India and Australia sign a Framework Mechanism for Mutual Recognition of Qualifications
India and Australia signed a Framework Mechanism for Mutual Recognition of Qualifications that will help ease the mobility of students and professionals between the two countries. The agreement was signed following a bilateral meeting in New Delhi today between India’s Education Minister Shri Dharmendra Pradhan and the Australian Education Minister Mr. Jason Clare. This agreement is part of the commitment by Prime Ministers of both countries at the 2nd India-Australia Virtual Summit held on 21st March 2022, wherein they had agreed to establish a Joint Taskforce for mutual recognition of qualifications.
The signing of G-to-G mechanism for mutual recognition of qualifications, the announcement of the IEIF Critical Skills Project and 11 institutional MoUs mark a landmark moment in educational relations between India and Australia. The developments today will create more opportunities for two-way mobility of students and professionals for the purpose of education and employment, and pave the way for making education the biggest enabler in taking India-Australia bilateral relationship to greater heights realise shared aspirations.
Vinod Kumar Shukla wins 2023 PEN/ Nabokov Lifetime Achievement Award
Hindi short story writer, novelist, and poet Vinod Kumar Shukla was felicitated with the 2023 PEN / Nabokov Award for Lifetime Achievement in International Literature in New York. Shukla, 87 years old, is known for novels like Naukar Ki Kameez (1979) and poetry collections like Sab Kuch Hona Bacha Rahega (1992). Shukla has previously won the Sahitya Akademi award and the Atta Galatta-Bangalore Literature Festival Book Prize.
India hosts first meeting of Governing Board of BIMSTEC Energy Centre (BEC)
India hosted the first meeting of the Governing Board of BIMSTEC Energy Centre (BEC) on 27th February 2023 at Shangi-La Hotel. Bengaluru. Shri Ajay Tewari, Additional Secretary, Ministry of Power, and chairperson of the Governing Board of the BEC welcomed the delegates from BIMSTEC member countries and gave a brief background about ongoing cooperation among BIMSTEC countries. There was active participation from all BIMSTEC countries viz. Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Myanmar, Nepal, Sri Lanka and Thailand along with BIMSTEC Sectt. All member states appreciated the opportunity to have been able to convene after a long hiatus. India’s “Neighbourhood first” and “Act East” Policies were highlighted during the meeting. A snapshot of areas where BIMSTEC countries could learn from each other was also presented. As the Host of the BIMSTEC Energy Centre, India made a presentation on establishing the BIMSTEC Energy Centre (BEC) in India. It was conveyed to the member countries that the BEC will be housed in the premises of the Central Power Research Institute (CPRI), Bengaluru. Considering the current energy scenario in BIMSTEC region, the Meeting recommended to add the additional following areas under the specialized Wings of BEC: (a) Cyber Security, (b) Green Hydrogen (c) Energy Transition. The member countries appreciated India’s efforts for organizing the first meeting of the Governing Board of BIMSTEC Energy Centre. All countries also expressed that such meetings of the BIMSTEC may happen more frequently.
Prime Minister inaugurates Shivamogga airport in Karnataka
Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi inaugurated the newly constructed Shivamogga Airport along with various development projects that cost over Rs 3,600 crore in Shivamogga, Karnataka. The new airport is developed at a cost of around Rs 450 crore. The Passenger Terminal Building of the airport is spread over 4340 sq. meters and can handle 300 Passengers per hour. The Prime Minister's focus on enhancing air transportation throughout the country will receive further reinforcement with the opening of the Shivamogga Airport.
Japan’s Official Development Assistance (ODA) to India
The Notes were exchanged today between Mr. Rajat Kumar Mishra, Additional Secretary, Department of Economic Affairs, Ministry of Finance, Government of India, and Mr. Suzuki Hiroshi, Ambassador of Japan, to India for Mumbai Trans-Harbour Link Project (III) of JPY 30.755 billion Rs. 1,728 crores approx.) and Project for the Establishment of Mizoram State Super-Specialty Cancer and Research Centre of JPY 9.918 billion (Rs. 560 crores approx.). Mumbai Trans-Harbour Link Project aims to improve connectivity in Mumbai Metropolitan Region by connecting Mumbai with Navi Mumbai, thereby contributing to the mitigation of traffic congestion and promoting regional economic development. This is a tranche-III loan for the project. Project for the Establishment of Mizoram State Super-Specialty Cancer and Research Centre aims to improve access to cancer prevention, detection, and treatment as well as human resource development and research that support cancer control system, thereby contributing to achieving Universal Health Coverage through strengthening the healthcare system pertaining to cancer in the state. India and Japan have had a long and fruitful history of bilateral development cooperation since 1958. In the last few years, the economic cooperation between India and Japan has steadily progressed. This further consolidates and strengthens India and Japan's Strategic and Global Partnership.
Best FIFA Awards 2022
World Cup champion Lionel Messi edged Kylian Mbappé again, this time to take FIFA’s best men’s player award on February 27. The best women’s player was Spain's Alexia Putellas for a second straight year.
Argentina and Paris St-Germain forward Lionel Messi has been named men's player of the year at the 2022 Best FIFA Awards. The 35-year-old beat French forwards Kylian Mbappe and Karim Benzema to the prize. Messi captained Argentina to World Cup glory in Qatar and scored 27 goals in 49 games for the club and country in 2021-22.
Barcelona's Alexia Putellas was named the Best FIFA women's player of the year during the ceremony of the Best FIFA Football Awards in Paris, France.
Lionel Scaloni, who led Argentina to their third World Cup title, was named the Best FIFA Men's Coach of the year. England manager Sarina Wiegman was named women's coach of the year after guiding the Lionesses to European Championship glory on home soil last year, the team's first major trophy.
Argentina’s goalkeeper Emiliano 'Dibu' Martinez won The Best men's goalkeeper award. England goalkeeper Mary Earps receives the Best FIFA Women's Goalkeeper award.
NITI Aayog welcomes B.V.R. Subrahmanyam as its CEO
Shri B.V.R. Subrahmanyam joined as Chief Executive Officer of NITI Aayog. An Indian Administrative Service Officer of 1987 batch (Chhattisgarh cadre), Shri Subrahmanyam has held important assignments over the last three decades in Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, and Jammu & Kashmir, along with a stint at The World Bank. He has been Secretary of the Ministry of Commerce & Industry, Chief Secretary of Jammu & Kashmir, Principal Secretary of the Government of Chhattisgarh, and has held positions in the Prime Minister’s Office.
Ladakh sets Guinness record for highest frozen lake half-marathon at 13,862 feet
The Union Territory of Ladakh has created history by successfully conducting its first 21-km trail running event in sub-zero temperature at 13,862 feet high Pangong Tso, which was registered in the Guinness world record as the world's highest frozen lake half marathon. Spread across the border of India and China, the 700 square-kilometer Pangong Lake records a temperature of minus 30 degrees Celsius during winter, making the saltwater lake frozen with ice. The four-hour long marathon started from Lukung and ended at Maan village on Monday with no injury reported to any of the 75 participants.
India ranks 4th among 51 countries in having quality entrepreneurship ecosystem
India has been ranked fourth out of 51 countries in having a quality entrepreneurship ecosystem, a new global report said on Thursday, reflecting the steady rise in the nation's business environment over the years. India's ranking in the Global Entrepreneurship Monitor (GEM) National Entrepreneurship Context Index (NECI) report is a drastic turnaround following a much lower score in 2021, which was 16th overall. India's latest score of 6.1 reflects a steady increase in the country's overall entrepreneurial environment over the years. India's NECI score rose from 5.8 in 2019 (ranked 6th among GEM economies) to 6.0 in 2020 (ranked 4th). However, there was a dip in 2021, with a score of 5.0 (barely sufficient) and a rank of 16th, the report said.
Indian Rank 5th in Global Quality Infrastructure Index (GQII) 2021
India's national accreditation system, under the Quality Council of India (QCI), has been ranked 5th in the world in the latest Global Quality Infrastructure Index (GQII) for the year 2021. The GQII ranks 184 economies based on their quality infrastructure (QI). The Chairperson of the QCI, Jaxay Shah, said that the ranking is a sign of a New India and QCI is committed to making Made in India a trusted brand.
IIT Madras professor RI Sujith elected to US National Academy of Engineering
Indian Institute of Technology Madras (IIT Madras) faculty RI Sujith has been elected as an international member of the United States National Academy of Engineering (NAE), according to an official release. Sujith was elected in recognition of his contributions to engineering “for applications of dynamical systems theory to the understanding and control of instabilities in engineering systems,” the release added. Sujith is one of the 18 international members newly elected. He is currently the D Srinivasan chair professor at the Department of Aerospace Engineering, IIT Madras, and the Head of the Centre of Excellence for studying Critical Transitions in Complex Systems. Sujith is the second Indian to be elected to the Aerospace Section of the National Academy of Engineering after Dr B N Suresh, who was the director of Vikram Sarabhai Space Centre, ISRO, from 2003-07.
PM inaugurates 14th edition of Aero India 2023 in Bengaluru
The Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi inaugurated the 14th edition of Aero India 2023 at Air Force Station, Yelahanka in Bengaluru today. The theme of Aero India 2023 is “The Runway to a Billion Opportunities' and will witness participation by more than 80 countries along with 800 defence companies including around 100 foreign and 700 Indian companies. In line with the Prime Minister’s vision of ‘Make in India, Make for the World’, the event will focus on displaying indigenous equipment/technologies and forging partnerships with foreign companies.
India Emerged as the World's Largest Producer and consumer of Sugar and the World's 2nd Largest Exporter of Sugar
India has emerged as the world's largest producer and consumer of sugar as well as the world's largest exporter of sugar. The season (Oct-Sep) 2021-22, has proven to be a watershed season for the Indian Sugar sector. All records of sugarcane production, sugar production, sugar exports, cane procured, cane dues paid, and ethanol production were made during the season.
Successful flight of Small Satellite Launch Vehicle (SSLV)
Small Satellite Launch Vehicle (SSLV) successfully launched three satellites into their intended orbits. In its second developmental flight, the SSLV-D2 vehicle placed EOS-07, Janus-1, and AzaadiSAT-2 satellites into their intended 450 km circular orbit with an inclination of 37 degrees. It took off from the first launch pad at Satish Dhawan Space Centre, Sriharikota, and took about 15 minutes to inject the satellites. SSLV is the new small satellite launch vehicle developed by ISRO to cater to the launch of small satellites up to 500 kg to Low Earth Orbits on a ‘launch-on-demand’ basis. It is configured with three solid stages 87 t, 7.7 t, and 4.5 t respectively. SSLV is a 34 m tall, 2 m diameter vehicle having a lift-off mass of 120 t. A liquid propulsion-based Velocity Trimming Module (VTM) achieves the desired velocity for the insertion of the satellites into the intended orbit. SSLV is capable of launching Mini, Micro, or Nanosatellites (10 to 500 kg mass) to a 500 km orbit. It provides low-cost access to Space, offers low turn-around time, facilitates flexibility in accommodating multiple satellites, and demands minimal launch infrastructure.
India’s accreditation system ranked 5th globally
India’s national accreditation system under the Quality Council of India (QCI) has been ranked 5th in the world in the recent Global Quality Infrastructure Index (GQII) 2021. The GQII ranks the 184 economies in the world on the basis of the quality infrastructure (QI). India’s overall QI system ranking continues to be in the Top 10 at the 10th position, with the standardization system (under BIS) at 9th and the metrology system (under NPL-CSIR) at 21st position in the world.
Geological Survey of India Finds Lithium and Gold Deposits
Geological Survey of India has for the first time established Lithium inferred resources (G3) of 5.9 million tonnes in the Salal-Haimana area of Reasi District of Jammu & Kashmir (UT). This report along with 15 other resource-bearing geological reports (G2 & G3 stage) and 35 Geological memorandums were handed over to respective state governments during the 62nd Central Geological Programming Board (CGPB) meeting held on 09th February 2023. Out of these 51 mineral blocks, 5 blocks pertains to gold and other blocks pertain to commodities like potash, molybdenum, base metals, etc. spread across 11 states of Jammu & Kashmir (UT), Andhra Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Gujarat, Jharkhand, Karnataka, Madhya Pradesh, Odisha, Rajasthan, Tamil Nadu, and Telangana. The blocks were prepared based on the work carried out by GSI from field seasons 2018-19 to till date.
NTPC bags ‘ATD Best Awards 2023’ for 6th consecutive year
NTPC Limited, the country’s largest power generating company has been honoured with 'ATD Best Awards 2023' by the Association for Talent Development (ATD), USA. This is the sixth time that NTPC Limited has won this award for demonstrating enterprise success in the field of talent development. The foundation of NTPC’s culture has always been to engage employees through creative techniques. The award is testimony to NTPC's contemporary HR practices.The ATD Best Awards recognises organisations that demonstrate enterprise through talent development. NTPC has been successful in creating an ecosystem, which empowers employees to enhance their skill sets. The award includes small and large private, public, and not-for-profit organizations from across the globe. The Association for Talent Development, USA is the world's largest association in the field of talent development and ATD's BEST AWARD is the most coveted recognition in Learning and Development.
India ranks first in milk production in the world
According to production data of the Food and Agriculture Organization Corporate Statistical Database(FAOSTAT), India is the highest milk producer i.e., ranks first position in the world contributing twenty-four percent of global milk production in the year 2021-22. The milk production of India has registered a fifty-one percent increase during the last eight years i.e., during the years 2014-15 and 2021-22, and increased to twenty-two crore tonne in the year 2021-22.
Maritime India Vision (MIV) 2030
The container throughput of Indian ports stood at 17 million TEUs for the period 2020 whereas that for China stood at 245 million TEUs for the same period. The combined container throughput across the top 20 major global ports stood at 357 million TEUs during the period 2020. At present, India is not having landside mega-port and terminal infrastructure to deal with Ultra-large container ships. Ports need a higher draft, several large cranes, better yard management capability, increased automation, larger storage facilities, more inland connectivity, and enhanced labor productivity. Ultra-large container ships seek speedy unloading of the large volumes they carry. To develop global standard ports in India, Maritime India Vision (MIV) 2030 has identified initiatives such as developing world-class Mega Ports, transshipment hubs, and infrastructure modernization of ports. It estimates the investments to the tune of INR 1,00,000–1,25,000 crore for capacity augmentation and development of world-class infrastructure at Indian Ports. The upcoming ports at Vizhinjam (Kerala) and Vadhavan (Maharashtra) have natural drafts in excess of 18m that would enable ultra-large container and cargo vessels to call on the ports thereby boosting the efforts to make India the world’s factory by improving the container and cargo throughput.
Ganga Vilas Cruise- first longest river cruise from Varanasi to Dibrugarh
Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways organized the 1st Incredible India International Cruise Conference 2022 at Mumbai on 14-15 May 2022 wherein leading cruise operators of the world participated. The work done by the Inland Waterways Authority of India (IWAI) in ensuring draft and navigational aids in waterways and the jetties constructed and planned were shared. MoUs were signed with M/s. Heritage River Journeys Pvt. Ltd., M/s. Antara River Cruise and M/s. J.M. Baxi & Co. for promotion of river cruises. This groundwork is done on waterways-
Ganga Vilas Cruise service is operated by M/s. Antara River Cruise is a private operator. MV Ganga Vilas has been procured by a private operator. IWAI is responsible for the development and regulation of National Waterways (NWs) for shipping & navigation as per IWAI Act, 1985. Further, infrastructure including terminals developed for cargo vessels is being utilized by river cruises also and specific expenditure has not been incurred for cruises. IWAI acts as a technical facilitator for river cruise tourism. Pilotage and escorting for safe navigation provided to the vessel by IWAI.
PM dedicates HAL Helicopter Factory to the nation in Tumakuru
The Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi, dedicated the HAL Helicopter Factory to the nation in Tumakuru. He also laid the foundation stone of the Tumakuru Industrial Township and two Jal Jeevan Mission projects at Tiptur and Chikkanayakanahalli in Tumakuru. The Prime Minister took a walkthrough of the Helicopter Facility and Structure Hangar and unveiled the Light Utility Helicopter.
PM inaugurates India Energy Week 2023 in Bengaluru
The Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi inaugurated the India Energy Week (IEW) 2023 in Bengaluru. The Prime Minister launched the uniforms under the ‘Unbottled’ initiative of Indian Oil. These uniforms are made of recycled PET bottles. He also dedicated the twin-cooktop model of the IndianOil’s Indoor Solar Cooking System and flagged off its commercial roll-out. Later in the day, the Prime Minister also launched E20 fuel at 84 retail outlets of Oil Marketing Companies in 11 States/UTs along the lines of the ethanol blending roadmap. He also flagged off the Green Mobility Rally where vehicles running on green energy sources will participate and help create public awareness for green fuels.
Defence gets Rs 5.94 lakh crore in Budget 2023-24, a jump of 13% over previous year
The Armed Forces have to be battle ready to meet any eventuality. Towards that end, the Non-Salary revenue outlay has been enhanced significantly from Rs 62,431 crore in Budget Estimates (BE) 2022-23 to Rs 90,000 crore in BE 2023-24, representing a 44% jump. This expenditure is expected to close critical gaps in the combat capabilities and equip the Forces in terms of ammunition, sustenance of weapons & assets, military reserves etc. This Budget has also sustained the thrust on Modernisation and Infrastructure Development of the Defence Services, by continuing an upward trend in Capital Outlay. The Union Budget for Financial Year 2023-24 envisages a total outlay of Rs 45,03,097 crore. Of this, the Ministry of Defence has been allocated a total Budget of Rs 5,93,537.64 crore, which is 13.18 % of the total budget. This includes an amount of Rs 1,38,205 crore for Defence Pensions. The total Defence Budget represents an enhancement of Rs 68,371.49 crore (13%) over the Budget of 2022-23.
Air Marshal A P Singh assumes Office of Vice Chief of the Air Staff
Air Marshal AP Singh PVSM AVSM took over as the Vice Chief of the Air Staff (VCAS) on 01 February 2023. On the occasion of taking over of the office of VCAS, he laid a wreath at the National War Memorial to honour the Armed Forces personnel who have made the supreme sacrifice for the nation. Following this, he was accorded a ceremonial Guard of Honour at Air Headquarters (Vayu Bhavan). An alumnus of the National Defence Academy, Defence Services Staff College and National Defence College, the Air Marshal was commissioned into the Fighter Stream of the IAF on 21 December 1984. The Air Officer is a Qualified Flying Instructor and an Experimental Test Pilot with more than 5000 hours of flying experience on a variety of fixed and rotary-wing aircraft.
India Wins Inaugural ICC Women's Under-19 T20 World Cup
India emerged champion of the inaugural ICC Women's Under-19 T20 World Cup 2023, beating England by 7 wickets in the final in Potchefstroom, South Africa. India bowled out England for a paltry 68. India got the target in just 14 overs at its three wickets cost to clinch the inaugural ICC Women's Under-19 T20 World Cup. Earlier India beat New Zealand in the semi-final to secure its place in the final. Shafali Verma was the captain of the India team.
Germany Emerges Champion of the FIH Men's Hockey World Cup 2023
The 15th FIH Men's Hockey World Cup 2023 was successfully organized from January 13 to 29, 2023 in Bhubaneswar and Rourkela, Odisha in India. Total of 16 teams including host India took part in the mega hockey event comprising a total of 44 matches including the summit clash. Defending Champion Belgium, Australia, Germany, and the Netherlands secured their places in the semi¬finals. Belgium defeated the Netherlands in the semi-final while Germany pipped Australia to secure its place in the final. Germany emerged as the champion of the FIH Men's Hockey World Cup 2023 beating Belgium 5-4 in the penalty shootout at the Kalinga Stadium in Bhubaneswar, India.
SCO Film Festival 2023 opens in Mumbai
The five-days SCO Film Festival opened in Mumbai in a glittering ceremony with the Union Minister Shri Anurag Thakur and Minister of State Ms. Meenakshi Lekhi lighting the lamp along with other dignitaries. The SCO Film Festival screens a total of 57 films and 14 Films have been nominated in the Competition Section of the Film Festival. These include PanNalin's Oscar short-listed Gujarati Film 'ChhelloShow' and Nikhil Mahajan's award-winning Marathi Film 'Godavari'.
NMDC signs up Champion Boxer Nikhat Zareen as its Brand Ambassador
National miner and India’s largest producer of iron ore, NMDC, has signed a Memorandum of Agreement (MoA) with World Boxing Champion and gold medal winner of Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games, Nikhat Zareen to represent NMDC as its brand ambassador. Epitomizing strength, a quality that is indispensable to NMDC, the company has chosen to be represented by someone who shares their commitment to bringing honour to the country. Nikhat Zareen represents the strength, courage, agility, and national pride that goes with the brand of the NMDC.
Odisha Wins UN-Habitat’s World Habitat Awards 2023 for Jaga Mission
Odisha won the UN-Habitat World Habitat Awards 2023 for the state's 5T (Transparency, Technology, Teamwork, Time, Transformation) initiative Jaga Mission. Jaga Mission is a land ownership and slum upgradation program aimed at empowering the lives of slum dwellers. "Under the leadership of Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik, the Government of Odisha has set itself the ambitious target of becoming the first slum-free state in India and is leading the Jaga Mission programme to upgrade all of the state's 2,919 slums," said the statement. Under the Jaga Mission, 100 percent of households in 2,724 slums have been provided with pipe water connections, and 707 slums transformed fully into Liveable Habitats. Earlier in 2019, Odisha's Jaga Mission received the World Habitat Award for its success in providing land security for slum dwellers. World Habitat is a charity organization recognized by the United Nations Department of Public Information.
Chris Hipkins Sworn in as New Zealand PM
Chris Hipkins has been sworn in as Prime Minister of New Zealand in a formal ceremony following the resignation of Jacinda Ardern. Chris Hipkins was minister of Education, police, and public service before taking over from Jacinda Ardern.
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