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 25thand 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 AspirationalBlocks 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 inauguratedin 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 thefirst 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 eventgiven 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, 2023up 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 17thInternational 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 spreadawareness 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.