National
Kashi Tamil Sangamam
⇒ Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi inaugurated a month-long event titled ‘Kashi Tamil Sangamam’ on 19th November 2022 in Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh.
- During the programme, the Prime Minister also released a book ‘Tirukkural’ along with its translation into 13 languages.
About ‘Kashi Tamil Sangamam’:
» ‘Kashi Tamil Sangamam’ was organized in Varanasi (Kashi) from 17th November to 16th December, 2022.
- Kashi Tamil Sangamam 2022 was an initiative of the Government of India as part of “Azadi ka Amrit Mahotsav”.
- It was a celebration of the spirit of ‘Ek Bharat Shreshtha Bharat’ and also celebrateed the beautiful Tamil language as well as culture.
- The endeavour was in sync with NEP 2020’s emphasis on integrating the wealth of Indian Knowledge Systems with modern systems of knowledge.
Organized by:
Kashi Tamil Sangamam was organized by the Ministry of Education, Govt of India in collaboration with other ministries like Culture, Textiles, Railways, Tourism, Food Processing, I&B etc and the Govt of UP.
- IIT Madras and BHU were the two implementing agencies for the programme.
Objective:
» The Bharatiya Bhasha Samiti (BBS) proposed to rediscover, reaffirm and celebrate the age-old links between the Tamil culture and Kashi that has existed since centuries.
- ‘Kashi Tamil Sangamam’ was organized with the objective to rediscover, reaffirm and celebrate the age-old links between Tamil Nadu and Kashi – two of the country’s most important and ancient seats of learning.
- The ‘Kashi Tamil Sangamam’ programme rediscovered the centuries-old bond of knowledge and ancient civilisational linkage between Kashi and Tamil Nadu.
- The programme was aimed to provide an opportunity for scholars, students, philosophers, traders, artisans, artists and people from other walks of life from the two regions to come together, share their knowledge, culture and best practices and learn from each others’ experience.
The broad objectives of Kashi Tamil Sangamam are as follows:
- Bring the two Knowledge and Cultural traditions closer
- Create an understanding of our shared heritage
- Deepen the people-to-people bond between the regions
Discussion:
- More than 2500 delegates from Tamil Nadu under 12 categories such as students, teachers, literature, culture, artisans, spiritual, heritage, business, entrepreneurs, professionals etc visited Varanasi on 8-day tours.
- They participated in seminars, lec dems, site visits etc in special programmes curated for each of the 12 catogories to interact with local people of the same trade, profession and interest.
- As part of the program of IIT and BHU, academic exchanges – seminars, discussions etc were held between experts/ scholars on various facets of the two ancient manifestations of Indian Culture, with focus on bringing out the links and shared values between the two.
Other Points:
» A month-long exhibition of handlooms, handicrafts, ODOP products, books, documentaries, cuisine, art forms, history, tourist places etc of the two regions was also organized in Kashi.
» Union Minister of Railways, Communications and Electronics & Information Technology Shri Ashwini Vaishnaw announced a new train service Kashi Tamil Sangamam Express between Kashi and Tamil Nadu to commemorate the event.
» Union Home and Cooperation Minister Shri Amit Shah attended the closing ceremony of the Kashi-Tamil Sangamam programme as the Chief Guest in Varanasi on 16 December 2022.
International
3rd 'No Money for Terror' (NMFT) Ministerial Conference on Counter-Terrorism Financing
⇒ The 3rd ‘No Money for Terror’ (NMFT) Ministerial Conference on Counter-Terrorism Financing was held on 18th-19th November 2022 in New Delhi.
Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi delivered the inaugural address at the third ‘No Money for Terror’ (NMFT) Ministerial Conference on Counter-Terrorism Financing, at Hotel Taj Palace, New Delhi on 18th November, 2022.
Key Points:
- The two-day conference offered a unique platform for participating nations and organizations to deliberate on effectiveness of the current international regime on Counter Terrorism Financing as well as steps required to address emerging challenges.
- The previous two conferences were held in Paris in April 2018 and in Melbourne in November 2019. The conference built on gains and learnings of previous two conferences and worked towards enhancing global cooperation to deny finances to terrorists and access to permissive jurisdictions to operate.
- It was attended by about 450 delegates from across the world, including Ministers, Heads of Multilateral organisations and Financial Action Task Force (FATF) Heads of Delegations.
During the Conference, deliberations were held in four sessions which focused on:
- Global Trends in Terrorism and Terrorist Financing
- Use of Formal and Informal Channels of Funds for Terrorism
- Emerging Technologies and Terrorist Financing
- International Co-operation to Address Challenges in Combating Terrorist Financing
Sessions:
» Union Home Minister Amit Shah chaired the first session of the 3rd ‘No Money for Terror’ Ministerial Conference on ‘Global Trends in Terrorist Financing and Terrorism’ theme in New Delhi on 18 November.
Union Home Minister said that the problem of financing of terrorism has become widespread. He said that in the last few years, India has succeeded in cracking down on terror financing.
India’s strategy against the financing of terrorism is based on these six pillars:
- Strengthening the Legislative and Technological Framework
- Creation of a Comprehensive Monitoring Framework
- Actionable intelligence sharing mechanism and strengthening of the investigation and police operations
- Provision for confiscation of property
- Prevent misuse of legal entities and new technologies, and,
- Establishing international cooperation and coordination
» A session on Financial Action Task Force and India’s Priorities in G20 Anti-Corruption Working Group was organised by the Department of Revenue in New Delhi on the eve of 3rd “No Money For Terror” Ministerial Conference on 17 November.
- The session highlighted India’s priorities for ACWG during its G20 presidency, which has been handed over to Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi, at Bali, Indonesia.
- Matters pertaining to international cooperation in investigation of corruption and other economic crimes were discussed during the event. India’s robust AML/CFT framework was highlighted during the event.
» Union Home Minister Shri Amit Shah delivered concluding remarks at the closing session of 3rd “No Money For Terror” Conference on 19 November 2022.
- Union Home Minister said that during these two days of the conference, the delegates discussed Emerging Trends in terror financing, misuse of New Emerging Financial Technologies, and international cooperation in the field of terror financing to effectively achieve our objective of ‘No Money for Terror’. He said that it will also help to mould this discussion into strategic thinking in the days to come.
Sports
NMDC Hyderabad Marathon 2022
⇒ NMDC Hyderabad Marathon 2022 was held on 27th and 28th August, 2022.
Hyderabad Runners Society and NMDC together with the Government of Telangana announced the 11th edition of the annual NMDC Hyderabad Marathon 2022 powered by IDFC FIRST Bank.
Schedule:
Marking the beginning of marathon season in India, a curtain raiser – 5K Fun Run was held on August 27th, and 10K, Half Marathon (21.095 km) and Full Marathon (42.195 km) on August 28th 2022.
Key Points:
- NMDC Hyderabad Marathon 2022 had over 16000 registered participants.
- The NMDC and Hyderabad Runners Society along with IDFC First Bank and Government of Telangana launched the logo and unveiled the race t-shirt for the 2022 edition of the NMDC Hyderabad Marathon on 12 July 2022.
- National mining major, NMDC had taken the Title Sponsorship of the Hyderabad Marathon 2022.
- The total prize money for the 11th edition was Rs 22 lakhs for the winners in Elite Runners category across all the runs and about Rs 2 lakhs for winners in the non-Elite category.
Top Runners of NMDCHM 2022 with Finish Time:
Marathon ELITE MEN
- Pradeep Singh (F9161)- 02:31:22
Marathon ELITE WOMEN
- Monica Cheruto (F9115)- 02:50:25
Half Marathon Elite MEN
- Kimurgor Martin (H9371)- 01:07:16
Half Marathon ELITE WOMEN
- Sanjivani Baburao Jadhav (H9309)- 01:20:46
10K ELITE MEN
- Tumuti Denis Githiri (T9571)- 00:30:31
10K ELITE WOMEN
- Prajakta Godbole (T9501)- 00:34:48
About Hyderabad Marathon:
- The Hyderabad Marathon is the flagship event of Hyderabad Runners Society and is a signature event of Hyderabad City. It is usually held on the last Sunday of August every year.
- It started in 2011 with an aim to spread awareness about running, active lifestyle and to bring the city together for one cause.
- Hyderabad Runners Society, the event organizer, aims to promote running as the preferred form of fitness activity for an active lifestyle.