1. ISRO to launch OneWeb India-2 mission from Satish Dhawan Space Centre in Sriharikota
Tags: Science and Technology National News
The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) will launch OneWeb India-2 mission from Satish Dhawan Space Centre in Sriharikota on March 26.
An overview of the news
Under a commercial agreement with NewSpace India Ltd, will launch 72 satellites of UK-based Network Access Associates Ltd and place them in low Earth orbit.
NewSpace is the commercial wing of ISRO.
The first set of 36 satellites was launched on 23 October 2022 by an LVM3 M2 launch vehicle.
In the second mission on March 26, the remaining 36 satellites, each weighing approximately 5805 kg, will be placed in a 450 km circular low earth orbit by the LVM3 M3 launch vehicle.
LVM3 had five consecutive successful missions including the Chandrayaan 2 mission.
Satellites provide space-based broadband internet services to all corners of the globe.
After launch, Access Associates Ltd will have more than 600 satellites in space offering internet from space services to various countries.
Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO)
It was established on 15 August 1969.
It is the national space agencyof India. It launches its space rocket from Satish Dhawan Space Center in Sriharikota, Andhra Pradesh.
Headquarter: Bengaluru
Chairman: S Somnath
2. India and Sri Lanka inaugurated an exhibition titled Geoffrey Bawa in New Delhi
Tags: National News
On 20 March, External Affairs Minister of India,S Jaishankar inaugurated an exhibition titled "Geoffrey Bawa: It's Essential to Be There" at the National Gallery of Modern Art in New Delhi.
An Overview of the News
The exhibition is a joint collaboration between National Gallery of Modern Art in New Delhi, High Commission of Sri Lanka in New Delhi and Geoffrey Bawa Trust.
The exhibition showcases the architectural works of the renowned Sri Lankan architect Late Geoffrey Bawa.
The exhibition is being organised to commemorate the 75th anniversary of diplomatic relations between India and Sri Lanka.
This is the first retrospective international exhibition of Geoffrey Bawa's architectural works since 2004, following exhibitions in Sri Lanka, the United Kingdom, North America, Australia, Brazil, Singapore and Germany.
The exhibition includes over 120 documents from Geoffrey Bawa's archives, including his photographs from various travels and surrealist works.
The Sri Lanka-India Cultural Exchange Program has sponsored the exhibition, which will be open for visitors till May 7, 2023.
3. MoU signed for implementation of Green Hydrogen Projects in Army Establishments
Tags: National Defence National News
NTPC Renewable Energy Ltd has signed an MoU with the Indian Army for setting up Green Hydrogen Projects in its establishments on Build, Own and Operate (BOO) model.
An overview of the news
It aims toreduce complex logistics, dependence on fossil fuels and accelerate decarbonisation.
The MoU was signed by Mohit Bhargava, CEO (NTPC REL) and Lt Gen Rajinder Dewan.
Within the scope of the MoU, potential sites will be identified for setting up green hydrogen projects for supply of electricity in a phased manner.
NTPC REL will also design, develop and install renewable energy projects (solar, wind etc.) for the Indian Army.
The MoU signals an advanced approach to modernization by the Indian Army.
This is the first of its kind agreement and heralds a new era of border security backed by energy security for the country's defense line.
NTPC Renewable Energy Ltd
It is a wholly owned subsidiary of NTPC Limited.
It currently has a portfolio of 3.6 GW RE capacity under construction.
NTPC Group has an ambitious plan of 60 GW RE capacity by 2032 and currently has an installed RE capacity of 3.2 GW.
About NTPC
The NTPC which was earlier known as National Thermal Power Corporation of India is owned by the Government of India. It was set up in 1975.
The Vindhyachal Thermal Power Station in the Singrauli district of Madhya Pradesh, with an installed capacity of 4,760MW, is currently the biggest thermal power plant in India.
It is a coal-based power plant owned and operated by NTPC.
Headquarters: New Delhi
Chairman and Managing Director: Gurdeep Singh
4. India invited to attend G7 Hiroshima summit in Japan
Tags: International Relations International News
After a meeting between Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida, Japan was invited to attend the G7 Hiroshima summit.
An Overview of the News
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida signed two agreements during their bilateral talks: the renewal of the Memorandum of Cooperation in Japanese and the exchange of notes on the JICA loan for 300 billion yen for the Mumbai-Ahmedabad high-speed railway project.
The objective of the meeting is to strengthen India-Japan relations and provide a voice for the Global South.
Foreign Secretary Vinay Mohan Kwatra
About the G7
The G7 is a group of seven major industrialised 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.
5. IMF approves Sri Lanka’s much-awaited bailout package
Tags: International News
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Sri Lanka's request for a $2.9 billion bailout has been approved by the International Monetary Fund (IMF) on March 20.
An overview of the news
The package of special drawing rights of about $3 billion will be available over 4 years.
The Executive Board's decision will enable immediate disbursement of $333 million.
With the approval of the much awaited bailout, Sri Lanka will restore macroeconomic stability and debt sustainability while carrying forward structural reforms.
Stabilizing Sri Lanka's economy and achieving sustainable debt levels has been a priority since Ranil Wickremesinghe took office last July.
The IMF facility will enable Sri Lanka to access finance from the markets and other lending institutions such as the ADB and the World Bank.
Sri Lanka was hit by an unprecedented financial crisis in 2022 due to a severe shortage of foreign exchange reserves, the worst since its independence from Britain in 1948.
Aim of bailout package
To boost government revenue,
Encourage fiscal consolidation,
Introduce new pricing for fuel and electricity,
Hike social spending,
Bolster central bank autonomy,
Rebuild depleted foreign reserves
To reach a primary surplus of 2.3% of GDP by 2024.
About International Monetary Fund (IMF)
It is an international organization that promotes global economic growth and financial stability, encourages international trade, and reduces poverty.
It was established in 1944 in the aftermath of the Great Depression of the 1930s.
It is an organization of 190 member countries.
It is governed by and accountable to 190 countries.
India became its member in December 1945.
The IMF's resources come mainly from money that countries pay in as their capital subscriptions (quotas) when they become members.
The International Monetary Fund’s executive board comprises 24 members.
Managing Director - Kristalina Georgieva (Bulgaria)
Headquarter (HQ) - Washington, D.C., US
6. Bangladesh commissions its first submarine base
Tags: Defence International News
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina inaugurated the first submarine base of Bangladesh ‘BNS Sheikh Hasina’ at Pekua in Cox’s Bazar on 20 March.
An overview of the news
This new submarine base will help the Navy to enhance its operational capability to secure the vast maritime resources.
Ships passing through the Bay of Bengal can also take help from this base.
The government of Bangladesh is working on 'Forces Goal 2030' to transform its military force into a modern organization appropriate for the times.
The government established the Bangladesh Navy as a full-fledged three-dimensional force with the induction of two submarines ("BNS Navagatra" and "BNS Joyjatra") into the naval fleet on 12 March 2017.
Bangladesh is building ships at local shipyards for its own use as well as for others.
Bangladesh Navy has completed construction of five patrol vessels at Khulna Shipyard.
In the last 14 years, a total of 31 warships including 4 frigates, 6 corvettes, 4 large patrol craft, 5 patrol craft and 2 training ships joined the Bangladesh fleet.
The Government of Bangladesh signed an agreement with China in September 2019 for the construction of the submarine base.
People’s Republic of Bangladesh
Capital: Dhaka
Prime Minister: Sheikh Hasina Wazed
President: Abdul Hamid
Currency: Taka
7. 2nd G20 Sustainable Finance Working Group meeting begins in Udaipur
Tags: Summits National News
The 2nd Sustainable Finance Working Group (SFWG) meeting under India's G20 chairmanship began in Udaipur, Rajasthan and will last for three days.
An Overview of the News
The focus of the meeting is to identify relevant policies and best practices for mobilising sustainable finance to help ensure global growth and stability.
Two workshops were organised during the meeting, namely Non-pricing policy levers to support sustainable investment and efficient finance for the Sustainable Development Goals.
More than 90 delegates from G20 member states, guest countries and various international organisations participated in the event.
The first meeting of the Sustainable Finance Working Group (SFWG) was held in Guwahati on February 2 and 3 this year, and the third and fourth meetings will be held in Mahabalipuram and Varanasi, respectively.
About the Sustainable Finance Working Group (SFWG)
Sustainable Finance Working Groups are collaborative initiatives that bring together stakeholders to advance sustainable finance practices.
They aim to promote best practices, share knowledge and resources, and develop standards and guidelines for sustainable finance.
Members may include financial institutions, companies, regulators, civil society organisations and academia.
Examples of sustainable finance working groups include the United Nations Principles for Responsible Investment (PRI), the Sustainable Accounting Standards Board (SASB) and the Network for Greening the Financial System (NGFS).
About the G20
The G20 (Group of Twenty) is an international forum consisting of 19 countries and the European Union, representing the world's major economies.
Its members include Argentina, Australia, Brazil, Canada, China, France, Germany, India, Indonesia, Italy, Japan, Mexico, Russia, Saudi Arabia, South Africa, South Korea, Turkey, the United Kingdom, and the United States.
It is an international forum of the world's leading economies, established in 1999, and 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.
8. Women and Child Development Ministry to celebrate the 5th Poshan Pakhwada
Tags: National National News
The 5th Poshan Pakhwada will be celebrated by the Ministry of Women and Child Development from March 20 to April 3, 2023, with several events across the country.
An overview of the news
The 5th Poshan Pakhwada is being celebrated by the Ministry of Women and Child Development to promote good eating habits and focus on the value of nutrition through mass movement and public participation.
Thetheme of Poshan Pakhwada 2023 is -Nutrition for All: Together Towards a Healthy India.
During Poshan Pakhwada, campaigns will be launched to raise awareness and popularize efficient Anganwadis with advanced infrastructure and facilities.
This year, Poshan Pakhwada will concentrate on promoting "Shree Anna: the mother of all grains", as a useful tool to combat malnutrition, in light of the declaration of 2023 as the International Year of Millets.
About Poshan Pakhwada
Poshan Pakhwada is celebrated for 15 days in March.
Similarly, the month of September is known as National Nutrition Month across the country.
The Ministry of Women and Child Development will be the nodal ministry for organizing programs during Poshan Pakhwada.
9. SC asks to file counter-affidavit to plea to protect Western Ghats
Tags: National National News
The Supreme Court on March 18 directed the Environment Ministry to file its counter affidavit on the petition filed by minor M Kavya, a resident of Nilgiris.
An overview of the news
The petition sought judicial intervention to save the Western Ghats from destruction.
The petition is pending for the last two years after the apex court issued notice in 2020.
About Western Ghats
The Western Ghats are also known as the Sahyadri Hills.
It is a mountain range that covers an area of 160,000 km2.
The entire range of hills from Tapi to Kanyakumari is known as the Western Ghats.
The Western Ghats is one of the four global biodiversity hotspots in India.
The Western Ghats are made up of a range of mountains in the states of Kerala, Maharashtra, Goa, Gujarat, Tamil Nadu and Karnataka.
It is recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Anamudi peak in Kerala is the highest peak in the Western Ghats.
According to UNESCO, the Western Ghats are older than the Himalayas.
10. Global Conference on Digital Health organised by Government of India in New Delhi
Tags: National National News
The Government of India hosted a two-day Global Conference on Digital Health in New Delhi and it was chaired by the Minister of Health and Family Welfare, Dr. Mansukh Mandaviya.
An Overview of the News
The objective of the conference is to reach universal health coverage to the last citizen by taking advantage of India's chairmanship of G20 and collaboration with WHO South-East Asia Regional Office.
The conference will bring together global leaders, health policy makers, digital health innovators and influencers, academics and other stakeholders to address issues to accelerate the implementation of connected digital health initiatives.
The conference focuses on unlocking the potential to deliver and share digital health solutions in an ethical, safe, secure, reliable, equitable and sustainable manner.
The conference is expected to make a significant contribution to achieving the Sustainable Development Goals related to health and well-being, especially SDG 3, which aims to ensure healthy lives and promote well-being for people at all ages.
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.
