1. NCGG Successfully Concludes 4th Capacity Building Program for Sri Lankan Civil Servants in New Delhi
Tags: International News
NCGG successfully concluded the 4th Capacity Building Program for Sri Lankan civil servants on August 3, 2024, in New Delhi.
An Overview of the News
40 senior civil servants from Sri Lanka attended the program.
Participants included Assistant Divisional Secretaries, Assistant Secretaries, Deputy Secretaries, Directors, Senior Assistant Secretaries, Assistant Directors, and Deputy Directors.
Key ministries represented: Commission of Local Government, Public Administration, Home Affairs, Provincial Councils and Local Government, Ministry of Provincial Council and Local Government, and Ministry of Justice, Prisons Affairs, and Constitutional Reforms.
Group Presentations and Topics
Geogoviya Programme: Focus on using geographical information systems to enhance agricultural productivity.
Agriculture Modernization Project: Aim to transform Sri Lanka's agriculture through innovative practices.
Aswasuma Programme: Welfare benefit initiative providing comprehensive social security support in Sri Lanka.
PPP Success in India: Demonstrated how India's Public-Private Partnership (PPP) model can aid in improving Sri Lanka's infrastructure.
Program Overview and Institutional Visits
Dr. A.P. Singh, Associate Professor and Course Coordinator, provided an overview of the program, emphasizing the sharing of India's successful governance models through interactive sessions.
Participants visited various institutions and sites: Indira Gandhi National Forest Academy, Forest Research Institute, District Administration in Panchkula, Cyber Crime Centre in Chandigarh, National Institute of Solar Energy, International Solar Alliance, Pradhanmantri Sangrahalaya, and the Taj Mahal.
Program supervised by Dr. A.P. Singh and Dr. M.K. Bhandari, with assistance from Shri Sanjay Dutt Pant and team.
Prisca Poly Mathew, Consultant and Chief Administrative Officer, NCGG, was present during the occasion.
NCGG has successfully trained 135 senior and mid-level civil servant officers from Sri Lanka through its capacity-building programs.
V. Srinivas, Director General of NCGG and Secretary of the Department of Administrative Reforms and Public Grievances (DARPG)
2. Dr. Jaishankar Strengthens Ties in Lao PDR and Brunei During 3-Day Visit
Tags: International News
Dr. Subrahmanyam Jaishankar, Union Minister for External Affairs, Government of India, undertook a 3-day official visit to Vientiane, Lao People's Democratic Republic from 25th to 27th July 2024.
An Overview of the News
25th July 2024: Dr. Jaishankar attended the 57th ASEAN-Foreign Ministers Meeting (AMM), chaired by Lao PDR, with the theme "ASEAN: Enhancing Connectivity and Resilience."
26th July 2024: Dr. Jaishankar and Dato Haji, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Brunei, jointly launched a logo commemorating 40 years of diplomatic relations between India and Brunei.
27th July 2024: Dr. Jaishankar held a bilateral meeting with Saleumxay Kommasith, Foreign Minister of Lao PDR, and jointly released a special commemorative postage stamp set featuring Lord Ram Lalla of Ayodhya (Uttar Pradesh).
About Lao PDR:
Prime Minister: Sonexay Siphandone
Capital: Vientiane
Currency: Lao kip
3. Union Minister Gajendra Singh Shekhawat Unveils Humayun’s Tomb World Heritage Site Museum
Tags: National News
Union Minister of Culture and Tourism, Shri Gajendra Singh Shekhawat, inaugurated the Humayun’s Tomb World Heritage Site Museum in New Delhi on July 29, 2024.
An Overview of the News
The inauguration was attended by Prince Rahim Aga Khan, dignitaries from the Ministry of Culture, the Archaeological Survey of India, and other notable guests.
Museum Details:
Size: 100,000 square feet
Design: Underground, inspired by ancient 'Baolis' (stepped wells)
Purpose: To enhance understanding of the World Heritage Site and provide cultural context.
Collaborators:
Archaeological Survey of India (ASI)
Aga Khan Trust for Culture (AKTC)
Exhibits:
Over 500 artefacts including Mughal miniatures, manuscripts, coins, astrolabes, and architectural elements from Humayun’s Mausoleum.
Architectural models and historical artefacts illustrating 700 years of history.
Key Galleries:
‘Where the Emperor Rests’: Focuses on Humayun’s Mausoleum and Emperor Humayun’s life.
‘Icons of a Sacred Landscape’: Highlights cultural figures like Hazrat Nizamuddin Auliya, Amir Khusrau, Rahim, and Dara Shukoh.
Visitor Experience:
Stone ramps and a 40-feet wide 3D illustration at the entrance.
Includes a map showing Delhi’s seven cities and stories of dynasties.
Funding:
Total cost: Rs 250 Crore
Initial grant: Rs 49 Crore from the Ministry of Tourism, Government of India.
Additional funding from Aga Khan Trust for Culture, Havells India, US Ambassadors Fund for Cultural Preservation, Tata Trusts, and others.
Management:
Managed by AKTC for 10 years, in collaboration with ASI.
Expected to increase visitor engagement, especially for school children.
4. Bengaluru's Covrzy Secures IRDAI License
Tags: National News
Covrzy, an Insurtech startup based in Bengaluru, Karnataka, has received a direct broking (general) license from the Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority of India (IRDAI).
An Overview of the News
Founded in 2023 by Ankit Kamra, who previously founded Karbon Cards and Veera Thota, and has experience with PayPal, Razorpay, and Amazon.
Raised $400,000 in May 2023 from Antler and Shastra VC (formerly Veda VC).
Covrzy's platform helps manage the entire insurance cycle, including product discovery, purchase, servicing, and claims.
Growth and Milestones:
Covrzy has onboarded over 500 clients, including Redcliffe Labs, Orange Labs, Karbon Card, and Schbang.
The startup aims to onboard and assist over 10,000 customers within the next 12 to 18 months.
Plans to secure over one million businesses in the coming years.
Insurance Offerings:
Partners with renowned insurers like ICICI Lombard, Bajaj Allianz, and IFFCO Tokio.
Provides a range of insurance products including commercial general liability, fire and theft insurance, product liability, cyber insurance, stock insurance, and asset insurance.
Future Plans:
The new license enables Covrzy to expand its customer base and enhance credibility.
Committed to making business insurance simple, personalized, and accessible to SMEs and MSMEs across India.
5. India Assumes Chairmanship of ADPC for 2024-25
Tags: International News
India has assumed the chairmanship of the Asian Disaster Preparedness Centre (ADPC) for the 2024-25 term.
An Overview of the News
Rajendra Singh, Member and Head of the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA), has taken over as ADPC Chair from China.
The transition occurred on July 25, 2024, in Bangkok, Thailand.
ADPC is an autonomous international organization focused on disaster risk reduction and climate resilience in Asia and the Pacific region.
India, along with Bangladesh, Cambodia, China, Nepal, Pakistan, Philippines, Sri Lanka, and Thailand, are founding members of ADPC.
India also chaired the 5th Board of Trustees meeting of ADPC on July 25, 2024, in Bangkok.
About Asian Disaster Preparedness Centre (ADPC)
Founded in 1986, ADPC focuses on disaster risk reduction and climate resilience in Asia and the Pacific.
Headquarters: Bangkok, Thailand.
Country offices: Bangladesh, Lao PDR, Myanmar.
6. India’s First Integrated Agri-Export Facility to be Established at Mumbai's JNPA
Tags: National News
Union Minister Sarbananda Sonowal of the Ministry of Ports, Shipping, and Waterways (MoPSW) has approved the Jawaharlal Nehru Port Authority's (JNPA) project for the 'Development of an Export-Import and Domestic Agricultural Commodity-Based Processing and Storage Facility' at JNPA in Mumbai, Maharashtra, to be executed in a Public Private Partnership (PPP) mode.
An Overview of the News
This Rs. 284.19 crore all-in-one agricultural facility is India's first integrated Agri-Export facility, designed to enhance the country's agricultural export and import capabilities.
JNPA will establish a state-of-the-art agricultural facility covering 67,422 square meters.
The facility aims to address logistics inefficiencies, reduce multiple handlings, and extend the shelf life of agricultural products.
It will streamline logistics, reduce wastages, and provide better prices for agricultural products.
The project will empower farmers and boost India’s agricultural sector.
Export Capabilities and Support
The facility will cater to the export of items like non-basmati rice, maize, spices, onion, and wheat.
It will support exporters of meat and marine products, especially from areas away from Mumbai.
Small exporters will benefit from improved logistics, container booking, cold chain logistics, and export operations.
The facility includes a frozen store (1,800 metric tonnes), a cold store (5,800 metric tonnes), and dry warehouses (12,000 metric tonnes).
Alignment with Government Vision
The project aligns with the government’s vision of empowering farmers and fostering rural development.
It sets a precedent for future infrastructure projects to support and enhance India’s agricultural capabilities.
JNPA is a leading container port among the top 100 global ports as per Lloyds List Top 100 Ports Report.
Development of Vadhavan Port
The Ministry of Ports and Shipping is developing Vadhavan Port on the Maharashtra coast with a total investment of about Rs 76,220 crore.
Vadhavan Port will be an all-weather greenfield deep draft major port in Palghar district.
The project will include core infrastructure, terminals, and commercial infrastructure in a public-private partnership mode.
The port will handle 23 million TEUs or 254 million tons annually and accommodate larger container vessels of up to 20,000 TEUs.
The project aims to rank among the world’s top 10 largest ports and serve as a significant green fuel hub.
7. Rashtrapati Bhavan Renames 'Durbar Hall' and 'Ashoka Hall' as Ganatantra Mandap and Ashoka Mandap
Tags: National News
Rashtrapati Bhavan, the office and residence of the President of India, represents national heritage and is dedicated to showcasing Indian cultural values.
An Overview of the News
Efforts are ongoing to enhance the accessibility and cultural reflection of Rashtrapati Bhavan.
President Droupadi Murmu has approved the renaming of two significant halls in Rashtrapati Bhavan:
Durbar Hall is now renamed as Ganatantra Mandap.
Ashok Hall is now renamed as Ashok Mandap.
Reasons for Renaming:
Ganatantra Mandap:
Durbar Hall was used for ceremonies and national awards.
The term "Durbar" refers to the courts of Indian rulers and British colonial assemblies.
"Ganatantra" means republic, reflecting India's democratic ethos, making it a fitting name.
Ashok Mandap:
Ashok Hall was originally a ballroom.
The term "Ashok" symbolizes freedom from suffering and unity, associated with Emperor Ashok and the National Emblem of India.
The name "Ashok Mandap" aligns with Indian cultural and religious significance and removes traces of anglicisation.
8. Tata and Airbus to Establish India's First Private H125 Helicopter Assembly Line
Tags: National News
On July 23, 2024, Tata Advanced Systems Limited (TASL) and Airbus Helicopters (based in Marignane, France) signed an agreement at the Farnborough International Airshow (FIA) 2024 in Farnborough, England.
An Overview of the News
The agreement establishes a Final Assembly Line (FAL) in India for single-engine H125 choppers.
The announcement for this agreement was made on January 26, 2024, by Airbus CEO Guillaume Faury and Tata Sons Chairman N Chandrasekaran.
Details and Key Points:
This FAL marks the first private sector helicopter assembly facility in India, producing H125 choppers for India and neighboring countries.
Deliveries of the first 'Made in India' H125s are expected to start in 2026.
The FAL will handle the integration of major component assemblies, avionics, mission systems, electrical harnesses, hydraulic circuits, flight controls, dynamic components, fuel system, and the engine.
The facility will also conduct testing and qualification of the helicopters.
H125:
The H125 is the world's best-selling single-engine helicopter and the only helicopter to have landed on Mount Everest.
It is part of Airbus' Ecureuil family and has accumulated over 40 million flight hours worldwide.
It can operate in high-and-hot and extreme environments and can be reconfigured for various missions, including aerial work, firefighting, law enforcement, rescue, air ambulance, and passenger transport.
9. Zimbabwe Joins UN Water Conventions
Tags: International News
Zimbabwe, a Southern African country, has joined the Convention on the Protection and Use of Transboundary Watercourses and International Lakes (UN Water Convention).
An Overview of the News
This accession showcases Zimbabwe's political will for cross-border water cooperation.
Zimbabwe became the 54th Party to the UN Water Convention and the 11th African nation to join the treaty.
Details and Additional Information
The Convention provides a global legal and intergovernmental framework for sustainable transboundary water management, supported by the UN Economic Commission for Europe (UNECE).
Along with Zimbabwe, Namibia (which became the first Party in the Southern African region in 2023), Zambia, Botswana, and Tanzania are in the accession process.
Zimbabwe's accession will be celebrated at the 10th session of the Meeting of the Parties (MOP) to the Water Convention in Ljubljana, Slovenia, from October 23-25, 2024, further promoting global water cooperation.
The UN Water Convention was adopted in Helsinki, Finland, in 1992 and came into force in 1996.
About Zimbabwe:
President - Emmerson Mnangagwa
Capital - Harare
Currency - Zimbabwe Gold (ZiG)
10. South Africa Enacts First Climate Change Act
Tags: International News
South Africa has enacted its first Climate Change Act, marking a significant step in its climate response strategy.
An Overview of the News
The law is aimed at limiting greenhouse gas emissions and requires towns and cities to create adaptation plans to meet carbon reduction commitments under the Paris Agreement.
Key Provisions
National Climate Response: Establishes a comprehensive national approach for both mitigation and adaptation to climate change.
Sector-Specific Emissions Targets: Sets emissions targets for high-emitting sectors such as transportation, agriculture, and industry.
Carbon Budget: Requires the environment minister to define carbon budgets for large companies and set emission caps for specific periods.
Implementation
Local Assessments: Provinces and municipalities must assess climate risks and develop response plans.
Carbon Tax: Companies exceeding their carbon budget will likely face higher carbon taxes.
Objectives
Mitigation and Adaptation: Addresses climate change impacts on water resources, agriculture, health, energy, and other sectors.
Economic and Social Impact: Aims to reduce job losses, promote green economy opportunities, and ensure a just transition for vulnerable communities.
Call to Action
Public Engagement: Encourages citizens, businesses, and civil society to actively engage with the law and advocate for urgent climate action.
Principles of Equity: Emphasizes the need to prioritize the needs of vulnerable communities in climate responses.
