1. Maiden ASEAN-India Maritime exercise begins in Singapore
Tags: Defence International News
The first ASEAN-India Maritime Exercise (AIME-2023) began on 2 May in Singapore.
An overview of the news
The maiden exercise is being conducted off the coast of Singapore.
It aims to enhance interoperability and exchange of best practices among the participating navies.
INS Satpura and INS Delhi, accompanied by RADM Gurcharan Singh, Flag Officer Commanding Eastern Fleet, have reached Singapore to participate in the exercise.
AIME 2023 will provide an opportunity for Indian Navy and ASEAN navies to work together closely and conduct seamless operations in the maritime domain.
Indian Navy ships will also participate in the International Maritime Security Conference (IMSC) and the International Maritime Defense Exhibition (IMDEX-23).
The Philippine Navy has deployed its missile frigate BRP Antonio Luna (FF-151) with a 140-man crew of Naval Task Group 80.5 onboard in the exercise.
Phase of the exercise
Harbour Phase - to be conducted at Changi Naval Base.
Sea Phase - to be conducted in the South China Sea.
INS Delhi and INS Satpura
INS Delhi is India’s first indigenously-built guided missile destroyer.
INS Satpura, is an indigenously built guided missile stealth frigate and are fitted with state-of-the art weapons and sensors.
Both are part of the Eastern Fleet based at Visakhapatnam and are under the operational command of the Flag Officer Commanding-in-Chief, Eastern Naval Command.
2. Ministry of Housing & Urban Affairs signs MoU with RITES
Tags: National National News
The Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with RITES Limited on 2 May to accelerate solid waste and used water management.
An overview of the news
The MoU was signed for technical assistance for Solid Waste Management (SWM) under Swachh Bharat Mission-Urban 2.0.
The Technical Support Unit (TSU) of RITES will assist Swacch Bharat Mission (SBM-U) for a period of 3 years.
Under SWM, the areas of engagement will be process standardization and engineering design of waste management facilities, like Material Recovery Facility, legacy waste etc.
Under Urban Waste Management (UWM), RITES will provide technical support for standards & specification in the field of sewage and faecal sludge management.
RITES will assist with preparation of model tender documents and procurement in the field of sewage, wastewater management and Solid Waste Management.
Swachh Bharat Mission-Urban 2.0
Prime Minister Narendra Modi launched the second phase of the 'Swachh Bharat Mission-Urban' on October 2, 2021, on the occasion of Gandhi Jayanti.
It has been designed to make all cities garbage free and achieve the goal of water conservation.
In this, a provision has also been made to store and filter waste water by adopting a complete liquid waste management system in cities with a population of less than 1 lakh.
Under this, 3.5 lakh individual, community and public toilets will be constructed for the population going to urban areas for employment in the next 5 years.
Swachh Bharat Mission (SBM) was launched on October 2, 2014 with the objective of promoting 'cleanliness and Sanitation' in the society and the country.
3. India to hand-over fast Patrol Vessel ship & landing Craft to Maldives
Tags: International Relations International News
Defence Minister Rajnath Singh will hand over a fast patrol vessel and a landing craft to the Maldives as India’s “gift” during his visit to the island nation from May 1 to 3.
An overview of the news
It will be an “important landmark” in building “strong bonds” of friendship between the two countries.
Maldives is one of India's major maritime neighbors in the Indian Ocean region and overall bilateral relations between the two countries, including in the areas of defense and security, have been on the rise over the years.
Singh will also review the implementation of various India-aided projects in the Maldives and interact with the Indian expatriate.
India and Maldives are working together to effectively address common challenges including maritime security, terrorism, radicalism, piracy, smuggling, organized crime and natural disasters.
About Maldives
It is also called Maldives Islands, an independent island country in the north-central Indian Ocean.
It extends more than 510 miles (820 km) from north to south and 80 miles (130 km) from east to west.
Basis of economy -fisheries, tourism
Industries - handicraft or cottage including the making of coir (coconut-husk fibre) and coir products, fish canning, and boatbuilding.
Capital -Male
President -Ibrahim Mohamed Solih
Official Language - Dhivehi (Maldivian)
Official Religion - Islam
Currency -Rufiyaa
4. ED raids Byju's premises, alleges FEMA violation
Tags: National National News
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The Directorate of Foreign Exchange (ED) carried out searches at three premises linked to edtech firm Byju's in Bengaluru in connection with its probe into alleged foreign exchange violations.
An overview of the news
ED recovered several incriminating documents and digital data during its searches.
“FEMA (Foreign Exchange Management Act) searches have also revealed that the company has received Foreign Direct Investment of Rs 28,000 crore (approx) during the period 2011 to 2023.
Apart from this, the company has also remitted Rs 9,754 crore (approx) to various countries during the same period in the name of Foreign Direct Investment.
About Foreign Exchange Management Act
It is an act which mainly deals with the provisions relating to cross border trade and payments.
It defines the procedures, formalities and practices of all foreign exchange transactions in India.
It was brought in in 1999 as a replacement to the earlier Foreign Exchange Regulation Act (FERA).
This act came into force on 1 June 2000.
The head office of FEMA is known as Directorate of Enforcement which is situated in Delhi.
Its primary objective is to help facilitate external trade and payments in India.
FEMA is applicable in all parts of India.
This applies equally to offices and agencies located outside India.
5. "Supreme Court confirms power to issue official decree of divorce in cases of irretrievable breakdown of marriage"
Tags: National National News
The Supreme Court is empowered to exercise its absolute powers under Article 142 of the Constitution to issue official orders of divorce to the consenting parties in cases of irretrievable breakdown of marriage.
An Overview of the News
In such cases the period of six months prescribed under the Hindu Marriage Act may be waived.
The judgement in a batch of petitions related to the exercise of absolute powers of the apex court to dissolve marriages between consenting parties without reference to family courts to wait for the mandatory period prescribed under Section 13-B of the Hindu Marriage Act I went.
Article 142 empowers the apex court to pass such orders as may be necessary for "doing complete justice" in any matter pending before it.
The matter was referred to a five-judge bench nearly five years ago on June 29, 2016, by a division bench of Justices Shiv Kirti Singh and R Bhanumathi (both retired) in a transfer petition.
The Constitution Bench had reserved the decision on 29 September 2022 after hearing the arguments.
Hindu Marriage Act:
It is a law that regulates marriages of Hindus, Buddhists, Jains and Sikhs.
It was enacted in 1955 and has been amended several times.
This act defines the conditions for a Hindu marriage to be considered legally valid.
These include monogamy, minimum age of marriage, stability of mind, absence of prohibited degrees of relationship, and ability to consummate the marriage.
The Act provides for the registration of Hindu marriages. Registration of marriage is not mandatory but it is advisable as it serves as proof of marriage and facilitates settlement of disputes.
The Act also recognizes the validity of prenuptial agreements.
The Act provides for punishment for bigamy, dowry and cruelty to married women.
6. Government of India blocked 14 messenger mobile applications for spreading terror
Tags: National National News
The Government of India blocked 14 messenger mobile applications widely used in Jammu and Kashmir for spreading terror.
An Overview of the News
The banned apps were primarily used as communication platforms to disseminate information in the field.
The messenger applications that have been banned include Crypvisor, Enigma, SafeSwiss, Vikrame, Mediafire, Briar, Beechat, Nandbox, Conion, IMO, Elementor, Second Line, Jangi and Threema.
The Indian government found that these apps were being used by terrorists to communicate with their supporters and on-ground workers.
The Center had earlier also banned several Chinese apps for being prejudicial to India's sovereignty and integrity.
The ban on these apps has been implemented under Section 69A of the Information Technology Act, 2000, which empowers the government to block access to any website or mobile application that poses a threat to national security or public order.
About Jammu and Kashmir
It was a state of India until August 2019, which was bifurcated as two union territories namely Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh on 31 August 2019.
Capital- Srinagar (May-October), Jammu (November-April)
Lieutenant Governor - Manoj Sinha
Legislative Council - 36 seats
Legislative Assembly - 89 seats
Chief Justice of Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh High Court, Justice - Koteshwar Singh
7. India to join international climate action in civil aviation from 2027
Tags: Environment National News
India will join the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) Carbon Offsetting and Reduction Scheme for International Aviation (CORSIA) and Long-Term Aspirational Goals (LTAG) from 2027.
An Overview of the News
This announcement was made in the meeting of the Consultative Committee of the Parliament of the Ministry of Civil Aviation under the chairmanship of Minister Jyotiraditya Scindia.
ICAO has adopted several key ambitious targets, including a two percent annual fuel efficiency improvement by 2050, carbon neutral development, and net zero by 2050, all covered under CORSIA and LTAG.
India's Ministry of Civil Aviation stated that joining these measures from 2027 would help airlines from developing countries like India to achieve greater growth and avoid adverse financial consequences due to CORSIA.
The financial impact caused by offsetting will be borne by individual airlines based on their international operations, and CORSIA only applies to flights originating from one country to another.
International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO):
It is a specialised agency of the United Nations and its primary function is to coordinate the principles and techniques of international air navigation.
The organisation is also responsible for promoting the planning and development of international air transport.
ICAO's mission is to ensure the safe and orderly development of the international aviation industry.
The organisation works with its member states to develop and implement policies and regulations related to air navigation and air transport.
ICAO also provides technical assistance and training to help its member states meet international aviation standards and regulations.
Established - 7 December 1944
Headquarters -Montreal, Canada
Carbon Offsetting and Mitigation Scheme for International Aviation (CORSIA):
It is a global plan developed by the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) to reduce CO2 emissions from international flights.
It aims to achieve carbon-neutral growth for international flights by offsetting any increase in emissions through the purchase of carbon credits from eligible projects.
The plan has a phased implementation and includes all international flights, except to least developed countries, small island developing states and landlocked developing countries.
8. Indian Army inducts five women officers into its Artillery Regiment
Tags: National Defence National News
The women officers, including Lt Mehak Saini, Lt Sakshi Dubey, Lt Aditi Yadav, Lt Pavitra Moudgil and Lt Akanksha, joined major artillery units of the Army after completing their training at the Officers Training Academy in Chennai.
An Overview of the News
The move is a significant step towards gender equality in the Indian Armed Forces and reflects the Army's commitment to promoting diversity and inclusivity.
According to military sources, out of the five women officers, three have been posted on the forward front along theLine of Actual Control (LAC) with China, while the other two have been posted at challenging positions near the border with Pakistan.
The Artillery Regiment is a major combat support branch responsible for various gun systems including the Bofors howitzer, Dhanush, M-777 howitzer and K-9 Vajra self-propelled guns.
Women officers are being posted in major artillery units of all types, where they will get adequate training and experience in handling rocket, area and surveillance, and target acquisition (SATA) systems, as well as major equipment.
The decision to induct women officers into artillery units was announced by Chief of Army Staff General Manoj Pandey in January and later approved by the government.
About Indian Army
Established- 26 January 1950
Headquarters- New Delhi
Motto- Seva Paramo Dharma: (Sanskrit); "Service Before Self" (translation)
Colour- Gold, Red and Black
Part- Indian Armed Forces
Role- Land War
9. Minister of State for Science and Technology Dr Jitendra Singh visits Science Museum
Tags: International News
Union Minister of State for Science and Technology Dr Jitendra Singh inspected the operations of the 175 year old London Science Museum.
An Overview of the News
The objective of setting up such museums in India is to enable the citizens, especially the youth, to discover their hidden potential and abilities and develop their scientific temper, creativity and innovation.
The Science Museum, established in 1857, is located in South Kensington, London and is a major museum on Exhibition Road.
The museum management was impressed by India's success in dealing with the COVID-19 pandemic.
The Science Museum became one of the city's most popular tourist attractions, with 3.3 million visitors in 2019.
As a publicly funded national museum in the UK, the Science Museum does not charge admission, but visitors are encouraged to make a donation if possible.
The Science Museum is part of a group of five museums known as the Science Museum Group.
About the United Kingdom (UK)
It is a country in Europe made up of England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland.
It has a constitutional monarchy and a parliamentary democracy with the monarch as the head of state and the prime minister leading the government.
The UK has a mixed economy and is known for its strengths in the service sector, manufacturing and technology.
Prime Minister- Rishi Sunak
Capital- London
Currency- Pound Sterling (GBP)
Emperor- Charles III
Government- Parliamentary System, Unitary State, Constitutional Monarchy
10. PM Modi's 100th episode of 'Mann Ki Baat' broadcast live at UN Headquarters
Tags: National National News
The 100th episode of Prime Minister Narendra Modi's radio program 'Mann Ki Baat' was broadcast live at the United Nations Headquarters here late on April 29, local time.
An overview of the news
India's Permanent Representative and Ambassador to the United Nations Ruchira Kambojsaid that Mann Ki Baat was aired at the Trusteeship Council of the United Nations Headquarters in New York.
Indian missions in various countries including UK, China, South Africa, Chile, Morocco, Mexico, Congo, Iraq and Indonesia also made special arrangements to listen to the 100th episode of 'Mann Ki Baat'.
External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar, who is on an official visit to Guyana, Panama, Colombia and the Dominican Republic, also attended the special event organized by the Indian community.
'Mann Ki Baat' program
The program 'Mann Ki Baat' started on 3 October 2014 and is broadcast on thelast Sunday of every month.
It inspires millions of people to participate in India's development journey.
On 30th April it completed its 100th episode.
The episodes aired between 2014 and 2019 were more general and motivational in nature, with the latter episodes discussing a lot of government policies and initiatives.
