1. India and UAE sign MoU for advanced technical cooperation
Tags: International Relations
A Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was officially signed between India and the United Arab Emirates (UAE).
An Overview of the News
The signatories include Piyush Goyal, Minister of Commerce and Industry of India and Dr. Sultan Al Jaber, Minister of Industry and Advanced Technology of the United Arab Emirates.
The signing took place in Abu Dhabi in the presence of Sheikh Hamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, a Member of the Abu Dhabi Executive Council.
Focus areas of cooperation:
The MoU entails collaborative efforts in several key areas, including:
Supply chain flexibility
Clean energy technology
Health care
Space exploration
Industry 4.0
Advanced technologies
Industrial standards
These sectors were chosen to facilitate industrial investment, technology transfer and implementation of innovations for mutual benefit.
Strategic Objective:
The primary goal of this historic agreement is to promote industrial development and technological progress in both countries.
The agreement seeks to enhance sustainable economic growth and competitiveness by promoting innovation and technological excellence.
It aims to facilitate the transfer of advanced technologies and promote sustainable practices, including clean energy and climate neutrality.
Seven key areas of focus:
The MoU identifies seven specific areas of cooperation, including:
Increase supply chain flexibility
Progress in renewable energy and energy efficiency
Collaborative efforts in health care and life sciences
Strengthening space industries, including commercial development and space exploration
Deploying AI technologies in various sectors
Emphasis on Industry 4.0 technologies and automation
Standardization and metrology to harmonize industrial standards and certification processes.
Promoting Cooperation:
The MoU encourages various forms of cooperation including industrial and academic partnerships.
Collaborative research and development projects are promoted to advance technological advancements.
Sharing of best practices in science and technology policies is encouraged to ensure the comprehensive nature of the partnership and its potential to benefit both countries.
2. Bangladesh receives the first batch of Russian Uranium for the Rooppur Nuclear Power Plant
Tags: International News
The Russian Embassy in Bangladesh officially delivered the first batch of uranium from Russia to the Rooppur Nuclear Power Plant (RNPP).
An Overview of the News
After the commissioning of the Rooppur plant, Bangladesh is on its way to becoming the 33rd country globally to produce nuclear power.
A formal "graduation ceremony" marked the handover of radioactive fuel from the Russian contractor, Rosatom, to RNPP officials.
Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and Russian President Vladimir Putin virtually attended the ceremony held at the Gana Bhavan and the Kremlin respectively.
Rosatom Director General Alexei Likhachev presented the fuel, and the ceremony was presided over by Minister of Science and Technology Architect Yefesh Osman.
International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) Director General Rafael Mariano Grossi also participated via video conference.
Uranium Shipment and Transportation:
The second batch of uranium-making nuclear fuel for the first unit of Rooppur Nuclear Power Plant arrived in Dhaka via a special plane at Dhaka Shahjalal International Airport on October 5.
The initial batch of uranium reached Bangladesh on 28 September and was safely transported by road to the nuclear power plant site the next day.
Rooppur Nuclear Power Plant Overview and Expenses Fuel Management:
Rosatom, the Russian contractor, is responsible for the construction of the Rooppur Nuclear Power Plant, which has a total capacity of 2400 MW and consists of two units, each capable of producing 1200 MW of electricity.
After nuclear fuel is loaded into the plant's reactors, it can generate electricity for up to a year before needing to reload the fuel.
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina announced that Russia is committed to reclaiming the spent fuel from the Rooppur plant and an agreement has been signed with the Russian Federation for the management of the spent fuel.
3. Union Cabinet approves Sammakka Sarakka Central Tribal University in Telangana
Tags: State News National News
The Union Cabinet on October 4, 2023 approved the establishment of Sammakka Sarakka Central Tribal University in Mulugu district of Telangana.
An Overview of the News
Amendments to the Central Universities Act 2009 were approved to facilitate the establishment of the university.
The Central Universities (Amendment) Bill-2023 will be introduced in Parliament for legislative action.
Legal Mandate and Delayed Establishment:
The University has been established under the provisions of the 13th Schedule of the Andhra Pradesh Reorganization Act-2014.
This Act mandated the establishment of a tribal university in both Andhra Pradesh and Telangana.
A tribal university was established in Andhra Pradesh in 2019, after delays in land allocation had prevented the establishment of the university in Telangana.
Financial Provisions and Educational Objectives:
Sammakka Sarakka Central Tribal University will receive funding provision of Rs 889.07 crore.
The university aims to increase access to higher education in Telangana and improve the overall quality of education in the state.
It will also focus on promoting tribal art, culture and traditional knowledge systems through instructional and research facilities.
The establishment of the university seeks to address regional educational imbalances and create additional educational capacity.
Central Tribal Universities in India:
Earlier, the Central Government had established two Central Tribal Universities in India:
Indira Gandhi National Tribal University is located in Amarkantak.
Andhra Pradesh Central Tribal University is located in Vizianagaram.
Sammakka Sarakka Central Tribal University in Telangana will be the third such university established with the aim of providing higher education and research facilities to the tribal population of the country.
At present there are a total of 45 central universities in India.
4. India-Bangladesh SAMPRITI-XI: Joint Military Exercise Begins
Tags: Defence International News
India and Bangladesh began the 11th edition of their annual joint military exercise, SAMPRITI, in Umroi, Meghalaya on October 3, 2023.
An Overview of the News
SAMPRITI is organized by both countries on a rotation basis and is a symbol of their strong bilateral defense cooperation.
Around 350 troops from India and Bangladesh will participate in SAMPRITI-XI and the exercise is scheduled to last for 14 days.
SAMPRITI-XI consists of a Command Post Exercise (CPX) and a Field Training Exercise (FTX).
The CPX consists of 20 officials from each team and focuses on making decisions after thorough deliberations.
FTX validates ground-level operations and includes joint tactical exercises for counter-terrorism operations, such as hostage rescue and crowd control measures.
Verification Exercises and 'Atmanirbhar Bharat' Tools:
A validation exercise will be conducted at Darrang Field Firing Range in Assam on October 14 and 15, 2023.
During this exercise, participants will see the capabilities of 'Atmanirbhar Bharat' equipment highlighting indigenous manufacturing.
Strengthening Bilateral Relations:
SAMPRITI-XI aims to enhance defense cooperation between India and Bangladesh.
It promotes deeper bilateral relations, cultural understanding and mutual benefit through shared experiences in sub-traditional operations.
The exercise emphasizes on improving interoperability, sharing tactical expertise and promoting best practices between the two armies.
About Bangladesh
It is located in South Asia and is bordered by India to the north, east and west and Myanmar to the southeast.
The country is home to several major rivers, including the Padma (Ganga), Meghna and Jamuna, which flow through the country and create fertile plains important for agriculture.
Capital - Dhaka
Currency - Bangladeshi Taka
Official Languages - Bengali, English
Prime Minister - Sheikh Hasina
5. India to unveil largest BR Ambedkar statue in Maryland, USA
Tags: International News
India will unveil the largest statue of BR Ambedkar outside India in Maryland, North America on October 14.
An Overview of the News
This project is organized by the Ambedkar International Center (AIC).
The 19-foot statue, known as the "Statue of Equality", was created by renowned artist and sculptor Ram Sutar, who also created the statue of Sardar Patel in Ahmedabad, Gujarat.
The statue of B.R. Ambedkar, an important figure in the Constitution of India, is located on 13 acres of land in the city of Accokeek, Maryland.
About Dr. Bhimrao Ramji Ambedkar
The 132nd birth anniversary of Dr. Bhimrao Ramji Ambedkar was celebrated as Ambedkar Jayanti in India on April 14, 2023.
Dr. Bhimrao Ramji Ambedkar was an Indian jurist, economist, and social reformer.
He was the first Minister of Law and Justice of independent India and Chairman of the Drafting Committee of the Constituent Assembly.
He was born in 1891 in a Dalit family.
Ambedkar played an important role in drafting the Indian Constitution and was a strong advocate of social justice, equality and democracy.
Dr. Ambedkar died in 1956.
Some of his notable books: Annihilation of Caste, Buddha and His Dhamma, Who Were the Shudras?, Thoughts on Linguistic States, Pakistan or Partition of India, Castes in India: Their Mechanism, Origin and Development, Development of Provincial Finance in British India, Hindu Riddles in religion, and the untouchables: who were they and why did they become untouchables?
6. Union Minister Hardeep S Puri inaugurates India Pavilion at ADIPEC 2023
Tags: International News
Union Minister of Petroleum and Natural Gas Hardeep Singh Puri inaugurated the Indian Pavilion at the International Petroleum Exhibition and Conference (ADIPEC 2023).
An Overview of the News
The Indian pavilion is one of the 30 country pavilions at the event.
Minister Puri also participated in bilateral discussions with industry leaders, including the interim CEO of British Petroleum and other key personalities.
ADIPEC 2023
The Abu Dhabi International Petroleum Exhibition and Conference (ADIPEC 2023) opened on October 2, 2023 at the Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre.
ADIPEC will involve more than 160,000 people from 164 countries.
The event will run until October 5 and focuses on the theme "Decarbonizing. Fast. Together".
ADIPEC's goal is to bring together the global energy industry to advance decarbonization efforts in today's energy systems and collaborate on the energy future.
Highlights of the Event
ADIPEC 2023 features more than 2,200 global companies across 16 exhibition halls.
The event covers four specialized areas: Decarbonization Accelerator, Maritime and Logistics Sector, Digitalization in the Energy Sector, and Manufacturing and Industrialization Exhibition and Conference.
Organized by Abu Dhabi National Oil Company (ADNOC), ADIPEC facilitates networking, business development and the exploration of new products, solutions and technologies.
Global Importance and Timeliness
ADIPEC 2023 is strategically timed as it takes place ahead of the hosting of COP28 in the UAE, emphasizing the program's role in aligning the energy industry with low-carbon, high-growth energy solutions.
Experts from diverse sectors within the energy ecosystem have gathered to address critical energy and climate challenges, making ADIPEC 2023 an important event for a more sustainable energy future.
7. Military Nursing Service celebrated 98th Foundation Day
Tags: National News
The Military Nursing Service (MNS) celebrated its 98th Raising Day on October 1, 2023.
An Overview of the News
MNS is recognized as one of the oldest and most prestigious women's services within the armed forces.
Serving and retired MNS officers paid homage at the National War Memorial on September 30, 2023.
Social gathering and distinguished presence
Additional DGMNS organized a social gathering at MNS Officers Mess, AH(R&R), New Delhi.
The event was attended by over 300 guests including senior dignitaries from the three Services and experienced MNS officers.
Historical importance of MNS
The origins of the MNS date back to the colonial era when British and Indian soldiers served in the British Army.
In 1888, the Indian Army Nursing Service (IANS) was established, marking the formal beginning of military nursing in India.
IANS officers played a vital role in providing medical care during the First and Second World Wars.
On October 1, 1926, the Permanent Nursing Service was established and designated as the Indian Military Nursing Service.
After Independence, the MNS became part of the Armed Forces Medical Services (AFMS) and has since earned a reputation for dedication and exemplary service in both war and peace, making it one of the world's top nursing services known for its resilience and courage.
8. Dr. Mohammed Muizzu wins the Maldives presidential election
Tags: Person in news International News
Dr. Mohammed Muizzu of the opposition PPM PNC alliance won the presidential election in Maldives with more than 53% of the votes.
An Overview of the News
Ibrahim Mohamed Solih of the ruling MDP received 46% of the vote in the runoff, up from 39% in the first round, but he fell short of the 50% needed to win.
The elections saw an improved turnout of 86% in the second round compared to 78% in the first.
About Maldives
It is officially called the Republic of Maldives.
It is located in the Indian Ocean.
It is classified as an archipelagic state.
This country is located in South Asia.
Geographically, it is located south-west of Sri Lanka and India.
Maldives is located about 750 kilometers from the mainland of the Asian continent.
Capital - Male
Currency - Maldivian Rufiyaa
Official language - Dhivehi
9. Iran's IRGC successfully launches Nour 3 Military Imaging Satellite into Orbit
Tags: Science and Technology International News
Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) successfully launched its third military imaging satellite, Nour 3, from Iran's Shahroud Spaceport.
An Overview of the News
The satellite was sent into orbit using a three-stage cassette carrier, which was developed by the IRGC.
In Persian,"nour" (or "noor") translates to "light", while "Qased" means "messenger".
Noor 3 was placed in low Earth orbit (LEO) at an altitude of 450 km (280 mi) above the Earth's surface.
The primary purpose of the Nour-3 satellite is to collect data and images for intelligence purposes by the IRGC.
Previous versions of the Noor satellite include:
Nour 1 - It was the first military reconnaissance satellite launched by Iran in April 2020. It orbited at an altitude of 425 km (265 mi) above the Earth.
Nour 2 - It launched in March 2022, and operated in a low orbit at an altitude of 500 km (310 mi).
Other satellites of Iran
In August 2022, Iran's high-resolution, remote-sensing Khayyam satellite was launched using Russia's Soyuz-2.1B rocket. The launch took place from the Russian-controlled Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan.
About Iran
President - Ibrahim Raisi
Capital - Tehran
Currency - Iranian Rial
10. FSSAI introduces 'special category' provision to promote gender equality in food industry
Tags: National News
Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) introduced a new provision called 'Special Category' in the FOSCOS portal.
An Overview of the News
This provision aims to promote gender equality and equal opportunities for women and transgender entrepreneurs in the food business sector.
Under this provision, licensing and registration authorities will give priority to 'special category' applications.
Priority will be maintained in such a way that a one-to-one ratio is maintained between 'Special Category' applications and regular applications, unless there are no pending applications in any category.
Persons belonging to 'Special Category' will be identified through Aadhaar/PAN (Permanent Account Number) authentication during the application submission process.
About FOSCOS (Food Safety Compliance System):
FOSCOS was introduced by FSSAI in 2020 as an upgraded version of the Food Licensing and Registration System (FLRS), which was initially launched in 2012.
It serves the purpose of issuing all India FSSAI licenses and registrations.
FOSCOS is a cloud-based online platform designed to provide various services to food business operators (FBOs), including licensing, registration and regulatory compliance.
About Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI):
FSSAI is a statutory body under the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, established in the year 2008 under the Food Safety and Standards Act 2006.
The current Chairman of FSSAI is Sudhansh Pant.
It operates under the supervision of the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare.
The headquarters of FSSAI is located in New Delhi, Delhi.
