17 Sept Current Affairs

1.

Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma has been bestowed with the Lee Kuan Yew Exchange Fellowship. As part of the Fellowship, the Chief Minister has been extended the invitation to visit Singapore as a Lee Kuan Yew Fellow for his dedicated leadership in public works and development.

It may be noted that the prestigious Fellow is conferred on individuals in recognition to their outstanding contributions to the development of their nation and to bilateral relations with Singapore. The Lee Kuan Yew Exchange Fellowship was launched as a tribute to Mr. Lee Kuan Yew, Singapore’s founding Prime Minister for his contributions to the nation. The Patron of the Fellowship is the Prime Minister of Singapore.

Himanta Biswa Sarma has been chosen for the award in recognition to his immense role in championing the cause of development and international harmony. Dr. Sarma has become the first Chief Minister from Assam to have been bestowed with this prestigious Fellowship. 

With this conferment, the Chief Minister of Assam has joined the likes of former Union Minister Arun Shourie, Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan, and former Vice Chairman of Planning Commission Montek Singh Ahluwalia. Established in 1991, the LKYEF invites outstanding individuals for high-level visits to Singapore.

2.

The controversial NRI quota for MBBS courses in Assam’s state-run medical colleges is set to be discontinued from the next academic year. This decision comes as 23 NRI-sponsored candidates have already secured admission this year

Originally, these seats were earmarked for economically weaker sections but were subsequently diverted to the NRI quota. The enrollment of 23 NRI-sponsored candidates this year was allowed since the admission process was already in an advanced stage and did not violate the Supreme Court order.

Notably, seven seats each in Gauhati Medical College (GMC) and Assam Medical College (AMC), Dibrugarh, have been filled by NRI-sponsored candidates. Additionally, NRI-sponsored candidates have secured admission in other medical colleges as well, including Jorhat Medical College, Fakhruddin Ali Ahmed Medical College in Barpeta, Nalbari Medical College, Silchar Medical College, and Tezpur Medical College (TMC). These candidates are sponsored by their relatives and Assam-origin NRIs.

However, it’s worth mentioning that 30 candidates were provisionally selected under the NRI/NRI sponsored quota, but seven candidates did not take up their final admission offers, primarily due to the high fees associated with this category. Under the NRI/NRI sponsored quota, students are required to pay an annual fee of USD 25,000 (approximately Rs 21 lakh) in the first year and USD 22,500 (approximately Rs 18.5 lakh) in the subsequent four years. In contrast, regular MBBS students pay significantly lower fees, around Rs 30,000 in the first year and between Rs 10,000 to Rs 12,000 in the following four years.

3.

Mohammed Siraj led India to a historic victory in the Asia Cup, securing their eighth title in the tournament’s history. On September 17 in Colombo, Sri Lanka faced a nightmare as Siraj demolished their batting lineup, finishing with astounding figures of 6/21 off 7 overs. This magnificent performance made Siraj the joint-fastest bowler to claim a five-wicket haul in one-day internationals, reaching the milestone in just 2.4 overs.

r taking the wicket of Sri Lanka’s Sadeera Samarawickrama. | Photo Credit: AFP

Indian seamer Mohammed Siraj recorded the second-best bowling figures by an Indian in the One-Day International during the Asia Cup 2023 final against Sri Lanka at the R Premadasa Stadium in Colombo on Sunday. 

Siraj also registered the joint-fastest ODI five-wicket haul.

Siraj’s belligerent spell marked another special instance of an Indian bowler producing their best in the 50-over format. Stuart Binny holds the overall record among Indians with a career-best six for four against Bangladesh.

He also becomes the first Indian to pick four wickets in an over.

Indians with 6-wicket haul in ODI cricket

Stuart Binny – 6/4 vs Bangaldesh in 2014

Anil Kumble – 6/12 vs West Indies in 1993

Jasprit Bumrah – 6/19 vs England in 2022

Mohammed Siraj – 6/21 vs Sri Lanka in 2023

4.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi took a metro ride on his way to unveil the YashoBhoomi convention centre in Delhi’s Dwarka 

YashoBhoomi is going to be one of the world’s largest MICE (Meetings, Incentives, Conferences, and Exhibitions) facilities with a project area of over 8.9 lakh square metres and a total built-up area of more than 1.8 lakh square metres.

The convention centre, built across more than 73,000 square metres of area, comprises 15 convention rooms, including, the main auditorium, a ballroom and 13 meeting rooms with a total capacity of holding 11,000 delegates.

MICE or Meetings, Incentives, Conferences and Exhibitions is a type of tourism in which large groups of tourists are brought together by advanced planning. It is sometimes referred to as ‘meetings industry’ or ‘events industry’. MICE events are generally centered on a single theme and help attract tourists- both domestic and foreign.

5.

Union Home Minister Amit Shah extended his greetings to the people of Telangana, the Hyderabad-Karnataka and the Marathwada region in honour of Hyderabad Liberation Day, noting that the day symbolises the people’s unshakable patriotism and remembers their unyielding battle. 

The Nizam-ruled Hyderabad state was incorporated into the Union of India on September 17, 1948, as a result of military action started by the then-home minister Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel.

• 13^th September marks the 75th anniversary of Operation Polo, the military action launched by the Indian Army on September 13, 1948, to integrate the princely state of Hyderabad.
• The Nizam of Hyderabad was dithering on joining India ever since Independence on August 15, 1947.
• The military offensive in Hyderabad state was termed as ‘Police Action’ at the time by the then home minister Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel and the Nizam’s forces surrendered to the Indian Army by September 18.

• Operation Polo was launched in the context of the Nizam of Hyderabad’s desire to keep his state independent after India gained independence in 1947.
• He took advantage of India’s focus on the Kashmir conflict with Pakistan, which diverted resources and attention away from Hyderabad.
• In November 1947, the Nizam signed a standstill agreement with India, which meant that there would be no immediate integration of Hyderabad into India, and the existing conditions would continue for a year.
• However, there were several reasons that led to the launch of Operation Polo on September 13, 1948:
• Increasing Tensions: The Nizam’s administration in Hyderabad took advantage of the standstill agreement to increase the strength of its irregular force known as the Razakars. These Razakars, led by Maj Gen SA El Edroos, were causing problems for the predominantly Hindu population in the state.
• Cross-Border Raids: The Razakars were conducting cross-border raids and creating tensions along the state’s borders.
• Overtures to Pakistan: The Nizam was making overtures to Pakistan, hinting at the intention to establish an independent country within India’s borders.
• Threat of Secession: The Nizam’s actions and the presence of the Razakars posed a threat to the unity of India, and there was a fear of Hyderabad attempting to secede from India.
• As a result of these developments, the Indian government decided to take action against Hyderabad to remove the threat of secession and to ensure the state’s integration into India.
• In terms of military strength, the Nizam’s forces numbered less than 25,000, and only a fraction of them were well-trained.
• The Razakars, though numerous, were not a formidable military opposition. The Nizam had boasted of a much larger force, but this turned out to be an empty claim, and Hyderabad’s resistance crumbled within the first two days of the offensive.
• Operation Polo was conducted primarily by Maj Gen Jayanto Nath Chaudhuri’s 1 Armoured Division, with subsidiary thrusts from the north, south, and east of the state.
• The operation was a success, and the Nizam announced a ceasefire on September 17, with the formal surrender taking place on September 18.
• Maj Gen Chaudhuri became the Military Governor of Hyderabad, and the state was integrated into India.

6.

Indian government is planning for a cheetah safari close to Kuno National Park (KNP) in Madhya Pradesh. Land acquisition for the project is ongoing, according to SP Yadav, head of Project Cheetah

this project would not only provide tourists with a unique experience but will also likely lead to job possibilities, particularly for young people in the area.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi, on his birthday last year, marked a historic moment by reintroducing wild cheetahs to Kuno National Park, a species that had long been extinct in India. As the anniversary of this event approaches, the Environment Ministry is organising a series of programs at Sesaipura related to Project Cheetah.

Yadav outlined a vision for the project, stating, “We are planning to establish a cheetah safari. There is also a proposal to create an interpretation centre, a well-equipped library, and a research centre.” He added, “There is also a proposal for a skill upgradation centre, and work is being done in this direction.” The proposed cheetah safari is poised to be a major tourist attraction, offering a rare opportunity to witness these magnificent creatures in their natural habitat from the safety of vehicles.

Yadav stressed the necessity for special facilities to enable a greater knowledge of cheetahs. He remarked, “There is no ‘interpretation centre’ or museum dedicated to cheetahs, and such facilities will be created. The library will have books and publications related to cheetahs.” This initiative is part of the world’s first inter-continental large wild carnivore translocation project, with cheetahs being brought from Namibia and South Africa.

7.

Union Minister of State Rajeev Chandrashekhar officially inaugurated the refurnished Nagaland emporium in Delhi on September 6, fulfilling the government’s commitment within 60 days. 

Located in the heart of the country’s national capital and India’s melting pot – the newly inaugurated Nagaland emporium is a space and a zone that will now act as an ambassador of Nagaland and the Naga people. 

It will reflect the Naga way of life and exemplify the Naganess to the global community. The aim behind the new space is that every visitor who steps into this unique space must get inspired to learn more about Nagaland and get interested to visit the land of festivals and every Naga who visits must feel proud to be a Naga. 

Taking Nagaland towards a state of excellence. The creators, manufacturers and artisans in the grassroots must be the real benefactors.

8.

Nagaland’s first ever medical college, the Nagaland Institute of Medical Sciences and Research (NIMSR) is officially open now, welcoming its first batch of inaugural class consisting of 100 MBBS students in a recent induction programme.

The dean-cum-director of NIMSR, 85 of the students inducted in the organisation are from Nagaland, while the remaining 15 come from various parts of the country

9.

In the midst of turmoil caused by ongoing violence in Manipur, ‘1 million Heros,’ a global entertainment brand, has initiated a project to empower internally displaced persons in the state’s relief camps. The initiative involves training camp inmates, primarily women, in crafting amigurumi dolls for global marketing, offering them a path to sustainable livelihood.

The violence in Manipur has resulted in significant casualties, including over 175 deaths, 1,108 injuries, and the destruction of 4,786 homes. To address the economic and psychological challenges faced by displaced individuals, ‘1 million Heros’ is providing training in amigurumi doll-making across five relief camps in Manipur.

Aside from offering a source of income, doll-making serves as a therapeutic outlet for those who have experienced violence. By diverting their memories towards crafting dolls, individuals find renewed self-confidence and hope.

Monish Karam, the founder of ‘1 million Heroes,’ explained that the project aims to provide a sustainable means of income while also fostering storytelling through dolls.

The entire production process, including design, market research, raw material supply, branding, marketing, and sales, is managed by ‘1 million Heroes.’ The trainees are responsible for creating the dolls, and most of the proceeds from sales will go to them.

The project also includes an augmented reality app that allows purchasers to interact with the dolls in 3D. It provides an opportunity to share life lessons, express gratitude for adopting a doll, and support the livelihoods of displaced persons.

In addition to ‘1 million Heroes,’ other private enterprises and government agencies have stepped in to assist internally displaced persons. The Manipur State Rural Livelihoods Mission (MSRLM) has organized various livelihood training programs in relief camps, offering opportunities for easy cash through short-term activities.

The Manipur Handloom and Handicraft Corporation has pledged to purchase all products made in the relief camps and immediately compensate the inmates. After covering the cost of raw materials, the sale proceeds will benefit the creators of the products.

This collaborative effort is not only providing economic relief but also helping restore hope and resilience among those affected by the violence in Manipur.

10.

UNESCO, the United Nations cultural organization, has designated the World Heritage Sites in the Ukrainian cities of Kyiv and Lviv as “in danger” due to the ongoing conflict sparked by Russia’s invasion. This decision, made during UNESCO’s annual world heritage committee meeting in Riyadh, is a crucial step towards safeguarding these historic sites. The inclusion of Kyiv’s Saint Sophia Cathedral and the medieval structures of Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra monastery on the List of World Heritage in Danger allows for increased financial and technical assistance to implement emergency measures.

UNESCO expressed concern that the Russian offensive poses a significant threat to these sites, compromising their protection. Both Kyiv’s Saint Sophia Cathedral, dating back to the 11th century, and Lviv’s historic center, near the Polish border, have faced constant danger since the invasion began on February 24, 2022.

11.

The Odisha Cabinet, led by Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik, has granted approval for the ‘Location Accessible Multi-modal Initiative (LAccMI)’ scheme, aimed at establishing a sustainable, affordable, and safe transportation network for passengers and goods across the state. This initiative seeks to create a seamless public transport network from the Gram Panchayat (GP) level to the state capital, ensuring reliable and cost-effective services. The scheme envisages deploying approximately 1,000 buses over a ten-year tenure, extendable by two years based on performance reviews.

12.

The Himachal Pradesh Agriculture Department has introduced a ‘Mobile Van Program’ as part of the ‘Prakritik Kheti Khushhal Kisan Yojana’ to advance eco-friendly and natural farming practices. This initiative, launched in Shimla, focuses on delivering fresh, organic produce directly to consumers while promoting organic and chemical-free farming. The scheme’s five-year plan aims at reducing farming costs, increasing income, and protecting human health and the environment. Over 89,000 natural farming farmers have already registered under the scheme, with efforts to expand its reach and create farmer-product enterprises.

13.

Scientists analyzing data from India’s Chandrayaan-1 lunar mission have made a fascinating discovery: high-energy electrons from Earth’s plasma sheet may play a role in forming water on the Moon’s surface. Researchers from the University of Hawai’i found that these electrons are contributing to weathering processes on the Moon, breaking down rocks and minerals.

Surprisingly, the researchers found that water formation in Earth’s magnetotail is similar to when the Moon is outside it, suggesting additional water formation processes beyond solar wind protons, possibly involving high-energy electrons. This discovery underscores the intricate connection between Earth and its Moon, shedding new light on lunar science