1. Quad cyber group meeting to strengthen cyber security cooperation
Tags: Summits National News
A meeting of the Quad Senior Cyber Group was held in New Delhi to strengthen cyber security cooperation on 30-31 January.
An overview of the news
The heads of the Quad Senior Cyber Group, along with their inter-agency delegations, met in New Delhi to discuss cyber security cooperation and a collective approach to enhancing resilience.
During the meeting, participants discussed sharing threat information, identifying and assessing potential risks in supply chains for digitally enabled products and services, and aligning baseline software security requirements.
The group also discussed cyber security capacity building for Quad members and for partners in the Indo-Pacific region.
The meeting discussed how Quad members can prevent cyber incidents and respond to such cyber incidents along with building national and international capabilities for security.
QUAD or Quadrilateral Security Dialogue
Quad or Quadrilateral Security Dialogue is a group of four countries US, Japan, Australia and India.
The concept of QUAD was given by former Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe in 2007 for maritime cooperation between these countries after the Indian Ocean Tsunami disaster in 2004.
Now the group is mainly seen as a group to counter the Chinese influence in the region.
The 2022 Quad summit meeting was held in Japan and next will be held in Australia in 2023.
2. The central panel rejects the inclusion of Muslim dynasties in the exhibitions
Tags: National Latest National News
An exhibition on Medieval Indian Dynasties was organised by the Indian Council of Historical Research (ICHR), a division of the Union Ministry of Education and featured 50 different dynasties in the exhibitions. No Muslim dynasty was shown in the exhibition.
An overview of the news
The ICHR, organised the exhibition at Lalit Kala Akademi titled ‘Glory of Medieval India: Manifestation of the unexplored – Indian dynasties, 8th-18th Centuries.
Minister of State Education Dr Rajkumar Ranjan Singh inaugurated the exhibition.
Muslim dynasties like Bahmani and Adil Shahi were not part of the exhibition.
On the question why Muslim dynasties are not part of the exhibition, ICHR member secretary Professor Umesh Ashok Kadam said that he does not consider Muslim dynasties as Indian dynasties.
According to Kadam, Muslims came from the Middle East and did not have a direct connection with Indian culture.
Although Islamic dynasties were undoubtedly a part of Indian history, Kadam argued that the past should not be dominated by the Mughal or Sultanate dynasties.
Kadam said, "Islam and Christianity came to India in the medieval period and they uprooted the civilization and destroyed the knowledge system."
According to the ICHR, the exhibition will soon be shown across the country with the intention of educating people about India's past.
The exhibits depict Ahom, Chola, Rathor, Yadav, Kakatiya and other dynasties, highlighting their founders, capital cities, dates and architecture, art, culture of India.
Indian Council of Historical Research (ICHR)
It is an autonomous body of the Central Ministry of Education.
It was established under Societies Registration Act, 1860 in 1972.
It aims to bring historians together and provide a platform for exchange of views among them.
Its other objectives are to promote, accelerate and coordinate research in history.
It publishes a biannual Journal - the Indian Historical Review, and another journal Itihas in Hindi.
Headquarters - New Delhi
3. India’s G-20 Sherpa Amitabh Kant inaugurates India’s first Model G-20 Summit
Tags: Summits National News
India’s G-20 Sherpa Amitabh Kant on 30 January inaugurated India’s first Model G-20 Summit organised by Rambhau Mhalgi Prabodhini’s Indian Institute of Democratic Leadership.
An overview of the news
The two-day model G-20 summit has been organised at the Uttan campus of Rambhau Mhalgi Prabodhini near Mumbai to celebrate India's chairmanship and to take the idea of G-20 to the youth.
Dr Vinay Sahasrabuddhe, President of Indian Council for Cultural Relations (ICCR) and Vice Chairman of Rambhau Mhalgi Prabodhini chaired the inaugural ceremony.
Indian Institute of Democratic Leadership (IIDL) organises Model International Leaders Meet (MILM) every year to orient students towards international relations.
During this two-day conference, students will get into the role of G-20 member countries and discuss various political and social issues in four committees or tracks, namely Leader Track, Sherpa Track, Civil-20 and Business-20.
Discussions ranging from global peace to democratisation of the world economic system will be included in the agenda.
A total of 150 youth from across the country will participate in the program and will play the role of delegates representing G-20 countries.
The best two delegates will be awarded cash prizes of Rs 15,000 and Rs 10,000.
4. First International Financial Architecture Working Group Meeting of G20
Tags: National News
The first International Financial Architecture Working Group meeting under the G-20 Indian Presidency was inaugurated in Chandigarh on 30 January by Union Agriculture and Farmers Welfare Minister Narendra Singh Tomar and Food Processing Industries Minister Pashupati Kumar Paras.
An overview of the news
The deliberations during the two-day meeting were jointly moderated by the Ministry of Finance and the Reserve Bank of India along with France and Korea, which are co-chairs of the International Financial Architecture Working Group.
An event titled 'Central Bank Digital Currencies (CBDCs): Opportunities and Challenges' was also organised during this meeting.
The first meeting of the G20 Finance Ministers and Central Bank Governors will be held in Bengaluru on 24-25 February 2023.
The theme of India's G-20 chairmanship, "Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam" or 'One Earth, One Family, One Future', underlines the message of equitable development and a shared future for all.
International Financial Architecture Working Group and objectives of meeting
The International Financial Structure Working Group is one of the important action plans under the G20 finance track.
It focuses on strengthening the international financial structure.
It aims to address various challenges faced by vulnerable countries.
About 100 delegates from G20 members, invited countries and international organisations participated in the two-day meeting.
Key issues of discussion
Ways to enhance the stability and cohesion of the international financial architecture and solutions to the global challenges of the 21st century.
Discussion on finding ways to maximise aid to poor and vulnerable countries.
Central Bank Digital Currencies (CBDC): Opportunities and Challenges
5. PM Modi releases special Rs 75 coin to mark 75 successful years of NCC
Tags: National News
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on 28 January released a special day cover and a commemorative specially minted coin of Rs 75 denomination on the occasion of 75 successful years of the National Cadet Corps (NCC).
An overview of the news
NCC rally was organised on the occasion of 75 years commemoration at Cariappa Maidan, Delhi on 28th January.
196 officers and cadets from 19 foreign countries participated in the rally.
On this occasion, PM Modi addressed the annual NCC Rally at Cariappa Parade Ground in Delhi.
At the event, PM Modi released a specially minted coin of Rs 75 denomination to commemorate 75 successful years of NCC.
National Cadet Corps (NCC)
The NCC was formed in 1948 on the recommendation of H N Kunzru Committee-1946 under National Cadet Corps Act, 1948.
NCC is the largest uniformed youth organisation in the world.
It is a voluntary organisation in which cadets are recruited from high schools, colleges and universities across India.
It is a tri-services organisation, comprising the Army, Navy and Air Force, engaged in grooming the youth into disciplined and patriotic citizens.
The motto of NCC is “Unity and Discipline”.
The Defence Ministry deals with NCC at the National level and the Education Ministry deals with NCC in all States.
NCC cadets have been instrumental in spreading awareness about various government initiatives like 'Swachhta Abhiyan', 'Mega Pollution Fortnight', 'Digital Literacy', 'International Yoga Day', 'Tree Plantation' and Covid-19 Vaccination.
Headquarters - New Delhi
Director General - Lt Gen Gurbirpal Singh
6. Presidential election in the Czech Republic
Tags: Person in news International News
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In the Czech Republic, retired army general Petr Pavel won the presidential election, defeating billionaire businesswoman Andrej Babis.
An overview of the news
Retired general Petr Pavel will replace controversial incumbent President Milos Zeman.
During the election, General Pavel got 58.2 percent of the votes while Andrzej Babis got 42.8 percent.
General Powell has been Chairman of the Military Committee of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO).
General Powell has been an outspoken supporter of the European Union and NATO.
Pavel has repeatedly expressed his support for providing military and humanitarian aid to Ukraine during the Russia–Ukraine conflict.
About Czech Republic
It is a landlocked country in Central Europe.
Prime Minister - Petr Fiala
Capital - Prague
Currency - Czech koruna.
7. UN General Assembly president to visit India from Jan 29-31
Tags: International Relations International News
United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) President Saba Korosi will visit India from January 29-31 to discuss multilateral and regional issues.
An overview of the news
Korosi, Hungarian diplomat who served as his country's Permanent Representative to the United Nations, is visiting India at the invitation of External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar.
He became the President of the 77th session of the United Nations General Assembly in September 2022.
Besides holding talks with Jaishankar on key multilateral and regional issues of mutual interest, Korosi will hold talks with senior officials of NITI Aayog and India's G20 Presidency team.
On January 30, Korosi will deliver a public speech at the Indian Council of World Affairs on the topic "Solidarity, Sustainability and Solutions through Science at the United Nations".
He will also attend the "Beating the Retreat" ceremony on January 29 and pay floral tributes to Mahatma Gandhi at Rajghat on January 30 on the occasion of Martyrs' Day.
On January 31, Korosi will travel to Bengaluru, which will include an interaction with scientists from the Indian Institute of Science (IISc) and a field visit to an IISc-led water conservation project.
United Nations General Assembly (UNGA)
It is the United Nation’s chief policy-making and representative organ and was created in 1945.
It is one of the six principal organs of the United Nations (UN).
It serves as the main deliberative, policy making and representative organ of the United Nations.
Its powers, structure, functions and procedures are set out in Chapter IV of the United Nations Charter.
Its main functions are to prepare the budget of the United Nations, appoint non-permanent members to the Security Council, appoint the Secretary-General of the United Nations, receive reports from other parts of the United Nations system, and make recommendations through resolutions.
8. Govt renames Delhi's Mughal Gardens as 'Amrit Udyan'
Tags: National News
The Central government on 28 January renamed the Mughal Gardens in New Delhi's Rashtrapati Bhavan as 'Amrit Udyan'.
An overview of the news
In keeping with the theme of 'Amrit Mahotsav' to commemorate 75 years of India's independence, the Union Government has renamed the Mughal Gardens as Amrit Udyan.
On the occasion of 'Azadi ka Amrit Mahotsav', the President of India has given a common name to Rashtrapati Bhavan Gardens as Amrit Udyan.
The Central Government had last year renamed Delhi’s iconic Rajpath as “Kartavya Path”.
Rashtrapati Bhavan has a rich variety of gardens. Basically, they include East Lawn, Central Lawn, Long Garden and Circular Garden.
This time the gardens (Herbal Garden, Bonsai Garden, Central Lawn, Long Garden and Circular Garden) will remain open for about two months.
The gardens will open for the general public on January 31, 2023 and will remain open till March 26, 2023, except on Mondays.
About Mughal Gardens
The Mughal Gardens were designed by Edwin Lutyens in 1917, and the first saplings were planted in 1928–1929.
Like the Rashtrapati Bhavan building, which has two different styles of architecture, Indian and Western.
Lutyens brought together two different horticultural traditions, the Mughal style and the English flower garden, for the gardens.
More gardens namely Herbal-I, Herbal-II, Tactile Garden, Bonsai Garden and Arogya Vanam were developed during the tenure of former Presidents Dr APJ Abdul Kalam and Ram Nath Kovind.
9. Khadi Fest-23 inaugurated in Mumbai
Tags: Festivals National News
Manoj Kumar, Chairman, Khadi and Village Industries Commission, inaugurated the Khadi Fest- 23 which will run from January 27 to February 24, 2023 at the Khadi and Village Industries Commission (KVIC) Headquarters in Mumbai.
An overview of the news
Events and exhibitions like Khadi Fest, Khadi Institutions, Prime Minister's Employment Generation Program - PMEGP and Fund Scheme for Regeneration of Traditional Industries - SFURTI units provide a platform to bring thousands of artisan products directly to the customers.
The fest will showcase apparel made of Khadi, Pashmina, Kalamkari, Phulkari, Tussar silk, etc while Dry-fruits, Tea, Kahwa, Honey, Bamboo Products, Carpets, Aloe Vera Products and others will be up for sale.
On 2 October this year, Khadi India's Delhi outlet created an all-time record of selling Khadi worth Rs 1.34 crore in a single day.
Last year, there was a record sale of one lakh fifteen thousand crore rupees of Khadi and village industry items.
Apart from this, the Khadi Fest-2022 held on 3rd October registered a sale of Rs.3.03 crore.
Khadi and Village Industries Commission (KVIC)
The Khadi Village Industries Commission was established in 1957 under the Khadi and Village Industries Commission Act 1956.
It is under the Ministry of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises.
It is responsible, along with other agencies, for the planning, promotion, organisation and implementation of programs for the development of Khadi and other village industries in rural areas.
KVIC Chairman: Manoj Kumar
10. Startup-20's two-day inception meeting begins in Hyderabad
Tags: Economy/Finance National News
A two-day inception meeting of the Startup-20, the new engagement group of G-20 initiated by India, has begun in Hyderabad on 28 January.
An overview of the news
Union Tourism Minister G Kishan Reddy, G-20 Sherpa Amitabh Kant, Startup-20 President Chintan Vaishnav, JS Ashish Sinha from G-20 Secretariat and around 180 delegates from G-20 participated.
As part of India's G20 presidency, a number of meetings and events will be held at various places across the country.
It will provide a common platform to startups from G20 member countries to discuss a range of issues related to their establishment and operations.
It aims to bridge the knowledge gap in the startup ecosystem economies of the member countries.
This will help the government to make startup friendly policies.
About Startup -20
Startup 20 is an important working group in the context of the need to generate more entrepreneurs for a growing economy.
Startup 20 is based on three distinct pillars which include Foundations and Alliances, Finance and Inclusivity and Sustainability.
The main objective of Startup 20 is to create a conducive environment for startups by increasing synergy between startups, corporates, investors, innovation agencies and other key ecosystem stakeholders.
With its rich background of culture of innovation, Hyderabad is an ideal location for the inception ceremony of Startup 20 of G20 group.
Startup 20 activities will include five events including Inception Meet, Summit and three other intervention events in different parts of India.
Startup 20 Summit will be held in Gurugram from 3rd July.
