National
MPLADS e-SAKSHI Mobile Application for the Revised Fund Flow Procedure under MPLAD Scheme
⇒ The Minister of State (I/C) of the Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation (MoSPI) Rao Inderjit Singh launched the MPLADS e-SAKSHI Mobile Application for revised fund flow procedure under MPLAD Scheme, at Khurshid Lal Bhawan, New Delhi on 16 January 2024.
Key Points:
- The launching of e-SAKSHI mobile application for Members of Parliament (MPs) under the MPLAD scheme will bring forth a myriad of benefits, revolutionizing the way they engage with and manage development projects in their constituencies.
- The mobile app would offer convenience and accessibility, allowing MPs to propose, track, and oversee the projects at their fingertips. This real-time access enhances decision-making processes, enabling swift responses to emerging needs or issues.
- The application will streamline the communication between MPs and relevant authorities, facilitating a more efficient exchange of information.
- Additionally, the mobile app will promote transparency by providing MPs with instant updates on the status and progress of their proposed projects. This transparency not only fosters accountability but also instills public trust in the allocation and utilization of MPLADS funds. Furthermore, the mobile application has the features for budget management, ensuring MPs can monitor expenditures.
- Top of Form The entire process of recommendation under the revised guidelines will operate through the web portal as well as mobile application. This innovative technology solution aims to enhance transparency, accessibility, and efficiency in the execution of MPLAD scheme.
Objective of MPLAD Scheme:
» The objective of MPLAD Scheme is to enable the Members of Parliament (MPs) to recommend works of developmental nature with emphasis on the creation of durable community assets based on the locally felt needs.
- The revised set of guidelines aims to broaden the scope of the Scheme so as to enable the MPs to recommend the developmental works as per the changing needs of the community; with an emphasis on improving the functioning, implementation and monitoring of the MPLAD scheme.
Controller Personnel Services (CPS) Indian Navy
⇒ Vice Admiral Gurcharan Singh assumed charge as the Controller Personnel Services (CPS) on 15 January 2024.
About Vice Admiral Gurcharan Singh:
- An alumnus of the National Defence Academy (Khadakwasla), he was commissioned into Indian Navy on 01 July 1990 and is a graduate of Defence Services Staff College (Wellington), Naval War College (Goa) and National Defence College (New Delhi).
- He was awarded the Admiral Katarı Trophy for standing ‘First in Overall Order of Merit of his batch during ab initio training.
- He has also been awarded the FOC-in-C commendation (2002) and the Nao Sena Medal (2020).
- Under his command, INS Khukri was awarded the ‘Unit Citation’ in Dec 11 for overall operational effectiveness and successful conduct of anti-piracy operations.
“Centre of Excellence in Intelligent Internet of Things Sensors” and “India Innovation Centre for Graphene” in Kerala
⇒ Shri S Krishnan, Secretary, Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY), Government of India, launched two flagship programs – “Centre of Excellence (CoE) in Intelligent Internet of Things (IIoT) Sensors” and India’s first Graphene Centre “India Innovation Centre for Graphene (IICG)” at Maker Village, Kochi, Kerala on 17 January 2024.
Technical Partner:
Digital University Kerala (DUK) (formerly IIITMK) and Centre for Materials for Electronics Technology (CMET)-Thrissur are the technical partner for setting up these centers at Makers Village Kochi.
- The complete full-fledged facility for R&D, incubation, innovation, skilling, capacity building, testing & certification shall be established at these centers by the experts of these agencies.
About CoE in IIoT Sensors & IICG:
- The CoE in IIoT Sensors is a unique facility established at Makers Village Kochi by MeitY, GoI and Govt of Kerala to catalyze the development of sensors within the realm of Intelligent IoT systems covering a broad spectrum of applications of intelligent sensors in networks, devices and sensor systems.
- The India’s first Graphene Centre IICG also has been established at Makers Village Kochi by MeitY, GoI and Govt of Kerala alongwith Tata Steel Limited with the aim to foster R&D, product innovation and capacity building in the area of Graphene and 2D material systems.
International
12th General Assembly of the Asian Buddhist Conference for Peace (ABCP)
⇒ The Vice-President of India, Shri Jagdeep Dhankhar inaugurated and addressed the gathering at the 12th General Assembly of the Asian Buddhist Conference for Peace (ABCP) in New Delhi on 17 July 2024.
The Vice-President said that Buddha’s teachings are not relics of the past, but a compass for our future emphasising that Gautama Buddha’s message of peace, harmony, and coexistence stands stark against forces of hate and terror that threaten our world.
The 12th General Assembly of the Asian Buddhist Conference for Peace (ABCP) was held in New Delhi on 17 and 18 January 2024.
- It was attended by representatives from India, Mongolia, Russia, South Korea, Laos, Bangladesh, Japan, Vietnam, Sri Lanka, Cambodia, Bhutan, and Nepal.
Theme:
The theme of 12th General Assembly was “ABCP – The Buddhist Voice of Global South”.
Highlights:
- The 12th General Assembly of the Asian Buddhist Conference for Peace unanimously declared His Holiness the Dalai Lama to be a “Universal Supreme Leader of the Buddhist World” in recognition of His lifelong contributions in bringing closer the Buddhist communities and strengthening a sense of oneness of humanity.
- The two-day conference also proclaimed 6 July, the day of His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama’s birthday, as the “Universal Day of Compassion,” honouring the core teachings of Lord Buddha and His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama to build a harmonious and peaceful world.
- The conference further acknowledged in its resolution the importance of the continuation of Gaden Phodrang Institution and rejected any interference from governments or individuals in the recognition of His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama’s reincarnation.