National
NTPC Bongaigaon receives two prestigious awards from Greentech Foundation
⇒ NTPC Bongaigaon has been recognized for its outstanding achievements in Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) and Environment Protection with two prestigious awards from the Greentech Foundation.
The power station received the trophy in the Environment Protection Category at the 22nd Annual Greentech Environment Award 2023 and in the Rural Development Category at the 10th Annual Greentech CSR India Awards. These awards were presented at the award ceremony in Sonmarg, Jammu and Kashmir in November 2023.
- The Greentech Environment Awards recognize responsible, innovative practices and initiatives that promote sustainability, minimize environmental impact, and create long-lasting benefits for society.
- NTPC Bongaigaon’s receipt of these awards is a testament to its commitment to environmental stewardship and social responsibility.
Raksha Mantri Shri Rajnath Singh unveils crest of Yard 12706 (Imphal)
⇒ Raksha Mantri Shri Rajnath Singh unveiled the crest of Yard 12706 (Imphal), the third amongst the four Project 15B stealth guided missile destroyers in New Delhi on November 28, 2023.
The unveiling of Imphal’s crest, adorned with the Kangla Palace and ‘Kangla-Sa’ is a befitting tribute to the sacrifice made by the people of Manipur towards India’s independence, sovereignty and security.
Designed by:
The crest of Yard 12706 (Imphal), the third amongst the four Project 15B guided missile stealth destroyers being built at Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders Limited (MDL) and designed by the Indian Navy’s Warship Design Bureau.
Other Points:
- The crest design depicts the Kangla Palace on the left and ‘Kangla-Sa’ on the right.
- The Kangla Palace is an important historical and archaeological site of Manipur, and was the traditional seat of the past kingdom.
- With a dragon’s head and lion’s body, the ‘Kangla-Sa’ is a mythical being from Manipur history, and is symbolic as the guardian/protector of its people.
- ‘Kangla-Sa’ is also the state emblem of Manipur.
Government of India and Government of Manipur signed a Peace Agreement with UNLF
⇒ In a historic development, the Government of India and Government of Manipur signed a Peace Agreement with United National Liberation Front (UNLF), the oldest valley-based armed group of Manipur in New Delhi on 29 November 2023.
- The UNLF was formed in 1964 and has been operating both within and outside Indian Territory.
- The agreement is poised to give a fillip to usher in a new era of peace in the North East in general and Manipur in particular.
Key Points:
- Political settlements have been finalised with several ethnic armed groups of the North East as part of conflict resolution initiatives of Government of India.
- This was for the first time a valley-based Manipuri armed group has agreed to return to mainstream by abjuring violence and agreed to honour the Constitution of India and laws of the land.
- The agreement will not only bring an end to hostilities between UNLF and security forces which have claimed precious lives on both sides over the last more than half a century but also provide an opportunity to address the longstanding concerns of the community.
- The return of UNLF to the mainstream will also encourage other valley-based armed groups to participate in the peace process in due course.
- A Peace Monitoring Committee (PMC) will be constituted to oversee enforcement of the agreed ground rules.
- The development is likely to be a significant step in restoring peace and normalcy in the State.
International
2nd India-Australia 2+2 Ministerial Dialogue
⇒ The 2nd India-Australia 2+2 Defence and Foreign Ministerial Dialogue was held on 20 November 2023 in New Delhi.
India and Australia are pursuing a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership. The inaugural 2+2 ministerial dialogue took place in New Delhi in September 2021.
Co-chaired by:
The 2+2 dialogue was co-chaired by Raksha Mantri Shri Rajnath Singh and Minister of External Affairs Dr S Jaishankar along with their Australian counterparts, Deputy Prime Minister & Minister for Defence Mr Richard Marles and Minister for Foreign Affairs Ms Penny Wong.
During the second 2+2 Dialogue, the Ministers discussed a wide range of strategic, defence and security issues.
- Bilateral, regional and global matters of mutual interest were discussed to further advance cooperation under the India-Australia Comprehensive Strategic Partnership (CSP).
- Both sides also exchanged views on shared priorities for strengthening mini-lateral and multilateral cooperation.
Highlights of the Joint Statement:
Partnering for the benefit of the region:
- The Ministers discussed developments in the Indo-Pacific, Middle East and Ukraine. They expressed deep concern over the war in Ukraine and its tragic humanitarian consequences.
- The Ministers highlighted their commitment to the Indian Ocean Rim Association (IORA) as the premier forum spanning the Indian Ocean region. Australia congratulated India for taking up the role of IORA Vice-Chair for the next two years before assuming the role of IORA Chair in 2025.
- Ministers welcomed closer engagement between Australia and India on Pacific priorities in line with the 2050 Strategy for the Blue Pacific Continent and the 2050 Strategy’s implementation plan, including climate change and economic development. They committed to coordinate closely to share assessments of developments in the Pacific region and to consider opportunities for cooperation, particularly in areas of respective expertise. They committed to coordinate closely also on development activities in the Indian Ocean region.
- Ministers welcomed enhanced Indo-Pacific diplomatic presence from both countries, including India’s intention to open a resident mission in Timor-Leste, and Australia opening a High Commission in Maldives.
- The Ministers acknowledged reciprocal support for each other’s non-permanent candidature in the UNSC – India for the term 2028-2029 and Australia for the term 2029-2030.
- The Ministers also expressed support for India’s hosting of the 2024 Antarctic Treaty System Meeting.
Enhancing cooperation on defence, security and maritime domain awareness:
- They also agreed to continue working closely to combat Illegal Unreported and Unregulated (IUU) fishing in the Indo-Pacific region.
- The Ministers agreed to continue aircraft deployments from each other’s territories to build operational familiarity and enhance maritime domain awareness, and consolidating maritime domain awareness cooperation by enhancing interoperability and information sharing to consolidate mutual access.
- The Australian side welcomed India’s full membership of the multinational Combined Maritime Forces (CMF), headquartered in Bahrain.
- Ministers agreed to continue to work closely together to protect the integrity of the international financial system from transnational crime and illegal financial transactions.
Supporting technology and industry collaboration:
- The Ministers highlighted technology and industry cooperation as an essential pillar of the bilateral relationship, and emphasised the role of secure, resilient and trusted technology and supply chains in enhancing national security and driving economic growth.
- The Ministers committed to foster collaboration and enhance cooperation in the realm of critical minerals. They also affirmed their support for strengthening cooperation in diversifying, the value/supply chains of critical minerals.
Building institutional chemistry:
- The Ministers welcomed Australia opening a new Consulate-General in Bengaluru in July 2023, Australia’s fifth diplomatic mission in India, to represent Australia in the states of Karnataka and Telangana.
- To support the growing Indian community in Australia, Ministers welcomed the new Consulate-General of India in Brisbane, Queensland.
- To share perspectives and policy solutions on challenges facing the Indo-Pacific region, the Ministers announced a new 1.5 track India-Australia Strategic Dialogue, which would include representatives from government, academia, think tanks, the strategic community, industry representatives and policy makers.
- The Ministers agreed to further deepen cooperation in the field of internationalisation of education and fostering institutional-level linkages between the two countries under various modes like twinning, joint degrees, and dual degrees.
- They also agreed to work within the scope of the Migration and Mobility Partnership Arrangement (MMPA), including on the mobility of visitors, students, graduates, academic researchers, business people and other working professionals.
3rd 2+2 Ministerial Dialogue:
» Both sides looked forward to holding the 3rd 2+2 Ministerial Dialogue in 2025.
Important Day
World AIDS Day 2023
⇒ World AIDS Day is observed globally on 1 December every year.
- World AIDS Day is an opportunity to show solidarity with people living with HIV (PLHIV) and create awareness for the same.
- The day is an opportunity for public and private partners to spread awareness about the status of the pandemic and encourage progress in HIV (Human Immunodeficiency Viruses)/AIDS (Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome) prevention, treatment and care around the world.
Theme:
The theme of World AIDS Day 2023 was ‘Let communities lead’.
World AIDS Day 2023 was an opportunity to reflect on the progress made to date, raise awareness about the challenges that remain to achieve the goals of ending AIDS by 2030 and mobilize all stakeholders to jointly redouble efforts to ensure the success of the HIV response.
History:
- World AIDS Day was first designated in August 1988 by James W. Bunn and Thomas Netter, to get some semblance of control over the pandemic that had claimed the lives of so many people.
- The World AIDS Day was first observed in 1988.