National
Launch of Website of “Kasturi Cotton Bharat”
⇒ Shri Piyush Goyal, Union Minister of Textile, Commerce & Industry, Consumer Affairs and Food & Public Distribution, launched the website of Kasturi Cotton Bharat ‘kasturicotton.texprocil.org’ on 21 October 2023.
- This website provide a digital platform for necessary information and updates on this initiatives and highlights the registration process for ginners to produce Kasturi Cotton Bharat Brand and its processes that make the branded Indian cotton unique.
About Kasturi Cotton Bharat:
The Kasturi Cotton Bharat is a joint initiative by the Ministry of Textiles, the Cotton Corporation of India, Trade Bodies & Industry to work on the principle of self-regulation by owning complete responsibility of Branding, Traceability and Certification of Indian Cotton to enhance its’ competitiveness in the global market and create a sustainable ecosystem for all stakeholders involved.
Key Points:
- Earlier, on the eve of World Cotton Day on 7th October, Ministry of Textiles announced the “Kasturi Cotton Bharat” brand of cotton by which Indian cotton has been endowed with a brand and a logo that represents Whiteness, Softness, Purity, Lustre and Indianness.
- Thereafter, an MoU has been signed between CCI on behalf of Govt of India and TEXPROCIL on behalf of the Textile Industry on 15th December 2022 for a mission-mode approach in positioning of Kasturi Cotton Bharat brand.
- All the ginners in the country have been empowered to produce Kasturi Cotton Bharat brand as per stipulated protocol.
- Besides this, to provide complete traceability of Kasturi Cotton Bharat across the supply chain, QR based certification technology will be used at each stage of the processing and a blockchain based software platform will provide end to end traceability and transaction certificate.
Kautilya Economic Conclave 2023
⇒ Union Finance Minister Smt Nirmala Sitharaman addressed the Inaugural Plenary session on ‘Navigating a World on Fire’ at the Kautilya Economic Conclave -2023, in New Delhi on 20 October 2023.
Organized by:
It was organized by the Institute of Economic Growth in association with the Ministry of Finance.
Speaking during the Plenary session, the Union Finance Minister said, “The impact of terrorism across the globe is no longer an occasional one and no one region is spared. With that level of risk or uncertainty coming into business decision-making, investments will face uncertainty and high risk permanently.”
» The Kautilya Economic Conclave 2023 promises to be a platform for thought-provoking discussions and strategic planning in the face of a rapidly changing global economic landscape.
Report on India Semiconductor Research Centre (ISRC)
⇒ India Semiconductor R&D Committee handed over the report on the India Semiconductor Research Center (ISRC) to Union Minister of State for Skill Development & Entrepreneurship and Electronics & IT Shri Rajeev Chandrasekhar in October 2023.
The minister said that the ISRC report is part of a decadal strategy, that will significantly impact India, our young Indian scientists, researchers, and startups. It aligns with the PM’s vision for ‘Viksit Bharat’. In the next 4-5 years, the ISRC will become one of the leading semiconductor research institutions in the world.
Key Points:
- In December 2021, the Indian government committed an impressive Rs 76,000 crore (~US$10 billion) to catalyse the semiconductor manufacturing ecosystem in India.
- ISRC is part of a graded approach that the Government is taking to make India a global semiconductor research and innovation hub.
- The unveiling of the report on the India Semiconductor Research Centre (ISRC) signifies India’s commitment to drive innovation and strategy, propelling India to be at the forefront of the global semiconductor landscape.
- The ISRC envisions the establishment of a world-class research institution focusing on semiconductor processes, advanced packaging, compound semiconductors and Fabless design and EDA tools. By fostering collaboration between industry, academia, and government, ISRC aims to nurture a vibrant semiconductor ecosystem. It is expected to facilitate seamless transfer from lab to fab, bridging the gap between research and manufacturing.
- The ISRC plans to invest strategically, focusing on achievable technology nodes and fostering collaborations with global research centres, academia and industry. The initiative aims to transform the centres of Excellence in India’s academic institutions into globally competitive entities, attracting global companies to India.
- It aims to establish India as a global foundry supplier for semiconductors, packaging, and integrated systems, from design to products. By investing in cutting-edge research, education, and collaboration, India is poised to transform its semiconductor landscape and secure a prominent position on the semiconductor map of the world.
Minister Rajeev Chandrasekhar participated in ‘TiEcon Vadodara 2023’
⇒ Union Minister of State for Skill Development & Entrepreneurship and Electronics & IT, Shri Rajeev Chandrasekhar participated at ‘TieCon Vadodara’ on 21 October 2023.
During the event, he commended the Gujarat Government for fostering an environment conducive to startups and seizing opportunities in alignment with Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi’s vision.
» Shri Rajeev Chandrasekhar took part in a discussion at the TiEcon Vadodara event, where local investors pledged Rs 100 crore to support early-stage startups in Gujarat.
- This financial support is a follow-up to the efforts initiated by Minister Shri Rajeev Chandrasekhar in October 2022, where he successfully rallied support from Gujarat’s entrepreneurs and High Net Worth Individuals (HNIs). These prominent figures pledged a sum of Rs 1,500 crore, with the purpose of catalyzing and nurturing Gujarat’s startup ecosystem.
- This significant commitment materialized during the SemiconIndia FutureDesign Roadshow that was held in Gandhinagar last year.
Important Day
Police Commemoration Day 2023
⇒ The Police Commemoration Day is observed on 21st October every year.
Union Home Minister and Minister of Cooperation, Shri Amit Shah paid homage to the martyrs on Police Commemoration Day at National Police Memorial in New Delhi on Saturday, 21st October 2023.
Background:
- This is day is observed as Martyr’s Day in all police forces of India.
- The day commemorates the sacrifices of ten policemen who sacrificed their life while defending our borders with China in 1959.
- On October 21, 1959, ten valiant Policemen laid down their lives in an ambush laid by heavily armed Chinese troops at Hot Springs, Ladakh. These bodies were cremated with full Police honours at Hot Springs.
- The Annual Conference of Inspectors General of Police of States and Union Territories held in January 1960 decided that October 21 would henceforth be observed as “Commemoration Day” / Martyr’s Day.
- It was also decided to erect a memorial at Hot Springs and, every year, members of Police Forces from different parts of the country trek to Hot Springs to pay homage to those gallant martyrs.
- In recognition of the sacrifices made by Police personnel and their paramount role in preserving national security and integrity, Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi Ji dedicated National Police Memorial (NPM), Chanakyapuri, New Delhi to the nation on Police Commemoration Day-2018.