1. National Law University Delhi launches 'Eklavya': A Research Affiliate Program
Tags: place in news
National Law University (NLU), Delhi launched a research affiliate program named 'Eklavya' to promote collaboration and inclusivity in legal scholarship.
An Overview of the News
The 'Eklavya' program is open to individuals who do not have a traditional law degree, who have at least three years of experience working on law-related issues.
Full-time or part-time employees require approval from their current organization or institution.
Self-employed individuals, freelancers, or independent consultants must provide a declaration stating their business status.
Benefits and Opportunities:
Connect with faculty, researchers and scholars of NLU Delhi to promote subject research collaboration.
Get guidance and advice from experienced academicians and legal experts affiliated with NLU Delhi.
Access the extensive library resources and research facilities available at NLU Delhi.
Connect with a diverse community of legal professionals, policy makers and researchers through seminars, conferences and workshops.
Contribute to the development of legal scholarship through research papers, articles and publications.
Raise your professional profile and receive recognition for your research contributions.
2. Justice Sheo Kumar Singh becomes NGT acting chairman
Tags: Environment place in news
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The Central Government has authorized Justice Sheo Kumar Singh-I, Judicial Member of the National Green Tribunal (NGT), to act as the Chairperson of the Tribunal till a new Chairperson is appointed.
An Overview of the news:
- Justice Adarsh Kumar Goel who was appointed as the Chairman in July 2018; Retired on 6 July 2023.
- The Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change issued a notification on 6 July 2023 authorizing Justice Sheo Kumar Singh-I to act as the Chairperson.
- He was appointed as a judicial member of NGT in 2020. He is currently working as Judicial Member in the Central Zone Bench of Bhopal.
Career of Justice Sheo Kumar Singh-I:
- Shri Singh-I graduated from Allahabad University in 1975.
- Passed out as a Law graduate from Allahabad University in the year 1978.
- Joined judicial service in 1984 and worked as District Judge, Registrar (Judicial) in various districts of Uttar Pradesh.
- He was appointed Supervisor of Ram Janmabhoomi, Ayodhya, Faizabad.
- He was elevated as a judge in Allahabad and served there till January 2018.
National Green Tribunal (NGT):
- India is the third (first developing) country in the world after Australia and New Zealand to set up a Special Environment Tribunal.
- Establishment: On 18th October, 2010 under the National Green Tribunal Act, 2010.
- Objective: To speed up disposal of environmental issues.
- Headquarters: Delhi (Four Regional Offices - Bhopal, Pune, Kolkata and Chennai).
- Settlement of issues: Settlement of environmental issues within 6 months.
- Composition: Consists of Chairperson, Judicial Members and Expert Members.
- Appointment of Chairperson: By the Central Government in consultation with the Chief Justice of India.
- Tenure: Term of three years or till the age of sixty five years and not eligible for reappointment.
3. Prime Minister Narendra Modi flagged off five new Vande Bharat trains of the country
Tags: place in news
On 27 June 2023, Prime Minister Narendra Modi flagged off five new Vande Bharat trains from Rani Kamlapati Railway Station in Bhopal.
An Overview of the News
Trains include Ranchi-Patna, Dharwad-KSR Bengaluru, Goa (Madgaon)-Mumbai, Bhopal-Indore and Bhopal-Jabalpur.
These trains were virtually launched by the Prime Minister.
Two Vande Bharat trains, Bhopal-Indore and Bhopal-Jabalpur were also flagged off in Madhya Pradesh.
The trains aim to improve connectivity in Madhya Pradesh, Karnataka, Maharashtra, Goa, Bihar and Jharkhand.
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
4. Union Environment Ministry gives final nod for 'Kalaignar Pen Monument' in Bay of Bengal
Tags: place in news State News
The Union Environment Ministry granted Coastal Regulation Zone (CRZ) approval to the Tamil Nadu government's proposal to build the Muthmiz Arignar Dr Kalaignar Pen Monument in the Bay of Bengal, off Marina beach in Chennai, with 15 conditions.
An Overview of the News
In its letter to the Public Works Department (PWD) dated 19 June 2023, the Union ministry said the approval was given based on the recommendations of the Expert Appraisal Committee (CRZ) and the Tamil Nadu Coastal Zone Management Authority.
Environmental statement to be submitted to Tamil Nadu Pollution Control Board every year and compliance status to be uploaded on PWD website.
About Dr. Kalaignar Pain Monument
The Dr. Kalaignar Pain Monument is a proposed offshore memorial and is dedicated to Late M. Karunanidhi, former Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu.
Karunanidhi was a prolific writer, poet and orator, known as Kalaignar (artist).
He wrote over 100 books including novels, short stories, biographies, essays and memoirs.
The memorial will symbolize his contribution to Tamil literature, culture and his political legacy.
The project was announced in 2022.
5. Lithium reserves found for the first time in Jammu and Kashmir
Tags: place in news Science and Technology National News
For the first time in the country, reserves of 59 lakh tonnes of lithium have been found in the Reasi district of Jammu division.
An overview of the news:
The Geological Survey of India has discovered lithium deposits in the Salal-Haimana area of Reasi district in Jammu and Kashmir.
Currently India is dependent on imports for Lithium, Nickel and Cobalt. This discovery will reduce India's dependence on lithium from other countries.
A report on 51 mineral blocks including Lithium and Gold was submitted to the State Governments during the 62nd Central Geological Programming Board (CGPB) meeting.
Out of these 51 mineral blocks, 5 blocks are related to gold and other blocks are related to potash, molybdenum, base metals.
These minerals have been found in different districts of 11 states which include Jammu and Kashmir (UT), Andhra Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Gujarat, Jharkhand, Karnataka, Madhya Pradesh, Odisha, Rajasthan, Tamil Nadu and Telangana.
Lithium:
It is a chemical element with the symbol (Li).
It is a soft and silvery white metal.
It is the lightest metal and the lightest solid element at standard conditions.
It is alkaline and a rare metal.
Lithium has an atomic number of 3 and an atomic mass of 6.941u.
Lithium is one of the key components of rechargeable batteries for mobile phones, laptops, digital cameras and electric vehicles.
It is also used in some non-rechargeable batteries for things like heart pacemakers, toys, and watches.
Countries with the largest reserves: Chile > Australia > Argentina
6. Union Minister Arjun Ram Meghwal hands over 9th to 10th century Nataraja idol to Archaeological Department official in Chittorgarh Fort
Tags: place in news National News
Union Minister of State for Culture Arjun Ram Meghwal has handed over the 9th to 10th century Nataraja statue to the Archaeological Department of Chittorgarh Fort, Rajasthan.
The statue, which dates back to the 9th to 10th centuries, was stolen from the Shiva temple at Badoli in Chittorgarh district in 1998 and sold to a museum in London.
After a long legal process, in the year 2020, it was successful in bringing this statue to India from a private museum in London.
Now this statue will be kept under the protection of the Archaeological Survey Department in Kumbha Mahal.
From the year 2014 till now, 229 idols of ancient importance have been brought back to India by the Government of India.
On this occasion, the Union Minister of State for Culture, Arjun Ram Meghwal has also assured the construction of a ropeway on the Chittorgarh Fort and to connect Chittorgarh with the Bharatmala Yojana.
Chittorgarh Fort
Chittorgarh fort is the largest fort in India. It is located in Chittorgarh, Rajasthan.
Chittor was the capital of Mewar.
Chittor Fort was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site on 21 June 2013.
This fort was built by the Mauryan dynasty king Chitrangad Maurya in the seventh century.
7. Union Cabinet approves naming of Mopa airport in Goa after Manohar Parrikar
Tags: place in news National State News
The Union cabinet in a meeting chaired by the Prime Minister Narendra Modi on 4 January 2023 has given ex-post facto approval for naming the Greenfield International Airport at Goa's Mopa as Manohar International Airport, after former defence minister and Goa chief minister Manohar Parrikar.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi while inaugurating the first phase of the international airport at Mopa in north Goa on 11 December 2022 had announced that the airport will be named after the late Goa Chief Minister and former Union Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar.
Manohar Parrikar was the Chief Minister of Goa from 2000 to 2005, 2012 to 2014 and from 14 March 2017 until his death in March 2019.
Manohar Parrikar was also the Union Defence Minister from October 2014-March 2017.
He was awarded Padma Bhushan posthumously in January 2020.
Manohar International Airport is the second airport in Goa after Dabolim airport.
8. President Murmu inaugurates the 18th National Jamboree of the Bharat Scouts and Guides in Rajasthan
Tags: place in news National Summits
President Droupadi Murmu inaugurated the 18th National Scout and Guide Jamboree, at Rohat in the Pali district of Rajasthan on 4 January 2023. The President was on a two day (3 and 4 January) visit to the state. The 7 day event is being hosted by Rajasthan after 66 years. Over 35,000 scouts and guides from all over the country are participating in the event.
The first National Scout and Guide Jamboree was held in Andhra Pradesh in 1951. The 17th Jamboree was held in Mysuru, Karnataka in December 2016 -January 2017.
Theme of the Jamboree 2023
Theme of the 18th National Scout and Guide Jamboree: Progress with Peace
What is a Jamboree?
The Jamboree is a National level gathering of the Scouts and Guides conducted once in 4 years or to mark special occasions. The Jamboree gives the Scouts and Guides an opportunity to interact with the youth from different states of India and from abroad. The young people share their customs, food habits, handicrafts, religious practices, culture etc with one another. They live under the canvas for a week and participate in various activities.
For the 18th National Scout and Guides Jamboree over 3500 tents have been erected at the Nimblee village.
Founder of the Scout and Guides movement
The Boy Scout movement was started by Major General Baden Powel of the British Army in 1907.
The girl’s guide’s movement was started by Major General Powel sister’s Agnes Baden Powel in 1910.
Bharat Scouts and Guides Movement
After Independence the Bharat Scouts and Guides was set up in 1950 as a registered society under Societies Registrations Act 1860.
It is a totally voluntary, non-political and secular organisation.
The purpose of the Movement is to contribute to the development of young people in achieving their full physical, intellectual, emotional, social and spiritual potentials as individuals, as responsible citizens and as members of the local, national and International communities.
Its Headquarters is in New Delhi.
9. Hydrogen blended PNG project starts operation at NTPC Kawas ,Gujarat
Tags: place in news National Science and Technology State News
India’s largest power company NTPC Ltd has commissioned India’s first green hydrogen blending project at Kawas, Gujarat. The piped natural gas (PNG) blended with green hydrogen gas is being supplied through the Gujarat Gas limited piped natural gas (PNG) network in the NTPC Kawas township, Surat.
In April 2022 the NTPC signed an agreement with Gujarat Gas for blending of green hydrogen in the piped natural gas (PNG) to be supplied to the NTPC Kawas Township.
Green Hydrogen refers to the breaking down of the water molecule into hydrogen and oxygen using renewable sources of energy.
The Central government owned NTPC provides the green hydrogen produced at its 1 megawatt (MW) floating solar project of NTPC Kawas in the Surat district of Gujarat for blending purposes.
Initially, the percentage of hydrogen blending in the PNG shall be around 5% and after successful completion, it will be increased. The Hydrogen blended PNG will be used for cooking purposes.
This is the first project of its kind in the country .This is seen as a first step toward the decarbonization of the cooking sector and self-sufficiency for the energy requirements of the nation.
Gujarat Gas Limited (GGL) is India's largest City Gas Distribution (CGD) Company in terms of sales volume, with operation across 43 districts in 6 states and 1 Union territory in the states of Gujarat, Maharashtra, Rajasthan, Haryana, Punjab and Madhya Pradesh and Union Territory of Dadra & Nagar Haveli.
It is owned by Gujarat government owned Gujarat State Petroleum Corporation.
Headquarters: Ahmedabad, Gujarat.
10. Second Phase of Sari Festival “VIRAASAT”- Celebrating 75 handwoven Saris of India begins in New Delhi
Tags: place in news National Government Schemes
The second phase of the Sari Festival “VIRAASAT”- Celebrating 75 handwoven Saris of India will begin from 3- 17 January 2023 in New Delhi . The Union Ministry of Textile is organising the festival.
Over 90 participants from different parts of India the will display a wide variety of sarees like handloom Saris of Jamdani, Ikat, Pochampally, Banaras Brocade, Tussar Silk (Champa), Baluchari, Bhagalpuri Silk, Tangail, Chanderi, Lalitpuri, Patola, Paithani etc
The first phase of “VIRAASAT”- Celebrating 75 handwoven Saris of India started on 16th December 2022 and concluded on 30th December 2022. The event was inaugurated by Hon’ble Finance Minister Smt. Nirmala Sitharaman on 16th December 2022, along with Hon’ble Minister of State Smt. Darshana Jardosh and other women parliamentarians.
The event is likely to bring renewed focus on the age-old tradition of Sari weaving and thereby improve earnings of the handloom community.
Union Textile minister: Piyush Goel
