National
National Campaign for Updation and Verification of People’s Biodiversity Register
⇒ The National Campaign for Updation and Verification of People’s Biodiversity Register (PBR) was launched in Goa on 23 May 2023, marking a significant step towards the documentation and preservation of India’s rich biological diversity.
During the event, Minister Ashwini Kumar Choubey informed that so far 2,67,608 People’s Biodiversity Registers (PBR) have been prepared in the country, by Biodiversity Management Committees entrusted with the crucial task of documenting natural resources and traditional knowledge associated with them.
About People’s Biodiversity Register:
- The People’s Biodiversity Register serves as a comprehensive record of various aspects of biodiversity, including the conservation of habitats, preservation of land races, folk varieties and cultivars, domesticated stocks and breeds of animals, micro-organisms, and the accumulation of knowledge related to the area’s biological diversity.
- As per the Biological Diversity Act 2002, Biodiversity Management Committees (BMC) are created for “promoting conservation, sustainable use and documentation of biological diversity” by local bodies across the country.
- BMCs have been constituted by the local bodies in the States and Union Territories and are entrusted with preparation of the People’s Biodiversity Registers (PBRs), in consultation with local communities.
International
16th Langkawi International Maritime and Aerospace Exhibition (LIMA 23)
⇒ An Indian delegation, led by Additional Secretary (Defence Production) Shri T Natarajan, attended the 16th Langkawi International Maritime and Aerospace Exhibition (LIMA 23), held at Langkawi, Malaysia between May 22-25, 2023.
- The Additional Secretary (Defence Production) also called on Malaysian Minister of Defence Dato’ Seri Mohamad Hasan on the sidelines of the exhibition.
About LIMA:
- Established in 1991 and held biennially, LIMA is one of the largest maritime & aerospace exhibitions in the Asia-Pacific.
- This year’s edition involves over 600 exhibitors from more than 30 countries, including India.
- International pavilions were from the US, China, UK, France, UAE, Indonesia, Thailand, Italy, Türkiye, Brazil, Germany, Singapore, South Korea, Pakistan, India, Bangladesh, Saudi Arabia, Belgium, Czech Republic and others.
India-US Working Group on Education and Skill Development
⇒ Ministry of Education, Government of India and US Department of State launched the India-US Working Group on Education and Skill Development in virtual mode on 22 May 2023.
- The Working Group was launched with the aim to enhance cooperation and collaboration between the two countries in the field of education and skill development.
Background:
The establishment of the India-US Working Group on Education and Skill Development was announced by the leaders on the sidelines of the 2+2 Ministerial Dialogue held between India and US in Washington DC on 11 April 2022.
Co-chair:
Ms. Neeta Prasad, Joint Secretary for International Cooperation, Ministry of Education and Mr. Donald Lu, Assistant Secretary of State for the Bureau of South and Central Asian Affairs, US Department of State co-chaired the Working Groups from India and US respectively.
Discussions during the meeting focused on the following sub-topics:
- Skilling and vocational education
- Certification and recognition
- Matchmaking between U.S. and Indian higher educational institutions
- Engaging with the Private Sector
Key Points:
- Both sides acknowledged the importance of skilling and vocational education in the industry centered era. Recognizing the need to align skills training programs with industry requirements, both sides agreed to foster partnerships between educational institutions, industry stakeholders, and relevant government agencies. This collaboration aims to address skills gaps, enhance employability, and promote entrepreneurship in both the countries.
- Recognizing the potential for collaboration in the field of higher education, the delegations discussed the importance of matchmaking between higher educational institutions of India and US. They acknowledged the benefits of promoting student and faculty exchanges, joint research programs, and collaborative projects between universities and colleges of both countries. The delegations agreed to encourage and facilitate such partnerships to foster academic and cultural exchange, enhance educational quality, and promote innovation and knowledge-sharing.
- Both sides agreed to encourage greater inter-linkages amongst the educational institutions. Indian side proposed that developing joint/dual and twinning courses in areas of mutual interest could be explored.
- Acknowledging the vital role of the private sector in driving innovation, creating job opportunities, and supporting the education sector, both sides agreed to explore avenues to promote public-private partnerships in education and skill development initiatives.
- The delegations from both sides expressed their commitment to strengthening cooperation in education and skill development between India and US.
- The Joint Working Group agreed to continue regular meetings and explore concrete avenues to further advance education and skill development collaboration between India and US.
Foundation stone of ‘Little India’ Gateway
⇒ Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi, along with H.E. Mr. Anthony Albanese, Prime Minister of Australia, addressed and interacted with a large gathering of Indian community members on 23 May 2023 at the Qudos Bank Arena in Sydney.
The Indian diaspora, consisting of students, researchers, professionals and business persons, participated in the event with great enthusiasm.
Foundation stone of ‘Little India’ Gateway:
Both Prime Ministers jointly unveiled the foundation stone for a ‘Little India’ Gateway to be built in Harris Park in Parramatta, Western Sydney, which is home to a large Indian community.
Highlights:
- Prime Minister Modi outlined India’s growing achievements on a global scale, and noted that the world was increasingly interested in India’s success stories.
- He highlighted the deepening engagement between India and Australia, and announced that an Indian Consulate would be opened in Brisbane.
Important Day
12th Global Accessibility Awareness Day (GAAD) 2023
⇒ Global Accessibility Awareness Day (GAAD) is observed every year on the third Thursday of May.
- This year, the 12th Global Accessibility Awareness Day (GAAD) was observed on 18th May 2023.
Objective:
- The purpose of GAAD is to get everyone talking, thinking and learning about digital- web, software, mobile, etc. access/inclusion for people with different disabilities.
- The world recognizes Global Accessibility Awareness Day to draw attention to innovations, expertise, changes, and change-makers in digital accessibility.
The Department of Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities (DEPwD) celebrated the Global Accessibility Awareness Day (GAAD) on 18 May 2023.
- GAAD was celebrated with the vision to build an inclusive society in which equal opportunities are provided for the growth and development of Persons with Disabilities so that they can lead productive, safe and dignified lives.
- DEPwD, under Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment, Government of India is the nodal body to look after all the development agenda of Persons with Disabilities of the country.