National
PM lays foundation stone and dedicates to nation projects in Gandhinagar
⇒ The Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi laid the foundation stone and dedicated to the nation, projects worth around Rs 4400 crores in Gandhinagar, Gujarat 12 May 2023.
- The projects include laying the foundation stone and inaugurating development projects worth over Rs 2450 crores such as Urban Development Department, Water Supply Department, Road and Transport Department and Mines and Minerals Department.
Various Projects:
» The projects inaugurated include the augmentation of multi-village drinking water supply schemes in Banaskantha district, a river overbridge in Ahmedabad, a drainage collection network at Naroda GIDC, sewage treatment plants in Mehsana and Ahmedabad, and an auditorium in Dahegam among others.
» The projects whose foundation stone was laid include bulk pipeline projects in Junagadh district, augmentation of water supply schemes in Gandhinagar district, construction of flyover bridges, new water distribution station, and various town planning roads among others.
» The Prime Minister also inaugurated and laid the foundation stone of PMAY (rural and urban) projects, and participated in Gruh Pravesh of around 19,000 houses built under the scheme. He also handed over keys to beneficiaries of the scheme during the programme. The total outlay of these projects is around Rs 1950 crores.
Akhil Bhartiya Shiksha Sangh Adhiveshan in Gandhinagar
⇒ The Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi participated in the Akhil Bhartiya Shiksha Sangh Adhiveshan on 12th May 2023, which is the 29th Biennial Conference of the All India Primary Teacher’ Federation.
- The Prime Minister also took a walkthrough of the exhibition organized on the occasion.
- Addressing the gathering, the Prime Minister highlighted the huge contributions of all teachers at a time when India is moving forward with the resolve of Viksit Bharat in the Amrit Kaal.
Theme:
The theme of the 29th Biennial Conference of the All India Primary Teacher’ Federation was ‘Teachers are at the Heart of Transforming Education’.
First Astronomical Society of India (ASI) Govind Swarup Lifetime Achievement Award for the year 2022
⇒ Prof. Jayant Vishnu Narlikar has been conferred with the Govind Swarup Lifetime Achievement Award of the Astronomical Society of India (ASI) for the year 2022 in Pune.
Though the award was announced earlier this year at the 41st meeting of the ASI held at IIT Indore. The President of the ASI, Prof. Dipankar Banerjee, was in Pune to personally hand over the award to Prof. Narlikar and felicitate him.
About Prof. Jayant V. Narlikar:
- Jayant V. Narlikar is an astronomer par-excellence, the founding director of IUCAA, Pune and also a past President of the ASI.
- Narlikar was amongst the first to initiate cosmology research in India. He came up with an idea of creating a dedicated center to nucleate and spread astronomy curriculum and research in the Indian Universities. His dream was fulfilled with his hard work by the formation of IUCAA.
- Narlikar has dedicated his life to the study of the Universe, contributing to various aspects of Astrophysics including the Narlikar-Hoyle theory. He has also inspired many generations with his popular interactions, films and books.
About Award:
- In the year 2022, as it celebrated its golden jubilee, the Astronomical Society of India (ASI) instituted the Govind Swarup Lifetime Achievement award to recognise eminent Indian astronomers for the contributions they have made to the field of Astronomy and Astrophysics in India over their careers.
- The award is named in honour of Prof. Govind Swarup (1929-2020).
- The award carries a citation and plaque, and a cash prize.
About Prof. Govind Swarup:
- Prof. Govind Swarup is widely regarded to be the founder of Indian radio astronomy.
- He conceived of and led the construction of the Ooty Radio Telescope (ORT) and the Giant Metrewave Radio Telescope (GMRT) using innovative, cost-effective ideas optimized for the Indian environment.
- He was a visionary and one of the strongest early proponents of the Square Kilometre Array (SKA). He was the founding director of the National Centre for Radio Astrophysics (NCRA), Pune.
- The framework for science education institutes which he developed and proposed, along with Prof. V. G. Bhide has come to fruition in the form of Indian Institutes of Science Education and Research (IISERs) which have now been established across the country.
International
1st G20 Disaster Risk Reduction Working Group Meeting
⇒ The 1st Disaster Risk Reduction Working Group (DRRWG) meeting took place from March 30 to April 1, 2023, in Gandhinagar, Gujarat.
- More than 80 delegates from G20 member countries, invited countries and international organisations attended the meeting.
Day 1:
The 1st Disaster Risk Reduction Working Group meeting was inaugurated by the Minister of State for Communication, Shri Devusinh Chauhan, and Dr P K Mishra, Principal Secretary to the Prime Minister of India.
The first day of the G20 meeting focussed on five key priority areas of the Disaster Risk Reduction Working Group.
- These included the Global coverage of Early Warning Systems, Increased commitment towards making infrastructure systems disaster resilient, Stronger national financial frameworks for DRR, Strengthened national and global disaster response systems, and Increased application of ecosystems-based approaches to DRR.
On the first day, there was the first technical session on ‘Early Warning Systems for All’, in which delegates discussed challenges in Financing Early Action, Regional and Sub-Regional Plans of Action, and Risk Knowledge and Preparedness.
The Side Event on ‘Early Warning, Early Action’ provided an opportunity for delegates to hear the voices of the community.
Day 2:
On the second day of the event, a side event along with three sessions were organized.
» Day 2 began with a side event on Disaster Resilient Infrastructure. The event focused on an important issue – the need to take proactive measures to build disaster-resilient infrastructure. Such infrastructure can play a critical role in building the resilience of communities & economies worldwide.
Agenda for Day 2
- Side Event – Disaster Resilient Infrastructure
- Disaster Resilient Infrastructure for Reducing Annual Average Losses
- Regulatory Framework for Disaster Risk Financing
- Building a Continuum from Disaster Response to Recovery and Reconstruction
Day 3:
» The session on eco-system-based approaches for integrated DRR and Climate Change Adaptation delved into alternative ways for DRR and discussed sustainable interventions at the local level and explored the creation of a national framework for implementing nature-based solutions. concluded with a commitment from the G20 DRR Working Group to explore new and innovative ways of implementing eco-system-based approaches to disaster risk reduction.
» The DRR Working Group meeting at Gandhinagar has been a significant event as delegates from G20 countries have shared their best practices, discussed challenges, and identified opportunities to collaborate toward achieving the Sendai Framework’s goals.
» The Working Group has emphasized the importance of taking a comprehensive approach to Disaster risk reduction, with a focus on building resilient communities worldwide.
- The G20 DRR Working Group will continue to lead the way in this effort, playing a crucial role in creating a safer and more sustainable world for all. Their ongoing efforts are vital to ensure that communities around the globe are better prepared for and protected against the risks of disasters.
Agenda for Day 3
- Ecosystem-Based Approaches for Integrated DRR and Climate Change Adaptations
- Way Forward Discussion
Sports
2023 IBA Men's World Boxing Championships
⇒ The 2023 IBA Men’s World Boxing Championships were held in Tashkent, Uzbekistan, from 30 April to 14 May 2023.
Key Points:
- Uzbekistan topped the table with 5 gold, 2 silver and 2 bronze medals.
- India won a total of 3 bronze medals. Indian boxers Deepak Bhoria, Hussamuddin and Nishant Dev have made history by securing medals at the Men’s World Boxing Championships at Tashkent for the first time ever.
- Moreover, this is the first time that India won 3 medals in a single edition of the World Championships.
Indian Winners:
- Deepak Bhoria – 51kg Flyweight Category
- Mohammad Hussamuddin – 57 kg Featherweight Category
- Nishant Dev – 71 kg Light middleweight Category