National Health Authority Organizes ‘Arogya Manthan 2023’ to Celebrate
Anniversaries of AB PM-JAY and ABD
- National Health Authority (NHA) hosted the two-day Arogya Manthan 2023’ event on September 25th
and 26th, 2023, at Vigyan Bhawan, New Delhi,
Delhi. The event saw the anniversary celebrations
of 5 Years of Ayushman Bharat Pradhan Mantri
Jan Arogya Yojana (AB PM-JAY) and 2 Years of
Ayushman Bharat Digital Mission (ABDM).
5 years of Ayushman Bharat Pradhan Mantri
Jan Arogya Yojana (AB PM-JAY)
- AB PM-JAY has achieved remarkable success,
with over 5 crore hospital admissions, covering
more than 24 crore beneficiaries. It boasts a
robust IT infrastructure, seamless processes,
monitoring mechanisms, outreach efforts, and
fraud control systems
- 2 years of Ayushman Bharat Digital Mission
(ABDM)
- ABDM, launched by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, aims to create an efficient digital health ecosystem
with active participation from both public and private sectors. It has generated over 45 crore Ayushman
Bharat Health Account (ABHA) and linked over 30 crore health records.
- Awards were presented to Top-Performing States/UT for AB PM-JAY and ABDM at Arogya Manthan
2023.
PM Launched Sankalp Saptaah to Improve Governance at Block Level
Prime Minister(PM) Narendra Modi launched ‘Sankalp Saptaah’, a unique week-long programme for
Aspirational Blocks of India, at Bharat Mandapam, New Delhi, Delhi. He also launched the Aspirational
Blocks Programme (ABP) Portal and
inaugurated the exhibition showcased on
the occasion.
‘Sankalp Saptaah’ is linked to the effective
implementation of the ABP.
The programme is observed from 3rd
October to 9th October, 2023
Key Points:
- The nationwide Aspirational Blocks
Programme (ABP) was launched by the
PM in January, 2023.
- ABP is an initiative to improve
governance at the block level to increase
the quality of life of citizens.
- ABP is based on the Aspirational District Programme(ADP) which has transformed the lives of about 25
crore people in 112 districts. ADP was launched in 2018.
India’s first Solar Roof Cycling Track Inaugurated in Hyderabad
- The 23 kilometer long Healthway Cycling Track, India’s first solar-roofed cycling track, was inaugurated
in Hyderabad, Telangana, by the state
municipal administration and Urban
Development Minister K. T. Rama Rao
- The cycling track along the Outer Ring
Road is divided into two unique
stretches: an 8.5-kilometer pink line from
Nanakramguda to the Telangana State
Police Academy and a 14.5-kilometer
blue line from Kollur to Narsingi, which
includes five different entry points.
- Around 16,000 solar panels have been
installed to generate 16 megawatts
(MW) of power, which can power 32,000
streetlights or illuminate 800 kilometers
of city streets.
- The installed solar panels will be used to illuminate the track at night and protect cyclists from the sun,
rain, and other weather conditions.
- This was also the world’s second solar roof-covered cycle track due to its exceptional design
Ookla’s Speedtest Global Index: India is ranked 47th; UAE tops
According to Ookla’s Speedtest Global Index (August
2023 edition) India is ranked 47th among 145
countries with median download speed of 50.21
Mbps(Megabits per second). India has moved up 72
places, from 119th place in 2022 to the 47th
position in 2023.
The list is topped by United Arab Emirates (UAE)
with the median download speeds of 210.89 Mbps.
Qatar and Kuwait stands at second and third rank
with the download speed of 192.71Mbps and
153.86Mbps respectively
About Ookla:
- Ookla is a global leader in connectivity intelligence
owned by Ziff Davis Inc.
Co-Founder – Doug Suttles
Headquarters – Seattle, Washington, United States
of America(USA)
IOCL Approves Two Joint Ventures to Set up Compressed Biogas Plants
- The board of Indian Oil Corporation Limited (IOCL), a public sector
Enterprise under the Maharatna category approved joint ventures with
EverEnviro Resource Management Pvt Ltd and GPS Renewables Pvt
Ltd for setting up compressed biogas (CBG) plants.
- The two joint ventures will be formed with IOCL or one of its
subsidiaries and the two partner companies will have an equal stake of
50 % each in the newly formed joint ventures.
- This aligns with the government’s plans to establish 5,000 commercial
CBG plants by 2024-25 under the Sustainable Alternative Towards Affordable Transport (SATAT) scheme which was launched in 2018.
- The IOCL board’s decision is subject to approvals from the NITI Aayog, and the Department of
Investment and Public Asset Management (DIPAM)
NABARD Raises Rs 1,040.50 Crore in India’s First social Impact Bond
- National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development (NABARD) raised Rs 1,040.50 crore by issuing
India’s first ‘AAA’ rated Indian Rupee-denominated Social Bonds at a coupon rate of 7.63%.
- NABARD issued bonds privately to
eligible institutional investors, which
were listed on the Bombay Stock
Exchange (BSE) on September 29, 2023.
The redemption date for the bonds is
September 27, 2028 with coupon
payments taking place yearly
- A social bond is a type of financial
instrument issued by governments,
international organisations, or
corporations to raise funds for projects
and initiatives that have a positive social
impact on society.
- Nabard-issued bonds have been rated AAA
rating by Credit Rating Information Services of India Limited(CRISIL) and Investment Information and
Credit Rating Agency(ICRA).
- AAA-rated bonds mean the issuers of these bonds have the highest creditworthiness & lowest risk of
default, and are expected to easily meet financial obligations.
Katalin Karikó and Drew Weissman Wins Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine 2023
- Katalin Karikó of Hungary and Drew Weissman of the United States of America(USA) were jointly
awarded the Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine in 2023 by the Royal Swedish Academy of Science.
- The Nobel Prize is awarded for their discovery
concerning nucleoside base modifications that
enabled the development of effective mRNA
vaccines against COVID-19
- The mRNA vaccines deliver genetic
instructions to cells to recreate the spike
protein of the coronavirus, in order to trigger
effective antibodies when they encounter the
virus.
- The Nobel Prize is an international award
given by the Nobel Foundation in Stockholm,
Sweden, and based on the will of Alfred
Nobel, Swedish inventor and entrepreneur.
- Recipients of the Nobel Prize are presented
with a Nobel Prize diploma(certificate), a gold
medal, and a cash award of 10 million Swedish kronor (nearly USD 900,000).
Sudha Murty Becomes 1st Woman to Get Global Indian Award
The renowned author and philanthropist Sudha Murty, chairperson of the Infosys Foundation, became the
first woman to be honoured the Global Indian Award by the Canada India Foundation(CIF) at IndoCanadian gala event held in Toronto, Canada The award is presented to her by Indian High Commissioner to
Canada Sanjay Kumar Verma
Key Points:
- The CIF Global Indian Award is the most prestigious IndoCanadian event
given to an outstanding individual who has helped India become a
global economic and political power.
- The award winner receives USD 50,000 to donate to a charity of
their choice
- The award is the first of its kind to be given outside of India.
Noted recipients of CIF Global Indian Award:
Anil Agarwal, Chairman of Vedanta Group (2022); N.R.Narayana Murthy (2014); and Sam Pitroda,
Chairman of National Knowledge Commission (first recipient – 2008)
ACC Extends Amit Agrawal’s Tenure as UIDAI CEO for 1 Year
Appointments Committee of the Cabinet (ACC) has approved the extension of Amit Agrawal‘s tenure as
the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Unique Identification Authority of India (UIDAI) for a period of
one year starting from November 2, 2023
up to November 2, 2024, or until further
orders, whichever is earlier.
Amit Agrawal assumed charge as the CEO
of UIDAI in June 2023 following the
retirement of Saurabh Garg.
At present, Amit Agrawal also serves as the
Chairman of the National Digital
Communications Policy Committee.
Key Points:
- Prior to joining UIDAI as CEO, he served
as an Additional Secretary in the Ministry
of Electronics and Information Technology
(MeitY).
- He has also served as an Additional Secretary and Joint Secretary in the Department of Financial Services,
Ministry of Finance.
- He served as the Finance Secretary and the Secretary in charge of the Departments of Commercial Tax
and Technical Education in the Chhattisgarh Government among other roles.
- He also served as a Director on the Board of the Bank of Baroda(BoB) and United India Insurance
Company Ltd(UIIC).
World Habitat Day 2023- October 2
- The United Nations (UN) World Habitat Day (WHD) is annually observed across the globe on the first
Monday of October to reflect on the state of cities and human settlements and
promote the right to adequate shelter and the need for sustainable
urbanization. WHD also launches Urban October.
- WHD also reminds people that they are also responsible for the habitat of
future generations
- The WHD 2023 was observed on 2 October 2023
- The WHD 2022 was observed on 3 October 2022 and the WHD 2024 will be
observed on 7 October 2024.
- The 2023 theme of WHD is, “Resilient urban economies. Cities as drivers of
growth and recovery“.
- The theme aims to call various city stakeholders to analyse the various aspects of economic slowdown
experienced by cities worldwide due to COVID-19 and conflicts.
International Day of Non-Violence 2023 – October 2
- United Nations (UN)’s International Day of
Non-Violence is annually observed across the
globe on 2nd October to celebrate the birthday
of Mahatma Gandhi, leader of the Indian
Independence movement and pioneer of the
philosophy and strategy of non-violence.
- In India, the day is observed as Gandhi
Jayanthi
- 2nd October 2023 is the 154th Birth
Anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi and the 17th
International Day of Non-Violence.
About the United Nations (UN):
Secretary-General- António Guterres
Headquarters- New York, United States of
America(USA).
Establishment- 1945
69th Wildlife Week – 2 to 8 October 2023
- Wildlife Week is annually observed across India in the month of October from 2 to 8 October to spread
awareness of the importance of wildlife
and its conservation in India.
- The annual observanance coincides with
the birth anniversary (2 October) of
Mahatma Gandhi, who championed the
principles of Ahinsa (non-violence) and
compassion toward all living beings
- The 2023 marks the observance of the
69th Wildlife Week
- The theme of Wildlife Week 2023 is
“Partnerships for wildlife conservation“.
- The theme is inspired by the theme of the
United Nations (UN) World Wildlife Day
2023, which honours the individuals and organisations making a positive impact on wildlife conservation.