Coal Ministry Amends SHAKTI Policy to Expand Coal Linkage and Promote Market Transparency
Ministry of Coal has amended the SHAKTI (Scheme for Harnessing and Allocating Koyala (Coal) Transparently in India) Policy, which allows power plants, including private generators without PowerPurchase Agreements (PPAs), to be granted coal linkage for a minimum of three months to a maximum of one year.
Key Points:
- The amendment aims to enhance a more transparent coal allocation mechanism by providing the power generated through coal linkages must be sold through power exchanges or a transparent bidding process on the Discovery of Efficient Energy Price (DEEP) portal.
- This amendment is expected to improve the availability and affordability of coal for power generation and enhance the overall efficiency of the sector
- The Ministry of Coal introduced the Coal Linkage Policy known as Scheme for Harnessing and Allocating Koyala (Coal) Transparently in India (SHAKTI) in 2017 for the allocation of coal among thermal power plants transparently and objectively.
- The Policy provides coal linkages to power plants which lack fuel supply agreements (FSAs) through coal auctions.
About the Ministry of Coal:
Union Minister – Pralhad Joshi (Dharwad, Karnataka)
Minister of State – Danve Raosaheb Dadarao (Jalna, Maharashtra)
India & Bangladesh Navies Undertook 5th CORPAT & Bongosagar 23 in Northern Bay of Bengal
The 4th edition of the Bilateral Exercise between the Indian Navy(IN) and Bangladesh Navy(BN),BONGOSAGAR 23, and the 5th edition of Coordinated Patrol (CORPAT) by the two navies was conducted from 7th to 9th November 20233 in the Northern Bay of Bengal.Regular bilateral exercises and coordinated patrols have strengthened mutual understanding and cooperation between the two navies.Bongo Sagar exercise was first conducted in 2019 while 1st edition of IN-BN CORPAT was held in 2018.
Key Points:
- Joint patrolling along the International Maritime Boundary Line (IMBL) was held between both navies.
- There were Communication drills, surface gun-shoots, and tactical maneuvers conducted during the exercises
- CORPAT-23 featured the first-ever Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief (HADR) drills between the two navies.
- It involved a Search and Rescue scenario at sea, demonstrating joint capabilities in responding to emergencies.
QS Asia Rankings 2024: India features Highest Number of Universities; China’s Peking University Tops
On November 8, 2023, the QS (Quacquarelli Symonds) World University Ranking: Asia 2024 wasreleased, showcasing 148 Indian universities which is 30 more than the last edition. With this, India now holds the highest representation in Asia’s higher education system, surpassing China (133) and Japan (96).India has 118 universities in 2023 ranking.This is the 16th edition of the QS World University Ranking in this category.Peking University, Beijing, China has retained the 1st position in the QS Asia Ranking 2024, while, Indian Institute of Technology Bombay (IITB) in Mumbai, Maharashtra grabbed the top spot in India with 40th position in the Asia Ranking
About Quacquarelli Symonds (QS):
Chief Executive Officer– Jessica Turner
Headquarters– London, United Kingdom (UK)
India Ranked 117th among 129 nations in Inclusiveness Index by OBI; New ZealandTops
- According to the Inclusiveness Index published by the Othering and Belonging Institute (OBI) at California University, United States of America(USA), India was ranked 117th out of 129 countries with an overall score of 49.24.
- India was ranked 129th in religion inclusiveness, 121st in gender, 108th in disability, 87th in race, 40th in the general population, and 39th in LGBTQ+ (Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer or questioning, Intersex, Asexual).
- The index was topped by New Zealand for the second consecutive yearwith an overall score of 82.08.
- It is followed by 2nd place at Portugal (77.6), and the Netherlands (76.98) in the 3rd place.
About Othering and Belonging Institute (OBI):
About Othering and Belonging Institute (OBI):Director– John A. PowellB
Headquarters– Berkeley, California, US
ADB & GEF Introduce Natural Capital Fund to Foster Environmental Conservation
Asian Development Bank (ADB) and the Global Environment Facility (GEF) jointly introduced the Natural Capital Fund (NCF), a concessional fund aimed at backing projects in ADB’s developing member countries (DMCs). The GEF has committed a USD15 million investment to support the NCF’s initiatives focused on improving food security and safeguarding natural capital.The announcement for the same was made during the Asia-Pacific Natural Capital Forum held on 7–9 November 2023, co-hosted by ADB and Stanford University’s Natural Capital Project.
Key Points:
- It is a funding vehicle that accepts and administers contributionsfrom multiple funding sources, including bilateral and multilateral organizations.
- NCF plans to co-finance projects alongside ADB and other partners. Financing will be secured through future incremental income, eco-compensation rewards, and additional operating cash flows of the projects.
About Asian Development Bank:
President – Masatsugu Asakawa
Headquarters – Manila, Philippines
Establishment– 1966
Hindustan Aeronautics incorporates JV With Safran for Helicopter Engines
Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) and France based Safran Helicopter Engines have decided to set up a new 50/50 joint venture (JV) company in Bengaluru, Karnataka to design, develop, produce, sell, and support helicopter engines.This joint venture will be the first engine design and manufacturing house in India.The JV was formed with an aim to develop the adequate propulsion system for the Indian Ministry of Defence’s (MoD) future 13-ton Indian Multi-Role Helicopter(IMRH) and its naval version, the Deck Based Multi-Role Helicopter (DBMRH).
Key Points:
- JV is a testament to the strong and growing relationship between the Indian and French aerospace industries
- It aims to promote cooperation in research, development, production, and maintenance of aerospace platforms and systems.
- JV is expected to engage and harness the Indian Defence manufacturing ecosystem, thereby contributing to the realisation of the government’s Atma Nirbhar Bharat (self-reliant India) vision.
About Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL):
Chairman and Managing Director(CMD) – R Madhavan
Headquarters – Bengaluru,Karnataka
Established in – 1940
Apolinaris D’Souza Honored With The 19th ‘Kalakar Puraskar’ Award
Apolinaris D’Souza, a prominent Konkani singer, lyricist, and composer, was honored with the 19th edition of the ‘Kalakar Puraskar‘ award in appreciation of his immense contributions to the field of music for over 5 decades.The award was presented by Mandd Sobhann, in association with ‘Carval Ghorane’.The award was presented during the 263rd Monthly Theatre at Kalaangann, Shakthinagar, Karnataka
Key Points:
- Apolinaris D’Souza has made immense contributions to Konkani music in Oman and in Mangaluru, Karnataka.
- He has served as the choir master at Sts. Peter & PaulChurch, Ruwi in Oman for nearly 20 years, and has judged many music competitions.
- He has produced 9 audio albums of songs and hymns, 2 books of songs and music, and over 250 videos of Konkani and English hymns for his YouTube channel.
- He is also known for his popular hymns, such as ‘Mondirant Bhitor Sorun‘, ‘Orgam Tuka Somiya‘, ‘Ye Ye Jezu Mogala‘, ‘Undya Vayna Sovem‘, ‘Vetam Vetam Somiyam‘, and ‘Sasnnacho Vishev’.
- He was the first person to organize Konkani Program in Muscat, Omen (in 1976).
- He has also Organized ‘Apoli Night’ in Muscat.
Ashok Leyland is the First OEM to Manufacture LNG Engines
Ashok Leyland becomes the first Indian Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM) to unveil an in-house Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) engine named as ‘AVTR 1922’ .Ashok Leyland has delivered first batch of 12 LNGpowered haulage trucks to Mahanagar Gas Limited in Hosur, Tamil Nadu(TN).
Key Points:
- The AVTR 1922 is a customizable engine powered by a 6-cylinder H-series ‘Hino’ engine
- The engine is compliant with Bharat Stage Six (BSVI) Stage II emission standards.
- It is also built on the AVTR platform, which is India’s first and only fully modular truck platform.The engine shares many components with Ashok Leyland’s current diesel trucks engines
- It meets all safety standards and has a full metal front end for added safety and easier repairs.
About Ashok Leyland:
Ashok Leyland is an Indian multinational commercial vehicle manufacturer; It is owned by the Hinduja Group Limited.
Managing Director(MD) & Chief
Executive Officer(CEO) – Shenu AgarwalHeadquarters – Chennai, Tamil Nadu
Established in – 1948(Established as Ashok Motors; Became Ashok Leyland in 1955)
National Education Day 2023- November 11
- National Education Day is annually observed across India on 11 November to mark the birth anniversary of ‘Bharat Ratna’ Maulana Abul Kalam Azad, the first education minister of independent India
- His immense contribution to the field of education in India is recognised by celebrating his birthday as National Education Day across India.
- This day serves to raise awareness about the fundamental right to education and underscore its supreme importance.
- 11 November 2023 marks the 135th birth anniversary of Maulana Abul Kalam Azad, who was born on 11 November 1888, in Mecca (Saudi Arabia)