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08th September 2022

National News

 

B'desh PM Hasina dances with local artists in Jaipur, video surfaces

Bangladesh PM Sheikh Hasina danced with the local artists, who had gathered at Jaipur Airport to welcome her to Rajasthan on Thursday. PM Hasina, who is on her four-day visit to India, visited the Ajmer Sharif Dargah today. She and her delegation reached the Jaipur International Airport by a special aircraft and were received by State Education Minister BD Kalla.

 

Technology can never replace books: PM Narendra Modi

Prime Minister Narendra Modi said that although technology is an important source of information and the internet can be used as and when required, but it cannot be an alternative to books. Speaking at the inauguration of a book fair in Ahmedabad, PM Modi said, "Books and text are basic elements of our education and worship."

YouTube removed 13 lakh videos in India in Q2 2022, most of any country: Report

YouTube removed 13.24 lakh videos in India between April-June 2022, the most among 30 countries it listed in its Community Guidelines Enforcement Report Q2 2022. This is nearly thrice more than the videos YouTube removed in the US (4.45 lakh) and Indonesia (4.27 lakh). The report further stated that YouTube removed 75.43 crore comments of which, 98.9% were flagged automaticall

 

New era has begun in the form of Kartavya Path: PM Modi

PM Narendra Modi after inaugurating the revamped Central Vista Avenue said a new era has begun in the form of Kartavya Path. The Rajpath (formerly 'Kingsway') and Central Vista lawns area has been renamed Kartavya Path. "Symbol of colonialism, 'Kingsway', is history now and it has been erased forever," PM Modi added.

 

CJI inaugurated NALSA Centre for Citizen Services

The National Legal Services Authority (NALSA) Centre for Citizen Services, was inaugurated by Chief Justice of India Uday Umesh Lalit.  The space at Jaisalmer House which was provided to NALSA would be utilised for the establishment of Legal Assistance Centre for Citizens, Legal Assistance Centre for NRIs, Training Centre, and Digital Command Centre for providing futuristic legal services across the country.  The NALSA has been constituted under the Legal Services Authorities Act, 1987 to provide free Legal Services to the weaker sections of the society.  Its purpose is to provide free legal services to eligible candidates, and to organize Lok Adalats for the speedy resolution of cases.

Health Sector in India To Reach $50 Billion By 2025

India's healthcare industry is expected to grow to hit $50 billion in size by 2025, said Union minister Jitendra Singh. Addressing the 14th CII Global MedTech Summit, “Seizing the Global Opportunity", the minister said that under Prime Minister Narendra Modi, healthcare has become more focused on innovation and technology over the past two years.  About 80% of the healthcare system aims to increase investment in digital healthcare tools in the coming five years.  The minister added that the prime objective of the government is to reduce import dependence from 80% to below 30% in next 10 years and ensure self-reliance quotient of 80% in med-tech through Make in India with SMART milestones.

PM Modi to unveil statue of Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose, dedicate Kartavya Path 

PM Modi to unveil statue of Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose: The newly named Kartavya Path, which runs from Rashtrapati Bhavan to India Gate and features red granite walkways with vegetation all around, renovated canals, state-specific food stalls, new utility blocks, and vending kiosks, will be unveiled by Prime Minister Narendra Modi.  The government claims that it represents a change from the former Rajpath, which served as a symbol of power, to Kartavya Path, which serves as an illustration of public ownership and empowerment.

India's first RRTS corridor to use an app-based token-free ticketing system 

India's first RRTS corridor: The nation's first Regional Rapid Transit System (India's first RRTS corridor), the Delhi-Meerut RRTS line, would incorporate an automatic fare collection (AFC) system and tickets with QR codes for riders.  In order to purchase the AFC system, the National Capital Region Transport Corporation (NCRTC) recently announced that it has requested bids in accordance with the Modi administration's "Make In India" standards.  The contactless method of entry and exit will be seamless, comfortable, simple, and quick with the AFC system. The NCRTC will also offer QR code tickets, which can be generated digitally on a website or mobile application.

Ministry of Education launches Shikshak Parv to advance NEP 

Ministry of Education launches Shikshak Parv: Shikshak Parv was launched by Union Ministers Annapurna Devi and Rajkumar Ranjan Singh to honour teachers and advance the new National Education Policy (NEP).  An inaugural colloquium hosted by the Ministry of Education, CBSE, AICTE, and the Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship marked the beginning of Shikshak Parv.  According to Minister of State (MoS) for Education Annapurna Devi, under NEP 2020, teachers will have to work on the future action plan as per the notion of an integrated and interdisciplinary approach.  Teachers are vital in developing students' characteristics and building a value-based society, aligning with the NEP.  The teacher's strong coordination and cooperation are the key to helping pupils develop their abilities and character.

International News

Queen Elizabeth II, Britain's longest-serving monarch, passes away aged 96

Queen Elizabeth II, Britain's longest-serving monarch, has passed away aged 96. On Thursday, Buckingham Palace had released a statement saying she was under medical supervision as her doctors were concerned for her health. The monarch had been facing health problems since October last year that left her with difficulties walking and standing.

PM Modi shares old pics with Queen Elizabeth II, says 'Pained by her demise'

Condoling the demise of Queen Elizabeth II, PM Narendra Modi tweeted, "I had memorable meetings with Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II during my UK visits in 2015 and 2018. I'll never forget her warmth and kindness." "Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II will be remembered as a stalwart...She provided inspiring leadership to her nation and people...Pained by her demise," he added.

Prince Charles becomes UK King after death of Queen Elizabeth II

Prince Charles has become the King of UK after the death of his mother, Queen Elizabeth II. The 73-year-old had been next in line to the throne for seven decades. Meanwhile, his wife Camilla has become the Queen Consort. Queen Elizabeth II passed away aged 96 at Balmoral on Thursday.

US planning $2.8 bn military aid for nations threatened by Russia

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken visited Kyiv on Thursday and said Washington is planning to grant fresh military support worth over $2.8 billion to Ukraine and other European nations threatened by Russia. Blinken met President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, among other Ukrainian leaders. Blinken said the US will support Ukraine "for as long as it takes" in its war against Russia.

 

US approves $675m in additional military aid to Ukraine

US President Joe Biden has sanctioned additional defence aid to Ukraine worth about $675 million, US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin said on Thursday. He said the package includes Humvees, howitzers, artillery munitions, armoured ambulances and anti-tank systems. The US has sent aid worth several billions of dollars to Kyiv since Russia's invasion of Ukraine began in February this year.

European Central Bank makes its largest-ever interest rate hike of 0.75%

The European Central Bank (ECB) made its largest-ever interest rate increase of 0.75% on Thursday. "Over the next several meetings the Governing Council expects to raise interest rates further to dampen demand and guard against...risk of...persistent upward shift in inflation expectations," the ECB said. In July, it raised interest rates for the first time in more than 11 years.

 

Suella Braverman: UK's new Home Secretary of Indian Origin

Suella Braverman is UK's new Home Secretary: Liz Truss, the new British prime minister, named Suella Braverman, a lawyer of Indian descent, as the country's new home secretary. Priti Patel, who is of Indian descent, will be replaced in the position by Suella Braverman.  Suella Braverman, a 42-year-old Conservative Party member from Fareham in southeast England, previously worked for the Boris Johnson administration as the attorney general.  Suella Braverman attended Queens College in Cambridge after completing her legal studies at Heathfield School in London. Suella Braverman earned a Master's degree in European and French law from the University of Paris 1, Pantheon-Sorbonne, and afterwards became admitted to practise law in New York.

States News

 

NGT imposes ₹12,000 cr fine on Maha for environmental norms violation

The National Green Tribunal (NGT) on Thursday imposed a fine of ₹12,000 crore on the state of Maharashtra for allegedly not managing solid and liquid waste, causing harm to the environment. Without fixing quantified liability necessary for restoration, mere passing of orders has not shown any tangible results, the NGT said. The penalty has to be paid within two months.

 

Tamil Nadu Government launched "Pudhumai Penn Scheme" for girl students 

Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M.K. Stalin has launched the Moovalur Ramamirtham Ammaiyar Higher Education Assurance scheme titled 'Pudhumai Penn' at a function in Chennai, in the presence of Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal.  Mr Kejriwal also unveiled 26 schools of excellence and 15 model schools set up by the Tamil Nadu government emulating the model by his AAP government in Delhi.  Pudhumai Penn scheme, girl students, who studied from Class V to Class XII in state government schools would be paid monthly assistance of Rs 1,000 till they complete their graduation or diploma.  The scheme aims to benefit six lakh girls every year and Rs 698 crore has been allocated in the budget for its implementation.

Appointments News

MEA: Sanjay Verma appointed as next high commissioner of India to Canada 

Senior diplomat Sanjay Kumar Verma has been appointed as India’s next high commissioner to Canada. He succeeds Acting High Commissioner Anshuman Gaur. Verma is a 1988 batch officer of the Indian Foreign Service and is currently the ambassador of India to Japan.  He is expected to take up the Canada assignment shortly. Among other postings, Verma has served in Indian missions in Hong Kong, China, Vietnam and Turkey. He has also served as Consul General of India in Milan, Italy.

IndiGo appoints Aviation industry veteran Pieter Elbers as the new CEO

Peiter Elbers assumed the charge of Indigo's chief executive officer, over three months after he was announced as the replacement for outgoing CEO Ronojoy Dutta. Elbers, the former chief executive of KLM Royal Dutch Airlines, was named as the next CEO by IndiGo on May 18, 2022.  He has been at the helm of KLM since 2014. The 52-year-old is also a member of the executive committee of the Air France – KLM Group. Elbers had started his career in 1992 with KLM and, over the past three decades, held several managerial positions in the company in both the Netherlands and overseas in Japan, Greece and Italy.

Agreements News

NIESBUD, IIE and ISB Signs MoU to offer Entrepreneurial Programmes to India’s Youth 

The National Institute for Entrepreneurship and Small Business Development (NIESBUD) and the Indian Institute of Entrepreneurship (IIE), under the Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship (MSDE), signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) individually with the Indian School of Business (ISB), which is a top-ranking global business school.  The agreement is signed to offer world-class management education through entrepreneurial programs targeted toward youth and job-seeking entrepreneurs.

BANKING, BUSINESS AND ECONOMY

 

HDFC Bank raises ₹3,000 crore from bonds to fund business growth

Private sector lender HDFC Bank on Thursday said that it has raised ₹3,000 crore from bonds to fund business growth. The bank issued and allotted bonds to investors on a private placement basis on Thursday. These unsecured, subordinated, fully paid-up and non-convertible, Basel III compliant perpetual debt would carry a coupon rate of 7.84 per cent, it added.

Synchronised response to lower inflation is the best approach: RBI ED

Reserve Bank of India Executive Director (ED) Sitikantha Pattanaik on Thursday said a synchronised response to lowering inflation is the best approach. Central banks can and must deliver price stability but there's a debate on whether they alone could deliver it, Pattanaik said. India had not seen "massive" fiscal interventions to ease prices as seen recently, he added.

Govt to acquire Vodafone Idea stake after share price stabilises at ₹10 or above: Report

The government will acquire around 33% stake in debt-ridden Vodafone Idea (Vi) after the stock price of the company stabilises at ₹10 or above, Hindustan Times reported quoting official source. The company's board has reportedly offered a stake to the government at a par value of ₹10 per share. Notably, Vi shares are trading below ₹10 since April 19, 2022.

 

HDFC ERGO to build online insurance platform on Google Cloud 

HDFC ERGO General Insurance has roped in Google Cloud to build an online platform for selling insurance. HDFC ERGO plans to completely migrate to the cloud by 2024.  This online platform for selling insurance, offering tailored digital experiences to customers, responding to regulatory changes faster, and identifying insurance risks using data analytics and machine learning (ML).  Google Cloud will also assist the insurance provider with IT systems integration and building new applications. Google will also provide them AI/ML technologies to build predictive insights and mitigate insurance fraud.  Google Cloud enables us to efficiently unlock the full potential of HDFC ERGO’s wide insurance solutions. This partnership underscores our commitment to delivering a seamless user experience by digitising the customer journey end-to-end.”

Schemes News

President Droupadi Murmu to launch ‘TB Mukt Bharat Abhiyaan’

President Draupadi Murmu will launch the Pradhan Mantri TB Mukt Bharat Abhiyaan virtually on 9th September 2022. The Pradhan Mantri TB Mukt Bharat Abhiyaan aims to eliminate tuberculosis from India by 2025.  Prime Minister Narendra Modi has given a distinctive call to end TB in India giving years ahead of the Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) of 2030.   Along with this Presentation, Murmu will also launch the Ni-Kshay Mitra initiative which forms a vital component of the Campaign. The Ni-Kshay Mitra initiative will provide a platform for the donors to help TB patients who are undergoing treatment. The donors will be called Ni-Kshay Mitras, and the donation will include nutritional, additional diagnostic, and volcanic support.

I-STEM Initiative Launched Women in Engineering, Science, and Technology (WEST)

Women in Engineering, Science, and Technology (WEST) is a new I-STEM (Indian Science Technology and Engineering Facility Map) Initiative. The WEST initiative was launched by Dr. Pravinder Maini, Scientific Secretary, Office of Principal Scientific Adviser (PSA) to the Government of India.  The WEST program aims to empower women to contribute to the science, technology, and innovation system. I-STEM is a national web portal that is used to share research equipment/facilities and is the umbrella under which many programs for promoting collaborations in R&D, and technological innovation among and between academia and industry.

Science and Technology News

India & UK Conducts Counter Ransomware Exercise for 26 Nations

The National Security Council Secretariat (NSCS) and the UK government has jointly conducted the virtual Cyber Security Exercise for 26 countries. The exercise is a part of the India-led International Counter Ransomware Initiative- Resilience Working Group, facilitated by the British Aerospace (BAE) Systems.  The exercise is a part of the India-led International Counter Ransomware Initiative- Resilience Working Group, facilitated by the British Aerospace (BAE) Systems. The exercise is a part of the India-led International Counter Ransomware Initiative- Resilience Working Group, facilitated by the British Aerospace (BAE) Systems.  These companies are responsible for the distribution of electricity to domestic customers and are the last link to the public supply. The exercise explores the complexity of decision-making around response to ransomware on Critical National Infrastructure.

NASA's Experiment MOXIE successfully creates oxygen on Mars

NASA's Experiment MOXIE: An gadget the size of a lunchbox (MOXIE by NASA) is demonstrating its ability to consistently carry out the work of a tiny tree on the red and dusty surface of Mars, some 100 million miles from Earth.  Since April 2021, roughly two months after it landed on the Martian surface as part of NASA's Perseverance rover and Mars 2020 mission, the MIT-led Mars Oxygen In-Situ Resource Utilization Experiment, or MOXIE, has been producing oxygen from the Red Planet's carbon-dioxide-rich atmosphere.

SPORTS

Neeraj Chopra creates history, becomes first-ever Indian to win Diamond Trophy

Olympic gold medal-winning Indian javelin thrower Neeraj Chopra has created history by becoming the first-ever Indian to win Diamond Trophy. The 24-year-old won the Diamond League final in Zurich with a best throw of 88.44 metres. Apart from the Diamond Trophy, Neeraj also won a prize money of $30,000.

Important Days

International Literacy Day 2022 celebrates on 08th September

International Literacy Day (ILD) is celebrated on 8 September every year all across the globe to make people aware of the meaning and importance of literacy for individuals and societies.  The day spread awareness about the importance of literacy for individuals, communities, and societies and the need for intensified efforts towards more literate societies.  This year’s International Literacy Day will be celebrated worldwide under the theme, "Transforming Literacy Learning Spaces" and will be an opportunity to rethink the fundamental importance of literacy learning spaces to build resilience and ensure quality, equitable, and inclusive education for all.

Obituaries News

Indian boxer Birju Sah passes away

Indian boxer, Birju Sah has passed away recently, the first Indian boxer to win medals at both the Asian and Commonwealth Games. He was 48. He won bronze medals at both the Commonwealth & Asian Games in 1994.  Sah’s first significant international success came at 19 in the 1993 Asian Junior Championships in Bangkok, Thailand. He took bronze in the light flyweight (45-48kg) division. The success on the continental stage was noticed by the Indian boxing federation which selected Birju Sah for the senior national camp.

Carnatic vocalist TV Sankaranarayanan passes away

Renowned Carnatic musician, TV Sankaranarayan has passed away. He was 77. He was the torchbearer for the Madurai Mani Iyer style of Carnatic music. He had shared several stages with Madurai Mani Iyer.  He won the Madras Music Academy’s Sangeeta Kalanidhi Award in 2003 and was honoured with the Padma Bhushan in 2003. He was the son of musicians Tiruvalangal Vembu Iyer and Gomati Ammal.

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