Today's Current Affairs 22nd May 2023

NATIONAL

INS TARKASH and INS SUBHADRA Arrive in Saudi Arabia, Kickstarting AL-MOHED AL-HINDI 2023 Naval Exercise

Marking a significant milestone in the growing defense cooperation between India and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, the INS TARKASH, the flagship frigate of the Indian Western Naval Fleet, along with the INS SUBHADRA, an offshore patrol vessel, arrived at Port Al-Jubail today. The visit of these ships signifies the beginning of the harbor phase of the second edition of the naval exercise between the two nations, known as 'AL-MOHED AL-HINDI 2023.' This year, the naval exercise also includes the participation of a maritime patrol aircraft. The inaugural edition of the exercise was successfully conducted in 2021.

Commissioned on November 9, 2012, INS TARKASH is a state-of-the-art stealth frigate of the Talwar class. Equipped with advanced weapon-sensor technology, the vessel possesses the capability to address threats in all dimensions. Its design incorporates stealth technologies and a specialized hull for reduced radar cross-section.

Accompanying INS TARKASH is the INS SUBHADRA, a patrol vessel of the Sukanya class. This vessel has served as a test bed for the Dhanush ship-launched ballistic missile, as well as associated stabilization and launch platforms.

Bhupender Yadav Inaugurates Centre of Excellence on Sustainable Land Management in Dehradun

The Prime Minister of India during the 14th Conference of the Parties (COP-14) of the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD) on 9th September 2019, announced the establishment of Centre of Excellence on Sustainable Land Management (CoE-SLM) at the Indian Council of Forestry Research and Education.

Aim - The CoE-SLM, located at the ICFRE in Dehradun, aims to restore degraded land by providing technical support, capacity building, and knowledge sharing at the national and sub-national levels. By collaborating with developing countries that are party to the UNCCD, the CoE-SLM seeks to achieve Land Degradation Neutrality (LDN) targets, promote south-south cooperation, and contribute to the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) outlined by international conventions.

Ministry Of Education And World Bank Host Unique Workshop On School-To-Work Transition For STARS Program

Ministry of Education and World Bank organised a one of its kind workshop on School-to-Work Transition under the STARS Program in Mumbai. The workshop was co-chaired by Shri Sanjay Kumar, Secretary, School Education and Shri Atul Kumar Tiwari, Secretary Skill Development and Entrepreneurship. The workshop was also attended by the Secretaries of Education and Skill Department of the six STARS states i.e. Himachal Pradesh, Kerala, Odisha, Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra and Uttar Pradesh along with the State Project Directors of Samagra Shiksha, respective officers, and representatives from the World Bank.

One of the key components of STARS program is strengthening of Vocational Education and School-to-Work Transition. The workshop focused on discussion on a Skill Gap analysis of the six STARS States and Uttar Pradesh along with convergence of vocational and skill.

Madhya Pradesh becomes first state to provide free air travel to pilgrims

Madhya Pradesh has become the first state to provide free air travel facilities to senior citizens for yatra (holy pilgrimage), as 32 people flew from Bhopal to Prayagraj in Uttar Pradesh. The 32 elderly people, comprising 24 men and eight women are going as part of the state’s Mukhyamantri Tirth-Darshan Yojana, which was introduced in 2012, and elderly persons were sent on free pilgrimages by special trains. CM Shivraj Singh Chouhan flags off the first batch to Prayagraj.

As recently Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan announced that air travel facility will also be included in this scheme and launched the programme on Sunday morning at Bhopal’s Raja Bhoj Airport.

Shawls and coconuts were also presented as a token of honour to those pilgrims. It is noteworthy, that both the lodging and travel expenses for this trip are covered by the state government.

V.P Jagdeep Dhankhar inaugurates Silver Jubilee Celebrations of Kerala Legislative Assembly building

Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar today inaugurated the Silver Jubilee Celebrations of the Kerala Legislative Assembly building in Thiruvananthapuram. While addressing the event, the Vice President said that Kerala is known for its forward-thinking, and the Legislative Assembly of Kerala has credit for many progressive legislations. He urged the legislators to protect this legacy by addressing the contemporary needs of society.

Mr. Dhankhar also released a souvenir of the Kerala Legislature International Book Festival and laid the foundation stone of various developmental projects on the legislative assembly premises. This is Jagdeep Dhankhar’s first visit to the state as the Vice President of India. The Vice President also visited Kannur to meet his teacher, Ms. Rathna Nair, at her residence in Thalassery.

IMPORTANT DAYS

International Day for Biological Diversity

The International Day for Biological Diversity, celebrated on May 22, is a global observance that highlights the importance of biodiversity and its crucial role in sustaining life on Earth. This day serves as a reminder of the incredible diversity of species, ecosystems, and genetic resources that make our planet unique. It is a time to reflect on the web of life and recognise the intricate connections between humans and the natural world.

History - In 2000, the UN General Assembly officially proclaimed May 22 to be the International Day for Biodiversity (IDB). The date was chosen to celebrate the adoption of the initial text of the CBD, on May 22, 1992. Thanks to its efforts, the Convention has participants from nearly all countries.

Theme - The theme for International Day for Biological Diversity 2023 is “From Agreement to Action: Build Back Biodiversity.” This theme reflects the urgent need to move beyond commitments and translate them into tangible actions to restore and protect biodiversity.

AWARDS & RECOGNITION

PM Modi honoured with the highest civilian award of Fiji and Papua New Guinea

Prime Minister Narendra Modi has been conferred with the highest honours by Fiji and Papua New Guinea. PM Modi was conferred with the island nations' highest civilian awards during his recent visit to Papua New Guinea to attend the third India-Pacific Islands Cooperation (FIPIC) Summit.

PM Modi was conferred with the "The Companion of the Order of Fiji" by his Fijian counterpart Sitiveni Rabuka for his global leadership, in a rare honour for a non-Fijian.

PM Modi was also conferred with the Grand Companion of the Order of Logohu (GCL). This is the highest civilian award of PNG - recipients of the award are titled "Chief".

On the occasion of the visit, Prime Minister Narendra Modi has been conferred with the highest civilian honours by several nations, thus also reflecting India’s growing ties with countries around the world.

 BOOKS & AUTHOR

Assam Governor releases book ‘Partitioned Freedom’ authored by Ram Madhav

Assam Governor Gulab Chand Kataria released a book titled ‘Partitioned Freedom’ written by Ram Madhav at an event in Guwahati and said that India has always been looked upon as a land of wealth and wisdom.

The book Partitioned Freedom’ offers profound insights into the events that took place during 1905 and the pre - independence era, It explores and answers the questions raised because India which defeated the British designs to partition one province failed when the whole country was being partitioned 4 decades later.

Ram Madhav is an Indian politician, author and thinker who served as the National General Secretary of the Bharatiya Janata Party.