1. 5th Helicopter and Small Aircraft Summit
Tags: Summits
The 5th Helicopter and Small Aircraft Summit will be held on 25 July 2023 at Khajuraho, Madhya Pradesh.
An Overview of the News
The event is jointly organised by the Ministry of Civil Aviation, Government of Madhya Pradesh, Pawan Hans Limited and Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FICCI).
The summit will be inaugurated by Shri Shivraj Singh Chouhan, Chief Minister of Madhya Pradesh and Shri Jyotiraditya M.Scindia, Union Minister of Civil Aviation and Steel.
The objective of the event is to foster collaboration between industry stakeholders and policy makers, so that effective decisions can be taken that will further boost India's civil aviation industry.
Theme:
The theme of the summit is "Reaching the last mile: Regional connectivity through helicopters and small aircraft".
Objective:
The objective of the summit is to provide a platform to industry stakeholders and policy makers to discuss the development of the Indian helicopter and small aircraft industry.
One of the major objectives is to increase the coverage of UDAN schemes in remote and hilly areas with a focus on expanding rural-to-urban connectivity.
The event also aims to improve helicopter and small aircraft connectivity to existing and potential tourism hotspots and ensure seamless services.
Roles of helicopters and small aircraft:
Helicopters and small aircraft play a vital role in India's transport ecosystem, providing better access to remote areas and supporting tourism, emergency medical services and disaster management.
Advantages of small planes:
Small aircraft provide efficient transportation options for business and leisure travellers, promoting regional air connectivity and encouraging the exploration of lesser-known destinations.
About Madhya Pradesh
It is the second largest state of India by area after Rajasthan.
Governor -Mangubhai Patel
Chief Minister -Shivraj Singh Chouhan
Capital - Bhopal
2. Maharashtra Government launched Namo Shetkari Mahasanman Yojana
Tags: Government Schemes State News
The Maharashtra government has approved a new financial scheme under which Rs 6,000 will be paid annually to over one crore farmers in the state.
An overview of the news
On May 30, the 'Namo Shetkari Mahasanman Yojana' was approved in a cabinet meeting chaired by Chief Minister Eknath Shinde in Mumbai.
Chief Minister Shinde said that this amount is in addition to the Rs 6,000 being given to farmers by the Center under PM Kisan Yojana.
The Maharashtra cabinet also approved the implementation of 'Gender Inclusive Tourism Policy' named 'Aai' to empower women in the tourism sector.
The cabinet also approved the starting of women bike-taxi service at some tourist places.
About Maharashtra
It is a state located in the western part of India and covers a significant part of the Deccan Plateau.
Chief Minister - Eknath Shinde
Governor - Ramesh Bais
Official Animal - Indian giant squirrel
Official Bird - Yellow-footed Green Pigeon
Official Dance - Lavani
3. 4th Defence Cooperation Dialogue between India and Maldives held in Male
Tags: International Relations International News
India and Maldives held the 4th Defense Cooperation Dialogue (DCD) in Male on March 19, 2023.
An overview of the news
The dialogue was co-chaired by Defence Secretary Giridhar Aramane and his Maldivian counterpart, Chief of Defence Force Major General Abdulla Shamaal.
During the talks, the ongoing bilateral defense cooperation activities were reviewed.
The talks covered existing bilateral exercises, with both countries agreeing to increase the complexity of these exercises.
There is bilateral cooperation between the armed forces of India and Maldives in a number of fields, a positive sign for the future of bilateral relations.
About Defense Cooperation Dialogue (DCD)
The Defense Cooperation Dialogue is the highest institutionalized interactive mechanism between the two countries.
The Dialogue is one of India’s policy-level frameworks that aim to strengthen long-standing and mutually beneficial bilateral defence ties.
The first Defense Cooperation Dialogue was held in 2016 and the second in 2019.
Since 1988, defense and security have been a major area of cooperation between India and Maldives.
In 2016, the two countries signed a comprehensive action plan to strengthen defense partnership.
About Maldives
It is also called Maldives Islands, an independent island country in the north-central Indian Ocean.
It extends more than 510 miles (820 km) from north to south and 80 miles (130 km) from east to west.
Basis of economy -fisheries, tourism
Industries - handicraft or cottage including the making of coir (coconut-husk fibre) and coir products, fish canning, and boatbuilding.
Capital -Male
President -Ibrahim Mohamed Solih
Official Language - Dhivehi (Maldivian)
Official Religion - Islam
Currency - Rufiyaa
4. First Global Tourism Investors Summit
Tags: Summits
The first Global Tourism Investors Summit will be organised by the Union Ministry of Tourism from 10 to 12 April 2023 at Pragati Maidan, New Delhi.
An overview of the news
The aim of the conference is to bring together global businesses, think tanks and policy makers to understand and explore tourism business opportunities in India.
In this regard, the Ministry of Tourism organised a roadshow in Chandigarh on 17 January 2023.
The event focused on promoting India as an investment destination for travel, tourism and hospitality by identifying state-specific investment potential and discussing ways to promote sustainable tourism.
5. World-class Kayaking-Canoeing Academy to be set up in Tehri, Uttarakhand
Tags: State News
Union Minister for Power and New & Renewable Energy RK Singh announced on 28th December to set up a world class Kayaking-Canoeing Academy in Tehri, Uttarakhand during inauguration of the National Championship “Tehri Water Sports Cup” at Tehri Lake.
Important facts
In this academy, the youth of Uttarakhand will be prepared to play at the national and international level by providing all the facilities along with free training.
State Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami said that for the first time a national level sports competition is being organised at Tehri Lake.
The new sports policy has been implemented in the state and the government has also announced re-implementation of sports quota in jobs.
The work of making Tehri Lake an international tourist destination is being done at a fast pace.
About Tehri Lake
Tehri was a small town situated at the confluence of Bhagirathi and Bhilangana rivers in Uttarakhand.
The city was submerged in water to create a large catchment area and thus the old Tehri city became the Tehri Lake, the largest man-made lake in Asia.
To make room for the Tehri Dam, Tehri town was evacuated and the population shifted to New Tehri town.
The State Government (Uttarakhand) has decided to convert Tehri Lake into adventure tourism in the Tehri Dam Construction Scheme.
6. UP Government approves creation of Police Commissionerates system in Agra, Ghaziabad and Prayagraj
Tags: State News
The Uttar Pradesh Cabinet in a meeting chaired by the Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath on 25 November 2022 has approved the setting up of a police Commissionerates in the districts of Agra, Ghaziabad and Prayagraj.
Giving this information the state Urban Development Minister Arvind Sharma said that this decision has been taken due to the increase in population, importance of these districts and to provide better policing and maintain law and order. He said that these districts will be declared metropolitan areas to set up the Commissionerates system.
In the police Commissionerates system a commissioner of police heads the district police department or commissionerate, which is also vested with powers of an executive magistrate under the various acts.
The state will have a commissionerate system of policing in seven districts out of the total 75 districts now.
Earlier, it was implemented in Kanpur Nagar and Varanasi in March 2021, and in Lucknow and Gautam Buddha Nagar, where Noida is located, in January 2020.
7. UP government to build Ramayana, Mahabharata, Buddhist circuits under the New Tourism Policy
Tags: place in news State News
The Uttar Pradesh cabinet in a meeting held on 16 November 2022 and chaired by the Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath approved the New Tourism policy for the state on 16 November 2022. The government will focus on developing the Ramayana ,Krishna, Buddhist and Mahabharata circuit to promote religious tourism in the state .
Under the Ramayana circuit the places associated with Lord Rama will be developed . It will include Ayodhya, Chitrakoot, Bithoor and other places of significance during the Ramayana period.
Under the Krishna Circuit the places associated with Lord Krishna will be developed. Mathura, Vrindavan, Gokul, Govardhan, Barsana, Nandgaon, and Baldev will be included in the Krishna circuit.
Under the Buddhist circuit Kapilvastu, Sarnath, Kushinagar, Kaushambi, Shravasti, Ramgram and other places associated with lord Buddha will be developed .
The Mahabharata circuit will include Hastinapur, Kampilya, Echhatra, Barnawa, Mathura, Kaushambi, Gonda, Lakshagriha.
Under the Shaktipeeth circuit Vindhyavasini Devi, Ashtabhuja to Devipatan, Naimisharanya, Maa Lalita Devi, Maa Jwala Devi, Shakumbhari Devi from Saharanpur to Shivani Devi, Chitrakoot and Sheetla Mata, Mau will be developed.
To boost spiritual tourism in the state, Gorakhpur, Balrampur, Mathura, Sant Ravidas Sthal, Maa Parameshwari Devi, Azamgarh, Bighu Ashram of Ballia, Bateshwar of Agra, Hanuman Dham Shahjahanpur have been included.
To boost wildlife and ecotourism,the government will focus on developing sanctuary and forest reserves.
Under the new tourism policy the government will develop places associated with the freedom struggle like Meerut, Shahjahanpur, Kakori and Chaurichaura will be developed as a tourist place .
To boost tourism in the Bundelkhand area the government will focus on districts like Charkhari, Chitrakoot, Kalinjar, Jhansi, Deogarh, Lalitpur, Banda, Mahoba, Hamirpur, and Jalaun.
Jaiveer Singh is the Minister of Tourism & Culture in the Government of Uttar Pradesh.
8. India and ASEAN relations enhanced to comprehensive strategic partnership level
Tags: Summits
According to the Ministry of External Affairs the India - ASEAN (Association of SouthEast Asian Nation) ties have been upgraded to the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership level from the earlier Strategic Partnership. This upgradation of ties signifies a greater level of trust between the two sides and conveys a sense of mutual value, strategic alignment and positive intent to further strengthen ties.
The upgradation of the ties between the two sides was agreed upon during the visit of the Vice -President Jagdeep Dhankhar to Cambodia to participate in the 19th India ASEAN summit held on 12 November 2022. The 19th India ASEAN summit has been designated as the commemorative summit, to mark the 30 years of Indian ASEAN relationship. Cambodia is currently the chairman of the 10 nations ASEAN group.
He will also participate in the 17th East Asia Summit to be held in the Cambodian capital Phnom Penh.
The focus area of the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership are as follows;
- Advanced maritime cooperation in areas of maritime security including maritime security, countering piracy, search and rescue operations and humanitarian assistance and disaster management. The two sides will work to implement the Asean Outlook on the Indo-Pacific and India’s Indo-Pacific Oceans Initiative.
- Strengthen cooperation in cybersecurity, digital economy and fintech, including the inter-operability of digital financial systems.
- Enhanced cooperation in sustainable development with the focus on new and emerging technologies for renewable energy, smart agriculture, healthcare and space.
- Promote the revival of tourism and enhance activities involving youth,
- Work together on regional and international issues of common concern to promote peace, stability and prosperity in the region.
Bilateral meeting with Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen
The Vice President also held a meeting with the Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen. India and Cambodia signed 4 memorandums of understanding.
The Indian side announced a grant of $426,000 to support Cambodia’s efforts to remove mines that were laid from the late 1970s to the 1990s.
Background to the India ASEAN meeting
As per the Look East foreign policy of the Narasimha Rao government in 90s, the government of India focussed on increasing trade and investment with East Asia with special focus on ASEAN.
Evolution of India -ASEAN relationship
- India was initially made a sectoral partner by ASEAN in 1992. With the increasing depth in the relationships the status was changed to a Dialogue Partner in 1996.
- In 2022 the relationship was further upgraded to Summit level
- And finally in 2012 it was elevated to Strategic partnership.
Association of Southeast Asian Nation (ASEAN)
It is considered to be one of the most successful regional groups in the world.
It was set up in 1967 as a group of South-East Asian nations.
At present there are 10 members in the group. They are
Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam.
The headquarters of ASEAN: Jakarta, Indonesia.
9. Kerala’s Nilambur and Thrissur join UNESCO Global Network of Learning Cities
Tags: State News
The Indian cities of Nilambur and Thrissur in the state of Kerala have joined the UNESCO Global Network of Learning Cities.
IMPORTANT FACTS -
- The global cities group also includes some of the most developed cities - Beijing, Shanghai, Hamburg, Athens, Incheon, Bristol and Dublin.
The cities in the list will benefit immensely from the exchange of ideas and solutions for development with other cities.
As per the announcement, a total of 78 cities from 44 countries have joined this list of UNESCO.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION -
About Nilambur :
Nilambur is a major eco-tourism destination of Kerala.
It is mainly characterized by different socio-economic patterns and a mix of urban and rural populations.
It aims to promote sustainable development, gender equality, inclusivity and democracy through community ownership.
The city aims to ensure employment opportunities and UN Sustainable Development Goal-2 of 'Zero Hunger'.
About Thrissur :
It is known as the cultural capital of Kerala state.
It is also a major destination for some of the renowned educational and research institutions.
It is famous for the jewellery industry.
The main objective of Thrissur is to provide solutions and ideas on issues related to equitable access to education.
The UNESCO Global Network of Learning Cities :
It is an international policy network that paves the way for the development and progress of other cities by sharing ideas and innovations on a global platform.
Warangal also joins UNESCO Global Network of Learning Cities
Warangal, the second largest city of Telangana, has joined the UNESCO Global Network of Learning Cities.
The Rudreshwar Temple (also known as Ramappa Temple) located at Palampet in Mulugu district, near Warangal, was inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage Site list in July 2021.
10. Cabinet approves MoU on Judicial Cooperation with Maldives
Tags: International News National News
The Union Cabinet chaired by the Prime Minister Narendra Modi has approved the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) in the field of judicial cooperation between India and the Judicial Service Commission of the Republic of Maldives.
Important facts
It will provide a platform to tap the benefits of Information Technology for court digitization.
It can be a potential growth area for the IT companies and start-ups in both the countries.
With the signing of this agreement on cooperation in the field of law and justice, better relations between the two countries will gain further impetus.
This will not only enable the exchange of knowledge and technology in judicial and other legal areas between the two countries but will also advance the objectives of the “Neighbourhood First” policy.
In recent years, the close relations between India and Maldives have deepened multidimensionally.
About Maldives
It is also called Maldive Islands, an independent island country in the north-central Indian Ocean.
It extends more than 510 miles (820 km) from north to south and 80 miles (130 km) from east to west.
Basis of economy - fisheries, tourism
Industries - handicraft or cottage including the making of coir (coconut-husk fibre) and coir products, fish canning, and boatbuilding.
Capital - Male
President - Ibrahim Mohamed Solih
Official Language - Dhivehi (Maldivian)
Official Religion - Islam
Currency - Rufiyaa
