Highlights of 9th G20 Parliamentary Speakers’ Summit hosted by Parliament of India
- The 9th Group20 (G20) Parliamentary Speakers’ Summit (P20) was held at the India International Convention and Expo Centre(IICC) – Yashobhoomi at Dwarka, New Delhi, Delhi from 13th to 14th October 2023.
- This was the first P20 summit hosted by India in cooperation with the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU) under the broader framework of India’s G20 Presidency
- The P20 Summit was inaugurated by Narendra Modi, Prime Minister(PM) of India at IICC on 13th October 2023.
- On the first day of the 9th P20 Summit (13th October 2023), the Presiding officers unanimously adopted a Joint Statement under the Chairmanship of Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla. This also exemplifies the spirit of Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam.
About Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU):
President – Duarte Pacheco
Headquarters – Geneva, Switzerland<
Established in – 1889
Members – 179 Members and 14 Associate Members
WOAH Approves India’s Self-Declaration of Freedom from HPAI
- World Organisation for Animal Health (WOAH) has approved India’s selfdeclaration of freedom from Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI), commonly known as bird flu, in certain poultry compartments (approved farms) in Maharashtra, Tamil Nadu, Uttar Pradesh, and Chhattisgarh.
- This recognition by WOAH signifies India’s dedication to international biosecurity standards.
- This recognition is composed to boost India’s poultry industry by enhancing the export potential of poultry products, such as meat and eggs.
- The self-declaration approved by WOAH coincided with World Egg Day on 13 October 2023.
About World Organisation for Animal Health (WOAH):
Director-General– Dr Monique Éloit
Headquarters– Paris, France
Members – 183 Members (As of October 2023)
Founded in 1924 as the Office International des Epizooties (OIE), in May 2003 adopted the common name World Organisation for Animal Health
Education Minster Dharmendra Pradhan launched NCERT’s web portal “Apna Chandrayaan’ for students
- Union Minister Dharmendra Pradhan, the Ministry of Education(MoE), launched a web portal‘Apna Chandrayaan’ for school students in New Delhi, Delhi. The web portal was developed by the National Council of Educational Research and Training (NCERT)
- He also launched 10 special modules offering a comprehensive perspective on the Indian Space Research Organisation’s (ISRO) Chandrayaan-3 mission for students.
- The modules encompass scientific, technological, and social aspects as well as the emotional journey and team spirit of the scientists involved in the mission.
- Note: NCERT is an autonomous organisation under the aegis of the Department of School Education & Literacy (DoSEL), Ministry of Education(MoE).
About Ministry of Education:
Union Ministry– Dharmendra Pradhan (Rajya Sabha- Madhya Pradesh)
Ministers of State– Annpurna Devi; Dr. Subhas Sarkar; Dr. Rajkumar Ranjan Singh
MENA Climate Week 2023: Saudi Arabia Hosts Climate Event ahead of COP28 in Dubai
- Middle East and North Africa (MENA) Climate Week 2023, took place from 8-12 October in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. It is the 2nd of four Regional Climate Weeks held in 2023. MENA Climate Week isparticularly significant as it precedes COP28, the UN Climate Change Conference scheduled to take place in Dubai from late November 2023.
- MENA Climate Week was divided into 4 key areas of focus to address climate change
- Energy systems and industry
- Cities, urban and rural settlements, infrastructure, and transport
- Land, ocean, food, and water
- Societies, health, livelihoods, and economies.
- India, Saudi Arabia sign MoU in the fields of Electrical Interconnections, Green and Clean Hydrogen and Supply Chains
- India and Saudi Arabia decide to promote investment in New & Renewable EnergyPIF, SEC launch new Electric Vehicle Infrastructure Company Saudi Awwal Bank is a ‘national champion’ at MENA Climate Week
- World’s First Global Solutions Hub (GSH) Launched at MENA Climate Week in Saudi ArabiaSaudi Arabia Announces Domestic Greenhouse Gas Credit Initiative
39th Raising Day of NSG – 16th October 2023
National Security Guard (NSG) annually celebrate its Raising Day on 16th October to mark the establishment of NSG (also known as Black Cats) on 16th October 1984. 16th October 2023 marks the observance of 39th Raising Day of NSG.
Key Points:
- In 1984, The Union Cabinet planned to create a Federal Contingency Force to act against. This paved a way for the formation of NSG.The National Security Guard was formally established through ‘National Security Guard Act, 1986’.
- It is a Federal Contingency Deployment Force for combating terrorist activities in any part of India.
- It is a Federal Contingency Deployment Force for combating terrorist activities in any part of India.
- They work with the basic philosophy of swift and speedy strike and immediate withdrawal from the theatre of action.
- The NSG was modelled on the pattern of theSpecial Air Service (SAS) of the United Kingdom(UK) and Grenzschutzgruppe 9(GSG-9) of Germany.
About National Security Guard (NSG)
Headquarters-New Delhi, Delhi
Established in – 1986
Director General- M A Ganapathy
Kati Bihu Celebrated Across Assam – 18th October 2023
Kati Bihu, also known as Kongali bihu, is the annual Assamese festival celebrated on the first day of the Kati Month in the Assamese calendar, usually coincides with the mid-October. Kati Bihu is celebrated during the time of relocation of the rice sapling which is observed with great enthusiasm and fervor.The 2023 Kati Bihu was celebrated on 18th October 2023.
The 2022 Kati Bihu was celebrated on 18th Octobet 2022 and the 2024 Kati Bihu will be celebrated on 17th October 2024.
Key Points:
- The name Kati Bihu comes from the Assamese word “kati”, which means “to cut.”
- The word Kongali also means ‘poor’ which signifies the lack of food during the period and conveys a sense of simplicity
- To celebrate the Kati Bihu, the people of Assam will light up the lamps outside their homes as well as in paddy fields in the evening praying for a better crop in the next season.
About Assam:
Chief Minister – Himanta Biswa Sarma
Governor- Gulab Chand Kataria
Festival – Baishagu, Ambubachi Mela
Stadium – Nehru Stadium, Indira Gandhi Athletic Stadium (Sarusajai Stadium)