National
Union Home Minister’s “Special Operation Medal” for the year 2023
⇒ The “Union Home Minister’s Special Operation Medal” for the year 2023 have been awarded for 4 Special Operations.
Click here for List of Awardees (Official Link)
About Award:
- The medal was constituted in 2018 with the objective to recognize those operations, which have high degree of planning, high significance for the security of the country/State/UT and have significant impact on the security of larger sections of the society.
- The award shall be conferred for Special Operation in the areas such as counter terrorism, border action, arms control, prevention of narcotics smuggling and rescue operations.
- It is announced on 31st of October every year.
- In a year, normally 3 Special Operations are considered for the award and in extra ordinary circumstances, the award may be given up to 5 Special Operations to encourage State/UT Police.
Annual Report on ‘Road Accidents in India-2022'
⇒ The Annual Report on ‘Road Accidents in India-2022” has been published by the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways.
This report is based on the data/information received from police departments of States/UTs on calendar year basis in standardized formats as provided by the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific under the Asia Pacific Road Accident Data base project.
Key Points:
- As per the report, a total of 4,61,312 road accidents have been reported by States and Union Territories (UTs) during the calendar year 2022, which claimed 1,68,491 lives and caused injuries to 4,43,366 persons.
- This marks an increase of 11.9% in accidents, 9.4% in fatalities, and 15.3% in injuries compared to the previous year.
» The report underscores the urgency of adopting a comprehensive approach to address the contributing factors to these accidents, including speeding, reckless driving, drunken driving, and non-compliance with traffic regulations.
- It is crucial that we strengthen enforcement mechanisms, enhance driver education and training programs, and invest in improving the condition of roads and vehicles.
» The “Road Accidents in India-2022” publication serves as a valuable resource for policymakers, researchers, and stakeholders in the realm of road safety.
- It offers in-depth insights into various aspects of road accidents, including their causes, locations, and their impact on different categories of road users.
- The report also sheds light on emerging trends, challenges, and the Ministry’s road safety initiatives.
6th ‘India Manufacturing Show’ (IMS) 2023
⇒ Raksha Mantri Shri Rajnath Singh inaugurated the three-day ‘India Manufacturing Show’ in Bengaluru, Karnataka on November 02, 2023.
» The 6th ‘India Manufacturing Show’ (IMS) 2023, India’s premier event for Manufacturing in BIEC Bengaluru was held on November 2-4, 2023.
Organized by:
The 6th edition of ‘India Manufacturing Show’ was jointly organised by Laghu Udhyog Bharti & IMS Foundation and supported by Department of Defence Production, Ministry of Defence.
Theme:
The central theme of the event was ‘Make in India, Make for the World’.
Key Points:
- The 6th edition of ‘India Manufacturing Show’ provided a platform to the exhibitors to showcase their technologies, equipment and R&D in different sectors, such as aerospace & defence engineering, automation, robotics & drones to the participants.
- The aim of the India Manufacturing Show was to bring together best minds, best technologies and best practices while providing business and knowledge sharing opportunities for its participants.
International
Prime Ministers of India and Bangladesh jointly inaugurate Three Development Projects
⇒ Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi and Prime Minister of Bangladesh, Sheikh Hasina jointly inaugurated three Indian assisted development projects on 1 November 2023 via video conferencing.
The three projects are Akhaura – Agartala Cross-Border Rail Link; Khulna – Mongla Port Rail Line; and Unit – II of the Maitree Super Thermal Power Plant.
Akhaura – Agartala Cross-Border Rail Link:
» The Akhaura-Agartala Cross-Border Rail Link project has been executed under Government of India grant assistance of INR 392.52 crore extended to Bangladesh.
- The length of the rail link is 12.24 km with a 6.78 km Dual Gauge rail line in Bangladesh and 5.46 km in Tripura.
Khulna-Mongla Port Rail Line Project:
» The Khulna-Mongla Port Rail Line Project has been implemented under Government of India concessional Line of Credit with a total project cost of USD 388.92 million.
- The project entails construction of approximately 65 kms of broad gauge rail route between Mongla Port and the existing rail network in Khulna.
- With this, Mongla, the second largest port of Bangladesh, gets connected with the broad-gauge railway network.
Unit – II of the Maitree Super Thermal Power Project:
» The Maitree Super Thermal Power Project under Indian Concessional Financing Scheme loan of USD 1.6 billion, is a 1320 MW (2×660) Super Thermal Power Plant (MSTPP) located in Rampal in Khulna Division of Bangladesh.
- The project has been implemented by the Bangladesh-India Friendship Power Company (Private) Limited (BIFPCL), which is a 50:50 Joint Venture company between India’s NTPC Ltd and Bangladesh Power Development Board (BPDB).
- Unit I of the Maitree Super Thermal Power Plant was unveiled jointly by both Prime Ministers in September 2022 and Unit 2 was inaugurated on 1 November 2023.
- The operationalization of Maitree Super Thermal Power Plant will enhance energy security in Bangladesh.
Important Day
5th Foundation Day celebrations of UT Ladakh
⇒ The President of India, Smt Droupadi Murmu graced the 5th Foundation Day celebrations of UT Ladakh at Leh on October 31, 2023.
History:
- Ladakh was established as a union territory of India on 31 October 2019, following the passage of the Jammu and Kashmir Reorganisation Act. Prior to that, it was part of the Jammu and Kashmir state.
- Ladakh is both the largest and the second least populous union territory of India.