1. Asia Pacific Malaria Leaders Conclave 2023
Tags: Summits National News
The Ministry of Health and Family Welfare organisd the Asia Pacific Leaders’ Conclave on Malaria Elimination in New Delhi on 24 April in partnership with the Asia Pacific Leaders Malaria Alliance (APLMA).
An overview of the news
The conclave was organized under the guidance of Dr. Mansukh Mandaviya, Union Minister for Health & Family Welfare and Chemicals & Fertilizers.
The purpose of the conclave is to reaffirm political commitment to inspire action to eliminate malaria by 2030.
The conclave will provide a forum for leaders from the Asia Pacific region to discuss ongoing efforts towards malaria elimination and revive national and regional momentum towards the goal of a malaria-free Asia Pacific by 2030.
The conclave was presided over by Dr VK Paul, Member (Health), NITI Aayog.
Remarkable progress towards malaria eradication in India
India has made remarkable progress towards malaria elimination in recent years and has been appreciated globally.
Of the 11 countries that are part of the World Health Organisation's 'High Burden to High Impact' initiative, only India has reported a decline in malaria cases.
Malaria cases and deaths have declined by 85.1% and 83.6%, respectively, from 2015 to 2022.
Ayushman Bharat - Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana, Ayushman Bharat-Health and Wellness Centres and Ayushman Bharat Digital Mission are contributing immensely towards strengthening India's fight against malaria.
About Asia Pacific Leaders Malaria Alliance (APLMA)
In November 2014, the Asia-Pacific Heads of Government ("Leaders") adopted the goal of making the region malaria-free by 2030.
The Asia Pacific Leaders Malaria Alliance (APLMA) is a coalition of leaders dedicated to achieving that goal.
It seeks to address last-mile challenges to accelerate malaria control and elimination.
APLMA is working to ensure that the people of the entire region are free from this scourge.
2. Air Force Commanders' Conference
The Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) General Anil Chauhan on 20th April attended the Indian Air Force Commanders’ Conference at Air Headquarters (Vayu Bhavan) in New Delhi.
An overview of the news
The theme of this year's three-day conference, which began on April 19, is 'Beyond Boundaries: Robust Foundations'.
Held every year, this conference discusses the progress made in the past year and for the future.
The CDS highlighted the need to create a clear path towards fleet maintenance while taking steps towards increasing indigenization.
He also discussed the modalities for increasing the integration between the three services and the benefits that would accrue from it.
Chief of Defence Staff - General Anil Chauhan
Chief of Indian Air Force -V. R. Chaudhari
Chief of Indian Army - General Manoj Pande
Chief of Indian Navy - Admiral R Hari Kumar
3. EU-India Aviation Summit begins in New Delhi
Tags: Summits National News
The two day European Union (EU)-India Aviation Summit began in New Delhi on 20th April.
An overview of the news
During the summit, a declaration of intent was signed by the Airport Authority of India with Eurocontrol.
A letter of intent memorandum of understanding was also signed by DGCA with the European Union Aviation Safety for closer cooperation.
The Union Minister of Civil Aviation and Steel Jyotiraditya Scindia addressed the summit virtually.
The summit focused on the EU-India air transport relationship and the mutually shared challenges and opportunities of the two regions.
The theme of the summit was COVID recovery of air traffic, increasing sustainability, maintaining safety and development of unmanned aircraft systems.
Eurocontrol
Eurocontrol is a pan-European, civil-military organisation dedicated to supporting European aviation.
About Airports Authority of India
Airports Authority of India is an organisation/authority functioning under the Ministry of Civil Aviation, Government of India.
The Airports Authority of India (AAI) manages a total of 125 airports which include 11 international airports, 8 customs airports, 81 domestic airports and 25 civil enclaves in defence airfields.
Established- 1st April, 1995
President- Sanjeev Kumar
Headquarters - New Delhi
About European Union
The European Union is a group of 27 European countries.
The United Kingdom which was the founding member of the European Union has left the organisation.
It was founded on 1 November 1993
Headquarters: Brussels, Belgium
4. Culture Working Group organises Global Thematic Webinar
Tags: Summits National News
The Culture Working Group (CWG) under India’s G20 Presidency organised a Global Thematic Webinar on the “Promotion of Cultural and Creative Industries and Creative Economy” on 19th April.
An overview of the news
This was the third in a series of four webinars focused on the priority areas expressed by the CWG.
The objective of the webinar was to foster an inclusive dialogue and facilitate in-depth discussions from an expert-driven perspective.
Govind Mohan, Secretary, Ministry of Culture and Chairman, CWG, emphasized on fostering a vibrant and inclusive cultural ecosystem, which values and supports creativity, which can have a positive impact on individuals, communities and society.
The webinar featured fruitful discussion and sharing of best practices on promoting the cultural and creative industries and the creative economy.
The webinar also brought together 43 experts from 28 countries, including G20 members and guest nations, as well as 13 international organizations and related institutions.
The first G20 Culture Group (CWG) meeting was held from 22 to 25 February 2023 in Khajuraho, Madhya Pradesh.
Four priority areas of India’s CWG
Protection and restitution of cultural property
Harnessing living heritage for a sustainable future
Promotion of cultural and creative industries
Creative economy; and leveraging digital technologies for Protection and promotion of culture
5. Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated the first Global Buddhist Summit
Tags: Summits National News
On 20 April, Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated the first Global Buddhist Summit in New Delhi. Summit was hosted by the Ministry of Culture in association with the International Buddhist Confederation.
An Overview of the news
The summit is a two-day event that brought together eminent scholars, union leaders and religious practitioners from around the world.
Theme: "Responses to Contemporary Challenges: Philosophy to Praxis".
The summit was attended by delegates from around 30 countries, including 171 delegates from foreign countries and 150 delegates from Indian Buddhist organisations.
The primary focus of the summit is to examine the teachings of Shakyamuni Buddha, which have been continuously enriched by the practice of Buddhism over the centuries.
Prominent Buddhist monks from various countries came to India for the first time and participated in the summit.
The summit will explore how Buddhist philosophy and thought can help address contemporary challenges.
The summit highlights the significance and importance of India in Buddhism, as Buddhism originated in India.
The summit is also an opportunity to enhance cultural and diplomatic ties with other countries.
Buddhism in India
It is one of the important religions of South and South-Eastern Asian countries.
Buddhism started in India about 2600 years ago.
Gautam Buddha, the founder of Buddhism, was born in Lumbini around 563 BC. He belonged to the Shakya dynasty.
Buddha is considered to be the eighth incarnation of the ten incarnations of Lord Vishnu.
The core teachings of Buddhism are contained in the Four Noble Truths and the core concept of the Eightfold Path.
The essence of Buddhism lies in the attainment of enlightenment or nirvana, which can be achieved in this life.
The branches of Buddhism are Mahayana (idolatry), Hinayana, Theravada, Vajrayana (Tantric Buddhism), and Zen.
6. Amit Shah chairs meeting of heads of departments of SCO member-states
Tags: Summits National News
Home Minister Amit Shah chaired the meeting of Heads of Departments of Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) member-states in New Delhi on 20 April.
An Overview of the news
The meeting focused on the prevention and elimination of emergency situations.
Representatives of SCO member states shared information about large-scale emergency situations occurring in their regions and measures taken to deal with them.
Ideas were shared on innovative practices, technologies and future prospects for cooperation in the field of prevention and elimination of emergency situations.
Based on these consultations, Member-States will within the framework of the SCO enhance cooperation in the field of preparedness, emergency response and jointly mitigate the impact arising from natural and man-made disasters.
India has been actively participating in the SCO and providing substantial support to various mechanisms in the Forum.
India is focusing on initiating proposals of mutual benefit to SCO member states, observers and dialogue partners.
About Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO)
It is an intergovernmental organisation established in 2001 in Shanghai, China.
The organisation consists of eight member states, including China, Russia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Uzbekistan, India, and Pakistan.
The purpose of the SCO is to promote regional cooperation in the fields of politics, security, economy, culture and education.
The organisation serves as a forum for member states to engage in regular dialogue and consultation on issues of mutual interest.
The SCO has been instrumental in promoting regional security and stability by countering terrorism, extremism and separatism.
The organisation has observer states and dialogue partners, including countries such as Afghanistan, Iran, Belarus and Mongolia.
7. Narendra Modi to inaugurate first Global Buddhist Summit on 20th April
Tags: Summits National News
Prime Minister Narendra Modi will inaugurate the first Global Buddhist Summit in New Delhi on 20th April.
An overview of the news
The two-day summit will be hosted by the Ministry of Culture in association with its grantee body International Buddhist Confederation.
Eminent scholars, Sangha leaders and Dharma practitioners from all over the world will attend the Conference.
The theme of the Global Buddhist Summit is ‘Responses to Contemporary Challenges: Philosophy to Praxis’.
For the first time prominent Buddhist monks from different countries will come to India and participate in the summit.
There will be discussions on how to deal with contemporary challenges with the help of Buddhist philosophy and thought.
This global summit will mark the importance of India in Buddhism, as Buddhism originated in India.
This global summit will also be a medium to enhance cultural and diplomatic relations with other countries.
Delegates from around 30 countries will participate in the event and around 171 delegates from foreign countries and 150 delegates from Indian Buddhist organizations will participate.
The main approach of the summit is to reflect on the teachings of Shakyamuni Buddha, which have been continuously enriched by the practice of Buddhism over the centuries.
Four Themes of Discussions
Buddha Dhamma and Peace
Buddha Dhamma: Environmental Crisis, Health and Sustainability
Preservation of Nalanda Buddhist Tradition
Buddha Dhamma Pilgrimage, Living heritage and Buddha Relics: a resilient foundation to India’s centuries-old cultural links to countries in South, Southeast and East Asia.
Buddhism in India
It is one of the important religions of South and South-Eastern Asian countries.
Buddhism started in India about 2600 years ago.
Gautam Buddha, the founder of Buddhism, was born in Lumbini around 563 BC. He belonged to the Shakya dynasty.
Buddha is considered to be the eighth incarnation of the ten incarnations of Lord Vishnu.
The core teachings of Buddhism are contained in the Four Noble Truths and the core concept of the Eightfold Path.
The essence of Buddhism lies in the attainment of enlightenment or nirvana, which can be achieved in this life.
The branches of Buddhism are Mahayana (idolatry), Hinayana, Theravada, Vajrayana (Tantric Buddhism), Zen.
UNESCO heritage site related to Buddhism
Archaeological site of Nalanda Mahavihara at Nalanda, Bihar
Buddhist Monuments at Sanchi, Madhya Pradesh
Mahabodhi Vihara Complex in Bodh Gaya, Bihar
Ajanta Caves, Aurangabad (Maharashtra)
8. Sixth meeting of the Steering Committee on the Indus Waters Treaty of 1960
Tags: Summits National News
The sixth meeting of the Steering Committee on matters relating to the Indus Waters Treaty of 1960 was held in New Delhi on 17 April.
An Overview of the News
The purpose of the meeting was to take stock of the ongoing amendment process of the Indus Water Treaty.
The meeting was presided over by Secretary, Department of Water Resources, Ministry of Jal Shakti, Pankaj Kumar.
About Indus Water Treaty (IWT)
The Indus Water Treaty (IWT) is a water-distribution treaty between India and Pakistan, arranged and negotiated by the World Bank, to utilise the water available in the Indus River and its tributaries.
The treaty was signed in Karachi on 19 September 1960by the then Indian Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru and the then Pakistani President Ayub Khan.
The treaty gives control over the waters of three "eastern rivers' ' – the Beas, the Ravi and the Sutlej with an average annual flow of 41 billion m3 (33 million acre feet)– while controlling the waters of all three. The "Western Rivers" – the Indus, the Chenab and the Jhelum, with an average annual flow of 99 billion cubic metres – flow to Pakistan.
India has about 20% of the total water carried by the Indus system while Pakistan has 80%.
The treaty allows India to use the waters of the western river for limited irrigation use and unlimited non-consumptive use for applications such as power generation, navigation, floating of assets, fisheries, etc.
9. Union Minister of Steel Jyotiraditya Scindia to inaugurate India Steel 2023 in Mumbai
Tags: Summits Economics/Business National News
Union Minister of Steel Jyotiraditya Scindia will inaugurate India Steel 2023 on 19th April at the Mumbai Exhibition Centre in Goregaon, Mumbai.
An overview of the news
The Union Ministry of Steel, in association with the Department of Commerce, Union Ministry of Commerce and Industry, and FICCI is organising India Steel 2023.
The conference and International Exhibition on the steel industry will be held from April 19-21.
The main objective of the event is to bring together industry leaders, policy makers and experts to discuss the latest developments, challenges and opportunities in the steel industry.
The India Steel 2023 exhibition will showcase advanced technologies, products and solutions from the Indian steel industry.
This biennial event will provide a unique platform for attendees to engage with industry leaders, gain insight into future growth prospects and explore collaboration opportunities in the Indian steel industry.
Topics of sessions
Augmentation of Enabling Logistics Infrastructure.
Demand Dynamics for Indian Steel Industry.
Sustainability Goals via Green Steel: Challenges and Way Forward.
Conducive Policy Framework & Key Enablers for Indian Steel.
Technology Solutions for Enhancing Productivity & Efficiency.
Federation of Indian Chamber of Commerce and Industry (FICCI)
It is a business lobby group of top business houses in India which was founded by Ghanshyam Das Birla.
It was set up in 1927
It articulates the views and concerns of industry and tries to influence the government to make policy which is in favour of the industry and business.
Headquarters: New Delhi
President: Subhrakant Panda
10. G20 Second Digital Economy Working Group meeting begins in Hyderabad
Tags: Summits National News
The G20 Second Digital Economy Working Group meeting began on April 17 in Hyderabad, India, with 140 representatives from member and invited countries and international organisations.
An Overview of the News
The three-day meet focused on digital public infrastructure, cyber security and skills.
Highlighted the government's objective of bridging the digital divide and providing broadband facilities to all villages in the country by 2025.
The meeting stressed the importance of multi-stakeholder participation in creating an inclusive and robust digital economy and the use of digital technologies and the empowerment of vulnerable sections in the digital economy.
Indian Minister of State for Communications and Information Technology - Dev Singh Chauhan
Minister of State for Social Justice and Empowerment - A Narayanaswamy
About Telangana
It is a state located in south-central India on the high Deccan Plateau.
It is the eleventh largest state of India by area.
Telangana was carved out of the northwestern part of Andhra Pradesh on 2 June 2014 and became the newly formed state of Telangana with Hyderabad as the capital.
Telangana is bordered by Maharashtra to the north, Chhattisgarh to the northeast, Karnataka to the west, and Andhra Pradesh to the east and south.
Formed (by split) - 2 June 2014
Capital - Hyderabad
District - 33
Governor - Tamilisai Soundararajan
Chief Minister - K Chandrasekhar Rao (BRS)
State Legislature - Bicameral
Rajya Sabha - 7 seats
Lok Sabha - 17 seats
High Court - Telangana High Court
