National News Oct-23

UP govt approves proposal to increase retirement age of doctors to 65 years

The Uttar Pradesh cabinet approved a proposal to increase the retirement age of government doctors in the state from 62 years to 65 years. However, senior medical officers like director general (level seven), director (level six), and additional director/ chief superintendent/ superintendent/ chief city health officer (level 5) will retire at the age of 62 years after completing the superannuation age. The medical officers of joint director grade (level four) serving on different administrative posts will not work on them (administrative posts) once they complete the age of 62 years but will be able to work in the hospitals as doctors till the age of 65 years. It was also decided that after completing the age of 62 years, if any doctor from levels one to four is not willing to serve in a medical post till the age of 65 years, then he will be eligible for voluntary retirement and can apply for the same.

Raksha Mantri Rajnath Singh inaugurates first edition of Indian Military Heritage Festival in New Delhi

Raksha Mantri Rajnath Singh inaugurated the first edition of Indian Military Heritage Festival in New Delhi. The two-day festival aims to celebrate India’s rich military culture and heritage, through conversations, art, dance, drama, story-telling and exhibitions. During the event, the Raksha Mantri also launched ‘Project Udbhav’, a joint collaboration of Indian Army and United Service Institution of India. The project aims to promote indigenous discourse through exploration and integration of the country’s ancient strategic acumen into contemporary military domain.

PM Modi inaugurates ‘NaMo Bharat’, India’s 1st regional rapid train system in UP

PM Narendra Modi inaugurated the priority section of the Delhi-Ghaziabad-Meerut RRTS Corridor in UP’s Sahibabad. It is India’s first regional rapid train service and was renamed NaMo Bharat’ earlier. The 17 kmlong section has five stations namely Sahibabad, Ghaziabad Guldhar, Duhai and Duhai Depot. The trains will run at a speed of 160 km/hr.

What are the features?

NaMo Bharat has a design speed of 180 km per hour and an operational speed of 160 km per hour. CCTV cameras, an emergency door-opening mechanism, and a button to communicate with train operators are some of the trains safety features. It will include six coaches, including one premium coach.

Mizoram: Anthurium Festival begins

A two-day-long Anthurium Festival began with all festivities and enthusiasm at Reiek in Mamit District. The festival is being organized by the Department of Tourism of Mizoram.

Anthurium Festival:

Anthurium festival of Mizoram is the most popular festival celebrated in the state. This festival is celebrated to promote tourism. The Anthurium Festival is organized annually by the Tourism Department in collaboration with the Horticulture Department. The financial support comes from the Central Government. The Festival is held at Reek Mountain, which is situated at a height of 1584 meters and is an hour drive from Aizawl. The mountain boasts the legendary work, folk lores and feats won by Mizo chief. The mountain acted as a hunting preserve for the Mizo chief.

Govt Introduces Shreshta Scheme for Quality Education of SC Students

The Ministry of Social Justice & Empowerment has introduced the ‘Scheme for Residential Education for Students in High Schools in Targeted Areas’ (SHRESHTA). The primary objective of this initiative is to extend the influence of government development programs and address service gaps in regions predominantly inhabited by SC communities within the education sector.

More about SHRESHTA scheme:

SHRESHTA, designed to provide high-quality education to SC students, aims to create an environment conducive to their holistic development and secure their future prospects. The scheme’s implementation comprises two distinct approaches.The first category includes top CBSE/State Boardaffiliated private residential schools known as SHRESHTA institutions. To identify outstanding students each year, the National Testing Agency (NTA) will conduct the National Entrance Test for SHRESHTA (NETS). These students will gain admission to schools affiliated with CBSE/State Boards for their education from Class 9 to 12.

Dept of Animal Husbandry and Dairying Launched ‘A-HELP’ Programme

The Department of Animal Husbandry and Dairying, Government of India launched the ‘A-HELP’ (Accredited Agent for Health and Extension of Livestock Production) programme in the State of Jharkhand. ‘A-HELP’ program, aims to empower women by engaging them as Accredited Agent who contribute significantly to disease control, animal tagging, and livestock insurance. The new scheme would enhance access to veterinary services at the farmer’s doorstep and empower Pashu Sakhis. Shri Badal Patralekh said that this endeavour serves as an exemplary integration of women’s power, fostering socio-economic progress.

Maharashtra Govt Announces ‘Lek Ladki Scheme’ For Financial Aid

The Maharashtra government authorised a financial programme under which girls from low-income households would get payments in stages following birth, with the total for qualified recipients reaching Rs 1 lakh when they reach the age of 18. Girls from households with yellow and orange ration cards would receive Rs 5,000 when they are born, Rs 6,000 when they enter Class 1, Rs 7,000 in Class 6, Rs 8,000 in Class 11, and Rs 75,000 when they reach the age of 18 (total Rs 1 lakh). The scheme, dubbed ‘Lek Ladki’ (dear daughter), would be available to girls born after April 1, 2023, and was announced earlier this year by Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, who also held the finance responsibility at the time, when presenting the budget for 2023-2024. The scheme’s goals are to raise the proportion of females, encourage their education, and eliminate malnutrition and child marriage.

Maharashtra:

• Capital: Mumbai
• Chief minister: Eknath Shinde
• Governor: Ramesh Bais

Government approves establishment of Mera Yuva Bharat for development of youth

The government has approved the establishment of an autonomous body Mera Yuva Bharat (MY Bharat) for development of youth and youth-led development. It will provide equitable access to youth to actualize their aspirations and build Viksit Bharat. Mera Yuva Bharat (MY Bharat), an autonomous body will benefit the youth in the age group of 15-29 years, in line with the definition of ‘Youth’ in the National Youth Policy. In case of programme components specifically meant for the adolescents, the beneficiaries will be in the age group of 10-19 years. Mera Yuva Bharat (MY Bharat) will help in Setting the focus of the Government on Youth Led development and to make the Youth “active drivers” of development and not merely “passive recipients”. The Mera Yuva Bharat (MY Bharat) will be launched on 31st October, 2023 on National Unity Day.

Arunachal Yak churpi gets GI tag, to boost conservation

Slightly sour and salty churpi, a naturally fermented cheese prepared from milk of Arunachali yak, reared in the high altitude areas in Arunachal Pradesh, has received the Geographical Indication (GI) tag, which boost the the hairy bovine species’ conservation. Churpi is an excellent source of proteins and is frequently used as a substitute for vegetables by tribal yak herders in the vegetation-starved cold and hilly mountainous regions of the state. It is also mixed in vegetable or meat curry and is eaten with rice as a staple food in tribal households. It is considered an integral part of the tangible cultural and tribal heritage of Arunachal Pradesh- says Sarkar. Arunachali yak breed is reared by tribal yak pastoralists known as Brokpas who migrate along with their yaks to higher reaches (at an altitude of 10,000 ft and higher) during summers and descent to mid-altitude mountainous regions during winters. Note: Darjeeling tea became the first GI tagged product in India, in 2004–2005.

Government of India notifies constitution of National Turmeric Board

The Government notified the constitution of the National Turmeric Board which will focus on the development and growth of turmeric and turmeric products in the country. The Board will provide leadership on turmeric-related matters, augment the efforts, and facilitate greater coordination with the Spices Board and other Government agencies in the development and growth of the turmeric sector. The Board will play an instrumental role in increasing awareness and consumption of turmeric and develop new markets globally to increase exports. With the Board’s dedicated efforts, turmeric exports are projected to reach $1 billion by 2030. It was a long pending demand of the farmers of Telangana. India is the largest producer, consumer and exporter of turmeric in the world. More than 30 varieties of Turmeric are grown in India and it is grown in over 20 States in the country. The largest producing states of Turmeric are Maharashtra, Telangana, Karnataka, and Tamil Nadu. India has more than 62 percent share of world trade in turmeric.

MHA Declares National Liberation Front Of Tripura, All Tripura Tiger Force As ‘Unlawful Associations’

The Central Government has declared the National Liberation Front of Tripura (NLFT), All Tripura Tiger Force (ATTF) and their factions as unlawful associations under the Unlawful Activites (Prevention) Act. The Home Ministry has banned these organisations for five years. The government is of the opinion that the activities of NLFT and ATTF are detrimental to the sovereignty and integrity of India and that they are unlawful associations.

Union Minister of Petroleum and Natural Gas Hardeep S Puri Inaugurates the Indian Pavilion at ADIPEC 2023

The Abu Dhabi International Petroleum Exhibition and Conference (ADIPEC 2023) kicked off at the Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre. This year, ADIPEC also includes four specialised areas that facilitate cross-sector collaboration and gamechanging partnerships – Decarbonisation Accelerator, Maritime and Logistics Zone, Digitalisation in Energy Zone, Manufacturing, Industrialisation Exhibition and Conference. Hosted by the Abu Dhabi National Oil Company (ADNOC), buyers and sellers meet, learn, and network during the event to develop business and discover new products, solutions, and technologies.

Theme:

ADIPEC 2023 is held under the theme of “Decarbonising. Faster. Together.” and brings together the global energy industry to advance decarbonizing today’s energy system and collaborate on tomorrow’s energy system.