National
“Dharohar” - the National Museum of Customs and GST in Panaji
⇒ Union Minister for Finance and Corporate Affairs Smt Nirmala Sitharaman dedicated to the nation, “Dharohar” – the National Museum of Customs and GST in Panaji, Goa as part of the Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav Iconic week of the Ministry of Finance on 11 June 2022.
- The Iconic week was celebrated from June 6-12, 2022.
Dharohar is one of its kind museums in the country that showcases not only the artefacts seized by Indian Customs but also depicts various aspects of work performed by the Customs Department while safeguarding the economic frontiers of the country, its heritage, flora & fauna and the society.
About Museum:
» Dharohar is housed in Panaji’s famous Blue Building on the banks of the Mandovi River.
- The two storey building, which was earlier known as Alfandega, during the period of Portuguese rule in Goa, has been standing at this place for more than 400 years.
» ‘Dharohar’ has 8 galleries viz: Introductory gallery, History of Taxation Gallery, Guardians of our economic frontiers’ gallery, Guardians of our Art & Heritage, Guardians of Flora & Fauna, Custodians of our social well-being, Journey of Indirect taxes –Salt Tax to GST and the GST gallery.
» The tour de force of Dharohar museum is a unique ‘Battle of Wits’ gallery which showcases the cerebral battle between the smugglers and the Customs officers.
- It contains chronicled seizures of antique coins, statues, endangered wildlife, weapons and narcotics.
» GST Gallery is the brand-new addition to the Dharohar Museum.
- A first of its kind initiative in the country, this GST Gallery takes us through the long and arduous journey to GST spanning two decades.
- Beginning with the Atal Behari Vajpayee Government initiating discussions on GST in 2000, the Gallery chronicles various stages and processes that paved the way for introduction of reformed unified indirect taxation in the form of GST on 1 July 2017.
Intensified Diarrhoea Control Fortnight (IDCF)-2022
⇒ Union Minister of State for Health and Family Welfare, Dr Bharati Pravin Pawar launched the Intensified Diarrhoea Control Fortnight (IDCF)-2022 on 13 June 2022.
- IDCF programme was implemented from 13th June to 27th June, 2022 in the States/UTs.
- The goal of IDCF is to attain zero child deaths due to childhood diarrhoea.
» IDCF consisted of a set of activities to be implemented in an intensified manner for prevention and control of deaths due to dehydration from diarrhoea across all States & UTs.
These activities mainly included:
Intensification of advocacy & awareness generation activities for diarrhoea management, strengthening service provision for diarrhoea case management, establishment of ORS-Zinc corners, prepositioning of ORS by ASHA in households with under-five children and awareness generation activities for hygiene and sanitation.
International
Raksha Mantri Shri Rajnath Singh visits Vietnam
⇒ Raksha Mantri Shri Rajnath Singh paid an official visit to Vietnam from June 08-10, 2022, at the invitation of Vietnam’s Minister of National Defence General Phan Van Giang.
» Shri Rajnath Singh held bilateral talks with General Phan Van Giang, during which both the Ministers reviewed defence cooperation between the two countries and explored new initiatives to further strengthen the defence engagements.
- The two Ministers also exchanged views on regional and global issues of shared interest.
- Both sides signed a ‘Joint Vision Statement on India-Vietnam Defence Partnership towards 2030’ to enhance defence cooperation.
- An MoU to simplify procedures for mutually beneficial logistic support was also inked between the two countries.
» The Raksha Mantri also called on President of Vietnam Mr Nguyen Xuan Phuc and Prime Minister Mr Pham Minh Chinh.
Key Points:
» Raksha Mantri Shri Rajnath Singh handed over 12 High Speed Guard Boats to Vietnam during his visit to Hong Ha Shipyard in Hai Phong on June 09, 2022.
- The boats have been constructed under the Government of India’s $US 100 million Defence Line of Credit to Vietnam. The initial five boats were built in the Larsen & Toubro (L&T) Shipyard in India and the other seven in Hong Ha Shipyard.
» Raksha Mantri Shri Rajnath Singh visited the training institutions of Vietnam on June 10, 2022.
- He handed over a gift of one million dollars on behalf of Government of India for the establishment of a language and IT laboratory in the Air Force Officers Training School at Nha Trang.
» Shri Rajnath Singh also visited the Telecommunications University in Nha Trang, where an Army Software Park is being established with the $US 5 million grant from Government of India.
- The grant was announced during Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi’s visit to Vietnam in September 2016.
» India and Vietnam share a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership since 2016 and defence cooperation is a key pillar of this partnership. Vietnam is an important partner in India’s Act East policy and the Indo-Pacific vision.
38th edition of India–Indonesia Coordinated Patrol (IND-INDO CORPAT)
⇒ The 38th edition of India–Indonesia Coordinated Patrol (IND-INDO CORPAT) between Indian Navy and Indonesian Navy was conducted from 13-24 June 2022.
The 38th IND-INDO CORPAT between the Indian Navy Units of Andaman & Nicobar Command (ANC) and Indonesian Navy was conducted in the Andaman Sea and Straits of Malacca.
- The 38th CORPAT was the first post pandemic Coordinated Patrol (CORPAT) between the two countries.
Participation:
- Indian Naval Ship INS Karmuk, an indigenously built Missile Corvette based at the Andaman and Nicobar Command, along with a Dornier Maritime Patrol Aircraft, participated in the CORPAT.
- The Indonesian Navy was represented by KRI Cut Nyak Dien, a Kapitan Pattimura (PARCHIM I) class Corvette.
Phase:
- 38th CORPAT included a visit by the Indonesian Navy units to ANC at Port Blair from June 13 to 15, 2022 followed by a Sea Phase in the Andaman Sea and visit by IN Units to Sabang (Indonesia) from June 23 to 24, 2022.
- The sea phase for the CORPAT was undertaken from 20 – 21 June 2022 along the IMBL in Andaman Sea.
About CORPAT:
- As part of Government of India’s vision of SAGAR (Security And Growth for All in the Region), Naval Component under the aegis of HQ ANC undertakes coordinated patrols with other littoral countries of the Andaman Sea along respective Exclusive Economic Zones towards enhancing regional maritime security.
- The IND-INDO CORPAT contributes towards forging strong bonds of friendship across the Andaman Sea and Straits of Malacca.
- The two Navies have been carrying out CORPAT along their International Maritime Boundary Line (IMBL) since 2002.
- This has helped build understanding and interoperability between both the Navies and has facilitated measures to prevent and suppress Illegal Unreported Unregulated (IUU) fishing, drug trafficking, maritime terrorism, armed robbery and piracy, etc.
Sports
Mithali Raj announces retirement
⇒ Mithali Raj, captain of India women’s ODI and Test teams, announced her retirement from all forms of international cricket on 08 June 2022.
- In September 2019, after leading the team for 13 years in the format, she retired from T20Is but continued to play in ODIs and Tests.
About Mithali:
- Mithali retired as the highest run-scorer in Women ODIs.
- Mithali made her international ODI debut on 26 June 1999 against Ireland at Milton Keynes.
- She represented India in 232 One Day Internationals, scoring 7805 runs at a staggering average of 50.68.
- She played 12 Tests and 89 T20Is for the country and amassed 699 and 2364 runs respectively.
- In March 2021, Mithali breached the 10,000-run mark in international cricket, across formats.
- Mithali Raj was honored with the Padma Shri award in 2015. She was also awarded the Arjuna Award in 2003 and the Major Dhyan Chand Khel Ratna Award in 2021.