MITRA SHAKTI–2023: 9th Edition of India-Sri Lanka Joint Military Exercise Commenced in Pune
MITRA SHAKTI-2023, the 9th edition of the joint military exercise between the armed forces of Indiaand Sri Lanka, commenced on 16th November 2023 at the Foreign Training Node in Aundh, Pune,Maharashtra. The 14-day exercise is set to conclude on 29 November 2023.The exercise will foster strong bilateral relations between India and Sri Lanka
Key points:
- The exercise involves utilisation of Drones, Counter Unmanned Aerial Systems and helicopter maneuvers, and practice of tactical actions like raid, search and destroy missions, heliborne operations.
- Army Martial Arts Routine (AMAR), combat reflex shooting and Yoga are also be a part of the exercise
- Both sides will simulate securing helipads and conducting casualty evacuations during CT operations.
- Both sides will exchange views and practices of joint drills on a wide spectrum of combat skills that will facilitate the participants to mutually learn from each other
- The Mitra Shakti was started in 2012 as a counter to China’s effort to increase its influence in South Asia and Indian Ocean Region(IOR).
- Previously the exercise Mitra Shakti was held in 2012, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2019, 2020, and 2021.
- The 8th edition of Mitra Shakti was conducted from 4 – 16 October 2021, at Combat Training School, Ampara in Sri Lanka
Russia Withdraws from Treaty on Conventional Armed Forces in Europe
Russia has formally withdrawn from the Treaty on Conventional Armed Forces in Europe (CFE), alandmark arms control agreement that sought to limit the deployment of conventional weapons in Europe.The exit of Russia is due to North Atlantic Treaty Organization’s (NATO) eastward expansion as a threat to its security.
Key points:
- The agreement was signed by 23 participating States – those belonging to NATO and the Warsaw Treaty Organization (WTO).It was signed in 1990 in Paris, France.
- It aims to stop United States of America and Russia (Cold War rivals) from building up forces that could be used in a swift assault.
SIDBI Signed MoU with TDB to Support MSMEs
- The Small Industries Development Bank of India (SIDBI) has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Technology Development Board (TDB) to ease access of credit to Micro, Small & Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) that are attempting to develop and commercialize indigenous technology or adapt imported technology for wider domestic applications.
- The MoU was executed by Rahul Priyadarshi, Chief General Manager, SIDBI and Rajesh Jain, Director, TDB.
- The MoU is signed for the joint initiative by TDB and SIDBI, to extend financial assistance to eligible MSMEs as per the terms & conditions of TDB & SIDBI.Under this MoU, SIDBI and TDB will support MSMEs with respective to core-competencies/expertise.
Maharashtra Govt Honoured Singer Suresh Wadkar with Gansamragini Lata Mangeshkar Award 2023
Government of Maharashtra honoured veteran playback singer and Padma Shri awardee Suresh Ishwar Wadkar with prestigious ‘Gansamragini Lata Mangeshkar Award’ also known as Lata Mangeshkar Award for the year 2023
Key points:
- The Lata Mangeshkar Award is an annual award given by the Directorate of Cultural Affairs of the Maharashtra Government in memory of the legendary playback singer Lata Mangeshkar.
- The award recognises an artist who has made consistent and invaluable contributions and achievements in the field of music and singing
- The award includes a cash prize of Rs 5 lakhs, a certificate, and a memento.
Asian Power Magazine: GAIL Bags Two Awards At The Asian Oil And Gas Awards 2023
- Asian Power Magazine presented The 19th Asian Power Awards, 3rd Asian Oil & Gas Awards, and inaugural Asian Water Awards in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia on November 2023.
- During this, GAIL India Limited won the ‘Innovation Award – India’ for reduction in LNG Shipping cost & emissions through Ship-to-Ship (STS) transfer of Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) with backhauling.
- It also won ‘Midstream Project of the Year – India’ for the installation of the first floating Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) station at Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh (UP).
- Both Awards by GAIL limited are under the Asian Oil & Gas Awards.
About GAIL India Limited:
GAIL India Limited is a Maharatna Central Public Sector Enterprises under Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas (MoP&NG)
Chairman and Managing Director– Sandeep Kumar Gupta
Headquarters– New Delhi, Delhi
Establishment– 1984
India’s Bina Agarwal & Mexico’s David Barkin won the 2023 Kenneth Boulding Award
- The International Society for Ecological Economics(ISEE) honoured Indian economist & Padma Shriawardee Bina Agarwal with 2023 Kenneth E. Boulding Memorial Award for Ecological Economics. Bina Agarwal is a Professor of Development Economics and Environment at the University of Manchester in Manchester, United Kingdom(UK).
- Along with Bina Agarwal, David Barkin, a professor at the Metropolitan University in Mexico City was declared as the joint recipient of 2023 award.
- The award was presented during the IESS’s 2023 Biennial Conference in Santa Marta, Colombia held from 23 to 28 October 2023.
- The award recognsies their significant contributions to ecological economics, particularly in exploring social equity and gender roles in rural societies within developing regions.
Indian Navy’s 4th Anti-Submarine Warfare Craft ‘Amini‘ Launched
Indian Navy (IN) launched ‘Amini‘, the 4th in a series of eight Anti-Submarine Warfare Shallow WaterCrafts (ASW-SWC), at shipbuilding facility of Larsen & Toubro (L&T) in Kattupalli, Chennai, Tamil Nadu.It is built by Garden Reach Shipbuilders and Engineers Limited (GRSE).The launch ceremony was presided over by Vice Admiral (VAdm) Sandeep Naithani, Chief of Materiel, IN.As per maritime tradition, Mrs. Manju Naithani, wife of Vice Admiral Sandeep Naithani, launched the ship to the invocation from Atharva Veda.
Key points:
- Amini, a Arnala class ship, is named after Amini island in Lakshadweep due to its strategic significance
- It is designed for anti-submarine operations in coastal waters and low intensity maritime operations (LIMO), and mine laying operations
- It is 77-meter ship with a 900-ton displacement, capable of reaching a maximum speed of 25 knots and covering 1,800 nautical miles
Former Nagaland Governor PB Acharya Passed Away
Padmanabha Balakrishna Acharya (PB Acharya or PB), former Governor of Nagaland(July 2014 – July 2019) and Veteran Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader, passed away in Mumbai, Maharashtra, at the age of 92. He was born on 8th October 1931, in Udupi, Karnataka.
Key points:
- PB Acharya started his political career in 1951 as an activist of Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad (ABVP)
- He became a member of Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in 1980
- He served as All India National Secretary of the BJP and in-charge of North Eastern States from 1995-2002.
- He founded Indian National Fellowship Centre (INFC), a Non-Government Organisation (NGO) in 1975, to strengthen brotherhood/fellowship and Nationalism in the North East region
- He was involved with the Academy for Indian Tribal Dialects(AITD), the publication wing of INFC and published 10 booklets on Tribal Nationalist leaders like Rani Ma Gaidinlu (Nagaland), U.Tirot Singh and Jaban Bay (Meghalaya), Dr. Dying Ering and Narottam (Arunachal Pradesh).
International Students’ Day 2023 – November 17
International Students’ Day is annually observed across the globe on November 17 to celebratemulticulturalism, diversity, and teamwork among students. The day aims to guarantee that every kid in the world has access to education.The observance marks the anniversary of the events held after the Nazi invasion of Charles University in Prague(Czech Republic), in 1939.17th November 2023 marks the observance 83rd International Students’ Day.
Key points:
- On 17th November 1939, the Nazis executed nine students and professors without trial
- Due to this event, the date was chosen to be International Students’ Day
- The first-ever International Students’ Day was observed on 17th November 1941.
- It was observed by the International Students’ Council in London, The United Kingdom(UK).