GoI Launched Auction of 20 Critical Minerals Worth Rs 45,000 cr
Union Minister, Pralhad Joshi, Ministry of Coal and Mines, Government of India (GoI) launched the auction process of 20 critical mineral blocks, which is estimated to be worth around Rs 45000 crore.The 20 blocks on sale are across various states, including Chhattisgarh, Uttar Pradesh, Tamil Nadu, Odisha, Jharkhand, and Bihar. This includes the lithium reserves in the Jammu and Kashmir(J&K). This is a part of India’s efforts to strengthen the critical mineral supply chain for energy transition and to achieve its net-zero target by 2070.
Key Points:
- The first tranche of the auction will end on 20th February 2024. This is a part of the planned auction of 100 blocks.
- The 2nd trance discussion will be held after February 2024
- The 2nd trance discussion will be held after February 2024
- The bidders will be chosen based on the highest percentage of the value of mineral dispatch quoted.
UNAIDS’s World AIDS Day Report 2023: End to AIDS is Possible by 2030
- Ahead of World AIDS Day 2023 (1 December 2023), the Joint United Nations Programme on Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV)/Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome (AIDS) (UNAIDS) released theWorld AIDS Day Report 2023, titled “Let Communities Lead”
- The report states that AIDS can be ended as a public health threat by 2030, if only frontline communities get full support from governments and donors.
- The report was launched in London, United Kingdom (UK) at a World AIDS Day event hosted by STOPAIDS, a civil society organization.
- The 2023 theme of World AIDS Day is “Let Communities Lead”.
About UNAIDS:
Executive Director– Winnie Byanyima
Headquarters– Geneva, Switzerland
Started Operations in– 1996
LIC Jeevan Utsav: New Life Insurance Plan Launched with Lifetime Guaranteed Returns
Life Insurance Corporation of India (LIC) has launched Jeevan Utsav plan, a Non-Linked, NonParticipating, Individual, Savings, Whole Life Insurance plan, which provides insurance coverage for the entire lifetime of the insured individual.
Eligibility:
- Age limit to join the policy- 90 days and 65 years
- Premium paying terms – 5 to 16 years
- Minimum sum assured – Rs 5 lakh
- Maximum Premium ceasing age – 75 Years
- Mode of Instalment payment – Monthly, Quarterly, Half-Yearly & Yearly
Key Points:
- The plan is available in two payout options namely
• Regular income benefits: 10% of the basic sum assured chosen by the policyholder will be paid at the end of each policy year (starting after 3 to 6 years).
• Flexi income benefits: 10% of the basic sum assured payable can be accumulated and withdrawn later - The death benefit will not be less than 105% of total premiums.• The sum assured on death is the basic sum assured or seven times the annualized premium, whichever is higher
- LIC will pay interest on any delayed or accumulated Flexi Income Benefits at a rate of 5.5% per annum, compounded annually.
- A policyholder can withdraw up to 75% of the balance accumulated Flexi Income Benefit(s)
About Life Insurance Corporation (LIC) of India:
Chairperson –Siddhartha Mohanty
Headquarters – Mumbai, Maharashtra
Established in – 1956
ISRO Scientist V R Lalithambika Honoured with France’s Chevalier Award
- Dr V R Lalithambika, a distinguished scientist at the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) was honoured with with “Chevalier de la Légion d’Honneur”, the highest civilian award of France, for hercontributions in promoting space cooperation between India and France
- She becomes the 2nd ISRO scientist to receive the award. Previously, A S Kiran Kumar, former chairman of ISRO received the award in 2019
- Indian Author Dr Arshia Sattar Honoured with France’s Chevalier dans l’Ordre des Arts et des LettresEminent Indian author and translator, Dr Arshia Sattar, was honoured with “Chevalier de l’Ordre des Arts et des Lettres” (Knight of the Order of Arts and Letters), a prestigious honor from French Government, for her commitment to cultural relationship and cooperation between diverse literary worlds.
About France:
President – Emmanuel Jean-Michel Frédéric Macron
Capital – Paris
Currency – Euro
Garuda Aerospace received ‘Second Type’ Certificate from DGCA for Medium Category Drones
- Chennai (Tamil Nadu) based Garuda Aerospace Private Limited has secured the second type certificate for medium category drones from the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA).
- The certification showcases Garuda Aerospace’s dedication to pioneering advancements in Unmanned Aerial Vehicle(UAV)technology
- The DGCA Type Certification is issued under the provision of Rule 8 and Rule 9 (3) of the Drone Rules 2021.
- This certificate is valid until it is revoked or suspended.
About Garuda Aerospace Private Limited:
Founder & Chief Executive Officer (CEO) – Agnishwar Jayaprakash
Established in – 2015
Nobel Peace Prize Winner Henry Kissinger passed away at 100
Henry Alfred Kissinger, the Nobel Peace Prize winner and former American Diplomat, passed away at the age of 100 in Connecticut, the United States of America(USA).Henry Kissinger was born as Heinz Alfred Kissinger in Furth, Germany, on 27th May 1923. His family moved to the USA in 1938.
Key Points:
- Kissinger served in the U.S. Army Counter Intelligence Corps from 1943 to 1946 and as captain in the Military Intelligence Reserve from 1946 to 1949.
- He served as the faculty at Harvard University from 1954 to 1971, both in the Department of Government and at the Center for International Affairs.
- He served as the 56th Secretary of State of the United States from 1973 to 1977. In addition, he held the post of National Security Adviser from 1969 to 1975.
Day of Remembrance for All Victims of Chemical Warfare 2023- November 30
United Nations (UN) Day of Remembrance for All Victims of Chemical Warfare is annually observedacross the globe on 30 November to pay tribute to the victims, who lost their lives or suffered from chemical warfare.The Day also reaffirms the commitment of the Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW) to eliminate the chemical weapons threat and promote the goals of peace, security, and multilateralism
Key Points:
- The Conference of the States Parties to the CWC, at its 20th Session in 2015, designated that:
• 29 April each year as the International Day for the Foundation of the Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (“OPCW Day”).
• A Memorial Day of Remembrance for all Victims of Chemical Warfare would be observed on 30 November each year or, when appropriate, on the first day of the regular session of the Conference. - The first Day of Remembrance for All Victims of Chemical Warfare was observed on 30 November 2016.
About Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW)
Director-General– Ambassador Fernando Arias
Headquarters– The Hague, Netherlands