1. PM Modi to Release ₹20,000 Crore Under PM-KISAN
Tags: National News
Prime Minister Narendra Modi will release the 17th instalment of the Pradhan Mantri Kisan Samman Nidhi (PM-KISAN) on June 18, 2024.
An Overview of the News
Amount and Beneficiaries: Over ₹20,000 crore will be disbursed to 9.26 crore beneficiary farmers through Direct Benefit Transfer.
Scheme Impact: So far, more than 11 crore eligible farmer families have received benefits totaling over ₹3 lakh crore under the PM-KISAN scheme.
Special Recognition: PM Modi will grant certificates to over 30,000 women from Self Help Groups, including Krishi Sakhis.
Inauguration of Nalanda University Campus
Event Date: On June 19, 2024, the Prime Minister will visit the ruins of Nalanda and inaugurate the new campus of Nalanda University in Rajgir, Bihar.
Collaboration: Nalanda University is a joint initiative between India and East Asia Summit countries.
Inauguration Ceremony: The event will be attended by several eminent personalities, including the Heads of Missions from 17 countries.
Nalanda University Campus Details
Academic Infrastructure: The campus includes two academic blocks with 40 classrooms, accommodating around 1,900 students.
Facilities:
Two auditoriums with a seating capacity of 300 each.
A student hostel with a capacity for 550 students.
An International Centre and an Amphitheatre that can accommodate up to 2,000 individuals.
A faculty club and a sports complex.
Sustainability: The campus is designed as a ‘Net Zero’ green campus, powered by a solar plant. It has its own water treatment and recycling plants, 100 acres of water bodies, and other environment-friendly facilities.
Heritage and Legacy
Historical Significance: The original Nalanda University, established around 1,600 years ago, is one of the world's first residential universities.
UNESCO Heritage Site: In 2016, the ruins of Nalanda were declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
2. 'Nepal International Tourism Expo' Kick Starts in Kathmandu
Tags: International News
The two-day ‘Nepal International Tourism Expo (NITE)’ kicked off in Kathmandu on June 14 to promote Nepal’s tourism globally.
An Overview of the News
Held from June 14-15, 2024 at Bhrikutimandap Exhibition Hall.
Organised in collaboration with Kathmandu Metropolitan City in collaboration with Nepal Tourism Board and other associations.
Inauguration and Goals
Inaugurated by Culture, Tourism and Civil Aviation Minister Hit Bahadur Tamang.
Minister Tamang emphasised the event’s potential to boost Nepal’s international tourism presence.
Minister Tamang noted ongoing efforts to meet the government’s target of 1.6 million tourists this year, including resolving tourism sector issues and waiving VAT and unnecessary taxes on air tickets.
Participation and Networking
It aims to unite tourism related businesses such as hotels, resorts, homestays, travel/tour/trekking/mountaineering agencies, airlines and stakeholders from both domestic and international sectors.
Participating countries include Nepal, India, Korea, Taiwan, Singapore, Maldives, USA, Netherlands, Sri Lanka, China, Thailand, UAE, Bangladesh, Vietnam, Malaysia and Bhutan, with a total of 155 entrepreneurs.
Government of Bihar participated to promote tourism opportunities in ecotourism in Guru Circuit, Jain Circuit, Ramayana Circuit, Buddhist Circuit and Valmiki Tiger Reserve.
Provides a two-day networking opportunity for national and international tourism stakeholders to foster collaboration and lasting partnerships.
About Nepal
The kingdom of Nepal was established by the Shah dynasty.
It is a landlocked country in South Asia.
Prime Minister - Pushpa Kamal Dahal
President - Ram Chandra Paudel
Capital - Kathmandu
Currency - Nepalese Rupee
3. Cyril Ramaphosa Re-Elected South African President
Tags: International News
Cyril Ramaphosa has been re-elected as the President of South Africa.
An Overview of the News
This follows a landmark coalition deal between his African National Congress (ANC) and opposition parties.
The new government combines Ramaphosa’s ANC, the centre-right Democratic Alliance, and other smaller parties.
Parliament Vote
Ramaphosa won convincingly in a Parliament vote.
He received 283 votes against Julius Malema’s 44 in the 400-member house.
Malema is the leader of the far-left Economic Freedom Fighters.
Crucial Agreement
Ramaphosa secured his second term after an agreement with the Democratic Alliance.
This agreement was struck just hours before the presidential vote.
The ANC lost its 30-year majority in Africa’s national assembly.
Election Results
In the recent elections, the ANC’s vote share dropped to 40%.
The Democratic Alliance emerged as the second-largest party with 22% of the votes.
Co-Governance
The parties will now co-govern South Africa.
This marks the first national coalition where no party has a majority.
About South Africa
It is located at the southernmost tip of the African continent and is known for its diverse ecosystems.
Capital:- Pretoria (executive), Cape Town (legislative) and Bloemfontein (judicial)
Largest city:- Johannesbur
4. US and Ukraine Forge Long-Term Security Pact Amid G7 Summit in Italy
Tags: International Relations Summits
The US and Ukraine signed a long-term security agreement during the G7 summit in Italy.
An Overview of the News
On June 13, 2024, during the 2024 G7 summit in Italy, President Joe Biden of the USA and President Volodymr Zelensky of Ukraine concluded a 10-year bilateral security agreement.
Similar agreements have been reached previously with 15 other countries, such as Britain, France, and Germany.
The agreement covers a wide range of cooperation levels between the US and Ukraine, including military equipment, training, and maneuvers.
However, it does not include commitments to supply specific weapons systems to Ukraine.
About G7
The G7 is a group of seven major industrialized countries, including Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, the United Kingdom, and the United States.
The G7 holds annual meetings to discuss various global issues, but these meetings are usually held in different locations each year.
The 48th G7 summit was hosted by Germany in 2022.
The city of Hiroshima in Hiroshima Prefecture hosted the 49th G7 summit from May 19th to May 21st, 2023.
The 50th G7 summit is currently taking place from June 13th to June 15th, 2024, at Borgo Egnazia in Fasano, Apulia, Italy. Italy is hosting the 50th G7 summit.
5. IGNCA Signs MoU With Sansad TV
Tags: National News
The Indira Gandhi National Centre for the Arts (IGNCA) and Sansad TV have signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU).
An Overview of the News
The agreement aims to enhance accessibility to Indian art and culture through collaborative efforts.
IGNCA will produce programs that will be telecast on Sansad TV as part of this initiative.
Dr. Sachchidanand Joshi, Member Secretary of IGNCA, and Rajat Punhani, CEO of Sansad TV, signed the MoU.
Dr. Joshi expressed satisfaction at the collaboration, highlighting the potential for joint programs.
Mr. Punhani emphasized the benefits of the agreement, including the use of IGNCA’s archival content on Sansad TV.
About Indira Gandhi National Centre for the Arts (IGNCA):
Establishment: Founded on 19 November 1985 by Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi.
Purpose: Aims to study and promote various forms of arts, including literature (written and oral), visual arts (architecture, sculpture, painting, graphics), material culture (photography, film), and performing arts (music, dance, theatre).
Autonomy: Operates as an autonomous institute under the Union Ministry of Culture.
Activities: Hosts cultural performances and events like the 'Kathakar: International Storytellers Festival'.
Trust: Governed by the Indira Gandhi National Centre for the Arts Trust, registered in New Delhi on 24 March 1987.
President:- Ram Bahadur Rai
About Sansad TV
It is an Indian government television channel established in March 2021.
It was created by merging two existing house channels: Lok Sabha TV and Rajya Sabha TV.
The channel broadcasts the proceedings of the two Houses of Indian Parliament (Bharatiya Sansad).
Separate satellite channels are maintained for each House to broadcast their respective proceedings.
Sansad TV also features programming focused on public affairs in addition to parliamentary sessions.
CEO:- Rajit Punhani
Headquarters - 23, Mahadev Road, New Delhi, Delhi, India
Language(s) - Hindi, English
6. India Sends Humanitarian Aid to Papua New Guinea
Tags: International Relations International News
India dispatched a flight with 19 tons of humanitarian assistance and disaster relief supplies to Papua New Guinea.
An Overview of the News
Response to Disaster: The aid is in response to a devastating landslide in Enga province, Papua New Guinea.
Aid Details
Disaster Relief Material: 13 tons of supplies, including temporary shelters, water tanks, hygiene kits, and ready-to-eat meals.
Medical Supplies: 6 tons of emergency use medicine and medical equipment, including dengue and malaria diagnostic kits and baby food.
Geographical Background Of Papua New Guinea:
New Guinea, the world's second-largest island, covers an area of 785,753 km2.
Situated in Oceania, it lies in the southwestern Pacific Ocean, adjacent to Australia, separated by the Torres Strait.
The island is surrounded by numerous smaller islands to the west and east.
India-Papua New Guinea Relations:
Diplomatic ties between India and Papua New Guinea were established in 1975 upon PNG's independence from Australia.
India opened its resident mission in Port Moresby in 1996, reciprocated by PNG with a resident mission in New Delhi in 2006.
Both nations, being Commonwealth countries, share warm relations, aligning closely on various global issues.
Collaboration extends to international forums like the Commonwealth, Non-Aligned Movement, and the United Nations Organization.
Humanitarian Aid and Assistance:
India extends humanitarian aid and disaster relief to PNG periodically.
In 2023, assistance included drugs for HIV/AIDS patients.
A grant-in-aid totaling US $760,000 provided computers and peripherals to PNG in 2017-18.
Capacity-building efforts involve training through programs like Indian Technical & Economic Cooperation Programme (ITEC) and the Colombo Plan.
Ongoing implementation of aid proposals in various fields submitted by PNG under the annual grant-in-aid.
A Centre of Excellence in Information Technology was established at the University of PNG with Indian financial and technical assistance.
In 2018, Government of India provided assistance of US$1 million for earthquake relief in areas affected by the PNG earthquake.
7. India Sends Humanitarian Aid to Papua New Guinea
Tags: International Relations International News
India dispatched a flight with 19 tons of humanitarian assistance and disaster relief supplies to Papua New Guinea.
An Overview of the News
Response to Disaster: The aid is in response to a devastating landslide in Enga province, Papua New Guinea.
Aid Details
Disaster Relief Material: 13 tons of supplies, including temporary shelters, water tanks, hygiene kits, and ready-to-eat meals.
Medical Supplies: 6 tons of emergency use medicine and medical equipment, including dengue and malaria diagnostic kits and baby food.
Geographical Background Of Papua New Guinea:
New Guinea, the world's second-largest island, covers an area of 785,753 km2.
Situated in Oceania, it lies in the southwestern Pacific Ocean, adjacent to Australia, separated by the Torres Strait.
The island is surrounded by numerous smaller islands to the west and east.
India-Papua New Guinea Relations:
Diplomatic ties between India and Papua New Guinea were established in 1975 upon PNG's independence from Australia.
India opened its resident mission in Port Moresby in 1996, reciprocated by PNG with a resident mission in New Delhi in 2006.
Both nations, being Commonwealth countries, share warm relations, aligning closely on various global issues.
Collaboration extends to international forums like the Commonwealth, Non-Aligned Movement, and the United Nations Organization.
Humanitarian Aid and Assistance:
India extends humanitarian aid and disaster relief to PNG periodically.
In 2023, assistance included drugs for HIV/AIDS patients.
A grant-in-aid totaling US $760,000 provided computers and peripherals to PNG in 2017-18.
Capacity-building efforts involve training through programs like Indian Technical & Economic Cooperation Programme (ITEC) and the Colombo Plan.
Ongoing implementation of aid proposals in various fields submitted by PNG under the annual grant-in-aid.
A Centre of Excellence in Information Technology was established at the University of PNG with Indian financial and technical assistance.
In 2018, Government of India provided assistance of US$1 million for earthquake relief in areas affected by the PNG earthquake.
8. NCB Commences 'Nasha Mukth Bharat Pakhwada' to Fight Drug Abuse
Tags: National News
The Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB) launched 'Nasha Mukt Bharat Pakhwada' to fight against drug abuse and illicit trafficking across the country.
An Overview of the News
This observance runs from June 12th to the 26th of the month, coinciding with the International Day against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking.
The goal is to raise public awareness about the harmful effects of drug abuse.
NCB aims to encourage widespread participation in an 'e-pledge' against drug abuse.
The Indian government has reiterated its commitment to achieving a 'Drug Free India'.
The International Day against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking is recognized annually on June 26th by the United Nations General Assembly.
About Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB)
NCB is an Indian central law enforcement and intelligence agency.
It works under the Ministry of Home Affairs.
It helps in combating drug trafficking as well as use of illegal substances as per the provisions of the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act.
It coordinates drug-related matters with state governments and other central departments in India.
Established:- 1986
9. Harsh Malhotra Takes Charge as Minister of State for Corporate Affairs in New Delhi
Tags: Person in news National News
Harsh Malhotra has taken up the role of Minister of State for Corporate Affairs in New Delhi on June 12.
An Overview of the News
Upon assuming office, Malhotra received a briefing on the major initiatives and policy matters within the Ministry and its associated bodies.
He was informed about the current ongoing issues and the anticipated hurdles ahead.
Malhotra is a representative from the East Delhi Lok Sabha constituency.
About Harsh Malhotra
Malhotra, aged 60, is a first-time Member of Parliament (MP) representing the Bhartiya Janta Party (BJP) from East Delhi in the 18th Lok Sabha.
Malhotra holds a science degree from Hansraj College, Delhi University.
Career Highlights in Public Service
Elected Councillor from Welcome ward in 2012
Mayor of East Delhi Municipal Corporation (EDMC) in 2015
General Secretary of BJP's Delhi unit
10. Prime Minister releases 17th installment of PM-Kisan Samman Nidhi
Tags: National News
Narendra Modi started his third term as Prime Minister. Immediately after taking office, the Prime Minister approved the release of the 17th installment of PM-Kisan Samman Nidhi.
An Overview of the News
Rs 20,000 crore has been allocated in this installment, which will benefit about 9.3 crore farmers. This reflects the government's unwavering dedication towards farmer welfare.
Prime Minister's commitment:
Prime Minister Modi reaffirmed his government's pledge to give priority to farmers and agriculture.
Vowed to continue strong support for the agriculture sector in the future.
PM-KISAN Scheme Overview:
Launched in 2019, the PM-KISAN scheme aims to provide income support to all landholding farmer families across the country.
Eligible families receive a financial benefit of Rs 6,000 per year.
Implemented as a central sector scheme with full financial support from the central government.
Direct Benefit Transfer:
Funds are transferred directly to the bank accounts of beneficiaries.
Disbursed in three instalments of Rs 2,000 each.
Over 11 crore farmer families have benefited from the scheme so far, with total transfers exceeding Rs 3 lakh crore.
