Daily Current Affairs
1) President of India to confer National Award to Teachers-2018 on Teachers Day
The President of India, Shri Ram NathKovind will confer National Award to Teachers-2018 in New Delhi tomorrow. The national-level awards are given to teachers on Teachers' Day to celebrate the unique contribution of some of the finest teachers in the country and to honor those teachers who through their commitment have not only improved the quality of school education but also enriched the lives of their students.
The nomination of Awardees Teachers
- For the year 2018, the online self-nomination process followed by 3 tier selection process at District, State, and National level was followed.
- The Independent National Jury recommended the name of 46 teachers.
- The criterion adopted was to select those teachers who had shown innovation in their work and had added value to the school and to their students.
- These nominated teachers gave a presentation before an independent Jury comprising a senior educationist.
- This ensured that all of them were allowed to place before the jury their contribution and the work done by them.
- The basic premise now is that the new scheme should be transparent, fair, and reward demonstrated excellence and performance and has been inspired by recent innovations in major national awards. The award carries a Silver Medal, Certificate and Rs. 50,000/- as award money.
The features of the new scheme are as under
- Online self-nominations from teachers were invited on mhrd.gov.in. The Web portal was developed by the Administrative Staff College of India (ASCI) and the entire software ran smoothly.
- Applications were received online from teachers from all over the country.
- All regular teachers were eligible and no minimum years of service were required. This enabled meritorious young teachers to apply.
- The number of awards was rationalized to a maximum of 47, thereby restoring the prestige of the awards.
- No State, UT or Organization had a quota in the final selection. This encouraged them to compete for the awards.
- An independent Jury at the National level made the final selection. The Jury reviewed the list of candidates forwarded by all States, UTs and Organisations. Each nominee made a presentation before the Jury, which made a final assessment and recommended 46 names for the Teachers Awards this year.
2) 15 MoUs/Agreements exchanged during the visit of Prime Minister to Vladivostok
1. Joint Statement "Reaching New Heights of Cooperation through Trust and Partnership”.
2. Joint Strategy for the Enhancement of India- Russia Trade and Investments.
3. Agreement between the Government of the Republic of India and Government of the Russian Federation and on the cooperation in the production of spare parts for Russian/Soviet military equipment.
4. Agreement between the Government of the Republic of India and the Government of the Russian Federation on Cooperation in Audiovisual Co-production.
5. Memorandum of Understanding between the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways of the Republic of India and the Ministry of Transport of the Russian Federation on bilateral cooperation in the road transport and road industry.
6. Memorandum of Intent between the Ministry of Shipping of the Republic of India and the Ministry of Transport of the Russian Federation on the Development of Maritime Communications between the Port of Chennai, Republic of India and the Port of Vladivostok, Russian Federation.
7. Plan for cooperation between the Central Board of Indirect Taxes and Customs, Ministry of Finance, Republic of India and the Federal Customs Service (Russian Federation), for combating customs violations in 2019-2022.
8. Memorandum of Understanding between the Ministry of Energy of the Russian Federation and the Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas of the Republic of India on the use of Natural Gas for Transportation.
9. The program between the Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas of the Republic of India and the Ministry of Energy of the Russian Federation on the expansion of cooperation in the oil and gas sector.
10. Memorandum of Understanding between Coal India Limited and the Far East Investment and Export Agency to cooperate in coking coal mining projects implementation in the Russian Far East.
11. Cooperation Agreement between Invest India and the Russian Direct Investment Fund for Investment Collaboration.
12. Cooperation Agreement between the Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry the Roscongress Foundation.
13. Memorandum of Understanding between the Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry and the Autonomous Non-profit Organization Agency for Strategic Initiatives to Promote New Projects.
14. Memorandum of understanding between the Joint Stock Company NOVATEK and PETRONET LNG Limited on cooperation for the joint development of downstream LNG Business and LNG supplies.
15. Agreement on Cooperation between Joint-Stock Company Rosgeologia and Srei Infrastructure Finance Limited
3) Union Minister of Consumer Affairs Food and PD Shri Ram Vilas Paswan announces a blanket ban on single-use plastic products in the Ministry from 15th September 2019
The Union Minister of Consumer Affairs Food and Public Distribution, Shri Ram Vilas Paswan today announced a blanket ban (Total Ban) on all types of single-use plastic products in the Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution and all its PSUs including Food Corporation of India (FCI). The decision on this was taken in a high-level meeting with Secretaries of both the Departments i.e. Consumer Affairs and Food, CMD FCI, DG Bureau of India Standards, MD of CWC, Director Legal Metrology along with other senior officials of the Ministry. It was decided that all single-use plastic products will be completely banned in Ministry and its PSUs from 15th September. Union Minister Shri Ram Vilas Paswan asked the officials to make alternate arrangements to ensure that the ban is effective. 4) Joint Statement on Cooperation between India and Russia in the Hydrocarbon Sector for 2019-2024
NATURAL GAS SECTOR
- Both sides recognize the significance of Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) supplied from Russia to India and agree to strengthen LNG imports to India to promote India’s bid to transform itself into a gas-based economy.
- Russia will encourage it's public and private sector companies to participate in gas projects in India, particularly in the development of gas pipeline networks and city gas distribution infrastructure in India.
- India's private and public companies will explore the possibility of collaborating in LNG projects, including in the Arctic. In regards to cooperation in the Arctic, Indian companies will examine the possibility of the development of closer cooperation with Russian companies, including the LNG Arctic projects of JSC NOVATEK.
- Both Sides welcome the interest of JSC NOVATEK to enhance LNG supplies to India and joint development of the gas market in India including but not limited to LNG infrastructure projects in collaboration with Indian companies.
UPSTREAM SECTOR
- Both Sides welcome successful cooperation in the upstream sector of Russia, India and third countries between the leading oil & gas companies of Russia and India.
- Both sides expressed satisfaction at the good progress in Indian investments in oil and gas assets in Russia. India will look for further investment opportunities in producing oil and gas fields in Russia.
- The two sides will continue to encourage further enhancement of cooperation in the upstream sector and continued dialogue between the leading companies in this regard.
DOWNSTREAM SECTOR
- The Russian investment in the Indian refining sector has been a welcome step. The Indian side would invite further investment from Russian public and private sector entities into Indian refining, petrochemical, and associated sectors.
- The two sides will work for the identification of new projects of cooperation in this sector.
The two sides will strive to reach agreements as regards the establishment of mutually beneficial channels for the supply of crude and fuel oil to Indian refineries.
TRAINING, TECHNOLOGY, THIRD COUNTRY COOPERATION
- Both Sides will strengthen and diversify the existing training exchange program and create new ways of enhancing knowledge exchange, joint research in the energy sector, including those in emerging technologies.
- Both sides agreed to explore the possibility of undertaking joint projects in third countries in the energy sector.
5) Governors, Chief Ministers, State Ministers Launch Poshan Maah (Month) in the Different States
This year Poshan Maah focuses on five critical components - ‘First 1000 days of the Child, Anaemia, Diarrhoea, Hand Wash & Sanitation and Poshtik Aahar (wholesome meal with diet diversity)’, called
‘Paanch Sutras’.
On 4th September, Poshan Maah was launched in Assam, Bihar, Madhya Pradesh, Tamil Nadu, and Rajasthan.
In Assam, a ceremonial launch of Poshan Maah 2019 was done yesterday by the State Governor, Professor Jagdish Mukhi at Guwahati.
6) NYKS to Prepare Disaster Response Teams for Disaster Risk Reduction in collaboration with NDRF to be launched on a pilot basis in 32 Districts of 28 States/UTs
Initially, institutional mechanisms for organized and structured engagement of NYKS by creating Block Level Disaster Response Teams (DRTs) of volunteers as first responders are going to be on a pilot basis in 32 multi-hazard Districts of 28 States/UTs. Further, 295 blocks have been selected in districts across India. 30 young volunteers are to be selected from each block. Around 8,850 volunteers will thus be trained through 6 days customized training at 12 battalions of NDRF during the year 2019-2020. An MoU between NYKS and NDRF regarding the initiative and to progressively increase the number of NYKS Youth Volunteers for the next five years has been developed. It is expected to train more than 50,000 youth associated with NYKS until the year 2024.
The first training Batches of DRTs of NYKS Youth Volunteers for Disaster Risk Reduction training has commenced from 02nd September 2019 and will continue till 07th September 2019. 13 Districts’ Nehru Yuva Kendras have sent 30 youth volunteers each. Around 390 volunteers which include more than 100 female participants are attending the training programs. The trained NYKS Youth Volunteers will work as DRTs and will be called as ‘NDRF- friends’. An online database is being created by registering the volunteers on the NYKS portal and the data will be shared with NDMA/SDMA/DDMA for future communication with the volunteers.
7) Enforcement of various provisions of the Arbitration and Conciliation (Amendment) Act, 2019.
The Arbitration and Conciliation (Amendment) Act, 2019 was notified on 9th August 2019. Sub-Section 2 of Section 1 of the Arbitration and Conciliation (Amendment) Act, 2019 provides as under:-
“(2) Save as otherwise provided in this Act, it shall come into force on such date as the Central Government may, by notification in the Official Gazette, appoint and different dates may be appointed for different provisions of this Act and any reference in any such provision to the commencement of this Act shall be construed as a reference to the coming into force of that provision.”
2. The Central Government by exercising powers conferred under sub-section 1 of the Arbitration and Conciliation (Amendment) Act, 2019, appoints the 30th August 2019, for enforcement of the following Sections of the Arbitration and Conciliation (Amendment) Act, 2019:-
(i) Section 1;
(ii) Section 4 to 9 [both inclusive];
(iii) Section 11 to Section 13 [both inclusive];
(iv) Section 15.
3. Necessary Gazette Notification in this regard has been issued by the Central Government. In pursuance of the above notification, section 17, 23,29A, 34, 37, 45 and 50 of the Arbitration and Conciliation Act, 1996 (the Act) stand amended. Also three new sections namely 42A, 42B, and 87 stands inserted in the Act. The insertion of section 87 is with retrospective effect i.e. 23rd October 2015, to clarify the applicability of the said cut-off date on arbitration and related court proceedings.
8) Second Volume of ‘Loktantra Ke Swar’ and ‘The Republican Ethic’ - Compilation of Selected Speeches of President of India - to be released by Vice President
To promote and disseminate selected speeches of President of India Shri Ram Nath Kovind, Publications Division under Ministry of Information & Broadcasting has published ‘Loktantra Ke Swar (Khand 2)’ and ‘The Republican Ethic (Volume 2)’. They are a compilation of 95 speeches delivered by the President during his second year in office (July 2018 to July 2019).
The speeches present a wide panorama of our national life, covering issues ranging from diplomatic focus to good governance, from quality education to the pursuit of excellence and from the welfare of our brave armed forces to the overriding spirit of the Constitution. Given the commemoration of the 150th Birth Anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi, a separate section on President’s illuminating addresses related to Gandhian world-view has also been included.
The speeches have been divided into 8 categories: ‘Addressing the Nation’, ‘Windows to the World’, ‘Educating India: Equipping India’, ‘Dharma of Public Service’, ‘Honouring our Sentinels’, ‘Spirit of the Constitution and Law’, ‘Acknowledging Excellence’ and ‘Mahatma Gandhi: Moral Exemplar, Guiding Light.’
The books will be released by Vice President of India Shri M. Venkaiah Naidu on 6th September at Pravasi Bharatiya Kendra, New Delhi. Union Ministers Shri Prakash Javadekar and Shri Thaawarchand Gehlot will be Guests of Honour on the occasion.
9) The third round of India- Pakistan talks on Kartarpur Sahib Corridor held yesterday
The third round of talks with Pakistan on the modalities for operationalization of the Kartarpur Sahib Corridor is held today at Attari, Amritsar. Indian delegation comprised of representatives from the Ministry of External Affairs, Ministry of Defence, Government of Punjab, Land Ports Authority of India, National Highways Authority of India, in addition to Ministry of Home Affairs.
The following understanding has been reached by both the Parties at the meeting:
- Agreement on visa-free travel of Indian pilgrims, without any restrictions based on their faith. Persons of Indian origin holding OCI card too can visit Holy Gurdwara Kartarpur Sahib using the Corridor.
- 5,000 pilgrims can visit Holy Gurdwara Kartarpur Sahib using the Corridor every day. Additional pilgrims, over and above the figure of 5,000, can visit on special occasions, subject to capacity expansion by Pakistan side. Pakistan has conveyed its assurance to increase this number.
- The Corridor will be operational throughout the year, seven days a week. Pilgrims will have a choice to visit as individuals or in groups and on foot.
- Both sides agreed to build the bridge at Budhi Ravi Channel. Pending the construction of the bridge on the Pakistan side, both sides agreed to the crossing point coordinates of the temporary service road being built.
- The Pakistan side has agreed to make sufficient provision for the preparation and distribution of ‘Langar’ and ‘Prasad’ for the pilgrims.
10) A high-level team of Ministry of DoNER to visit Jammu and Kashmir today
A High-level team of officers from the Ministry of Development of North Eastern Region (DoNER) will be visiting Jammu and Kashmir tomorrow. The purpose of the visit is to look into the new reforms and best practices that can be introduced in J&K. The Union Minister of DoNER (Independent Charge) Dr. Jitendra Singh recently chaired a meeting with the officials of the DoNER Ministry. During the meeting, the Minister discussed various issues and developments related to the upcoming visit.
The key focus areas of the visit will be: Sustainable livelihood giving due emphasis on women empowerment and community based bottom-up approach, eco-tourism and bamboo-based cottages, exchange exposure programmes of North East and Jammu & Kashmir of farmers and artisans, promotional showrooms in J&K by Ministry of DoNER (CBTC) of local products, community based natural resource management, training of J&K artisans in CBTC, Burnihat, collaboration programmes on skill development and cultural exposure and exchange programmes.
11) Raksha Mantri arrives in South Korea in the second leg of his two-nation tour
In the second leg of his two-nation tour to Japan and South Korea, Raksha Mantri Shri Rajnath Singh arrived in Seoul today from Tokyo.
He met Prime Minister of the Republic of Korea (RoK), Mr. Lee Nak-Yon and had a comprehensive interaction over a wide range of issues pertaining to bilateral ties between India and the Republic of Korea. Shri Singh said that India and RoK are natural partners with many complementarities while stressing that RoK’s ‘New Southern Policy’ and India’s ‘Act East Policy’ will provide a strong framework for future engagement and consolidation of Special Strategic Partnership between the two countries. During the meeting, Raksha Mantri appreciated the Prime Minister of RoK for his continued efforts for peace and stability in the Korean Peninsula.
12) Department of Fertilizers to promote Cloth/Jute bags, locally tailored, to reduce the Consumption of Single-Use Plastics
Department of Fertilizers is committed to do its utmost efforts to reduce the consumption of single-use plastics. As these are nonbiodegradable they pollute our environment. An effective ban on single-use plastic can happen if an alternative is available in the market. Cloth/Jute bags, locally tailored and produced can be a viable alternative.
Women’s self-help groups can easily be trained for tailoring and marketing of such cloth bags.
The Department of Fertilizers, during the Swachhata Pakhwada and Swachhata Hi Sewa campaign, decided to distribute cloth bags produced by Women’s Self-help Group Sri Laxmi Devi Swasya Group of village Maragondanahalli Grama Panchayat Ramohalli District, Karnataka to its employees.
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