1. 8th India-Thailand Defence Dialogue
Tags: International Relations International News
The 8th India-Thailand Defence Dialogue was held in Bangkok on 20th April.
An overview of the news
The meeting was co-chaired by Nivedita Shukla, Special Secretary in the Ministry of Defense and General Nuchit Sribunsong, Deputy Permanent Secretary of Defense of Thailand.
They reviewed defence cooperation between the two countries and explored new initiatives to further strengthen bilateral ties.
The two sides also exchanged views on regional and global issues of common interest.
India and Thailand share a strategic partnership and defense is a major pillar of this cooperation.
India-Thailand relations
India and Thailand share a maritime boundary in the Andaman Sea.
Thailand was one of the first countries to establish diplomatic relations with India in 1947.
Since 2001, India-Thailand economic and commercial relations have grown significantly.
India and Thailand have been cooperating in various multilateral fora such as ASEAN and BIMSTEC, a sub-regional grouping consisting of Bangladesh, India, Sri Lanka, Thailand, Myanmar, Nepal and Bhutan.
India is a member of the Asia Cooperation Dialogue (ACD) initiated by Thailand in 2002 and the Mekong-Ganga Cooperation (MGC) grouping of six countries.
The India-AESAN Agreement on Trade in Goods was implemented in January 2010.
Since 2015, India has been participating in the largest Asia Pacific military exercise X-Cobra Gold.
Exercise MAITREE (Army) and exercise SIAM BHARAT (Air Force) are Bilateral exercises between both countries.
About Thailand
Prime minister - Prayuth Chan-ocha
Capital - Bangkok
Head of State - King Vajiralongkorn
Official Language -Thai
Official Name - Ratcha Anachak Thai (Kingdom of Thailand)
2. Agriculture Minister Narendra Singh Tomar launches SATHI Portal & Mobile App
Tags: Economy/Finance National News
Agriculture and Farmers Welfare Minister Narendra Singh Tomar on 19th April launched the SATHI (Seed Traceability, Authentication and Holistic Inventory) Portal and Mobile App to deal with the challenges of seed production, quality seed identification, and seed certification.
An overview of the news
It has been created by NIC in collaboration with the Union Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare on the theme of 'Best Seeds - Prosperous Farmer'.
The Government of India is constantly trying to overcome the challenges and difficulties faced by agriculture through various schemes and programmes.
SATHI portal is also an important step in this direction. When its use starts till the bottom, it will prove to be a revolutionary step in the field of agriculture.
There will be a QR code under this system, through which the seeds can be traced.
Training in this regard is being imparted through the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR), Krishi Vigyan Kendras, State Governments.
All the states will be connected with the Seed Traceability System.
Sathi portal will ensure quality assurance system, identify the source of seed in the seed production chain.
Integrated 7 verticals of seed chain in the system
Research 0rganization
Seed Certification
Seed Licensing, Seed Catalog
Sale from dealer to farmer
Farmer registration
Seed DBT
About Indian Council of Agricultural Research
It is an autonomous body formerly known as the Imperial Council of Agricultural Research.
Headquarters - New Delhi
Established - 1929
The Union Minister of Agriculture serves as its president. Presently its president is Narendra Singh Tomar.
ICAR is the largest network of agricultural research and education institutes in the world.
3. Union Cabinet Approves National Quantum Mission
Tags: Government Schemes National News
Union Cabineton 19th April approved the National Quantum Mission to nurture and scale up scientific and industrial research and development in quantum technology.
An overview of the news
The Union Cabinet approved Rs 6,003.65 crore for the mission from 2023-24 to 2030-31.
The Mission will accelerate quantum technology-led economic growth and nurture the ecosystem in the country.
The Mission will be implemented by the Department of Science and Technology in partnership with other departments.
India will be the sixth country to have a dedicated quantum mission after the US, Austria, Finland, France and China.
The mission will help develop high-sensitivity magnetometers in nuclear systems and atomic clocks for precise timing, communication and navigation.
The mission envisages developing an intermediate-scale quantum computer with a capacity of 50-1000 physical qubits in eight years on various platforms such as superconducting and photonic techniques.
What is Quantum Technology?
Quantum technology is based on quantum theory, which explains the nature of energy and matter at the atomic and sub-atomic level.
With the help of this technology, data and information can be processed in minimum time.
4. China launched Fengyun-3 satellite
Tags: Science and Technology International News
On 16th April 2023, China successfully launched the Fengyun-3 meteorological satellite using Chang Zheng-4B carrier rocket from Jiuquan Cosmodrome in Gansu Province.
An Overview of the News
The primary objective of the Fengyun-3 satellite is to monitor and provide information on severe weather conditions, especially heavy rainfall, which can cause natural disasters such as floods and landslides.
This was the 471st mission for the Chang Zheng rocket family.
China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation (CASC)
It is a state-owned organisation that serves as the primary contractor for China's space program.
CASC has several subsidiaries that specialise in the design, development and manufacture of a variety of space-related technology, including spacecraft, launch vehicles, missile systems and ground equipment.
The organisation is responsible for overseeing all aspects of China's space program, from research and development to mission planning and execution.
Establishment - 1 July 1999
Headquarters - Beijing, China
President - Zhang Zhongyang
About China
Government - Unitary Marxist-Leninist One Party Socialist Republic
President -Xi Jinping
Capital -Beijing
Official language - Standard Chinese
Currency - Renminbi
5. Kenya Launched Its First Operational Earth Observation Satellite "Taifa-1"
Tags: Science and Technology International News
Kenya launched its first operational Earth observation satellite "Taifa-1" on a rocket of Elon Musk's rocket company ‘SpaceX’ from Vandenberg Base in California on 15 April 2023.
An Overview of the News
The launch rocket carried 50 payloads from various countries, including Turkey, under SpaceX's 'rideshare programme'.
Taifa-1 was designed and developed by SayariLabs and EnduroSat and the satellite was built over two years at a cost of 50 million Kenyan shillings ($372,000).
The satellite's primary purpose is to collect agricultural and environmental data, including floods, droughts and wildfires, to help Kenya deal with disaster management and food insecurity.
Taifa-1
It is an optical camera that can take pictures in both multispectral and panchromatic modes.
The satellite can operate in and out of the visible light spectrum, allowing it to capture images even in low light conditions.
Taifa-1 is capable of capturing images in five different multispectral bands.
The Ground Sampling Distance (GSD) of Taifa-1 is 32 m for the multispectral band and 16 m for the panchromatic band.
About Kenya
Republic -12 December 1964
Capital -Nairobi
Official languages - Swahili, English
Currency - Kenyan shilling (Kesia)
Government -Unitary presidential republic
President - William Ruto
Deputy President - Rigathi Gachagua
Senate President - Amason Kingi
Assembly Speaker - Moses Wetangula
Chief Justice - Martha Koome
6. Efforts to revive the India-Brazil-South Africa Forum
Tags: International News
Diplomatic focus is likely to increase on the long-dormant trilateral India-Brazil-South Africa forum.
About India-Brazil-South Africa forum (IBSA)
It is a trilateral dialogue forum ofIndia, Brazil and South Africa which was created in the year 2003.
The grouping was formalized under the name of theIBSA Dialogue Forum under the Brasilia Declaration.
On June 6, 2003, at a meeting of the foreign ministers of the three countries in Brasilia (Brazil), the Brasilia Declaration was issued and the grouping was formalized and named the IBSA Dialogue Forum.
It brings together India, Brazil and South Africa, three large democracies and major economies from three different continents, facing similar challenges.
IBSA Fund was established in 2004 which facilitates the execution of human development projects to advance the fight against poverty and hunger in developing countries.
IBSAMAR is a joint multinational maritime exercise, among the Indian, Brazilian and South African navies.
Forum Meetings
Between 2011 and 2022, the forum has held only four trilateral ministerial commission meetings.
The latest is in September 2022, when senior ministers from the three countries meet in New York.
However, there has not been a meeting of their heads of state or government since 2011.
The meetings have become inactive in recent years.
7. Central Government notified the Animal Birth Control Rules, 2023
Tags: National News
On April 18, thecentral government notified the Animal Birth Control Rules, 2023 and the rules aim to address the Supreme Court guidelines in a writ petition by the Animal Welfare Board of India (AWBI) and People for Elimination of Stray Troubles.
An Overview of the News
The Supreme Court has specifically mentioned that transfer of dogs cannot be allowed.
Under the new rules, local bodies including municipalities, municipal corporations and panchayats are responsible for carrying out the Animal Birth Control (ABC) programme.
The ABC program aims to sterilise and vaccinate stray dogs, reduce their population, and address animal welfare issues.
The rules provide guidelines on how to handle conflicts between humans and stray dogs without relocating the dogs.
ABC programs should be conducted by AWBI accredited organisations specifically recognized for this purpose.
The list of such organisations will be available on the website of AWBI and will be updated regularly.
About Animal Welfare Board of India (AWBI)
It is a statutory advisory body that provides guidance to the Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying, Government of India.
AWBI is headquartered in Ballabgarh, Haryana, and was earlier located in Chennai.
As an advisory body, AWBI plays an important role in shaping policies related to animal welfare in India.
AWBI was established under the provisions of the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act, 1960 with the objective of preventing cruelty to animals and promoting their welfare.
The Board consists of a Chairman, Vice-Chairman and a number of other members who are appointed by the Government of India.
Some of the major functions of the AWBI include conducting research on animal welfare, creating awareness about animal rights, and monitoring the use of animals in animal-related activities such as transportation, slaughter, and entertainment.
Founder -Rukmini Devi Arundale
Established - 1962
8. Supreme Court refers same-sex marriage pleas to Constitution bench
Tags: National News
The Supreme Court has set up a five-judge Constitution bench to hear petitions seeking legal recognition of same sex marriages.
An overview of the news
The bench set up by Chief Justice of India D Y Chandrachud comprises Justices Sanjay Kishan Kaul, Ravindra Bhat, Hima Kohli and PS Narasimha, besides the CJI.
The Supreme Court had on March 13 referred the petitions to the Constitution bench stating the matter raised questions of “seminal importance”.
A three-judge bench, led by Chief Justice of India (CJI) Dhananjaya Y Chandrachud, set down the matter for final arguments before a Constitution bench from April 18 after noting that the petitions involve the interplay between constitutional rights and specific legislative enactments, including the Special Marriage Act, 1954.
Background:
The Delhi high court in July 2009 de-criminalised consensual homosexual acts in private by declaring as unconstitutional a part of Section 377 of the Indian Penal Code that criminalises unnatural sex.
However, in December 2013, the Supreme Court set aside the HC verdict, holding it was for the legislature to take a call on the controversial provision.
Adoption of a child in same-sex marriage
The bench said one of the issues raised before it also relates to the rights of transgender couples to marry.
While hearing the petitions,CJI Chandrachud said that it is not necessary that a child adopted by a homosexual couple will be a homosexual.
What is the Centre's stance on same-sex marriage?
In an affidavit filed before the apex court, the government has opposed the petitions and submitted that despite the decriminalisation of Section 377 of the Indian Penal Code, the petitioners cannot claim a fundamental right for same-sex marriage to be recognised under the laws of the country.
At the same time, it submitted that although the Centre limits its recognition to heterosexual relationships, there may be other forms of marriages or unions or personal understandings of relationships between individuals in a society and these "are not unlawful".
Is same-sex marriage legal in India?
On September 6, 2018, the SC decriminalised consensual gay sex between adults in the Navtej Singh Johar verdict.
It also decriminalised Section 377 of the India Penal Code (IPC) which considered sex with the same gender as a criminal activity.
However, it said that this should not be meant as conferring any right including the right to marry. So, homosexual couples currently do not have a right to legally marry in India.
Which countries have legalised same-sex marriage?
Currently, there are 32 countries globally where same-sex marriage is legal.
These are Argentina, Australia, Austria, Belgium, Brazil, Canada, Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, Denmark, Ecuador, Finland, France, Germany, Iceland, Ireland, Luxembourg, Malta, Mexico, the Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Portugal, Slovenia, South Africa, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Taiwan, the United Kingdom, the United States of America and Uruguay.
9. Namami Gange: 8 Projects Worth Rs 638 Crores Approved
Tags: Government Schemes National News
The 48th meeting of the Executive Committee of the National Mission for Clean Ganga (NMCG) was held on 18th April under the chairmanship of Director General, National Mission for Clean Ganga (NMCG) G. Asok Kumar.
An overview of the news
Eight projects worth around Rs. 638 crore were approved in the meeting.
In an attempt to clean River Hindon, which is a tributary of River Yamuna, four projects worth Rs 407.39 crore were approved for pollution abatement in the Shamli district.
These projects are part of the comprehensive Hindon Rejuvenation Plan.
Hindon river is identified as Priority 1 polluted river stretch.
The projects which were sanctioned are to prevent theflow of polluted water into Krishna River.
Krishni is one of the major tributaries of Hindon which discharges pollution from Shamli district into River Hindon.
Two more sewerage management projects were approved in the meeting, one each in Bihar and Madhya Pradesh.
In Bihar, a project for construction of 3 STPs (7 MLD, 3.5 MLD and 6 MLD in Zone 1 and 2 respectively) along with other works was approved at an estimated cost of Rs 77.39 crore.
These projects will arrest the flow of polluted water into theKiul River, a tributary of the Ganges.
About Namami Gange
It was approved as a 'Flagship Programme' by the Central Government in June 2014.
It was launched to serve the twin objectives of effective abatement of pollution and conservation and rejuvenation of the national river Ganga.
It is being operated under the Ministry of Water Resources, Department of River Development and Ganga Rejuvenation and Ministry of Jal Shakti.
The program is being implemented by the National Mission for Clean Ganga (NMCG) and its State Program Management Groups (SPMGs).
10. Syria is the world's largest 'narco-state'
Tags: International News
Syria has become the world's largest 'narco-state' and most of its foreign exchange earnings come from the production and export of Captagon, a highly addictive amphetamine commonly referred to as "poor man's coke".
An Overview of the News
Drug trafficking, is especially Captagon, which is a significant part of Syria's economy.It accounts for more than 90 percent of the country's foreign exchange earnings according to criteria to be classified as a narco-state.
Experts have indicated that Syria is the major producer of Captagon, with much of it exported to the Gulf region. Following a crackdown on protesters by President Bashar al-Assad in 2011 and subsequent sanctions or trade embargoes with Syria, the Lebanese regime along with Hezbollah increased the production and export of Captagon to the Gulf countries.
The US enacted the Captagon Act last year, linking the drug trade to the Assad regime in Syria and labelling it an "international security threat".
About Syria
Capital - Damascus
Official language - Arabic
President - Bashar al-Assad
Vice President -Najah Al-Attar
Prime Minister -Hussain Arnoos
Speaker of the People's Assembly - Hammouda Sabbagh
