1. National Mission For Clean Ganga Organizes River-Cities Alliance Global Seminar
Tags: National National News
The National Mission for Clean Ganga (NMCG) in association with the National Institute of Urban Affairs (NIUA) organized the ‘River-Cities Alliance (RCA) Global Seminar: Partnership for Building International River-Sensitive Cities’ on 4th May in New Delhi.
An overview of the news
The RCA Global Seminar was presided over by G. Asok Kumar, Director General (NMCG).
The aim of this global symposium was to provide a platform for officials from member cities and international stakeholders to discuss and learn from good practices for managing urban rivers.
The RCA Global Symposium saw the participation of Embassies/High Commissions of select countries and their respective river cities.
The seminar highlighted RCA's objectives, achievements and potential collaborative outcomes.
About River Cities Alliance (RCA)
It was launched in 2021 as a dedicated platform for river cities of India for discussion and exchange of information for sustainable management of urban rivers.
It was started with 30 cities in 2021 and currently has 95 cities as members across India.
It is formed by the successful partnership of the two Ministries - Ministry of Jal Shakti and Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs.
It focuses on three broad themes - networking, capacity building and technical support.
It will enable cities to learn from each other's success and failure and connect people to rivers.
National Mission for Clean Ganga(NMCG)
It was registered on 12 August 12, 2011 as a society under the Societies Registration Act 1860.
It serves as the implementing arm of the National Ganga River Basin Authority (NGRBA), which was constituted under the provisions of the Environment Protection Act (EPA), 1986.
It was established to address pollution challenges in the Ganga river.
The operational area of the project covers the Ganga basin and all the states through which the river flows, including Delhi.
The objective is to reduce pollution and ensure rejuvenation of the Ganga river.
2. India’s First International Multimodal Logistics Park at Jogighopa, Assam
Tags: National National News
Union Minister of Ports, Shipping & Waterways and Ayush, Sarbananda Sonowal reviewed progress of India’s first International Multi Modal Logistics park in Jogighopa, Assam.
An overview of the news
The park is likely to be completed within this year.
The Union Minister expressed satisfaction at the pace of work as the road and railway connectivity is also aimed at completion by the end of this year.
About India’s First International Multimodal Logistics Park
The park is being developed under the ambitious Bharatmala Pariyojana.
First such MMLP, it is being made by NHIDCL in Jogighopa of Assam.
The park will be connected to road, rail, air and waterways.
This is being developed in 317-acre land along the Brahmaputra.
The MMLP will have all the facilities like, warehouse, railway siding, cold storage, custom clearance house, yard facility, workshops, petrol pumps, truck parking, administrative building, boarding lodging, eating joints, water treatment plant, etc.
3. India’s First International Multimodal Logistics Park at Jogighopa, Assam
Tags: National National News
Union Minister of Ports, Shipping & Waterways and Ayush, Sarbananda Sonowal reviewed progress of India’s first International Multi Modal Logistics park in Jogighopa, Assam.
An overview of the news
The park is likely to be completed within this year.
The Union Minister expressed satisfaction at the pace of work as the road and railway connectivity is also aimed at completion by the end of this year.
About India’s First International Multimodal Logistics Park
The park is being developed under the ambitious Bharatmala Pariyojana.
First such MMLP, it is being made by NHIDCL in Jogighopa of Assam.
The park will be connected to road, rail, air and waterways.
This is being developed in 317-acre land along the Brahmaputra.
The MMLP will have all the facilities like, warehouse, railway siding, cold storage, custom clearance house, yard facility, workshops, petrol pumps, truck parking, administrative building, boarding lodging, eating joints, water treatment plant, etc.
4. Devendra Fadnavis unveiled the statue of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj in Mauritius
Tags: International News
Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis unveiled the statue of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj in Mauritius.
An Overview of the News
The ceremony was attended by Prime Minister of Mauritius Pravind Jugnauth and members of the Mauritius Marathi Mandali Federation.
Fadnavis highlighted Maharashtra's potential as a major industrial and investment destination in India.
Fadnavis participated in the Indo-Mauritius Business Forum and signed an MoU to promote trade between Mauritius and Maharashtra.
He also announced a grant of Mauritius Rupees 44 million for the construction of a multi-purpose hall and a scholarship for 10 students.
Fadnavis also attended a cultural event with Prime Minister Jugnauth and interacted with members of the Maharashtrian community in Mauritius.
About Mauritius
It is an island nation located in the Indian Ocean.
The interior of the island is mountainous and contains the Black River Gorges National Park.
Capital - Port Louis
President - Prithviraj Singh Rupan
Prime Minister - Pravind Kumar Jugnauth
Mauritius currency - Mauritian rupee
5. 56th Annual General Meeting of Board of Directors of ADB
Tags: Economy/Finance International News
Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman attended the 56th Annual General Meeting of the Board of Directors of the Asian Development Bank (ADB) in Incheon, South Korea on May 2.
An overview of the news
Union Minister for Finance and Corporate Affairs Nirmala Sitharaman led the delegation from the Indian side.
The meeting was attended by official delegations of ADB members, observers, non-governmental and civil society organizations, financial institutions and banks, and other private sector companies.
Sitharaman also participated in the annual meeting and focal events such as Governors Business.
She also participated as a panelist in the ADB Governors' Seminar on Policies to Support Asia's Rebound.
The functions of the Union Finance Minister included the following components:
Interaction with global economists, governors/finance ministers of ADB member countries, etc.
Bilateral engagement with countries and international organizations.
Interact with global business leaders and investors in roundtables.
Engagement with community diaspora.
Asian Development Bank (ADB)
It is a regional multilateral financial institution which focuses on the countries of Asia and Pacific region.
It was set up after a resolution was passed at the first Ministerial Conference on Asian Economic Cooperation held by the United Nations Economic Commission for Asia and the Far East in 1963.
It started functioning from 19 December 1966 with 31 member countries.
At present it has 68 members—of which 49 members are from within Asia and the Pacific and 19 outside.
Japan is the largest shareholder of the ADB and a Japanese has always been the head of the ADB.
President of ADB: Masatsugu Asakawa
Headquarters: Mandaluyong City, Manila, Philippines
6. UGC launches 'CU-Chayan', a unified faculty recruitment portal
Tags: National National News
The University Grants Commission (UGC) has launched a new portal named ‘CU-Chayan’ for faculty appointments in central varsities.
An overview of the news
The portal was launched on May 2, 2023 by Professor Mamidala Jagadesh Kumar,Chairman, UGC.
CU-Chosen is an integrated recruitment portal, specially designed and developed for faculty recruitment in Central Universities.
The portal is completely user friendly and caters to the needs of all the stakeholders in the recruitment process.
UGC has developed this portal to create an enabling environment for both universities and applicants.
The portal provides a common platform for listing of vacancies/advertisements/jobs across all Central Universities.
The portal makes the recruitment process completely online from application to screening.
About University Grants Commission (UGC)
It came into existence in 1953.
It became a statutory Organization of the Government of India by an Act of Parliament in 1956.
Its functions are coordination, determination and maintenance of standards of teaching, examination and research in university education.
7. UGC launches 'CU-Chayan', a unified faculty recruitment portal
Tags: National National News
The University Grants Commission (UGC) has launched a new portal named ‘CU-Chayan’ for faculty appointments in central varsities.
An overview of the news
The portal was launched on May 2, 2023 by Professor Mamidala Jagadesh Kumar,Chairman, UGC.
CU-Chosen is an integrated recruitment portal, specially designed and developed for faculty recruitment in Central Universities.
The portal is completely user friendly and caters to the needs of all the stakeholders in the recruitment process.
UGC has developed this portal to create an enabling environment for both universities and applicants.
The portal provides a common platform for listing of vacancies/advertisements/jobs across all Central Universities.
The portal makes the recruitment process completely online from application to screening.
About University Grants Commission (UGC)
It came into existence in 1953.
It became a statutory Organization of the Government of India by an Act of Parliament in 1956.
Its functions are coordination, determination and maintenance of standards of teaching, examination and research in university education.
8. 'Machines can See' - Summit on Artificial Intelligence held at Dubai
Tags: Summits International News
The UAE government launched the 'Machines Can See 2023' summit in Dubai, one of thefirst international conferences in Artificial Intelligence (AI) across the region.
An overview of the news
The conference is being held in partnership between Artificial Intelligence, Digital Economy, and Remote Work Applications Office and ‘Machines Can See’ company.
The conference aims to bring together experts from around the world to discuss the future of AI and its potential to contribute to the UAE's vision of creating the next Silicon Valley.
The event was organized in collaboration with the Dubai Department of Economic and Tourism and the Dubai Future Foundation.
The summit included presentations and panel discussions from various experts in the field of AI.
The UAE is the only country with a state-level AI programme, which is a testament to its commitment to supporting the progress of AI technology.
What is Artificial Intelligence?
It is a broad branch of computer science that deals with the creation of smart machines capable of performing tasks that typically require human intelligence.
9. India to build Harbour for Maldivian Coast Guard
Tags: International Relations International News
India and Maldives launched construction of ‘Ekatha Harbour' for the Coast Guard of the Maldives National Defence Force (MNDF).
An overview of the news
The foundation stone for the Coast Guard ‘Ekatha Harbour’ was laid by Defence Minister Rajnath Singh and his Maldivian counterpart, Mariya Didi, at Sifavaru in Uthuru Thila Falhu (UTF) atoll, where India is assisting in construction of a naval dockyard.
This is the biggest grant-in-aid project of India in Maldives.
UTF project
The UTF project, announced during External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar’s visit in February 2021, has been at the centre of a political controversy in the Maldives.
Allegations that the project was meant for Indian military presence in the Indian Ocean nation were part of an "India Out" campaign, which was supported by the country's opposition leader, Abdulla Yameen.
Last April, Maldivian President Ibrahim Solih banned anti-India protests as a threat to national security.
Anti-India campaigners allege that Indian troops were stationed in a fast patrol vessel India recently gifted to Maldives Coast Guard.
Recent gifts of India to Maldives
India gifted a Dornier aircraft to Maldives in 2020 and a patrol ship in 2019.
In 2022, India had also given Coastal Radar System to Male.
Last year, Modi had announced that India would provide 24 vehicles and a naval boat and build police facilities on the country's 61 islands.
10. India to build Harbour for Maldivian Coast Guard
Tags: International Relations International News
India and Maldives launched construction of ‘Ekatha Harbour' for the Coast Guard of the Maldives National Defence Force (MNDF).
An overview of the news
The foundation stone for the Coast Guard ‘Ekatha Harbour’ was laid by Defence Minister Rajnath Singh and his Maldivian counterpart, Mariya Didi, at Sifavaru in Uthuru Thila Falhu (UTF) atoll, where India is assisting in construction of a naval dockyard.
This is the biggest grant-in-aid project of India in Maldives.
UTF project
The UTF project, announced during External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar’s visit in February 2021, has been at the centre of a political controversy in the Maldives.
Allegations that the project was meant for Indian military presence in the Indian Ocean nation were part of an "India Out" campaign, which was supported by the country's opposition leader, Abdulla Yameen.
Last April, Maldivian President Ibrahim Solih banned anti-India protests as a threat to national security.
Anti-India campaigners allege that Indian troops were stationed in a fast patrol vessel India recently gifted to Maldives Coast Guard.
Recent gifts of India to Maldives
India gifted a Dornier aircraft to Maldives in 2020 and a patrol ship in 2019.
In 2022, India had also given Coastal Radar System to Male.
Last year, Modi had announced that India would provide 24 vehicles and a naval boat and build police facilities on the country's 61 islands.
