18 June 2024 Current Affairs

National news

Rahul Gandhi Retains Raebareli Loksabha Seat, Priyanka Gandhi To Contest From Wayanad

• Congress leader Rahul Gandhi will keep the Raebareli seat and vacate Wayanad Lok Sabha seat.
• Talking to reporters in New Delhi on Monday, Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge said, Priyanka Gandhi Vadra will fight from Wayanad Lok Sabha in Kerala. Mr Kharge said that the party has decided that Rahul Gandhi should retain Rae Bareli’s seat since it is close to the family.

“Can a candidate contest from two constituencies in the Lok Sabha elections in India? If so, how?”

Yes, in the Lok Sabha (the lower house of India’s Parliament), a candidate can contest elections from two constituencies. This practice is allowed under the Representation of the People Act, 1951. Here’s how it works:

Legal Provisions: Representation of the People Act, 1951: Section 33(7) of the Act permits a candidate to file nomination papers for election from two different constituencies.

Procedure

1. Filing Nomination: The candidate must file separate nomination papers for each constituency they wish to contest from, adhering to the same deadlines and requirements as any other candidate.
2. Election Campaign: The candidate can campaign in both constituencies, just like any other candidate.
3. Voting and Results: The elections are held, and if the candidate wins both constituencies, they must choose which seat they want to retain.

Post-Election Requirements

1. Resignation from One Seat: If a candidate wins from both constituencies, they are required to resign from one of the seats within a prescribed period.
2. By-election: The resignation from one seat will lead to a by-election in that constituency to fill the vacancy.

India-IORA Cruise Tourism Conference Concludes In New Delhi

• The India- IORA (Indian Ocean Rim Association) Cruise Tourism conference came to an end in New Delhi on June 2024. The objective of the two day conference was to  bring together government and business stakeholders from IORA Member States and Dialogue Partners to boost the cruise tourism sector and related sectors in the Indian Ocean region. 
• The conference aimed to increase cooperation, knowledge sharing, and strategic partnerships amongst the partner countries so as to maximise the potential of cruise, coastal, and marine tourism within the IORA region.

Organiser of the India-IORA Cruise Tourism Conference 

• The India-IORA Tourism Conference was organised by the Ministry of External Affairs in association with the Indian Ocean Rim Association Secretariat and the Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FICCI).
• The two-day India-IORA Cruise Tourism Conference was organised at the Sushma Swaraj Bhawan, Chanakyapuri, New Delhi, on June 2024.

Participants at the  India-IORA Tourism Conference: According to the External  Affairs Ministry the expert and representative from the member states of IORA including Bangladesh, Kenya, Madagascar, Maldives, Mozambique, Sri Lanka, South Africa, Seychelles and Tanzania participated in the conference

Indian Ocean Rim Association (IORA)

Formation and Purpose

The Indian Ocean Rim Association (IORA) was established in 1997 as an intergovernmental organization aimed at promoting regional cooperation among the countries along the Indian Ocean rim. India is a founding member of the IORA. The association focuses on enhancing economic, social, and cultural interactions among member countries, fostering sustainable development, and ensuring maritime safety and security in the region.

United Nations and African Union Status

In 2015, the IORA was granted observer status in the United Nations General Assembly and the African Union, enhancing its international recognition and enabling it to participate in broader global and regional dialogues.

Membership

As of now, the IORA comprises 23 member countries:

• South Asia: India, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka
• Southeast Asia: Indonesia, Malaysia, Singapore, Thailand
• East Africa and Islands: Comoros, Kenya, Madagascar, Mauritius, Mozambique, Seychelles, Somalia, Tanzania
• Australasia: Australia
• Middle East: Iran, Oman, United Arab Emirates, Yemen
• Others: France (through its territories in the Indian Ocean), Maldives, South Africa

Dialogue Partners

IORA has 12 dialogue partners that engage with the association to foster cooperation and partnership:

• Asia: China, Japan, Republic of Korea
• Middle East: Egypt, Saudi Arabia, Türkiye
• Europe: European Union, Germany, Italy, United Kingdom, Russia
• North America: United States of America

Chairmanship

The chairmanship of IORA rotates among member countries every two years. Currently, Sri Lanka holds the chairmanship for the 2023-2025 term. India is set to take over the chairmanship from Sri Lanka for the 2025-2027 term.

Key Objectives and Areas of Focus

IORA aims to enhance cooperation in several key areas:

• Maritime Safety and Security
• Trade and Investment Facilitation
• Fisheries Management
• Disaster Risk Management
• Academic, Science and Technology Cooperation
• Tourism and Cultural Exchanges
• Blue Economy (sustainable use of ocean resources)

IORA plays a crucial role in strengthening regional ties and addressing common challenges through collaborative efforts among its diverse member states and dialogue partners.

India Set to be the 6th Country to have its own Deep Sea Mission

India is poised to become the sixth country in the world to launch a Deep Sea Mission, marking a significant achievement in ocean exploration and technology. This ambitious initiative reflects India’s growing capabilities in marine science and technology.

Key Highlights

• Leadership and Vision: Dr. Jitendra Singh, Union Minister of State for Science and Technology, Earth Sciences, and other portfolios, has expressed pride and optimism about the mission’s progress, emphasizing its potential to place India among the world’s elite deep-sea explorers.
• Pioneering Indigenous Technology: The mission is spearheaded by the National Institute of Ocean Technology (NIOT), which has developed the Matsya 6000, an advancedsubmersiblecapable of diving to depths of 6,000 meters. This technology showcases India’s indigenous innovation and engineering prowess.

Timeline and Trials

• Harbor Trials: Dr. Jitendra Singh has directed the completion of the first stage of harbor trials by September 2024. These trials are critical for testing the submersible’s performance in controlled conditions before venturing into the open ocean.
• Subsequent Trials: Following successful harbor trials, further testing and validation are planned to be completed by 2026, ensuring the submersible’s readiness for deep-sea missions.

Inauguration of ‘Prerna Sthal’ at Parliament House Complex

Rajya Sabha Chairperson and Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar inaugurated the ‘Prerna Sthal’ (Inspiration Site) within the Parliament House Complex. This site has been established to house statues of national icons and freedom fighters, which were previously dispersed across different locations within the premises.

Significance

• Centralized Honor: The ‘Prerna Sthal’ brings together statues of eminent personalities, consolidating them in a single, dedicated area. This centralization enhances the visibility and reverence of these figures.
• Source of Inspiration: During the inauguration, Vice President Dhankhar highlighted the role of the ‘Prerna Sthal’ as a beacon of inspiration and motivation for the nation. He expressed his personal sentiment, noting the honor of paying tribute to these great personalities through this inauguration.

Mission Nishchay: Punjab Police’s Anti-Drug Drive

The Punjab Police, in collaboration with the Border Security Force (BSF) and Village Defence Committees (VDCs), has initiated ‘Mission Nishchay,’ a one-week drive against drugs in Fazilka district. The mission aims to gather actionable intelligence about the demand and supply of drugs by reaching out to residents of 42 villages along the India-Pakistan border.

Key Initiatives

• Community Engagement: Police officers will engage with residents of border villages in Fazilka district from June 15 to 21. The focus is on instilling a sense of community participation in combating the drug menace.
• Youth and Women Empowerment: Special attention will be given to engaging with youth and women during the drive. Their insights and perspectives will be crucial in gathering intelligence about drug-related activities.
• Actionable Intelligence: By interacting with residents, the authorities aim to gather actionable intelligence about the demand for and supply of drugs in the region. This information will aid in targeted law enforcement efforts.

Punjab:

• Capital: Chandigarh
• Chief minister: Bhagwant Mann
• Governor: Banwarilal Purohit

International news

Adani Group Signs MoU for Green Hydro Plant in Bhutan

• Gautam Adani, Chairman of Adani Group, met with Dasho Tshering Tobgay, the Prime Minister (PM) of Bhutan and announced the signing of an Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Bhutan’s Druk Green Power Corporation (DGPC) for a 570 Megawatt (MW) green hydro plant in the Chukha province, Bhutan.
• This collaboration marks a significant step towards sustainable energy development in Bhutan, aligning with global efforts towards carbon neutrality.

Note: Adani also met with Bhutan King Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck.

About Druk Green Power Corporation (DGPC):

• DGPC, the only generation utility in Bhutan is a subsidiary of Druk Holding and Investments Limited.
• DGPC was formed in December 2007 to develop and manage Bhutan’s hydropower resources and assets.

Highlights: Adani met with the PM of Bhutan to discuss bilateral cooperation in Thimphu, Bhutan. ii.He also met with the Bhutan King Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck and showed interest in collaborating on hydro and other projects in Bhutan

Banking news

MEA and SBI Sign MoU to Enhance Digital Payments for Migrant Workers via eMigrate Portal

• On June 2024, The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA), Government of India (GoI), signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the State Bank of India (SBI) to provide additional digital payment services of the SBI through SBIePay, a payment gateway, to the Indian migrant workers, Recruiting Agents (RAs) and other users of the eMigrate portal(https://emigrate.gov.in).
• The MoU will come into effect after the successful integration of SBIePay, the payment gateway of SBI with the eMigrate portal.

Key Signatories: The MoU was signed by Bramha Kumar, Joint Secretary Overseas Employment (OE) and Protector General of Emigrants (PGE), MEA; and Neelesh Dwivedi, General Manager (Network-I) of SBI, at Sushma Swaraj Bhawan in New Delhi, Delhi.

Key Points:

• The MoU will enable users of the eMigrate portal to make various emigration-related payments with ease. This will offer a cost-free, efficient, and secure method for handling emigration-related fees.
• This will streamline the payment process and strengthen the overall framework for safe and legal migration of Indian workers abroad.
• Under this MoU, users will be able to make transactions through the Unified Payments Interface (UPI), credit or debit cards, and National Electronic Funds Transfer (NEFT) via net banking of all Indian banks.

About the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA):

• Union Minister- Subrahmanyam Jaishankar (Rajya Sabha- Gujarat)
• Minister of State (MoS)- Pabitra Margherita (Rajya Sabha- Assam); & Kirti Vardhan Singh (Constituency- Gonda, UP)

About State Bank of India(SBI):

• Chairman- Dinesh Kumar Khara
• Headquarters- Mumbai, Maharashtra
• Tag line-“The Banker to Every Indian”

Defence news

India Advances in Drone Warfare with Nagastra-1 Deployment

• India has achieved a significant milestone in its defense capabilities with the deployment of Nagastra-1, an indigenous kamikaze drone developed by Solar Industries.
• Technical Specifications: Nagastra-1 features a weight of 9 kg, 30-minute endurance, and a range of up to 30 km in autonomous mode, making it a versatile and effective tool for military operations.

Addressing Border Security Challenges

• Response to Escalating Incidents: The deployment of Nagastra-1 addresses the increasing drone-related incidents along India’s Northern borders, emphasizing the necessity for advanced indigenous drone technologies in combat scenarios.

Indian Army’s Procurement and Deployment

• Emergency Purchase: The Indian Army has procured 480 units of Nagastra-1 Loiter Munition from Economics Explosives Ltd (EEL), a subsidiary of Solar Industries, under an emergency purchase agreement.
• Operational Readiness: After successful Pre-Delivery Inspections (PDI), an initial batch of 120 drones has been delivered to the Ammunition Depot at Pulgaon, signifying their readiness for operational deployment.

Award news

RBI Receives ‘Risk Manager of the Year Award 2024’

The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has been honored with the esteemed “Risk Manager of the Year Award 2024” by Central Banking, a prestigious publication based in London.

Acknowledgment of Achievement: This recognition underscores the RBI’s remarkable achievements in risk management practices and its pivotal role in safeguarding the stability of India’s financial system.

Key Highlights

• Cultivating a Robust Risk Culture: The RBI has demonstrated significant strides in fostering a robust risk culture within its operations, emphasizing awareness and proactive risk management practices.
• Essential Role in Financial Stability: The award acknowledges the RBI’s crucial role in maintaining the stability and resilience of India’s financial system amidst dynamic global and domestic challenges.

RBI:

• Founded: 1 April 1935, Kolkata
• Headquarters: Mumbai
• Governor: Shaktikanta Das

Siddhesh Sakore Named Land Hero by UN Agency

Siddhesh Sakore: Hailing from Maharashtra, Siddhesh Sakore, a farmer and founder of AGRO RANGERS, has been honored as a Land Hero by the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD) for his pioneering work in natural farming and waste management.

Key Achievements

• Innovations in Agriculture: Siddhesh Sakore has introduced innovative practices in natural farming and waste management, contributing significantly to sustainable agriculture and land management.
• AGRO RANGERS: As the founder of AGRO RANGERS, Sakore has led initiatives aimed at promoting environmentally friendly farming techniques and fostering awareness about land degradation issues.

Recognition on World Desertification and Drought Day

• UNCCD Recognition: The announcement was made during a program held in Bonn, Germany, on World Desertification and Drought Day, where the UNCCD celebrated its 30th anniversary by honoring 10 individuals as Land Heroes from various countries.
• Global Recognition: Siddhesh Sakore was among the distinguished individuals recognized alongside others from Brazil, Costa Rica, Germany, Mali, Moldova, Morocco, the Philippines, the US, and Zimbabwe.

United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD): Key Points

• Headquarter in Bonn, Germany.
• Members Parties: As of 2024, the UNCCD has 197 parties, including 196 countries and the European Union, making it one of the most universally supported international agreements.
• Current Executive Secretary: Ibrahim Thiaw.

Work Areas

• Combatting Desertification, Land Degradation, and Drought (DLDD): The UNCCD focuses on addressing the challenges posed by desertification, land degradation, and drought through:
  1. Promoting Sustainable Land Management: Encouraging sustainable land management practices to prevent further degradation and restore degraded land.
  2. Restoring Degraded Ecosystems: Supporting initiatives aimed at restoring degraded ecosystems, including reforestation, afforestation, and soil conservation projects.
  3. Community Support: Providing assistance and support to communities affected by desertification, land degradation, and drought, particularly in vulnerable regions.

Sahitya Akademi Announces Bal Sahitya Puraskar and Yuva Puraskar 2024 Recipients

On 15th June 2024, the Executive Board of the Sahitya Akademi declared the list of awardees for the Bal Sahitya Puraskar and Yuva Puraskar for the year 2024.

Chairperson: The announcement was made under the chairmanship of Madhav Kaushik, President of Sahitya Akademi.

Awards Details

• Languages: The awards are given in 24 Indian languages, including 22 languages recognized as official languages in Schedule 8 of the Indian Constitution, as well as English and Rajasthani.
• Award Ceremony: Winners will receive a casket containing an engraved copper plaque and a cheque of Rs 50,000 each at a ceremony to be held later.

Bal Sahitya Puraskar 2024

• Recipients: 24 recipients.
• Categories: The awards cover various literary forms:
  • 4 Stories
  • 5 Short Stories
  • 7 Novels
  • 6 Books of Poetry
  • 1 Play
  • 1 Historical Fiction

Yuva Puraskar 2024

• Recipients: 23 winners.
• Categories: The awards cover diverse literary works:
  • 10 Poetry Books
  • 7 Short Stories
  • 2 Collections of Articles
  • 1 Essay
  • 1 Novel
  • 1 Ghazal
  • 1 Memoir

About Sahitya Akademi

• Significance: It is the second-highest literary award in India, following the Jnanpith Award.
• Establishment: Founded by the Government of India in 1954, with the first Sahitya Akademi Awards presented in 1955.
• Head Office: Located in New Delhi, Delhi.

Science and tech news

Launch of E-flows Monitoring System for Ganga River Cleaning

Union Minister, C.R. Patil, Ministry of Jal Shakti (MoJS) launched the Environmental flows (E-flows) Monitoring System to monitor the cleaning progress of river Ganga. It was launched during a programme when the Union Minister was reviewing the progress of the cleaning projects under the Namami Ganga Mission in New Delhi, Delhi.

• It is developed by the National Mission for Clean Ganga (NMCG) works under the Department of Water Resources, River Development and Ganga Rejuvenation, Ministry of Jal Shakti, as part of the Aviral Ganga component.
  • This marks a major milestone towards ensuring the continuous and sustainable flow of the Ganga River.

Key People: The launch event was attended by Dr. Raj Bhushan Choudhary, Minister of State (MOS) for Jal Shakti, Debashree Mukherjee, Secretary (Water Resources, River Development & Ganga Rejuvenation), Rajeev Kumar, Director General (National Mission for Clean-NMCG).

About E-flows Monitoring System: It is an important part of the Platform for Real-time Analysis of Yamuna, Ganga and their tributaries (PRAYAG) portal which is a real-time monitoring centre for the planning and monitoring of projects, quality of river water, among others.

About Ministry of Jal Shakti (MoJS):

• Union Minister- C.R. Patil (Lok Sabha constituency- Navsari, Gujarat)
• Minister of State (MoS)- Veeranna Somanna (Lok Sabha constituency- Tumkur, Karnataka); Raj Bhushan (Lok Sabha constituency- Muzaffarpur, Uttar Pradesh)

Important days

Global Wind Day 2024 Celebrations in India

Event Host: The Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE) organized the ‘Global Wind Day’ celebrations on June 15, 2024, in Delhi.

Theme: “Pawan-Urja: Powering the Future of India”

Focus: The theme “Pawan-Urja: Powering the Future of India” reflects the emphasis on wind energy’s potential in driving India’s future energy landscape.

Objectives

• Raise Awareness: The event aimed to raise awareness about wind energy’s importance as a clean and renewable power source, contributing to India’s sustainable development goals.
• Showcase Achievements: It showcased India’s achievements and progress in the wind energy sector, highlighting its significant contributions to the nation’s energy mix.
• Discuss Strategies: Discussions focused on strategies for accelerating the adoption of wind energy across the country, including both onshore and offshore wind projects.