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Location : Washington, United States
The eighth ministerial meeting of the India-U.S.A. Economic and Financial Partnership Dialogue was held n 15th Oct 2021 at Washington D.C. The meeting was chaired by Union Minister for Finance Smt. Nirmala Sitharaman and the Secretary of the Treasury of the United States.
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‘SUJALAM’, a ‘100 days campaign’ as part of the ‘Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav’ celebrating to create more and more ODF(Open defecation) Plus villages by undertaking waste water management at village level particularly through creation of 1 million Soak-pits. The Campaign has started from 25th August, 2021 and will continue to run for the next 100 days.
The campaign will not only build desired infrastructure i.e. soak pit for management of greywater in villages but will also aid in sustainable management of waterbodies. The disposal of waste water and clogging of waterbodies in the villages or on the outskirts of the villages remain one of the major problems. The Campaign would help in management of the wastewater and in turn would help to revive the waterbodies. Sources : PIB The Union Cabinet, chaired by the Prime Minister of India has given its approval on 18th August 2021 for ratification of the Kigali Amendment to the Montreal Protocol. Kigali Amendment to the Montreal Protocol on Substances that Deplete the Ozone Layer for phase down of Hydroflurocarbons (HFCs) adopted by the Parties to the Montreal Protocol on October, 2016 at 28th Meeting of the Parties to the Montreal Protocol held at Kigali, Rwanda.
Benefits:
About Montreal Protocol The Montreal Protocol on Substances that Deplete the Ozone Layer, is an international environmental treaty for protection of the Ozone Layer by phasing out the production and consumption of man-made chemicals referred to as ozone depleting substances (ODS). India became a Party to the Montreal Protocol on Substances that Deplete the Ozone Layer on 19 June 1992 and since then has ratified the amendments to the Montreal Protocol. Though the present approval of the Cabinet, India will be ratifying the Kigali Amendment to the Montreal Protocol for phase down of Hydrofluorocarbons. Sources : PIB  India is celebrating its 75th Independence Day on 15 August 2021. The day is observed to mark the end of British rule in India, in the year 1947. India's struggle for freedom from British rule was long and had cost too many lives. Many freedom fighters and leaders dedicated their whole life to this struggle. Therefore, this day is observed every year to celebrate our freedom and acknowledge the sacrifices and efforts of the people who fought for it. ‘Nation First, Always First’ is the theme of India’s 75th Independence Day.
Four more wetlands from India get recognition as Ramsar sites on 14th August 2021. These sites are Thol (Gujarat), Wadhwana (Gujarat), Sultanpur(Haryana) and Bhindawas(Haryana). With this the number of Ramsar sites in India are 46. While Haryana gets its first Ramsar sites, Gujarat gets three more after Nalsarovar which was declared in 2012.
Bhindawas Wildlife Sanctuary Bhindawas Wildlife Sanctuary, the largest wetland in Haryana is a human-made freshwater wetland. Over 250 bird species use the sanctuary throughout the year as a resting and roosting site. Sultanpur National Park Sultanpur National Park from Haryana supports more than 220 species of resident, winter migratory and local migratory waterbirds at critical stages of their life cycles. Thol Lake Wildlife Sanctuary Thol Lake Wildlife Sanctuary from Gujarat lies on the Central Asian Flyway and more than 320 bird species can be found here. Wadhvana Wetland Wadhvana Wetland from Gujarat is internationally important for its birdlife as it provides wintering ground to migratory waterbirds, including over 80 species that migrate on the Central Asian Flyway. About Wetlands Wetlands provide a wide range of important resources and ecosystem services such as food, water, fibre, groundwater recharge, water purification, flood moderation, erosion control and climate regulation. They are, in fact, are a major source of water and our main supply of freshwater comes from an array of wetlands which help soak rainfall and recharge groundwater. About Ramsar Convention The Ramsar Convention is the intergovernmental treaty that provides the framework for the conservation and wise use of wetlands and their resources. The Convention was adopted in the Iranian city of Ramsar in 1971 and came into force in 1975. About Ramsar site Under Ramsar Convention the Ramsar site is recognised to develop and maintain an international network of wetlands which are important for the conservation of global biological diversity and for sustaining human life through the maintenance of their ecosystem components, processes and benefits. Sources : PIB The Constitution (One Hundred and Twenty-Seventh Amendment) Bill, 2021 was passed by Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha on 9th August 2021 and 10th August 2021. The 2021 Bill amends this to provide that the President may notify the list of socially and educationally backward classes only for purposes of the central government. This central list will be prepared and maintained by the central government. Further, the Bill enables states and union territories to prepare their own list of socially and educationally backward classes. This list must be made by law, and may differ from the central list.
About National Commission for Backward Classes (NCBC) The National Commission for Backward Classes (NCBC) was established under the National Commission for Backward Classes Act, 1993. The Constitution (One Hundred and Second Amendment) Act, 2018 gave constitutional status to the NCBC. Sources : PIB Prime Minster of India launched Ujjwala 2.0 (Pradhan Mantri Ujjwala Yojana - PMUY) via video conference on 10th August 2021. Under Ujjwala 2.0 migrant workers would no longer have to struggle to get address proof documents to get the gas connections. Now migrant workers would only be required to submit a self-declaration of their residential address to get the gas connection.
About Pradhan Mantri Ujjwala Yojana Pradhan Mantri Ujjwala Yojana was launched by Hon’ble Prime Minister of India Shri Narendra Modi on 1st May 2016. Under this scheme, 5 Cr LPG connections will be provided to BPL families. Pradhan Mantri Ujjwala Yojana (PMUY) aims to safeguard the health of women & children by providing them with a clean cooking fuel – LPG, so that they don’t have to compromise their health in smoky kitchens or wander in unsafe areas collecting firewood. Sources : PIB 8th July 2021 marks as the 79th anniversary of Quit India movement. On 8th July 1942, father of the nation Mahatma Gandhi gave the call of Do or Die to all Indians to drive away Britishers from the country. The Quit India Movement also known as the August Movement, was a movement launched at the Bombay session of the All India Congress Committee by Mahatma Gandhi on 8 August 1942, during World War II, demanding an end to British rule in India. The movement had begun from Gawalia Tank in Mumbai.
Sources : PIB On August 9, Prime Minister of India Narendra Modi become the first Indian PM to preside over the U.N. Security Council (UNSC) during an open debate. The current stint is the eighth time that India has held the Presidency of the top U.N. body. The last time India held the position was a decade ago during 2011-12. Similar stints were served during 1950-51, 1967-68, 1972-73, 1977-78, 1984-'85 and 1991-92. the first tenure in 1950-51. PM Modi presided the open debate on maritime security mainly because the date also coincides with the historic Quit India movement and the upcoming 75th anniversary of Independence.
Sources : The Hindu India's highest sporting honour Khel Ratna Award on 6th July 2021 renamed as Major Dhyan Chand Khel Ratna Award in the honour of hockey wizard Dhyan Chand following the admirable performance of both men's and women's hockey teams in the Tokyo Olympics.
About Major Dhyan Chand Khel Ratna Award The Major Dhyan Chand Khel Ratna Award in Sports and Games is the highest sporting honour of the Republic of India. It is awarded annually by the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports. The recipient is selected by a committee constituted by the Ministry and is honoured for their "spectacular and most outstanding performance in the field of sports over a period of four years" at international level. As of 2020, the award comprises a medallion, a certificate, and a cash prize of ₹25 lakh. Sources : PIB A unique scientific exercise serving the combined national objectives of reducing desertification and providing livelihood and multi-disciplinary rural industry support has been initiated by Khadi and Village Industries Commission (KVIC). The project named “Bamboo Oasis on Lands in Drought” (BOLD) is the first of its kind exercise in India which was launched on 5th June 2021 from the tribal village in Udaipur, Rajasthan.
About Project BOLD Project BOLD, which seeks to create bamboo-based green patches in arid and semi-arid land zones for reducing land degradation and preventing desertification in the country. The initiative has been launched as part of KVIC’s “Khadi Bamboo Festival” to celebrate 75 years of independence “Azadi ka Amrit Mahotsav”. Total 15,000 bamboo saplings will be planted before August 21. Sources : PIB The Madras Legislative Council in Chennai celebrated platinum jubilee on 2nd July 2021. The history of the Madras Legislative Council, as you know, dates back to 1861. An advisory body set up back then bloomed into a law-making assembly in 1921.
About Tamil Nadu Legislative Council Tamil Nadu Legislative Council was the upper house of the former bicameral legislature of the Indian state of Tamil Nadu. It began its existence as Madras Legislative Council, the first provincial legislature for Madras Presidency. It was initially created as an advisory body in 1861, by the British colonial government. It was established by the first Indian Council Act of 1861, enacted in the British parliament. The Council became a unicameral legislative body in 1921 and eventually the upper chamber of a bicameral legislature in 1937. After India became independent in 1947, it continued to be the upper chamber of the legislature of Madras State, one of the successor states to the Madras Presidency. The Council was abolished by the M. G. Ramachandran administration on 1 November 1986. Sources : PIB Union Government launched e-RUPI - specific digital payment solution on 2nd August 2021. Over the years, several programmes have been launched to ensure that the benefits reach its intended beneficiaries in a targeted and leak-proof manner. The concept of electronic voucher takes forward this vision of Good Governance.
About e-RUPI e-RUPI is a cashless and contactless instrument for digital payment. It is a QR code or SMS string-based e-Voucher, which is delivered to the mobile of the beneficiaries. The users of this seamless one-time payment mechanism will be able to redeem the voucher without a card or internet banking access, at the service provider. It has been developed by National Payments Corporation of India on its UPI platform.
Sources : PIB Indian Navy with Indonesian Navy from 30th July 2021 to 31 July 2021. The 36th edition of INDIA – INDONESIA COORDINATED PATROL(CORPAT) between India and Indonesia witness participation of Maritime Patrol Aircraft from both nations. The exercise, being conducted as a ‘non-contact, at sea only’ exercise in view of COVID-19 pandemic, highlights the high degree of mutual trust and confidence, synergy and cooperation between the two friendly navies.
About SAGAR (Security AndGrowth for All in the Region) As part of Government of India’s vision of SAGAR (Security AndGrowth for All in the Region), Indian Navy has been proactively engaging with countries in the Indian Ocean Region to enhance maritime security in the region. India and Indonesia have traditionally enjoyed a close and friendly relationship covering a wide spectrum of activities and interactions, which have strengthened over the years. Maritime interactions have been growing steadily between the two navies with frequent port visits, bilateral exercises and training exchanges. Sources : PIB The 12th edition of exercise maritime exercise between Indian Navy and Russian Navy was held in the Baltic Sea from 28th July to 29th July 2021. Exercise INDRA NAVY-21, being conducted despite the constraints imposed by the pandemic, enables further strengthen mutual confidence, inter-operability and enable sharing of best practices between both Navies. The exercise is another milestone in strengthening cooperation between the two navies and reinforce the long-standing bond of friendship between the two countries.
Sources : PIB The BRICS Counter Terrorism Action Plan that will strengthen counter-terror cooperation among the members of the grouping has been finalised. The discussion in this regard was held at the sixth meeting of the BRICS Counter Terrorism Working Group held on 28th July 2021 to 29th July 2021. The meeting of the Working Group, held virtually, saw participation from Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa — the member countries of the grouping. It will also curb travel of terrorists, strengthen border control and protect soft targets. The Action Plan is expected to come up for adoption during the meeting of BRICS National Security Advisors scheduled in August.
Sources : The Hindu  Dholavira has been inscribed on UNESCO's World Heritage list. The site was on the UNESCO’s tentative list since 2014. Dholavira: a Harappan city, is one of the very few well preserved urban settlements in South Asia dating from the 3000 to mid-2000 BCE.
About the Harappan city of Dholavira Dholavira: a Harappan city, is one of the very few well preserved urban settlements in South Asia dating from the 3rd to mid-2nd millennium BCE. Dholavira not only witnesses the entire trajectory of the rise and fall of this early civilization of humankind, but also demonstrates its multifaceted achievements in terms of urban planning, construction techniques, water management, social governance and development, art, manufacturing, trading, and belief system. Sources : PIB Country wide Kargil Vijay Diwas is commemorated on 26 July every year on remembrance of bravery and valour of Indian Armed forces. On July 26, 1999, Indian Armed Forces had defeated Pakistan under Operation Vijay. Since then, Kargil Vijay Diwas is celebrated commemorating the indomitable valour, bravery and supreme sacrifice of the Indian soldier.
Sources : PIB  India’s nomination of Rudreswara Temple(Ramappa Temple) in the state of Telangana has been inscribed on UNESCO's World Heritage list. The decision was taken at the 44th session of the World Heritage Committee of UNESCO on 25th July 2021.
Rudreswara(Ramappa) Temple The Rudreswara temple was constructed in 1213 AD during the reign of the Kakatiya Empire by RecharlaRudra, a general of Kakatiya king Ganapati Deva. The presiding deity here is RamalingeswaraSwamy. It is also known as the Ramappa temple, after the sculptor who executed the work in the temple for 40 years. The temple complexes of Kakatiyas have a distinct style, technology and decoration exhibiting the influence of the Kakatiyan sculptor. European merchants and travelers were mesmerized by the beauty of the temple and one such traveler had remarked that the temple was the "brightest star in the galaxy of medieval temples of the Deccan". Sources : PIB Weightlifter Mirabai Chanu bags silver medal in women’s 49 Kg weightlifting category in 2020 Olympics on 24th July 2021. It marks as India first medal in Tokyo Olympics. Mirabai Chanu ended India's 21-year wait for a weightlifting medal at the Olympics by clinching a silver medal in the 49kg category.
2020 Olympics women’s 49 Kg weightlifting category
Sources : PIB On 25th July 2021 marks the 115th birth anniversary of legendary freedom fighters Chandra Shekhar Azad. Azad was born on 23rd July 1906 in Bhavra village of Madhya Pradesh.
Sources : PIB 165th Birth anniversary of Lokmanya Bal Gangadhar Tilak celebrated on 23rd June 2021. He was called "The father of the Indian unrest", conferred with the title of Lokmanya, which means "accepted by the people as a leader". The father of our nation, Mahatma Gandhi, called him "The Maker of Modern India".
Sources : PIB Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) successfully tested indigenously developed low weight, fire and forget Man Portable Antitank Guided Missile (MPATGM) on 21st July 2021. The missile hit the target in direct attack mode and destroyed it with precision. The missile is incorporated with state-of-the-art Miniaturized Infrared Imaging Seeker along with advanced avionics. The test brings the development of indigenous third generation man portable Anti-Tank Guided Missile.
Sources : PIB Indian Institute of Technology, Ropar has developed Oxygen Rationing Device – AMLEX supplies a required volume of oxygen to the patient during inhalation and trips when the patient exhales CO2. This process saves oxygen which otherwise unnecessarily get wasted. It uses a sensor which senses and successfully detects inhalation and exhalation of the user in any environmental condition
Oxygen wastage
Sources : PIB Oxfam Report titled “India Inequality Report 2021: India’s Unequal Healthcare Story” shows that the “general category is better off than the SCs and STs, Hindus are better off than Muslims, the rich are better off than the poor, men are better off than women, and the urban population is better off than the rural population.
Sources : The Hindu |