1. India and Marshall Islands Strengthen Ties with MoU on Community Projects
Tags: International News
On July 15, 2024, India and the Republic of the Marshall Islands (RMI) signed an MoU at the Embassy of India in Tokyo, Japan.
An Overview of the News
The agreement is part of India's strategic Pacific outreach efforts.
It aims to strengthen bilateral ties under the Forum of India-Pacific Islands Cooperation (FIPIC).
Key Signatories and Attendees:
Signatories included Kalani R. Kaneko, Minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade of RMI, and Sibi George, India's Ambassador to Japan and RMI.
RMI President Dr. Hilda C. Heine was present during the signing.
The RMI delegation included officials like Alexander Carter Bing and Isabela Silk, while Indian officials included Union Minister Dr. S. Jaishankar.
Focus Areas and Projects:
The MoU covers four Community Development Projects (CDPs) in RMI.
Projects include a community sports center in Ailuk Atoll, an airport terminal on Mejit Island, and community centers at Arno and Wotje Atolls.
Focus areas of cooperation include healthcare, affordable medicines, education, capacity building, renewable energy, and clean water facilities.
About Marshall Islands
The Marshall Islands are a vast archipelago of volcanic islands and coral atolls located in the central Pacific Ocean, situated between Hawaii and the Philippines.
Bikini Atoll, in the northwest, once used as a ship graveyard post-World War II, is now renowned as a popular site for wreck diving.
Majuro Atoll, the capital and largest settlement of the islands, is located nearby.
Kalalin Pass, near Majuro Atoll, features a vibrant coral reef teeming with diverse marine life.
Capital - Majuro
Currency - United States Dollar
Continent - Oceania
Official languages - Marshallese, English
2. Asia's First Pre-Clinical Network Facility Inaugurated in Faridabad
Tags: National News
Dr. Jitendra Singh inaugurated Asia's first health research-related "Pre-clinical Network Facility" under CEPI at THSTI, Faridabad.
An Overview of the News
CEPI selected BRIC-THSTI for its BSL3 pathogen handling capabilities, making it Asia's first and the 9th globally.
The facility includes a large experimental Animal Facility accommodating 75,000 mice and other species.
Dr. Rajesh Gokhale, Secretary DBT, Dr. K. Shrinath Reddy, and Dr. Kathikeyan, Director THSTI, were present at the event.
Inauguration of G-HUMIC Facility
The Genetically Defined Human Associated Microbial Culture Collection (G-HUMIC) facility was also inaugurated.
G-HUMIC is designed to support research institutions, universities and industries with genetically characterized pathogen-free animal and microbial cultures.
THSTI and its Role
THSTI, part of BRIC under the Department of Biotechnology, fosters collaborations for vaccine development and research in diseases like Nipah and Influenza.
It supports fundamental and translational research, biomarker identification, and research collaborations across sectors.
About Haryana
Capital: Chandigarh
Chief Minister: Nayab Singh Saini
Governor: Bandaru Dattatreya
Formerly: Part of Punjab
State Bird: Black francolin
Demonym: Haryanvi
Districts: 22 (organized into 6 divisions)
First In Haryana
First Governor: Dharambir
First Chief Minister: Bhagwat Dayal Sharma
The first newspaper to be published in Haryana: Haryana Jhajjar
Haryana is the first state to form educated Panchayats
In 1970, Haryana became the first state to provide electricity to all villages
Haryana was the first state to introduce VAT
Haryana implemented the first crop insurance scheme in the state
Haryana ranks first in the country in mushroom production
Prominent Women Satyagrahi of Haryana: Chandbai
Haryana was the first state to start an old age pension scheme
Haryana launched the Apni Beti Apna Dhan Yojana
Haryana is second only to Punjab in milk production
3. Jayant Chaudhary Launches Skill India Digital Hub for Transparent Scheme Access
Tags: National News
Jayant Chaudhary, Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) at the Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship (MSDE), launched the Skill India Digital Hub (SIDH) Portal.
An Overview of the News
The portal's primary objective is to ensure beneficiaries have access to complete information about all schemes.
It aims to enhance transparency and facilitate easier access to skill development opportunities across India.
About SIDH:
SIDH is integral to India's Digital Public Infrastructure (DPI), a flagship initiative by the Government of India aimed at leveraging digital technologies for skill development.
Its primary goal is to enhance transparency and provide detailed information about government schemes to beneficiaries.
The portal offers education aligned with industry needs, career opportunities, and support for entrepreneurship, catering to the aspirations of millions of Indians seeking better prospects.
Skill India Digital (SID) Platform Launch (Sept. 2023)
In September 2023, Dharmendra Pradhan, former Union Minister for Skill Development and Entrepreneurship, launched Skill India Digital (SID).
SID is a comprehensive digital platform designed to transform India's skills, education, employment, and entrepreneurship sectors.
The platform aims to revolutionize the landscape of skill development in India through digital means.
Its focus spans across enhancing skills, facilitating education, promoting employment, and fostering entrepreneurship.
4. Bangladesh Joins Colombo Security Conclave as 5th Full Member
Tags: International News
Bangladesh officially became the 5th full member of the Colombo Security Conclave (CSC), joining India, Sri Lanka, Mauritius, and the Maldives.
An Overview of the News
The announcement was made during the 8th Deputy National Security Adviser (DNSA) meeting of the CSC, hosted virtually by Mauritius on July 10, 2024.
Seychelles participated as an Observer state.
Historical Context:
Mauritius became the 4th member of the CSC during the 5th meeting held in Male, Maldives, in March 2022.
The 6th NSA-level meeting was held in Mauritius in December 2023.
Key Dignitaries:
India: Represented by Pankaj Kumar, Deputy National Security Adviser (Internal Affairs).
Bangladesh: Represented by Lt. General Mizanur Rahman Shameem, Principal Staff Officer, Armed Forces Division, Prime Minister's Office (PMO).
Maldives: Represented by Major General (Retired) Hamid Shafeeg, DNSA.
Mauritius: Represented by Yoidhisteer Thecka, Principal Coordinator Security Matter in PMO.
Sri Lanka: Represented by General LHSC Silva, Chief of Defence Staff (CDS).
Secretariat of the CSC: Represented by Acting Secretary Commodore AD Weerasinghe.
Seychelles: Delegation led by Lt. Colonel Michael Hollanda, Commander of Land Force, Seychelles Defence Forces.
Future Meetings:
The 7th National Security Adviser (NSA)-level meeting of the CSC will be hosted by India in 2025.
Review of Previous Decisions:
Member nations reviewed decisions from the 7th DNSA level meeting hosted virtually by the Maldives on July 12, 2023, and the 6th NSA-level meeting.
Progress of activities under the Roadmap of Activities for 2023-24 of the CSC was also reviewed.
About CSC:-
Established: 2011 as a trilateral maritime security group (India, Sri Lanka, Maldives).
Renamed: 2020 as Colombo Security Conclave (CSC) to expand maritime cooperation.
Aim: Promote regional cooperation and shared security for littoral nations in the Indian Ocean Region (IOR).
Secretariat: Established in Colombo, Sri Lanka in 2021.
About Bangladesh:-
Capital: Dhaka
Official Language: Bengali
Currency: Bangladeshi Taka
Borders: India, Myanmar
National Day: 26th March
National Symbols: Shapla (water lily), Royal Bengal tiger
National Anthem: Amar Sonar Bangla (‘My Golden Bengal’)
Prime Minister: Sheikh Hasina
President: Mohammad Shahabuddin
5. KP Sharma Oli sworn in as Nepal PM
Tags: Person in news International News
KP Sharma Oli took oath as Nepal PM on 14 July.
An Overview of the News
The swearing-in ceremony took place at Shital Niwas, the main building of Rashtrapati Bhavan in Kathmandu at 10:45 am IST.
A group of ministers were also inducted into the Cabinet along with Oli.
Oli was appointed PM for the third time to lead the new coalition government.
He will replace Pushpa Kamal Dahal Prachanda, who lost the trust vote in the House of Representatives on 12 July.
Nepal President Ram Chandra Paudel appointed Oli from the Communist Party of Nepal-Unified Marxist Leninist (CPN-UML)-Nepali Congress (NC) alliance as the new PM.
Oli presented the signatures of 165 members of the House of Representatives - 77 of which were from his party and 88 from the NC.
About Nepal
The kingdom of Nepal was established by the Shah dynasty.
It is a landlocked country in South Asia.
President - Ram Chandra Paudel
Capital - Kathmandu
Currency - Nepalese Rupee
6. India-UAE Strengthen Defense Ties in 12th Joint Committee Meeting in Abu Dhabi
Tags: International News
The 12th India-UAE Joint Defence Cooperation Committee (JDCC) meeting took place in Abu Dhabi on July 9, aiming to enhance defense relations.
An Overview of the News
The Indian delegation, led by Joint Secretary Amitabh Prasad, met with UAE counterparts led by Brigadier General Staff Jamal Ebrahim Mohamed Almazrooqi.
Discussions included training cooperation, joint military exercises, defense industrial partnerships, and research and development initiatives.
Both sides emphasized exchanging subject matter experts to benefit from shared knowledge and experience.
Maritime security and other regional security concerns were key topics of discussion.
Separate staff talks between the navies and armies focused on enhancing operational synergies.
Bilateral Engagements
Joint Secretary Prasad engaged in bilateral discussions with UAE officials, including Ali Abdulla Al Ahmed and the CEO of Tawazun Economic Council.
The meeting aimed to strengthen the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership established in 2006, contributing to stability in the Middle East and South Asia.
About United Arab Emirates (UAE)
Location: It is located in Western Asia.
Geographical Boundaries: It shares borders with Oman and Saudi Arabia.
Maritime Borders: It also has maritime borders with Qatar and Iran in the Persian Gulf.
Religion: Islam is the dominant religion in the UAE, with the majority of the population being Sunni Muslim.
Capital - Abu Dhabi
Official language - Arabic
Government - Federal Islamic parliamentary elective semi-constitutional monarchy
President/Crown Prince - Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan
Prime Minister - Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum
Vice President - Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum and Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan
India-UAE Relations:- |
Diplomatic Relations: India and the UAE established diplomatic ties in 1972, which were elevated to a strategic partnership in 2015 and further strengthened with a comprehensive strategic partnership in 2017. These milestones marked deeper cooperation in various sectors. Economic Relations: Bilateral trade between India and the UAE soared to USD 85 billion in 2022-23, making the UAE India's third-largest trading partner and a significant export destination. Both countries aim to enhance this further, with targets set for merchandise and services trade. Cultural Exchange: With over 3.3 million Indians residing in the UAE, cultural ties are robust. Indian cinema, music, and cultural festivals are popular in the UAE, fostering mutual understanding and people-to-people connections. Technological Collaboration: The introduction of the RuPay card in the UAE and the establishment of a Rupee-Dirham settlement system illustrate advancing fintech collaboration, enhancing ease of transactions and financial connectivity between the two nations. Strategic Partnerships: Beyond economic and cultural ties, India and the UAE collaborate strategically on regional issues and initiatives like energy security and economic corridors, demonstrating shared interests and mutual support in regional stability and development. |
7. Dubai Hosts 4th India-GCC Food and Beverage Meet
Tags: International News
Dubai hosts the fourth edition of the India-Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) Buyers Sellers Meet on Food and Beverages.
An Overview of the News
The event brings together key players from the food and beverage industry across India and GCC countries.
Organized by the Trade Promotion Council of India, it aims to boost trade relations and showcase innovative Indian products to the GCC market.
Thirty-six Indian companies and 170 buyers from GCC countries are participating.
The meet serves as a crucial platform for Indian exporters to display their diverse product range and forge valuable business connections.
Leading regional retailers such as LuLu Group, Choithrams, and Nesto are among the prominent participants.
Highlights
K. Kalimuthu, Consul (Trade and Commerce) at CGI Dubai, highlighted the growing trade relations between India and the UAE.
He noted that bilateral trade reached over $85 billion last year.
Kalimuthu emphasized the potential for growth in the processed food segment, stating that nearly two-thirds of UAE’s imports from India come from fresh items like rice, wheat, meat, fresh vegetables, and special foods, while only one-third comes from processed and packaged foods.
About GCC
Cooperation Council for the Arab States of the Gulf (Gulf Cooperation Council)
Regional, intergovernmental, political, and economic union
Members: Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, United Arab Emirates
Headquarters: Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
Founders: Saudi Arabia, United Arab Emirates, Qatar, Kuwait, Bahrain, Oman
Founded: 25 May 1981, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates
About United Arab Emirates (UAE)
Location: It is located in Western Asia.
Geographical Boundaries: It shares borders with Oman and Saudi Arabia.
Maritime Borders: It also has maritime borders with Qatar and Iran in the Persian Gulf.
Religion: Islam is the dominant religion in the UAE, with the majority of the population being Sunni Muslim.
Capital - Abu Dhabi
Official language - Arabic
Government - Federal Islamic parliamentary elective semi-constitutional monarchy
President/Crown Prince - Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan
Prime Minister - Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum
Vice President - Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum and Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan
Important facts about UAE
Rivers: No rivers in the UAE
AI Minister: First country to appoint a minister for artificial intelligence
National Animal: Arabian Oryx
Tallest Hotels: Six of the world’s tallest hotels are in the UAE
Government: Absolute monarchy
Royal Families: Each emirate is ruled by a separate royal family
National Symbol: Falcon
Emirates: Abu Dhabi, Dubai, Sharjah, Fujairah, Ajman, Ras Al Khaimah, Umm Al Quwain
Religion: Muslims 76%, Christians 19%
Currency: Dirhams
National Day: 2 December
8. ICICI Prudential Mutual Fund Launches India's First Oil & Gas Sector ETF
Tags: National News
ICICI Prudential Mutual Fund (MF) has launched India's first Exchange-Traded Fund (ETF) focused on the oil and gas sector, named the ICICI Prudential Nifty Oil & Gas ETF.
An Overview of the News
This open-ended ETF tracks the Nifty Oil & Gas Total Return Index (TRI), which reflects the performance of companies within the sector.
Public subscription for this scheme began on July 8, 2024, and will close on July 18, 2024.
After this period, the scheme will re-open for continuous sale and repurchase within five days from the date of allotment.
The scheme carries a very high risk rating.
There is no assurance or guarantee that the scheme's investment objective will be achieved.
The fund is managed by Nishit Patel and Priya Sridhar.
ICICI Prudential Nifty Oil & Gas ETF Key Points:
Investors can participate in the scheme with a minimum investment of Rs 100 per plan/option. Investments can be made in multiples of Re 1, with no upper limit.
The scheme involves no "Entry Load" or "Exit Load." However, investors will be responsible for any brokerage charges incurred during the sale.
The indicative allocation ranges from a minimum of 95% to a maximum of 100% of total assets.
To maintain liquidity and manage short-term cash flow needs, the fund allows for a small allocation to money market instruments, including Treasury bills and Repurchase (TREPS), with a maximum limit of 5% of total assets.
ICICI Prudential Mutual Fund:
Establishment - 1993
MD & CEO - Nimesh Shah
HQ - Mumbai
9. CJI Chandrachud Launches Multi Facilitation Centre at Supreme Court
Tags: National News
Chief Justice of India (CJI) DY Chandrachud inaugurated a new filing counter at the Supreme Court in New Delhi on July 11th.
An Overview of the News
The newly established centre is a multi facilitation centre aligned with the Apex Court’s mission to enhance access to justice.
The new centre, part of the Supreme Court's access to justice mission, centralizes access to case-related documents for lawyers.
CJI Chandrachud emphasized that the centre will improve the Supreme Court's service quality to Indian citizens.
Brazilian judge Justice Antonio Benjamin, soon to be Chief Justice of the Brazilian Supreme Court, was welcomed by CJI Chandrachud during the event.
About Dhananjay Yeshwant Chandrachud
Justice D Y Chandrachud took office as the 50th Chief Justice of India on November 9, 2022, succeeding Justice U U Lalit.
President Draupadi Murmu administered the oath at Rashtrapati Bhavan for his term lasting until November 10, 2024.
Born on November 11, 1959, Justice Chandrachud became a Supreme Court judge on May 13, 2016.
His father, Justice Y V Chandrachud, served as the 16th Chief Justice of India.
Notable judgments by Justice Chandrachud include cases involving Section 377 IPC, Aadhaar, and Sabarimala, among others.
Supreme Court and its Chief Justice
The Supreme Court of India was established on January 26, 1950, replacing the Federal Court under the Government of India Act, 1935.
Its first sitting took place on January 28, 1950.
Harilal J. Kania served as the first Chief Justice of India.
Yeshwant Vishnu Chandrachud, the 16th Chief Justice, holds the record for the longest tenure, serving for over 7 years (February 1978 – July 1985).
Kamal Narain Singh, the 22nd Chief Justice, had the shortest tenure, serving for only 17 days (November 25, 1991 – December 12, 1991).
10. Sanath Jayasuriya Appointed Interim Head Coach of Sri Lanka Men's Cricket Team
Tags: Person in news International News
Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) has appointed Sanath Jayasuriya as the interim head coach of the men’s national team.
An Overview of the News
Jayasuriya will hold the position until the completion of the upcoming tour of England.
Sanath Jayasuriya steps in to replace Chris Silverwood, who resigned following Sri Lanka's disappointing performance in the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2024.
The team finished third in Group D, managing only one win in four games during the T20 World Cup.
Jayasuriya's Background
Prior to the T20 World Cup, Jayasuriya was part of Sri Lanka's contingent as a Cricket Consultant.
He has previously served Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) as a selector.
Jayasuriya currently holds the role of full-time Cricket Consultant for SLC.
Sanath Jayasuriya has played 586 matches for Sri Lanka across all formats.
He accumulated an impressive 21,032 runs and took 440 wickets in his career.
Chris Silverwood's Tenure
Chris Silverwood’s coaching tenure included a T20 Asia Cup triumph in 2022.
Under Silverwood, Sri Lanka also secured a runner-up position in the 50-over Asia Cup in 2023.
The team achieved several victories in bilateral series during his tenure.
Upcoming England Tour
Sri Lanka will travel to England for a three-match Test series.
The first Test will be played in Manchester, starting on 21 August.
The second and third Tests will be held in London, at Lord's and The Oval respectively.
