National
PM lays foundation stone and dedicates to nation multiple projects in Jodhpur
⇒ The Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi laid the foundation stone and dedicated to the nation, multiple projects in sectors like road, rail, aviation, health and higher education worth about Rs 5000 crores in Jodhpur, Rajasthan on 05 October 2023.
Various multiple projects:
» The Prime Minister laid the foundation stone of important projects for strengthening the Health Infrastructure in Rajasthan.
- The projects include 350 bedded ‘Trauma Centre and Critical Care Hospital Block at All India Institute of Medical Sciences, Jodhpur’, and seven Critical Care Blocks under Pradhan Mantri – Ayushman Bharat Health Infrastructure Mission (PM-ABHIM) to be developed across Rajasthan.
- The integrated center for ‘Trauma, Emergency and Critical Care’ at AIIMS Jodhpur will be developed at a cost of more than Rs 350 crore.
» The Prime Minister also laid the foundation stone for the development of the state-of-the-art New Terminal Building at Jodhpur Airport.
- To be built at a total cost of Rs 480 crore, the New Terminal Building will be developed in an area of about 24,000 sqm and will be equipped to provide services to 2,500 passengers during peak hours.
» The Prime Minister dedicated IIT Jodhpur campus to the nation.
- The state-of-the-art campus has been built at a cost of more than Rs 1135 crore. It is a step towards providing high-quality holistic education and building infrastructure for supporting cutting-edge research and innovation initiatives.
» For upgrading the infrastructure at the Central University of Rajasthan, the Prime Minister dedicated to the nation ‘central instrumentation laboratory’, staff quarters and ‘yoga & sports sciences building’. He will lay the foundation stone of the Central Library, 600 capacity Hostel and a dining facility for students at the Central University of Rajasthan.
» In a step that will improve road infrastructure in Rajasthan, the Prime Minister laid the foundation stone of multiple road development projects including four laning of Karwar to Dangiyawas Section of Jodhpur Ring Road on NH-125A; construction of seven Bypasses/Re-alignments of major town portions of Balotra to Sanderao section via Jalore (NH-325); project for four laning of Pachpadra-Bagundi section of NH-25.
- These road projects will be built at a cumulative cost of about Rs 1475 crore.
» The Prime Minister flagged off two new train services in Rajasthan. These include a new train – Runicha Express – connecting Jaisalmer to Delhi and a new heritage train connecting Marwar Jn. – Khambli Ghat.
- The new heritage train connecting Marwar Jn.-Khambli Ghat will provide an impetus to tourism and generate employment in the region.
» Further, two other rail projects will be dedicated to the nation by the Prime Minister. These include projects for doubling the 145 km long ‘Degana-Rai Ka Bagh’ rail line and the 58 km long ‘Degana-Kuchaman City’ rail line.
International
11th meeting of the UAE-India High Level Joint Task Force on Investments
⇒ The 11th meeting of the UAE-India High Level Joint Task Force on Investments (‘the Joint Task Force’) was held on 05 October 2023 in Abu Dhabi.
Co-chaired by:
The meeting was co-chaired by His Highness Sheikh Hamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, the Managing Director of Abu Dhabi Investment Authority, and Shri Piyush Goyal, Minister of Commerce & Industry, Consumer Affairs, Food & Public Distribution, and Textiles, Government of India.
The Joint Task Force was established in 2013 to promote trade, investment and economic ties between India and the UAE. The Joint Task Force has provided an effective mechanism for discussion on opportunities & prospects for investments in both countries as well as resolution of issues faced by investors of the two countries.
Discussion:
- The Joint Task Force delegations discussed the status of negotiations for the India-UAE Bilateral Investment Treaty, underscoring the need to accelerate the bilateral discussions for an early conclusion of a balanced agreement that benefits both countries and their investors.
- The two sides also discussed ways and incentives for encouraging further growth in investment flows from UAE sovereign investment entities into India.
- In this context, the Indian side shared opportunities for investments in priority sectors like renewable energy, health, semi-conductors and asset monetization sectors in India. In this regard, progress on the creation of the Fast Track Mechanism to facilitate Indian investment into the UAE was also discussed.
- Talks also covered the India-UAE Start-Up Bridge, a joint initiative between the UAE Ministry of Economy and India’s Ministry of Commerce and Industry. The bridge is expected to act as a one-stop platform that offers training sessions and knowledge-sharing on important topics such as market access, investment funds, venture capital, incubators and the respective business landscape in each country.
- Another important agenda topic was the establishment of Abu Dhabi – India Virtual Trade Corridor, which aims to increase overall trade volumes by developing data exchange systems to facilitate paperless trade between the two countries, improving efficiencies and security. Both sides agreed to continue coordination and cooperation between the respective counterparties of both countries for the early implementation of this milestone.
MoUs:
» The Joint Task Force witnessed the signing of an MOU between the UAE Ministry of Industry & Advanced Technology and the Ministry of Commerce & Industry of the Republic of India, related to cooperation in the fields of Industry and Advanced Technology.
- The MOU will promote cooperation in sectors such space, healthcare, renewable energy, artificial intelligence, among others.
- The two sides aim to develop cooperation efforts and build an institutional framework to promote and develop bilateral cooperation, bearing in mind the important role of industries and advanced technologies play in the diversification and growth of economies.
» Another agreement was also signed between Al Etihad Payments, a subsidiary of the Central Bank of the UAE, and the National Payments Corporation of India.
- The agreement creates a strategic partnership to develop the UAE’s Domestic Card Scheme (DCS).
- The UAE DCS is a key element of the Central Bank of the UAE’s Financial Infrastructure Transformation programme which aims to position the UAE as a global leader in digital financial infrastructure.
- The DCS will be the nation’s first unified, secure, and efficient card payment platform, accelerating the UAE’s transition to a digital economy by facilitating the growth of e-commerce, providing consumers with a customised offering, enhancing financial inclusion, and reducing the cost of payments.
Important Day
World Cerebral Palsy Day 2023
⇒ World Cerebral Palsy Day is celebrated every year on 6 October.
World Cerebral Palsy Day is a global observance that shines a spotlight on cerebral palsy and its impact on individuals, families, and communities. This day serves as a platform to raise awareness about cerebral palsy, support those living with the condition, and advocate for greater inclusion and understanding.
Theme:
The theme for World Cerebral Palsy Day 2023 was “Together Stronger.”
This theme highlights the importance of unity, collaboration, and mutual support within the cerebral palsy community and beyond. It emphasizes that when individuals, families, caregivers, and communities come together, they become a powerful force for positive change and inclusion.
History:
- In 2012, the Cerebral Palsy Alliance announced World Cerebral Palsy Day to be celebrated on October 6.
- Children and adults affected by cerebral palsy often face challenges that hinder their full participation in society. The day sheds light on the need for increased awareness, understanding and support for those with cerebral palsy.