Ireland is a western European country which shares a boundary with Great Britain.
The Parliament of Ireland is called the Oireachtas. The lower house of the parliament is called Dail and the upper house is called Seanad Éireann (Senate).
President of Ireland: Michael D. Higgins
Currency: Euro
Capital: Dublin
6. India hands over 20 broad gauge locomotives to Bangladesh
Tags: International Relations International News
Taking a significant step towards enhancing bilateral cooperation in the railway sector, India and Bangladesh handed over 20 broad gauge locomotives to Bangladesh on May 23.
An overview of the news
The initiative is aimed at meeting the growing demand for passenger and freight traffic between the two neighboring countries.
The handover ceremony was conducted virtually, which was attended by Indian Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnav and Bangladesh Railway Minister Nurul Islam Sujan.
During the meeting held in June 2022, fruitful discussions were held on various aspects of railway operations between the two countries.
Minister Nurul Islam Sujan highlighted the importance of strengthening rail connectivity between India and Bangladesh to promote trade and travel.
The newly acquired locomotives will help in meeting the growing demands of passenger and freight traffic on both sides of the border.
Currently, there are nine interchanges between India and Bangladesh, of which five are already operational and two are under construction.
People’s Republic of Bangladesh
Capital: Dhaka
Prime Minister: Sheikh Hasina Wazed
President: Mohammad Shahabuddin
Currency: Taka
7. India and Australia sign agreements in the field of migration, mobility partnership and green hydrogen
Tags: International Relations International News
The Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was exchanged after a bilateral meeting between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his Australian counterpart Anthony Albanese in Sydney.
An Overview of the News
Prime Minister Modi invited Prime Minister Albanese and Australian cricket fans to India for the Cricket World Cup.
Prime Minister Albanese announced the establishment of a new Australian Consulate General in Bengaluru to link Australian businesses to India's digital and innovation ecosystem.
About Australia
It is a sovereign country located in the Southern Hemisphere and is geographically isolated from the rest of the world.
Capital - Canberra
Government - Federal parliamentary constitutional monarchy
Emperor - Charles III
Governor-General - David Hurley
Prime Minister - Anthony Albanese
8. PM Modi attended FIPIC summit in Papua New Guinea
Tags: Summits International News
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PM Modi attended the third India-Pacific Islands Cooperation (FIPIC) Summit in Papua New Guinea 23 May. 14 countries from the Pacific Islands (PICs) attended the summit.
An overview of the news
The summit was led by Papua New Guinea's PM James Marape and PM Modi.
As part of India's Act East Policy, the Prime Minister of India announced a 12-point development plan for the Pacific Island Nations.
The 12-point development plan focuses on a number of areas including health care, renewable energy and cyber security.
The two leaders also launched a translation of the Tamil classic ‘Thirukkural’ to the Tok Pisin language of Papua New Guinea.
The translated book is co-authored by linguist Subha Sasindran and Sasindran Muthuvel, Governor of West New Britain Province of Papua New Guinea.
PM Modi's 12-point action plan
A 100-bed regional super specialty hospital in Fiji
Setting up a regional IT and cyber security training hub in Papua New Guinea
Sagar Amrut Scholarships-100 scholarships in the next five years
Jaipur foot camp in Papua New Guinea in 2023
FIPIC SME development project,
A solar project for government buildings
Provide desalination units for drinking water
Supply sea ambulances
Set up dialysis unit
Emergency helpline number
Set up Jan Aushadi kendras
Set up yoga centres.
Pacific Island nations
The Pacific Islands are island geographic regions of the Pacific Ocean.
Pacific Island nations include the Cook Islands, Fiji, Kiribati, the Republic of Marshall Islands, Micronesia, Nauru, Niue, Palau, Papua New Guinea, Samoa, Solomon Islands, Tonga, Tuvalu, and Vanuatu.
About India Pacific Islands Cooperation (FIPIC)
It was launched during Prime Minister Narendra Modi's visit to Fiji in November 2014.
FIPIC includes India and 14 of the island countries – Cook Islands, Fiji, Kiribati, Marshall Islands, Micronesia, Nauru, Niue, Palau, Papua New Guinea, Samoa, Solomon Islands, Tonga, Tuvalu, and Vanuatu.
About FIPIC summit
FIPIC-I, in 2014, took place at Suva, Fiji’s capital city.
India announced various development assistance initiatives and other cooperation projects in areas of climate change, trade, economy, telemedicine and tele education, IT, grants for community development projects, etc.
FIPIC-II summit took place in 2015 in Jaipur.
In 2019, the Leaders of the Indo-Pacific Small Island Developing States (PSIDS) meeting (consisting of delegations from 12 of the 14 Pacific Island countries) was held in New York on September 24, 2019.
9. 76th World Health Assembly at Geneva
Tags: Summits International News
Union Health Minister Mansukh Mandaviya will represent India in the 76th World Health Assembly at Geneva, Switzerland to be held from 21st to 30th May 2023.
An overview of the news
In line with India's commitment to a healthier world, the Union Health Minister will deliver the keynote address at the side events of 'Heal in India and Heal by India' as well as 'Together We Fight Against TB'.
During his stay till 24 May 2023, Mandaviya will participate in various bilateral meetings with countries across the world.
He will promote opportunities for health-related cooperation among the participating countries.
The bilateral meetings will engage representatives from Singapore, France, Netherlands, USA, Bangladesh, Argentina, Brazil, Qatar and Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation.
Additionally, a multilateral meeting is also scheduled with representatives from BRICS (Brazil, Russia, China and South-Africa).
Key agenda for assembly
Discussions and deliberations on the issues of Universal Health Coverage.
Public Health Emergencies
Health & Well-Being
Emphasising the importance of global collaborations and partnerships for building resilient global health architecture.
Collectively striving to achieve Universal Health Coverage through value-based healthcare.
About World Health Assembly
The World Health Assembly is the decision-making body of WHO.
It is attended by delegations from all WHO Member States and focuses on a specific health agenda prepared by the Executive Board.
The main functions of the World Health Assembly are to determine the policies of the Organization, appoint the Director-General, supervise financial policies, and review and approve the proposed programme budget.
The Health Assembly is held annually in Geneva, Switzerland.
10. 2nd Trade and Investment Working Group meeting begins in Bengaluru
Tags: Summits National News
On 23 May, the second Trade and Investment Working Group meeting under the G20 India Presidency began in Bengaluru.
An Overview of the News
It is a three-day meeting and is attended by 75 delegates from G20 countries, invited countries and regional/international organisations.
The objective of the Bengaluru meeting is to address issues related to international trade and investment and seek agreeable solutions.
Union Minister of State for Commerce and Industry Som Prakash inaugurated the seminar.
The meeting discussed reforming the multilateral trading system and finding agreeable solutions for international trade and investment.
An exhibition of Indian Startups is also a part of the event.
The first Trade and Investment Working Group meeting was held in Mumbai.
About the G20
It is an international forum of the world's leading economies established in 1999.
Its primary objective is to promote international financial stability and sustainable economic growth.
The G20 serves as a forum to discuss and coordinate policies related to a wide range of economic and financial issues such as trade, investment, employment, energy and climate change.
Karnataka:
It is a state in southwest India and is bordered by Maharashtra to the north, Goa to the northwest, Andhra Pradesh to the east, Tamil Nadu to the southeast, and Kerala to the southwest.
Bengaluru, the capital of Karnataka, is known as the "Silicon Valley of India" and is a major centre of technology and innovation.
Hampi, located in northern Karnataka, was once the capital of the Vijayanagara Empire and is now a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Kannada is the official language of Karnataka, although English and Hindi are also widely spoken.
Chief minister - Siddaramaiah
Governor - Thawar Chand Gehlot
Official Animal - Indian Elephant
Official Bird - Indian Roller
Official Dance - Yakshagana
Official Song - Jaya Bharat Jananiya Tanujate
