DoSJE Signs MOU with ISKCON for Nasha Mukt Bharat Abhiyaan
The Department of Social Justice and Empowerment(DoSJE), Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment(MoSJE), and the International Society for Krishna Consciousness (ISKCON) signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) for Nasha Mukt Bharat Abhiyaan (NMBA) to synergize efforts in combating drug abuse and building a healthier, addiction-free nation.Note: The Department of Social Justice and Empowerment is the Nodal agency for Drug Demand Reduction.
Key People:
The MoU was signed in the presence of Dr. Virendra Kumar, Union Minister of MSJE, Senior Officers of the Department; Sundar Gopal Das, Chairman of ISKCON India Youth Council (IIYC); and other members and devotees of the ISKCON at the Ambedkar International Centre in New Delhi, Delhi
Key Points:
- This collaboration would help in spreading the message of NMBA among the youth, women, students, etc
- The partnership with religious/spiritual organisation will boost the efforst towards achieving drugsensitized India
- Under this partnership, ISKCON will publicize NMBA campaign at all their meetings and gatherings
Nasha Mukt Bharat Abhiyaan (NMBA):
Nasha Mukt Bharat Abhiyaan (NMBA), launched on August 15, 2020 by MoSJE, is a campaign to reduce substance abuse in India. It extends efforts beyond educational institutions to reach and engage communities.
Aim: To create awareness about the ill effects of substance abuse among the youth with a special focus on higher education institutions, and schools
National Action Plan for Drug Demand Reduction (NAPDDR):
i.In an effort to combat drug demand, the MoSJE in India has implemented the National Action Plan for Drug Demand Reduction (NAPDDR).
ii.This comprehensive program serves as an umbrella scheme, extending financial assistance to State Governments and Union Territory Administrations.
Headquarters, Integrated Defence Staff & CSIR ink MoU on joint R&D in Defence Technology
A Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed between the Headquarters, Integrated Defence Staff (HQ IDS ), and the Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) in New Delhi, Delhi
- The MoU aims to provide a framework for initiating collaborative interaction between CSIR Labs, HQ IDS, and Armed Forces(Indian Army, Indian Navy, and Indian Air Force).
- The partnership focuses onEnhancing scientific understanding of defense-related technologiesDeveloping dual-use technologies related to defense.Undertaking joint research and development in dual-use technologies
- Note: The MoU was signed by Lieutenant General JP Mathew, Chief of Integrated Defence Staff to the Chairman Chiefs of Staff Committee (CISC), Ministry of Defence (MoD) and N Kalaiselvi, Director General of CSIR & Secretary, Department of Scientific and Industrial Research (DSIR), Ministry of Science & Technology (MoST)
Indian Armed Forces Participates in Exercise “AUSTRAHIND-23” in Australia
The Indian Armed Forces takes part in the 2nd edition of the Joint Military Exercise with Australian Army in “AUSTRAHIND-23,” it is being held from November 22nd to December 6th, 2023, in Perth, Australia. Exercise “AUSTRAHIND” is an annual exercise that will be held alternatively in India and Australia.The 1st edition of the “AUSTRAHIND’ was held in 2022 in Mahajan Field Firing Ranges (MFFR) in Mahajan, Rajasthan.
Participants:
- Indian contingent includes 60 personnel from a Battalion of the Gorkha Rifles regiment of the Indian Army, One officer from the Indian Navy(IN), and 20 personnel from the Indian Air Force(IAF).
- The Australian contingent includes 60 personnel from the 13th Brigade of the Australian Army, 20 personnel each from the Royal Australian Navy and Royal Australian Air Force
Key Points:
- The aim of the exercise is to strengthen collaborative partnerships and share best practices between the two sides.
- The exercise promotes inter-operability while undertaking multi-domain operations in Urban and SemiUrban terrain under Chapter VII of the United Nations(UN) on peacekeeping operations
- Both the Indian and the Australian forces undergo the following training togetherSniper firingRehearsals for Casualty management and evacuation proceduresOperate surveillance and communication equipment to achieve a high degree of situational awareness.
- Additional Info:During the second India-Australia 2+2 Foreign and Defence Ministerial Dialogue on November 20, 2023, in Delhi, India, Australia has invited India to participate in its largest multinational biennial exercise, “Talisman Sabre,” in 2025, while Australia will participate in India’s multilateral air combat exercise, “Tarang Shakti,” in 2024.
UAE Inaugurates Al Dhafra Solar PV project, World’s Largest Single-Site Solar Power Plant
The United Arab Emirates (UAE)’s state-owned Masdar (Abu Dhabi Future Energy Company) has inaugurated the world’s largest single-site solar power plant, “2 GigaWatt(GW) Al Dhafra Solar Photovoltaic(PV) Independent Power Project (IPP)” in Abu Dhabi, UAE.Al Dhafra Solar PV project was unveiled by Hazza bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Deputy Ruler of Abu Dhabi.With this solar power production capacity will increase to 3.2GW.This plant will power almost 200,000 homes and eliminate over 2.4 million tonnes of carbon emissions every year.
The project was co-developed by Abu Dhabi National Energy Company(TAQA), French power company EDF Renewables and Chinese solar developer JinkoPower along with procurer Emirates Water and Electricity Company (EWEC).TAQA owns 40% of the project while, Masdar, EDF Renewables and Jinko Power, own a 20% stake each.Note: The plant was unveiled ahead of the 28th session of the Conference of the Parties (COP28), which is set to be hosted by UAE from 30 November to 12 December 2023
ADB Approves USD 500 mn loan for Healthcare, Medical Education in Maharashtra
On November 23, 2023, the Asian Development Bank (ADB) approved a loan package of USD500 million for Maharashtra Tertiary Care and Medical Education Sector Development Program which envisages to improve access to quality and affordable tertiary health care and medical education in Maharashtra.The program aims to develop tertiary care and medical education infrastructure using the sector development program (SDP) modality. It will also focus on quality improvement of this sector.L&T Finance signs financing pact with ADB for USD 125 millionMumbai, Maharashtra based L&T Finance Limited(LFT), a Non-Banking Financial Company (NBFC) and a subsidiary of Larsen & Toubro Limited (L&T),signed a USD125 million financing pact with ADB to support financing in rural and peri-urban areas of India, especially for women borrowers.
About Asian Development Bank (ADB):
President – Masatsugu Asakawa
Headquarters– Mandaluyong City, Manila, Philippines
Establishment-1966
Members – 68
About The Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria (Global Fund):
Executive Director– Peter Sands
Headquarters– Geneva, Switzerland
HSBC India & UK Export Finance Tie Up for 100 mn Pound Financing Program
The Hong Kong and Shanghai Banking Corporation Limited, India (HSBC India) have signed a Letter of Intent (LoI) with UK Export Finance (UKEF), the United Kingdom (UK)’s export credit agency, to establish a financing programme of up to 100 million pound.This programme will support Indian Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) and corporates for financing their imports from UK.HSBC India and UKEF will collaborate to originate, structure, and extend financing and credit facilities for Indian MSMEs.The Program also supports corporates in financing their imports from the UK, which boosts trade ties between the two countries.UKEF offers guarantee-backed structures, which are financial instruments that can help businesses reduce their risk when exporting goods and services to overseas markets.
About HSBC India:
CEO– Hitendra Dave
Headquarters – Mumbai, Maharashtra
Established in -1853
Amazon & DGFT Signed MoU to Leverage Districts as Export Hubs Initiative & Boost MSME Exports From India
Amazon India signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Directorate General of Foreign Trade (DGFT), Ministry of Commerce and Industry, Government of India to enable Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) and boost e-commerce exports from India.The collaboration aims to enable MSMEs to sell their ‘Made in India’ products to Amazon customers in over 200 countries.The partnership aligns with the Foreign Trade Policy 2023, which identifies e-commerce as a focus area for amplifying India’s exports.
Key People:
The MoU was signed in the presence of Santosh Sarangi, Additional Secretary and Director General of DGFT; Chetan Krishnaswamy, Vice President of Public Policy, Amazon; and Bhupen Wakankar, Director of Global Trade, Amazon India
Key Points:
- Under this MoU, Amazon, and DGFT will co-create capacity-building sessions, training, and workshops in collaboration with DGFT- Regional Authorities in a phased manner for MSMEs across 75 districts.The 75 districts were identified by the DGFT as part of the “Districts as Exports Hub” initiative outlined in the Foreign Trade Policy 2023.
- Amazon will facilitate access to third-party service providers that engage MSMEs to avail services like product imaging, digital cataloging, tax advisory, and more.
Districts as Export Hubs initiative:
i.The initiative focuses on boosting manufacturing and exports in urban areas while stimulating economic activity in rural districts.
ii.It aims to link local producers even in remote areas, with global supply chains.
Amazon & WBIDC Signed an MoU to Boost Exports from West Bengal
Amazon India and the West Bengal Industrial Development Corporation (WBIDC) signed a MoU to enable MSMEs and boost e-commerce exports from West Bengal(WB) during the 7th edition of the Bengal Global Business Summit (BGBS).This collaboration aligns with the vision of the “District as Exports Hub initiative” under the Foreign Trade Policy.It focuses on establishing dedicated e-commerce export hubs in key districts across West Bengal.
Key People:
The MoU was signed in the presence of Mamata Banerjee, Chief Minister (CM) of WB; Vandana Yadav, Principal Secretary, Industry, Commerce and Enterprises, Govt of WB and Amazon leaders.
Key Points:
- As part of this MoU, Amazon, and WBIDC will co-create capacity-building sessions, training, and workshops for thousands of MSMEs across West Bengal including Kolkata, North 24 Paraganas, South 24 Paraganas, Howrah, and Hooghly amongst others.Amazon will organize awareness sessions and conduct capacity-building workshops for MSMEs in these ecommerce export hubs.
- Under this MoU, Amazon will play a pivotal role in training and onboarding local talent, fostering West Bengal’s participation in the global marketplace
REC Honoured With ‘Best Employer In Diversity & Inclusion’ Award By ASSOCHAM
REC Limited (Formerly Rural Electrification Corporation Limited) received the “Best Employer for Policies in Diversity & Inclusion” Award.
It was awarded at the 4th Diversity & Inclusion Excellence Awards and Conclave 2023 organized by the Associated Chambers of Commerce & Industry of India (ASSOCHAM) in New Delhi, Delhi.REC was awarded for its commitment to creating a workplace that accommodates differences, fosters innovation, and promotes equal opportunities for all employees.
About REC Limited:
- Established in 1969, REC Limited is a Maharatna Central Public Sector Enterprise (CPSE) functioning under the Ministry of Power.
- It also received the ‘Best Central PSU’ Award in the Financial Services category at the Dun & Bradstreet PSU Awards 2023.APPOINTMENTS & RESIGNATIONS
Indian Cricketer Ravindra Jadeja Appointed as Brand Ambassador of AS-IT-IS Nutrition
AS-IT-IS Nutrition, a fitness and sports nutrition brand, has appointed Indian cricketer Ravindrasinh Anirudhsinh Jadeja (Ravindra Jadeja) as its brand ambassador.The collaboration aims to work as a catalyst for change, encouraging individuals to prioritize their health and well-being.
About Ravindra Jadeja:
- Ravindra Jadeja(34) made his first Under-19(U-19) appearance for India in 2005 at the age of 16.He was the vice-captain of the Indian team that won the 2008 U-19 Cricket World Cup.
- He made his international debut in 2009 in a One Day International (ODI) match against Sri Lanka.
- He made his IPL debut in 2008 and has played for Rajasthan Royals(2008-2009); Kochi Tuskers Kerala(2011); Chennai Super Kings (CSK) (2012-2015 and 2018-present) and Gujarat Lions (2016-2017)
- In 2013, He became the first Indian bowler after Anil Kumble (1996) to top the International Cricket Council (ICC)’s ODI bowlers’ rankings.SportsBaazi Appoints Afghan Cricketer Rashid Khan As Brand Ambassador SportsBaazi (formerly