National
Sanchar Saathi Portal
⇒ Safety and security of the users is an integral part of Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi’s vision of Digital India. Towards fulfilling this vision, Shri Ashwini Vaishnaw, Minister of Communications, Railways and Electronics & IT, launched the Sanchar Saathi portal on 16 May 2023.
While speaking at the launch, Shri Ashwini Vaishnaw said that the three reforms are being introduced today towards furthering PM’s vision:
- CEIR (Central Equipment Identity Register) – for blocking stolen/lost mobiles.
- Know your mobile connections – to know mobile connections registered in your name.
- ASTR (Artificial Intelligence and Facial Recognition powered Solution for Telecom SIM Subscriber Verification) – to identify fraudulent subscribers.
The Minister said that various frauds such as identity theft, forged KYC, banking frauds can take place by misusing mobile phones. This portal has been developed to prevent such frauds.
To protect users, Deptt of Telecom has developed a citizen centric portal named Sanchar Saathi. It allows citizens to:
- Check the connections registered on their names
- Report fraudulent or unrequired connections
- Block the mobile phones which are stolen/lost
- Check IMEI genuineness before buying a mobile phone
The entire system has been designed in-house by Deptt of Telecom. It has the following modules which have important features.
» Centralized Equipment Identity Register (CEIR):
- In case any mobile device is stolen or lost, a user can submit the IMEI numbers on the portal.
» Know Your Mobile:
- It facilitates the citizens to check the genuineness of IMEI of their mobile device.
» Telecom Analytics for Fraud Management and Consumer Protection (TAFCOP):
- It facilitates a user to check the number of mobile connections taken in her/him name using paper-based documents.
» ASTR (Artificial Intelligence and Facial Recognition powered Solution for Telecom SIM Subscriber Verification):
- Mobile connections obtained using fake/ forged documents are then used for cyber-frauds.
MoHUA’s Mega Campaign ‘Meri LiFE, Mera Swachh Shehar’
⇒ Minister for Housing and Urban Affairs, Shri Hardeep S. Puri launched MoHUA’s mega campaign ‘Meri LiFE, Mera Swachh Shehar’ on 15 May 2023.
About Campaign:
- Reuse and upcycling of common household goods has been an integral part of Indian culture. Taking a cue from this shared habit, the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs (MoHUA)’s campaign titled – ‘Meri LiFE, Mera Swachh Shehar’ was launched to champion the RRR’s of waste management- Reduce, Reuse, and Recycle.
- The three-week campaign strengthened citizens’ resolve to reduce, reuse and recycle under SBM-U 2.0. The campaign also promoted Mission LiFE’s objective of taking collective action to protect and conserve the environment by adopting sustainable daily habits.
- The RRR Centres are also launched nationwide on 20th May, 2023 and served as one-stop solution for citizens, institutions, commercial enterprises, etc. to deposit unused or used plastic items, clothes, shoes, footwear, books, and toys.
- The Meri LiFE, Mera Swachh Shehar campaign culminated on 5th June, 2023 with the Pledge for LiFE, that was undertaken by everyone on the occasion of the World Environment Day.
This nationwide campaign was aimed to highlight cities to setup ‘Reduce, Reuse, Recycle (RRR) Centres’, one stop collection centres, for citizens to contribute clothes, shoes, old books, toys and used plastic to be reused or recycled.
Background:
- Urban India is increasingly adopting the principles of making ‘Wealth’ from waste with citizens actively refurbishing old items for reuse. This is giving an impetus to the overall zero-waste ecosystem under Swachh Bharat Mission-Urban 2.0.
- The 3R’s form the backbone of ‘Waste to Wealth’ and has empowered many craftsmen, recyclers, Self Help Groups, entrepreneurs, startups, etc. to recycle waste into a host of products.
- Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi’s Mission LiFE (Lifestyle for Environment) further encourages individual and collective action towards the same. Mission LiFE aims to protect and preserve the environment and bring about a pro-planet behavioural change that can be instilled through individual action in day-to-day life.
International
INDIA-INDONESIA BILATERAL EXERCISE SAMUDRA SHAKTI - 23
⇒ The 4th edition of India-Indonesia Bilateral exercise Samudra Shakti-23 was held at Batam, Indonesia from 14-19 May 2023.
Indian and Indonesian Navies represented by:
- INS Kavaratti, indigenously designed & built ASW Corvette, arrived at Batam, Indonesia to participate in Exercise Samudra Shakti-23. An Indian Navy Dornier Maritime Patrol aircraft and Chetak helicopter also participated.
- The Indonesian Navy assets included KRI Sultan Iskandar Muda with integral AS565 Panther Helicopter and a CN 235 Maritime Patrol Aircraft.
Phase:
- The sea phase was held from 17-19 May 2023. A series of complex exercises including tactical manoeuvres, weapon firings, helicopter operations, Air defence and Anti-Submarine warfare exercises were undertaken that enhanced interoperability between the two navies.
- The sea phase was preceded by a fruitful harbour phase which saw professional interactions, table top exercises and sports exchanges.
Exercise Samudra Shakti is aimed at enhancing interoperability, jointness and mutual cooperation between both the navies. Samudra Shakti -23 showcased the high level of interoperability between the two navies and their shared commitment towards peace and stability in the region.
Important Day
48th Statehood Day of Sikkim
⇒ Sikkim celebrated their Statehood Day on 16 May. This year Sikkim celebrated its 48th Statehood Day.
- Sikkim became the 22nd state of India on 16 May 1975 after the 36th amendment of the Constitution.
History:
- The Kingdom of Sikkim was founded by the Namgyal dynasty in the 17th century. Sikkim was ruled by the Namgyal dynasty until 1975.
- Sikkim continued its protectorate status with the Union of India after 1947, and the Republic of India after 1950.
- After the Indo-Sikkimese treaty, India assumed responsibility for Sikkim’s external relations, defence and strategic communications.
Key Points About Sikkim:
- Sikkim is the first 100 percent organic state in the country. The state was formally declared as 100 percent organic state in 2016. The state government made a historic declaration through a resolution in the Sikkim Legislative Assembly on February 24, 2003, for transforming Sikkim into a ‘total organic State’.
- Sikkim attained the status of FIRST ODF (Open Defecation Free) State in March 2016 well ahead of the rest of the states of the country. It was formally declared ODF State in the 65th Plenary Session of the NE Council held at Shillong on 27th May 2016.
- World Book of Records, London recognised Sikkim as the “World’s First Organic & Crime – Free State”.
- Finance Minister, Nirmala Sitharaman virtually launched a ropeway from Dhapper to Bhaleydhunga in Sikkim under the PM-DevINE Scheme on Feb 28, 2023.
- Among the northeast states, the per capita income of Sikkim is the highest.