1. President Droupadi Murmu Inaugurates Vishwashanti Buddha Vihara in Maharashtra
Tags: State News National News
President Droupadi Murmu inaugurated the Vishwashanti Buddha Vihara in Udgir, Latur district, Maharashtra.
An Overview of the News
President installed a statue of Gautama Buddha inside the vihara and paid tribute to Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar by offering flowers at his statue.
The event included a traditional Buddha worship ceremony.
Governor C.P. Radhakrishnan, Chief Minister Eknath Shinde, Union Minister of State for Social Justice Ramdas Athawale, and Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis attended the event.
Features of the Buddha Vihara
The newly inaugurated Buddha Vihara is a replica of the Buddha Vihara in Kalburgi, Karnataka.
Located on a 15-hectare site, it features a meditation centre that can accommodate 1,200 followers.
The main entrance, inspired by the Sanchi Stupa in Bihar, serves as an impressive entryway to the premises.
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 - C.P. Radhakrishnan
Official Animal - Indian giant squirrel
Official Bird - Yellow-footed Green Pigeon
Official Dance -Lavani
2. Union Minister Arjun Ram Meghwal Launches Digital Notary Portal
Tags: National News
Union Minister for Law and Justice, Arjun Ram Meghwal, launched the new Notary Portal in New Delhi.
An Overview of the News
The portal is a significant step towards creating a paperless, faceless, and efficient system, aligning with the goals of Digital India.
It is designed to be user-friendly and aims to assist both Notaries and the public in streamlining processes.
Key Features of the Notary Portal:
The portal offers an online interface between notaries and the government for various services.
Services include the submission of applications for appointment as notaries, issuance and renewal of Certificates of Practice, change of practice area, and submission of annual returns.
Central Notaries can submit applications online, track their progress, and download digitally signed Certificates of Practice through Digilocker.
Benefits and Impact:
The portal eliminates the need for physical submission of applications and requests, enhancing convenience.
It promotes transparency and efficiency in the notary services process.
The launch is seen as a significant advancement towards the digitalization of legal services in India.
3. West Bengal Assembly Passes Aparajita Anti-Rape Bill
Tags: National News
The West Bengal Assembly passed the Aparajita Bill, an anti-rape bill, on 3 September during a special session.
An Overview of the News
The bill received unanimous support, with the Opposition, including BJP MLAs and the Leader of Opposition Suvendu Adhikari, backing the Mamata Banerjee-led TMC government.
'Aparajita Woman and Child Bill (West Bengal Criminal Laws and Amendment) Bill 2024,' was introduced by West Bengal Law Minister Moloy Ghatak.
Key Provisions of the Bill:
Capital Punishment: The bill proposes capital punishment for individuals convicted of rape if the victim dies or is left in a vegetative state.
Life Imprisonment: It mandates a life sentence without parole for those convicted of rape and gang rape. Repeat offenders may face life imprisonment or death penalty, plus financial fines.
Amendments: Changes to sections of the Bharatiya Nyay Sanhita (BNS) 2023 regarding rape, gang rape, repeat offenders, and victim identity disclosure. Removal of age-based punishment sections.
Expedited Investigation: Rape investigations must be completed within 21 days, with a 15-day extension possible with valid reasons.
Special Task Force: Creation of the 'Aparajita Task Force' at the district level, led by a Deputy Superintendent of Police, to handle these cases.
Specialized Courts: Proposal for 52 special courts to handle rape and sexual offences, designed to reduce victim trauma.
Penalties for Publishing Proceedings: Unauthorized publication of court proceedings will result in 3 to 5 years imprisonment and fines to protect victim privacy.
Context and Urgency:
The special session of the Assembly was convened following the rape-murder of a woman medic at RG Kar Medical College and Hospital.
The Assembly met for two days to urgently address issues related to crimes against women and to fast-track punishments for perpetrators.
4. IndiaFirst Life Insurance Launches First IFSC Insurance Office in GIFT City
Tags: National News
IndiaFirst Life Insurance Company Limited has launched its International Financial Services Centre (IFSC) Insurance Office (IIO) at GIFT City, Gandhinagar, Gujarat.
An Overview of the News
This makes IndiaFirst Life the first Indian life insurer to operate in GIFT City.
Product Offering:
IndiaFirst Life introduces the 'IndiaFirst Life Wealth Wise Plan,' a Unit Linked Insurance Plan (ULIP) specifically designed for global Indians.
The plan is denominated in US dollars and aims to cater to international consumers seeking long-term wealth and legacy creation.
Expansion Strategy:
The initiative focuses on reaching international customers through partner banks and selected broker partners.
Current shareholders of IndiaFirst Life include Bank of Baroda (BoB), Union Bank of India (UBI), and Carmel Point Investments India Private Limited (CPIIPL).
IndiaFirst Life Insurance Company Limited
Established- 2009
Headquarters- Mumbai, Maharashtra
MD & CEO- Rushabh Gandhi
5. Delhi's IGI Airport Becomes India's First Net Zero Carbon Emission Airport
Tags: National News
Indira Gandhi International Airport (IGIA) in Delhi has become the first airport in India to achieve net zero carbon emission status.
An Overview of the News
The achievement was recognized under the Airport Council International's (ACI) Airport Carbon Accreditation (ACA) programme.
GMR Group-led Delhi International Airport Ltd (DIAL) operates IGIA.
Early Achievement of Target
Initially, IGIA aimed to achieve net zero carbon emissions by 2030.
The target was achieved ahead of schedule due to various sustainability initiatives.
Key Sustainability Initiatives
Adoption of renewable energy sources.
Development of green airport infrastructure.
Promotion of electric vehicles at the airport.
Level 5 Net Zero Emission Accreditation
IGIA achieved Level 5, the highest accreditation level in the ACA programme, in 2024.
This accreditation signifies a 90% reduction in scope 1 and 2 CO2 emissions.
Residual emissions were offset through approved carbon removal strategies.
6. JP Nadda Inaugurates First Policy Makers' Forum in New Delhi
Tags: National News
Union Minister for Chemicals and Fertilizers and Health and Family Welfare JP Nadda inaugurated the 'First Policy Makers Forum' in New Delhi. The forum runs till 22 August 2024.
An Overview of the News
Dr. Rajeev Singh Raghuvanshi, the Drugs Controller General of India and Secretary-cum-Scientific Director of IPC, along with Rajiv Wadhawan, Joint Secretary of the Union Health Ministry; Rohith Rathish, Joint Secretary of the Ministry of External Affairs; and other senior officers of the Union government, were present at the event.
Policy makers and drug regulators from 15 countries, including Burkina Faso, Ghana, Lebanon and Uganda, participated.
The forum is hosted by the Indian Pharmacopoeia Commission (IPC) in collaboration with the Ministry of Health & Family Welfare (MoHFW) and the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA).
Key Initiatives Discussed
Pradhan Mantri Bhartiya Janaushadhi Pariyojana (PMBJP): Emphasis on the Janaushadhi Scheme, which provides high-quality, affordable generic medicines across India.
Ayushman Bharat Scheme: Highlighted as the world's largest government-funded healthcare program, providing insurance coverage to over 500 million people.
Launch of Digital Platforms
IP Online Portal: A digital platform for making drug standards more accessible globally, aligning with India’s 'Digital India' campaign.
Adverse Drug Reaction Monitoring System (ADRMS): India’s first indigenous software for monitoring adverse drug reactions, enhancing pharmacovigilance.
7. Sembcorp to Invest Rs 36,238 Crore in Green Hydrogen Facility in Tamil Nadu
Tags: State News National News
Sembcorp Industries, based in Singapore, will invest Rs 36,238 crore to set up a green hydrogen/green ammonia manufacturing unit in Thoothukudi, Tamil Nadu.
An Overview of the News
Tamil Nadu will be the first state in India to commence large-scale commercial production of green hydrogen.
Facility Overview:
The foundation stone for the unit was laid by Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M.K. Stalin on August 21, 2024, during the Tamil Nadu Investment Conclave 2024 in Chennai.
The facility will cover 160 acres and initially produce 200,000 metric tonnes of green ammonia annually for export to Japan.
At the Tamil Nadu Global Investors Meet 2024, Sembcorp signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to establish the facility.
Tamil Nadu Investment Conclave 2024 Highlights:
The Chief Minister inaugurated 28 industrial projects with a total investment of Rs 51,157 crore and 19 additional projects with an investment of Rs 17,616 crore, bringing the total to 47 projects.
The Tamil Nadu government, in collaboration with Tamil Nadu Industrial Development Corporation Limited (TIDCO) and TATA Technologies, will set up the Tamil Nadu Engineering and Innovations Centre (TN ENGINE) in Coimbatore with an investment of Rs 400 crore.
Tamil Nadu
It was formerly known as Madras State.
Capital: Chennai
Bird: Emerald Dove
Chief Minister: M.K. Stalin
Governor: R.N. Ravi
8. Information and Broadcasting Minister Launches ‘Create in India Challenge’
Tags: National News
Information and Broadcasting Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw launched the ‘Create in India Challenge-Season One’ in New Delhi.
An Overview of the News
This initiative is part of the lead-up to the World Audio Visual and Entertainment Summit (WAVES).
Focus on 25 Challenges
A total of 25 challenges were introduced, reflecting the evolution of India's economy and the impact of technological advancements.
These challenges aim to further boost the Media and Entertainment industry and support the growing creator economy.
Recognition of the Creator Economy
The creator economy, recognized by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, has significantly evolved, leading to the institution of the National Creator Awards.
The Government of India sees the creator economy as a key driver for employment generation.
Vision for WAVES Summit
The WAVES Summit, set to take place for the first time, has received positive feedback, prompting plans to organize it on a larger scale in the future.
Information and Broadcasting Secretary Sanjay Jaju highlighted the initiative's alignment with the Prime Minister’s ‘Design in India, Design for the World’ vision, marking a significant milestone in nurturing India's creative ecosystem.
9. India Approves Additional 251 MW Power Exports from Nepal
Tags: International Relations
India’s Designated Authority for Cross-Border Trade has approved an additional 251 MW of power exports from 12 Nepali hydropower projects.
An Overview of the News
This increases the total allowed power exports from Nepal to India from 690 MW (from 16 projects) to 941 MW (from 28 projects).
Growth in Power Exports
Nepal, already a net exporter of electricity and revenue generator, sold NPR 16.93 billion worth of electricity in the last fiscal year.
Power exports from Nepal to India, which began with 39 MW in October 2021, have surged more than 24 times in less than three years.
New Agreements and Market Access
Nepal has gained access to the Real-Time Market in addition to the Day Ahead Market of the Indian Energy Exchange.
Medium-term power sales agreements have been established with distribution companies in Haryana and Bihar.
India has included hydropower imports from Nepal in the Hydropower Purchase Obligation (HPO) for Indian buyers, incentivizing purchases.
Future Prospects
The Agreement for Long-Term Power between India and Nepal aims to sell up to 10,000 MW of Nepali power to India over the next decade, with around 1,000 MW already achieved this year.
Nepal is on track to become the leading hydropower exporter in South Asia.
A planned agreement for 40 MW power export to Bangladesh was postponed due to recent political developments.
About Nepal
The kingdom of Nepal was established by the Shah dynasty.
It is a landlocked country in South Asia.
Capital - Kathmandu
Currency - Nepalese Rupee
President - Ram Chandra Paudel
Vice President -Ram Sahaya Yadav
Prime Minister - KP Sharma Oli
Chief Justice - Bishowambhar Prasad Shrestha
10. Manohar Lal Khattar Launches Three Innovative Online Platforms
Tags: National News
Union Minister of Power Manohar Lal Khattar launched three online platforms in New Delhi.
An Overview of the News
New Platforms Introduced: Portal for Online Monitoring of Projects – Thermal (PROMPT), Disaster Resilient Infrastructure for Power Sector (DRIPS) and JAL VIDYUT DPR
Minister's Remarks:
Transparency and Efficiency: The platforms aim to improve transparency, coordination, and effectiveness in the power sector.
Goal of Viksit Bharat 2047: Emphasized the power sector’s role in achieving the goal of a developed India by 2047.
Economic Driver: Highlighted electricity as a crucial driver of economic activities.
Growing Demand: Noted the increasing demand for power and the critical need for timely completion of ongoing thermal projects and schemes.
About Portal for Online Monitoring of Projects – Thermal (PROMPT)
The portal aims to enhance the efficiency and transparency of thermal power project management.
Portal Features
Real-Time Tracking: Provides centralized tracking and analysis of thermal power projects.
Transparency and Accountability: Digitizes monitoring for greater transparency and timely issue resolution.
Resource Optimization: Assists in managing resource availability to meet electricity demand effectively.
