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. Cabinet approves LIGO-India, gravitational-wave detector
Tags: Science and Technology National News
The Union Cabinet approved a project to build an advanced gravitational-wave detector in Maharashtra at an estimated cost of Rs 2,600 crore. The facility’s construction is expected to be completed by 2030.
An overview of the news
This mega-science project includes the construction, commissioning and joint scientific operation of a state-of-the-art, advanced Laser Interferometer Gravitational-Wave Observatory (LIGO) in India in collaboration with the NSF-funded LIGO Laboratory, USA.
About LIGO-India Project
It will be an advanced gravitational-wave observatory located in Maharashtra, India, as part of a worldwide network.
It is envisaged as a collaborative project between a consortium of Indian research institutions and the LIGO Laboratory in the United States of America as well as its international partners.
It will be built by the Department of Atomic Energy and the Department of Science and Technology with a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the National Science Foundation, US, along with several national and international research and educational institutions.
It was given "in-principle" approval by the Union Cabinet in February 2016 with the objective of providing wider opportunities to Indian youth to pursue research careers in cutting-edge areas of science and technology.
Significance of LIGO-India
It will significantly enhance global capabilities in the field of gravitational-wave astronomy and astrophysics.
It will provide opportunities for Indian youth to pursue research careers in cutting-edge areas of science and technology.
It will lead to the development of cutting-edge technologies such as lasers, optics, vacuum, quantum metrology and control-system technologies.
3. India, Guyana sign Air Services Agreement
Tags: International Relations International News
India and Guyana signed an Air Services Agreement (ASA) on 22nd April to facilitate easier travel between the two nations.
An overview of the news
The agreement was signed between Public Works Minister Bishop Juan Edghill and India's High Commissioner to Guyana KJ Srinivas in the presence of External Affairs MinisterS Jaishankar, who is on a 3-day visit to Guyana.
The agreement's signing is consistent with the government's objective to establish ties between Guyana and the rest of the world.
It will also complement the more than 50 air service agreements Guyana has negotiated with other ICAO governments for the advancement of interstate air travel.
The agreement encourages the development of international air services between the two countries and the global airline market.
What is an Air Services Agreement?
Air Services Agreement (ASA) provides the legal framework for air operations between two countries.
It is based on the sovereignty of the nations, the nationality of the carriers and the commercial opportunity for each side's designated airlines.
Prior to this there was no Air Services Agreement between the Government of India and the Government of Guyana.
About Guyana
Prime Minister: Mark Phillips
President: Mohamed Irfaan Ali
Capital:Georgetown
Currency : Guyanese dollar (G$)
4. India, Guyana sign Air Services Agreement
Tags: International Relations International News
India and Guyana signed an Air Services Agreement (ASA) on 22nd April to facilitate easier travel between the two nations.
An overview of the news
The agreement was signed between Public Works Minister Bishop Juan Edghill and India's High Commissioner to Guyana KJ Srinivas in the presence of External Affairs MinisterS Jaishankar, who is on a 3-day visit to Guyana.
The agreement's signing is consistent with the government's objective to establish ties between Guyana and the rest of the world.
It will also complement the more than 50 air service agreements Guyana has negotiated with other ICAO governments for the advancement of interstate air travel.
The agreement encourages the development of international air services between the two countries and the global airline market.
What is an Air Services Agreement?
Air Services Agreement (ASA) provides the legal framework for air operations between two countries.
It is based on the sovereignty of the nations, the nationality of the carriers and the commercial opportunity for each side's designated airlines.
Prior to this there was no Air Services Agreement between the Government of India and the Government of Guyana.
About Guyana
Prime Minister: Mark Phillips
President: Mohamed Irfaan Ali
Capital:Georgetown
Currency : Guyanese dollar (G$)
5. NHAI to develop 10,000 kms of ‘Digital Highways’ in India by 2025
Tags: National National News
The National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) is preparing to develop around 10,000 km of optic fiber cable (OFC) infrastructure across India by the financial year 2025.
An overview of the news
This move is aimed at providing internet connectivity to remote locations and expediting the roll-out of new-age telecom technologies like 5G & 6G.
The NHAI’s fully-owned special purpose vehicle, the National Highways Logistics Management Limited (NHLML), will be implementing the network of digital highways by developing integrated utility corridors along the national highways to develop OFC infrastructure.
The pilot routes for the ‘digital highway’ development have been identified as 1,367 kilometres on the Delhi-Mumbai Expressway and 512 km on the Hyderabad-Bangalore corridor.
3-meter utility corridor on Delhi-Mumbai Expressway
Recently, the 246-km Delhi-Dausa-Lalsot section of the Delhi-Mumbai Expressway was inaugurated, with a dedicated utility corridor of three meters used for laying optical fiber cables.
It will serve as the backbone for the roll-out of 5G networks in the region.
OFC laying along National Highways has started and is targeted to be completed in about a year.
Importance of 'Digital Highway'
The creation of a 'Digital Highway' will not only have a positive impact on the country's growth and development, but will also contribute to its digital transformation.
The OFC network will facilitate internet connectivity in remote areas across India and help the country move towards modern age telecom technologies like 5G and 6G.
About National Highways Authority of India (NHAI)
It is an independent organisation established in 1995 by the Government of India.
NHAI manages and maintains a vast network of more than 50,000 km of National Highways across India, which represents about 40% of the total length of National Highways in the country.
NHAI is responsible for maintaining and upgrading the quality of National Highways in India and ensuring their smooth operation for the benefit of road users.
As a nodal agency of the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways, NHAI plays a vital role in formulating policies related to highways and implementing them effectively.
Establishment - 1988
Headquarters - New Delhi
Chairman - Santosh Kumar Yadav
6. NHAI to develop 10,000 kms of ‘Digital Highways’ in India by 2025
Tags: National National News
The National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) is preparing to develop around 10,000 km of optic fiber cable (OFC) infrastructure across India by the financial year 2025.
An overview of the news
This move is aimed at providing internet connectivity to remote locations and expediting the roll-out of new-age telecom technologies like 5G & 6G.
The NHAI’s fully-owned special purpose vehicle, the National Highways Logistics Management Limited (NHLML), will be implementing the network of digital highways by developing integrated utility corridors along the national highways to develop OFC infrastructure.
The pilot routes for the ‘digital highway’ development have been identified as 1,367 kilometres on the Delhi-Mumbai Expressway and 512 km on the Hyderabad-Bangalore corridor.
3-meter utility corridor on Delhi-Mumbai Expressway
Recently, the 246-km Delhi-Dausa-Lalsot section of the Delhi-Mumbai Expressway was inaugurated, with a dedicated utility corridor of three meters used for laying optical fiber cables.
It will serve as the backbone for the roll-out of 5G networks in the region.
OFC laying along National Highways has started and is targeted to be completed in about a year.
Importance of 'Digital Highway'
The creation of a 'Digital Highway' will not only have a positive impact on the country's growth and development, but will also contribute to its digital transformation.
The OFC network will facilitate internet connectivity in remote areas across India and help the country move towards modern age telecom technologies like 5G and 6G.
About National Highways Authority of India (NHAI)
It is an independent organisation established in 1995 by the Government of India.
NHAI manages and maintains a vast network of more than 50,000 km of National Highways across India, which represents about 40% of the total length of National Highways in the country.
NHAI is responsible for maintaining and upgrading the quality of National Highways in India and ensuring their smooth operation for the benefit of road users.
As a nodal agency of the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways, NHAI plays a vital role in formulating policies related to highways and implementing them effectively.
Establishment - 1988
Headquarters - New Delhi
Chairman - Santosh Kumar Yadav
7. 4th India-CARICOM Ministerial meeting
Tags: International News
External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar co-chaired the 4th India-CARICOM ministerial meeting in Guyana’s capital of Georgetown on 22nd April.
An overview of the news
S Jaishankar co-chaired the meeting with his Jamaican counterpart Kaminaj Smith.
Both leaders discussed a range of issues, including trade, climate change and counterterrorism.
During the bilateral meetings, the minister spoke on various issues including cooperation, trade, climate change, digital transformation, health domain, agriculture and expansion of the International Solar Alliance (ISA).
The Minister also met the Bahamas Parliamentary Secretary Jamahl Strachan, an Indian alumnus and discussed the International Solar Alliance (ISA), Coalition for Disaster Resilient Infrastructure (CDRI) as well as UNSC reforms.
Jaishankar began his nine-day trip to Guyana, Panama, Colombia and the Dominican Republic on 21st April by meeting his counterpart from Surinam Albert Ramdin.
What is CARICOM (Caribbean Community and Commons Market)?
CARICOM is an intergovernmental organisation that is a political and economic union of 15 member states throughout the Americas and the Atlantic Ocean.
Its main purposes are to promote economic integration and cooperation among its members, to ensure that the benefits of integration are equitably shared, and to coordinate foreign policy.
It was established in 1973 by the Treaty of Chaguaramas.
About Guyana
Prime Minister: Mark Phillips
President: Mohamed Irfaan Ali
Capital: Georgetown
Currency : Guyanese dollar (G$)
8. ISRO successfully launches PSLV-C55 mission
Tags: Science and Technology National News
The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) on 22nd April successfully launched its PSLV-C55/TeLEOS-2 mission, sending two Singapore-made satellites into space.
An overview of the news
The launch vehicle lifted off at its scheduled launch time from Isro's Satish Dhawan Space Centre (SDSC) in Andhra Pradesh's Sriharikota.
About Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle C55 (PSLV-C55) mission
It is a ‘dedicated commercial’ mission undertaken by ISRO through NewSpace India Limited (NSIL), the space agency's commercial arm.
Of the two satellites, TeLEOS-2 is the primary one, and Lumelite-4, the ‘co-passenger.' These weight about 741 kg and 16 kg respectively.
TeLEOS-2 has been developed under a partnership between the Government of Singapore and Singapore Technologies Engineering Limited.
Once deployed and operational, it will meet the satellite imagery requirements of various agencies under the Government of Singapore.
On the other hand, LumiLite-4 has been jointly developed by the Institute for Infocomm Research and the National University of Singapore. It aims to enhance the maritime security of the state.
The mission also marks the 57th flight of the Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle (PSLV).
The rocket will place the two satellites into an eastward inclincation orbit.
Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO)
It was established on 15 August 1969.
It is the national space agency of India. It launches its space rocket from Satish Dhawan Space Center in Sriharikota, Andhra Pradesh.
Headquarters: Bengaluru
Chairman: S Somnath
Founder - Vikram Sarabhai
9. PM Gati Shakti NMP receives PM's Award for Excellence
Tags: Awards National News
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on 21st April conferred an award for excellence in public administration to PM Gati Shakti national master plan (NMP) initiative.
An overview of the news
The award was presented to the Department for Promotion of Internal Trade (DPIIT) in the category 'Innovation-Central' for the successful implementation of the prestigious 'PM Gatishakti National Master Plan' programme.
The Prime Minister's Award for Excellence in Public Administration has been instituted to recognize the extraordinary and innovative work done by districts and organizations of the Central and State Governments for public welfare.
About PM Gati Shakti initiative
It is a transformative approach to economic growth and sustainable development.
It was launched on 13 October 2021 to provide multimodal connectivity infrastructure to various economic zones.
Its targets are to cut logistic costs, increase cargo handling capacity and reduce the turnaround time.
Economic zones like Textile Clusters, Pharmaceutical Clusters, Defence Corridor, Electronic Park, Industrial Corridor, Fishing Clusters, Agri Zone will be covered under this program to improve connectivity.
PM GatiShakti National Master Plan was implemented on 21st October 2021.
The approach of PM Gati Shakti is driven by 7 engines-
Railways
Roads
Ports
Waterways
Airports
Mass Transport
Logistics Infrastructure
Significance
It will give a boost to the overall infrastructure of the country.
It will strive to build next generation infrastructure that improves ease of living as well as ease of doing business.
It will provide integrated and seamless connectivity for movement of people, goods and services as a mode of transport.
It will create many employment opportunities and boost the economy.
It will improve the global competitiveness of local products by cutting logistics costs and improving the supply chain.
10. U.S. President signs executive order on environmental justice
Tags: Environment International News
U.S. President Joe Biden signed an executive order on 21st April.
An overview of the news
The executive order directs every single federal agency to work toward environmental justice for all and improve the lives of communities hit hardest by toxic pollution and climate change.
The order would establish a new Office of Environmental Justice within the White House that aims to coordinate the government's efforts.
Federal agencies will work to notify communities when a toxic substance is released from a federal facility.
Disasters such as the February derailment of a freight train in East Palestine, Ohio, have drawn attention to environmental damage from hazardous chemical spills.
What is environmental justice?
Environmental justice is the fair treatment and meaningful participation of all people, regardless of race, color or income, with respect to the development, implementation and enforcement of environmental laws, regulations and policies.
