National
Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi visited Karnataka
⇒ Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi visited Karnataka on 9th April, 2023.
» The Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi inaugurated the program ‘Commemoration of 50 years of Project Tiger’ at Mysuru University in Mysuru, Karnataka on 09 April.
» He released the publications – ‘Amrit Kaal Ka Vision For Tiger Conservation’, a summary report of the 5th cycle of Management Effectiveness Evaluation of Tiger Reserves, declared tiger numbers and released the summary report of All India Tiger Estimation (5th cycle).
» He also released a commemorative coin (Rs 50) on the completion of 50 years of Project Tiger.
» The Prime Minister also launched the International Big Cats Alliance (IBCA).
- In July 2019, the Prime Minister called for an Alliance of Global Leaders to obliterate demand and firmly curb poaching and illegal wildlife trade in Asia.
- Taking the message of the Prime Minister forward, the International Big Cats Alliance is being launched which will focus on the protection and conservation of seven major big cats of the world, viz. Tiger, Lion, Leopard, Snow Leopard, Puma, Jaguar and Cheetah, with a membership of the range of countries harbouring these species.
Joint Military Exercise ‘Ex KAVACH’ 2023
⇒ Andaman and Nicobar Command (ANC) conducted a large-scale Joint Military Exercise ‘Ex KAVACH’ involving the assets of the Army, Navy, Air Force and Coast Guard.
- The exercise, which began on February 23, 2023, concluded on April 07, 2023.
Aim:
The exercise was aimed at fine-tuning joint warfare capabilities & Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) and enhancing interoperability and operational synergy between the forces.
Participation:
Elements of the ‘Shatrujeet Brigade’ of the Army, Armed Forces Special Operations Division (AFSOD), Special Forces of the Navy and Amphibious troops of the ANC, participated in the multi-domain exercise involving amphibious landing, air-landed operations, heliborne operations and rapid insertion of the Special Forces from mainland on a remote Island of the Andaman and Nicobar Islands.
Key Points:
- ‘Exercise KAVACH’ demonstrated the capabilities and preparedness of the Armed Forces to safeguard India’s maritime interests and ensure the security of the Andaman and Nicobar Islands.
- The exercise effectively showcased the professionalism and synergy amongst the different components of ANC while conducting successful joint operations in a complex and dynamic environment.
- Impressive demonstrations of rapid response capabilities during the exercise were witnessed by Commander-in-Chief Andaman and Nicobar Command Lt Gen Ajai Singh.
Festival of Innovation and Entrepreneurship (FINE) –2023
⇒ The President of India, Smt Droupadi Murmu presented the 11th Biennial National Grassroots Innovation and Outstanding Traditional Knowledge Awards of NIF at Rashtrapati Bhavan Cultural Centre (RBCC) on April 10, 2023.
She also inaugurated Festival of Innovation and Entrepreneurship (FINE) –2023 at the Sports Ground near RBCC.
The President said that FINE is a unique effort which promotes science, technology and innovation and encourages the citizens to undertake entrepreneurship and make their mark in India and abroad.
- The Festival of Innovation & Entrepreneurship (FINE) (previously known as Festival of Innovation (FOIN)) is a unique initiative of the Office of the President of India to recognise, respect and reward grassroots innovations and foster a supportive ecosystem.
Roundtables organised at FINE 2023 discussed ways of raising the profile of country’s innovation and entrepreneurship eco-system, which is by far the world’s most inclusive eco-system, the third largest in the world and an inspiration for many progressive economies.
- Five round tables on different aspects of innovation were held as part of FINE, organised by National Innovation Foundation, an autonomous institution of the Department of Science and Technology (DST).
- The roundtables were organised on the theme scaling up and commercialization of innovations, innovations for wealth creation and employment, inclusive and sustainable development, healthcare innovations, as well as energy and environment.
- The roundtable brought together policymakers from the Government, sector-specific institutions, farmers, innovators, entrepreneurs, start-up founders, academicians, representatives from industry and incubators.
Rajasthan’s first Vande Bharat Express train
⇒ The Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi flagged off Rajasthan’s first Vande Bharat Express train via video conferencing on 12 April 2023.
Key Points:
- The inaugural train ran between Jaipur and Delhi Cantt railway station.
- The regular service of this Vande Bharat Express started from 13th April, 2023 and operating between Ajmer and Delhi Cantt with stops at Jaipur, Alwar and Gurgaon.
- Ajmer-Delhi Cantt Vande Bharat Express is the world’s first semi high speed passenger train on high rise overhead electric (OHE) territory.
- The train improved connectivity of major tourist destinations in Rajasthan including Pushkar, Ajmer Sharif Dargah etc.
International
Young Authors’ Conference on the occasion of the SCO Summit 2022-23
⇒ India hosted the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) Young Authors’ Conference (YAC) on 12th -13th April 2023 at New Delhi.
- It was hosted as part of the calendar of events drawn up by the Ministry of External Affairs, Government of India, under the current Chairmanship of Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO).
Organized by:
The Ministry of Education, GoI organized the Young Authors’ Conference with National Book Trust, India, an autonomous organisation, under the Ministry of Education, as the Implementing Agency.
Theme:
The theme of the Conference was Civilizational Dialogue amongst the SCO member nations – Perspectives from Young Scholars, with the sub-themes of History & Philosophy, Economy, Religion, Culture, Literature and Science & Medicine.
Key Points:
- During the Joint Address of Heads of SCO for Youth held in 2018, a wide policy framework for the engagement of youth power of the SCO member states was laid down in order to channelise them into a creative and productive path enabling better global understanding and dialogue.
- The two-day SCO Young Authors’ Conference provided a dynamic platform to explore the avenues of modern education, training and advanced training of youth, wider involvement in entrepreneurial activities and innovative projects.
- During the ongoing “SCO Council of Heads of States” Presidency of India, SCO aims at advancing the theme of ‘SECURE’, articulated by the Prime Minister of India Shri Narendra Modi initially at the SCO Summit in Qingdao in 2018.
- ‘SECURE’- (Security, Economic cooperation, Connectivity, Unity, Respect for sovereignty and territorial integrity, and Environment)
About SCO:
- The Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) is an intergovernmental organisation founded in Shanghai on 15 June 2001.
- The SCO currently comprises of eight Member States (India, Kazakhstan, China, Kyrgyzstan, Pakistan, Russia, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan).