Acknowledgement Of Leadership: Champions of the Earth Award
The United Nations (UN) recently honoured the Prime Minister of India with the Champions of the Earth Award, the highest environmental recognition. The PM’s commitment to discontinuing all single-use plastic by 2022 and his instrumental role in the International Solar Alliance were particularly outstanding.
The Champions of the Earth Award was initiated in 2005 and acknowledges notable individuals from public, private sectors and civil society who have positively impacted the environment. Awardees are recognized across several categories including Lifetime Achievement, Policy Leadership, Action and Inspiration, Entrepreneurial Vision, and Science and Innovation.
New Cosmic Discovery: Dwarf Planet ‘Goblin’
A fresh celestial body named ‘The Goblin’ has been uncovered by scientists. Dubbed so because it was detected around Halloween, this new dwarf planet was first spotted in 2015. The Goblin is considerably distant from the Sun, at 80 Astronomical Units (AU) at discovery and 65 AU at its closest. It takes an astonishing 40,000 years to orbit the Sun once.
In celestial terms, a dwarf planet is a nearly spherical body that orbits the Sun and has not cleared its nearby region. Recognized dwarf planets include Ceres, Pluto, Eris, Makemake, and Haumea.
Asian Development Bank (ADB) & India
The Asian Development Bank (ADB) and the Indian Government have collaborated on various projects aimed at enhancing living conditions and economic development. One such endeavour involved the allocation of a $240 million loan to provide safe drinking water to about 1.65 million people in West Bengal. Arsenic, fluoride, and salinity contamination had led to unsafe water conditions in the region.
Further collaboration saw the signing of a $150 million loan agreement to establish the country’s first Multi-Skills Park, the Global Skills Park (GSP), in Madhya Pradesh. The aim is to improve the quality of Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) and create a skilled workforce.
A $100 million loan was signed to provide sewage treatment and enhance the capacity of Kolkata Municipal Corporation (KMC) for resilient urban services.
Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act
The Indian Government recently extended the Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act in three districts of Arunachal Pradesh bordering Assam. This extension was motivated by the continuing activities of banned insurgent groups such as the National Socialist Council of Nagaland (NSCN-K), United Liberation Front Of Assam (ULFA) and National Democratic Front of Boroland (NDFB).
The Act was first enacted in 1958 to manage ‘disturbed areas’ and gives power to the Army and Central forces deployed in these areas to use force, arrest without warrant, and provides immunity from prosecution and legal suits without the Centre’s sanction.
Fostering Entrepreneurship: Udyam Abhilasha
Small Industries Development Bank of India (SIDBI), on Mahatma Gandhi’s 149th Birth Anniversary, launched a national-level entrepreneurship awareness campaign, Udyam Abhilasha. The initiative will target 115 aspirational districts identified by NITI Aayog in 28 States and aims to inspire rural youth to become entrepreneurs. The campaign’s objectives include imparting training through digital medium and creating business opportunities for Common Service Centre (CSC) Village Level Entrepreneurs (VLEs).
Revival of Historical Significance: Purana Qila
Purana Qila (Delhi), one of the oldest forts from the Mughal era, was recently rejuvenated and illuminated for public appreciation. The fort, originally built by Humayun and then carried forward by Sher Shah Suri, is a treasure trove of history and architecture.
The fort’s walls are constructed from large red stones, while the interiors house attractions like the Qila-i-Kuhna mosque, Sher Mandal, a stepwell, and the remains of an extensive rampart. Archaeological excavations near one of the walls have proven that the Purana Quila stands at the site of Indraprastha, the ancient city mentioned in the epic Mahabharata.