National
“SAMBHAV”, a National Level Awareness Programme-2021
⇒ The Union Minister of MSME Shri Narayan Rane launched the “SAMBHAV”, a National Level Awareness Programme-2021, organized by Ministry of Micro, Small & Medium Enterprises, Government of India on 27 October 2021 in New Delhi.
On this occasion, the Minister has called for engagement of the youth in promoting entrepreneurship leading to the economic development of the country.
He emphasized that new products and services created by budding entrepreneurs can give a cascading effect, for stimulating related businesses or sectors.
About program:
The mass outreach program was a one-month long initiative under the Ministry of MSME in which students from different colleges/ITIs from all parts of the country were encouraged by 130 field offices of the Ministry to take up entrepreneurship.
Awareness programs were conducted in more than 1,300 colleges across the country.
Go-Quant Camp Programme
⇒ The Go-Quant Camp programme was launched on 26 October 2021 by Shri Injeti Srinivas, Chairperson, IFSCA. Go-Quant Camp is a unique educational competitive programme for students from premier business schools of India.
Host:
The event was hosted by Bloomberg in collaboration with GIFT City under the aegis of International Financial Services Centres Authority (IFSCA).
About GO Quant Hackathon:
- The GO Quant hackathon is part of I-Sprint: series of hackathons which intend to solve complex and challenging problem statements pertaining to International financial services.
- The GO Quant camp was a three-stage competition, where 915 students from over 30 of India’s top B-schools including IIM Ahmedabad, IIM Bangalore, ISB Hyderabad etc. had participated.
- 281 students completed the training and were awarded certification in Quant Investing.
Winners:
Chairperson IFSCA announced the winners of the GO Quant Hackathon, the names of which are:
TA Pai Management Institute, IIM Bangalore and Institute of Management, Nirma University
Krishi UDAN 2.0
⇒ Union Minister of Civil Aviation, Shri Jyotiraditya M. Scindia along with other officials released Krishi UDAN 2.0.
About Krishi UDAN 2.0:
» Krishi UDAN 2.0 lays out the vision of improving value realization through better integration and optimization of Agri-harvesting and air transportation and contributing to Agri-value chain sustainability and resilience under different and dynamic conditions.
» The scheme proposes to facilitating and incentivizing movement of Agri-produce by air transportation.
» The enhanced version of the Krishi UDAN scheme was formulated with support from AAICLAS- a 100% subsidiary of the Airports Authority of India and Invest India, India’s national Investment Promotion & Facilitation Agency, under the Ministry of Commerce and Industry.
» The Krishi UDAN 2.0 will be implemented at 53 airports across the country mainly focusing on Northeast and tribal regions and is likely to benefit farmer, freight forwarders and Airlines.
Key Highlights of Krishi UDAN 2.0:
Facilitating and incentivizing movement of Agri-produce by air transportation:
Full waiver of Landing, Parking, TNLC and RNFC charges for Indian freighters and P2C at selected Airports of Airport Authority of India.
Strengthening cargo related infrastructure at airports and off airports:
Facilitating the development of a hub and spoke model and a freight grid.
Concessions sought from other bodies:
Seek support and encourage States to reduce Sales Tax to 1% on ATF for freighters / P2C aircraft as extended in UDAN flights.
Resources-Pooling through establishing Convergence mechanism:
Collaboration with other government departments and regulatory bodies to provide freight forwarder, airlines and other stakeholders with Incentives and concessions to enhance air transportation of Agri-produce.
Technological convergence:
Development of E-KUSHAL. Platform to be developed facilitate in information dissemination to all the stakeholders. Furthermore, integration of E-KUSHAL with National Agriculture Market (e-NAM) is proposed.
Development of E-KUSHAL (Krishi Udaan for Sustainable Holistic Agri-Logistics):
Proposed to develop a platform which will facilitate in information dissemination to all the stakeholders. This will be a single platform which will provide relevant information at the same time will also assist in coordination, monitoring and evaluation of the scheme.
International
Loan Agreement signed between ADB and Govt of India
⇒ The Asian Development Bank (ADB) and the Government of India signed a $100 million loan for the Maharashtra Agribusiness Network (MAGNET) Project, to promote agribusiness network to boost farm incomes and reduce food losses in the State of Maharashtra.
The project supports agribusiness development in Maharashtra with holistic support to on-farm improvement in productivity, up-gradation of post-harvest facilities, and establishing efficient marketing structures to benefit horticulture producers.
16th East Asia Summit
⇒ Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi participated in the 16th East Asia Summit 27 October 2021. This was Prime Minister’s 7th East Asia Summit.
During the Summit, PM reaffirmed “ASEAN centrality” in the Indo-Pacific and highlighted the synergies between ASEAN Outlook on Indo-Pacific (AOIP) and India’s Indo-Pacific Oceans Initiative (IPOI).
Host:
The 16th East Asia Summit was hosted by Brunei as EAS and ASEAN Chair.
Participation:
It saw the participation of leaders from ASEAN countries and other EAS Participating Countries including Australia, China, Japan, South Korea, Russia, USA and India.
Discussion:
- The 16th EAS discussed important regional and international issues including Indo-Pacifc, South China Sea, UNCLOS, terrorism, and situation in Korean Peninsula and Myanmar.
- The EAS leaders adopted three Statements on Mental Health, Economic recovery through Tourism and Sustainable Recovery, which have been co-sponsored by India.
About East Asia Summit:
- The East Asia Summit is the premier Leaders-led forum in the Indo-Pacific.
- Since its inception in 2005, it has played a significant role in the strategic and geopolitical evolution of East Asia.
- Apart from the 10 ASEAN Member states, East Asia Summit includes India, China, Japan, Republic of Korea, Australia, New Zealand, United States and Russia.
- India, being a founding member of the East Asia Summit, is committed to strengthening the East Asia Summit and making it more effective for dealing with contemporary challenges.
Important Day
Vigilance Awareness Week 2021
⇒ Vigilance Awareness Week 2021 (VAW-2021) was observed in India from 26 October to 01 Novemebr, 2021.
Theme:
This year, Vigilance Awareness Week was celebrated on the theme of “Independent India @75: Self Reliance with Integrity” as per the directives of Central Vigilance Commission.
