National
Inland Vessels Bill 2021
⇒ The Inland Vessels Bill 2021 was passed in Lok Sabha 29 July 2021.
About Bill:
» The Bill seeks to incorporate unified law for the country, instead of separate rules framed by the States.
» The registration certificate under the new law will be considered valid all over the country, and separate permissions from States shall not be required.
» The Bill also provides for a central database for recording the details of the vessels and their crew on an electronic portal.
Union Minister for Ports, Shipping and Waterways Shri Sarbananda Sonowal has said the Bill promotes cheaper and safer navigation, ensures protection of life & cargo and brings uniformity in application of laws related to inland waterways & navigation.
Whole Genome Sequencing National Reference Laboratory for Antimicrobial Resistance
⇒ The Union Minister of Health and Family Welfare, Shri Mansukh Mandaviya presided over the 112th Annual Day celebrations of National Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) along with Dr Bharati Pawar, MoS (HFW) on 30 July 2021 in New Delhi.
At the event, the Union Health Minister virtually inaugurated the Whole Genome Sequencing National Reference Laboratory for Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR) and Biosafety level (BSL) 3 Laboratory.
Swarnim Vijay Varsh
⇒ India is commemorating 50th anniversary of the historic victory in 1971 war as ‘Swarnim Vijay Varsh’.
The celebrations commenced with Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi lighting the Victory Flame on December 16, 2020. The Victory Flame was handed over to the Andaman and Nicobar Command (ANC) at Chennai, on July 31, 2021.
The Victory Flame was in Andaman and Nicobar Islands during August 03-28, 2021. During this period a large number of events were organized jointly by the Civil Administration and ANC.
Victory Flame travelled to all the major Islands of Andaman and Nicobar before handed over to the Eastern Naval Command at Port Blair on August 28, 2021.
In December 1971, Armed Forces secured a decisive victory over Pakistan and a new nation Bangladesh was born.
International
EXERCISE INDRA NAVY-2021
⇒ INS Tabar reached St Petersburg, Russia on 22 July 2021 to participate in the 325th Navy Day celebrations of the Russian Navy. Post Navy Day celebrations, Tabar participated in Exercise INDRA, in the Baltic Sea with two Russian Navy ships.
12th edition of exercise INDRA NAVY:
The 12th edition of exercise INDRA NAVY, a biennial bilateral maritime exercise between Indian Navy and Russian Navy was held in the Baltic Sea from 28 to 29 July 2021.
This exercise was undertaken as part of the visit of INS Tabar to St Petersburg, Russia to participate in the 325th Navy Day celebrations of the Russian Navy.
The Indian Navy was represented by the stealth Frigate INS Tabar whilst the Russian Federation Navy was represented by Corvettes RFS Zelyony Dol and RFS Odintsovo of the Baltic Fleet.
Aim:
The primary aim of the 12th edition of exercise was to further consolidate inter-operability built up by the two Navies over the years and also to enhance understanding and procedures for multi-faceted maritime operations.
Initiated in 2003, Ex INDRA NAVY epitomises the long-term strategic relationship between the two navies.
G20 Culture Ministers’ Meeting
⇒ Smt. Meenakashi Lekhi, Minister of State for Culture participated in the G20 Culture Ministers’ Meeting on 30 July, 2021 hosted by Italy during their ongoing Presidency of G20 in 2021.
The following were discussed during the meeting:
- Protection of Cultural Heritage
- Addressing the Climate Crisis through Culture
- Building Capacity through Training and Education
- Digital Transition and New Technologies for Culture
- Culture and Creative Sectors as drivers for growth
The Minister of State for Culture addressed participants of the meeting and presented India’s perspective on the topic ‘Culture and Creative Sectors as drivers for growth’.
She emphasized that culture and creative sectors can drive growth through generating employment, reducing inequalities, promoting development in a sustainable manner and providing distinct identity to people.
At the end of the discussions, the G20 Ministers of Culture adopted the G20 Culture Working Group Terms of Reference.