National
Indigenous ALH MK III squadron commissioned into ICG
⇒ 835 Squadron (CG), an indigenous Advanced Light Helicopter (ALH) MK III squadron, was commissioned into Indian Coast Guard at its Air Enclave in Porbandar, Gujarat on June 28, 2022.
About ALH MK III:
- The ALH MK III helicopters have been indigenously manufactured by Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL).
- They feature state-of-the-art equipment including advanced RADAR as well as Electro optical sensors, Shakti engines, full glass cockpit, high-intensity searchlight, advanced communication systems, automatic identification system as well as SAR homer.
- The features enable them to undertake maritime reconnaissance as well as carry out SAR at extended ranges even while operating from ships during both day and night.
- The aircraft has the ability to switch roles from an offensive platform with heavy machine gun to that of a benign one carrying a Medical Intensive Care Unit to facilitate transfer of critically ill patients.
» So far, 13 ALH MK-III aircraft have been inducted in the Indian Coast Guard in a phased manner and four of these aircraft are positioned at Porbandar. Since the induction, the squadron has flown over 1,200 hours and conducted numerous operational missions, including the maiden night SAR mission off Diu coast.
12th Edition of India Chem-2022
⇒ Union Minister for Chemical & Fertilizers, Dr. Mansukh Mandaviya chaired the meeting for planning upcoming 12th Edition of India Chem-2022.
Theme:
The theme of the 12th Edition of India Chem-2022 is “Vision 2030-Chem and Petrochemicals Build India.”
- Dr. Mandaviya also launched the brochure for the 12th edition of India Chem-2022.
Key Points:
- The flagship event is one of the largest composite events of the chemical and petrochemical sector in the Asia-Pacific Region.
- The12th edition of India Chem-2022 will be organized by the Department of Chemicals and Petrochemicals, in association with FICCI from 6-8 October, 2022.
- The India Chem exhibition aims to showcase the huge potential of the Indian Chemical industry and different industry segments (e.g. Chemicals, Petrochemical, Agrochemical Industry, Process and machinery) has in terms of a favorable ecosystem provided through supportive government policy, major investment opportunities for investors.
- Market Size of the Indian Chemicals and Petrochemicals sector is currently USD 178 Billion.
National Highway Excellence Awards 2021
⇒ “National Highways Excellence Awards (NHEA) 2021” ceremony was organized by the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways (MoRTH) at Vigyan Bhavan on 28 June 2022.
Theme:
This year, the theme of the awards was “Innovation and Excellence in Road Construction”.
During the ceremony, awards were presented to the concessionaire/contractors working exceptionally well in the construction, operations & maintenance, innovation, greenery, tolling stages of highway development as well as in the arena of road safety for the 2021 award cycle.
As many as 122 nominations were received, out of which 89 were found to be valid. Out of this, 58 nominations were shortlisted. After Field Assessment of nominations, 13 nominations were selected for the awards.
This year, for the 4th award cycle, two new categories of Bridge Construction and Tunnel Construction were introduced. For the 2021 cycle of awards, the categories are as follows:
- Excellence in Project Management
- Excellence in Highway Safety
- Excellence in Operation and Maintenance
- Excellence in Toll Management
- Innovation
- Green Highway
- Outstanding Work in Challenging Condition
- Bridge Construction
- Tunnel Construction
List of Winner of NHEA 2021: Official Link
About Award:
- Ministry of Road Transport and Highways (MoRTH) initiated “National Highways Excellence Awards” (NHEA) in 2018 in order to incentivize stakeholders in the highway construction and maintenance process and to create a spirit of healthy competitiveness amongst them.
- The idea is to recognize and award companies for the best-performing road assets and toll plazas across the country.
- The aim of the award is to create world-class road infrastructure, highways, toll plazas, expressways, bridges, tunnels every day through new and innovative construction processes along with a strong focus on environmental sustainability and cleanliness factors.
- The awards are designed across multiple categories. It identifies players which have adhered to construction and operational guidelines, upheld high quality and safety standards, and employed innovation and sustainable practices in their work.
International
48th G7 Summit 2022
⇒ Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi visited Schloss Elmau, Germany at the invitation of Chancellor of Germany, Mr. Olaf Scholz, for the 48th G7 Summit under the German Presidency on 26-27 June 2022.
- The G7 Summit 2022 took place from 26 to 28 June 2022 at Schloss Elmau, Germany. The seven G7 countries are Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, the UK and the US.
During the Summit, Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi addressed in two sessions that included Environment, Energy, Climate, Food Security, Health, Gender Equality and Democracy.
In an effort to strengthen international collaboration on these important issues, other democracies such as Argentina, Indonesia, Senegal and South Africa were also invited.
On the sidelines of the G7 Summit, Prime Minister held bilateral meetings with leaders of some of the participating countries.
» Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi met President of Argentina, Mr. Alberto Fernandez, in Munich on the sidelines of G7 Summit on 26 June 2022.
- This was the first bilateral meeting between the two leaders.
- Discussions took place on various issues including trade and investment; South-South cooperation, particularly in the pharmaceutical sector; climate action, renewable energy, nuclear medicine, electric mobility, defence cooperation, agriculture and food security, etc.
» Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi met President of South Africa, Mr. Cyril Ramaphosa, on 27 June 2022 in Schloss Elmau.
- Both leaders reviewed the progress made in bilateral relations between the two countries. Discussions were also held on continued coordination in multilateral bodies and the need for their reform, particularly the UN Security Council.
» Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi met the President of Indonesia, Mr. Joko Widodo, on 27 June 2022 in Schloss Elmau.
- Prime Minister congratulated President Widodo on Indonesia’s ongoing G-20 presidency. Discussions took place on India’s forthcoming G-20 presidency.
» Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi met the Chancellor of the Federal Republic of Germany, Mr. Olaf Scholz, on 27 June 2022 in Schloss Elmau.
- This was the second meeting between two leaders this year.
- Discussions covered issues like climate action, provision of climate financing and technology transfer. Both leaders also agreed on the need to further deepen trade, investment and people to people ties.
» Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi met the President of the European Commission, Ms. Ursula von der Leyen, on 27 June 2022 in Schloss Elmau.
- Both leaders also exchanged views on contemporary global and regional developments.
» Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi held a bilateral meeting with the Prime Minister of Canada, Mr. Justin Trudeau, on 27 June 2022 in Schloss Elmau.
- They also exchanged views on global and regional issues of mutual interest.
PM Shri Narendra Modi visits UAE
⇒ After attending the G7 Summit from 26-27 June in Germany, Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi visited to United Arab Emirates on 28 June 2022.
Prime Minister called on President of the UAE and Ruler of Abu Dhabi His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan. This was the first in-person meeting between the two leaders since August 2019 when Prime Minister visited Abu Dhabi last.
Purpose:
The main purpose of the visit was for Prime Minister to convey his personal condolences on the passing away of Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, the former UAE President and Abu Dhabi Ruler last month.
Prime Minister also congratulated Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan on his election as the third President of the UAE and becoming the Ruler of Abu Dhabi.
Both leaders reviewed various aspects of India-UAE Comprehensive Strategic Partnership which they have carefully nurtured over the past few years.