Centre appoints Arun Sinha as National Technical Research Organisation chairman

The appointment of Arun Sinha as the new Chairman of the National Technical Research Organisation (NTRO) has finally been announced by the government, after a prolonged delay. Sinha, who has served as an advisor in NTRO for two years, belongs to the 1984 batch Kerala cadre.

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Centre appoints Arun Sinha as National Technical Research Organisation Chairman - India Today

Need of this Appointment:

The position of NTRO Chairman had been vacant for the past three to four months, and Sinha’s appointment comes as a much-needed relief for the organization. Moreover, with this appointment, the government is expected to expedite the process of appointing the heads of the Border Security Force and the Indian Coast Guard, which have also been lying vacant for a while.

Sinha’s appointment as NTRO Chairman is expected to bring fresh impetus to the organization and help it achieve its objectives more efficiently. As an experienced bureaucrat, Sinha is well-equipped to lead NTRO and guide it towards achieving its goals of providing technical intelligence to various agencies of the Indian government.

What is National Technical Research Organisation (NTRO):

National Technical Research Organisation

The National Technical Research Organisation (NTRO) is a technical intelligence agency in India that was established in 2004. It functions under the National Security Advisor and reports to the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO). The organization is responsible for providing technical intelligence to various agencies of the Indian government, including the Intelligence Bureau, the Research and Analysis Wing, and the Defence Intelligence Agency.

NTRO is responsible for developing technology and software applications for communication interception, encryption and decryption, and cyber security. It also plays a critical role in monitoring the activities of foreign intelligence agencies and cyber threats to India’s national security.

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Earth Day 2023 observed on 22nd April

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Earth Day 2023

Earth Day is observed on April 22 each year. The purpose of the day is to raise awareness of the rapidly-rising levels of pollution, climate change, and other circumstances that contribute to damaging the environment and threaten the survival of our planet. The day is marked by various activities such as tree planting, recycling drives, clean-up campaigns, and environmental education programs. The objective of Earth Day is to remind individuals and communities of their responsibility to protect the planet and its ecosystems from pollution, climate change, and other environmental threats. By taking part in Earth Day activities, people can make a positive impact on the environment and contribute towards a more sustainable future.

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Earth Day 2023: Theme

The theme each year is announced by the earthday.org portal, which globally organises environmental movements to commemorate the day. The theme this year is — ‘Invest in our Planet,’ with a clear motto of ‘everyone accounted for, everyone accountable.’ The emphasis of the theme is getting the more than one billion people who participate in Earth Day activities each year to take action in their own communities. It also wants governments, institutions, and enterprises to do their part.

Earth Day 2023: History

Senator Gaylord Nelson established Earth Day in the 1970s to promote ecology and increase public awareness of issues pertaining to the environment. He was very concerned after seeing the horror of a significant oil spill in Santa Barbara, California, in early 1969.

Senator Nelson made the decision to combine the student anti-war movement with a growing public awareness of air and water pollution from his anxiety about the planet’s deteriorating conditions. He had announced the idea of teaching about environmental protection in colleges. Gradually, through the efforts of Nelson and activist Denis Hayes, Earth Day came into being in 1970 and it gathered a lot of attention from the national media. Decades later, in 1990, the movement went global.

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India captain Rohit Sharma Announced as JioCinema’s brand ambassador

JioCinema, a digital streaming platform, has announced India cricket team captain Rohit Sharma as their new brand ambassador. As part of this collaboration, Rohit will be working with the JioCinema team to promote their digital-first approach towards sports viewing. Together, they will work towards expanding the fan base for sports properties nationwide by introducing a series of initiatives.

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Rohit Sharma joins the JioCinema family

Significance of Rohit Sharma as JioCinema’s brand ambassador:

Rohit Sharma’s appointment as the brand ambassador is aimed at promoting JioCinema’s vision of making sports viewing more accessible and seamless through digital platforms. With Rohit’s popularity and influence in the sports world, JioCinema hopes to reach out to a larger audience and enhance the overall viewing experience for sports fans across the country.

JioCinema and TATA IPL 2023:

JioCinema’s streaming of the TATA IPL 2023 for viewers in India has been a massive success, garnering over 550 crore views in the first two weeks itself. This remarkable feat has made JioCinema one of the most preferred digital streaming platforms for sports content in the country.

Moreover, JioCinema’s popularity has been further strengthened by its association with 23 sponsors for the 2023 TATA IPL streaming, which is a record number for any digital event in India. The high number of sponsors and advertisers signed up by JioCinema for the IPL season 16 is a testament to the platform’s growing popularity and reach among sports enthusiasts in the country.

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Mann Ki Baat 100th episode: Rs 100 coin to be released on the occasion

The Ministry of Finance has issued an official notification stating that a new Rs 100 coin will be minted by the Central Government to commemorate the 100th edition of the radio programme, Mann Ki Baat, with Prime Minister Narendra Modi. The notification specifies that the One Hundred Rupees denomination coin will only be minted at the Mint and issued under the authority of the Central Government on the occasion of the 100th Episode of Mann Ki Baat.

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Mann ki Baat: PM Modi urges citizens to participate in its 100-episode quiz - Mann ki Baat: PM Modi urges citizens to participate in its 100 episode quiz -

key details of the new Rs 100 coin to be issued by the Central Government to mark the 100th Episode of Mann Ki Baat:

Design of the Coin:

  • The face of the coin will feature the Lion Capital of Ashoka Pillar in the centre.
  • The legend “Satyameva Jayate” will be inscribed below the Lion Capital in Devnagri script.
  • The word “Bharat” in Devnagri script will be present on the left periphery of the coin.
  • The word “INDIA” in English will be present on the right periphery of the coin.
  • The Rupee symbol “₹” and denominational value “100” in international numerals will be below the Lion Capitol.

Logo for the 100th Episode of Mann Ki Baat:

  • The other face of the coin will bear the logo for the 100th Episode of Mann Ki Baat.
  • The logo will consist of an image of a microphone with sound waves.
  • The year ‘2023’ will be written on the image of the microphone.
  • ‘MANN KI BAAT 100’ in Devnagari script will be written above the microphone image.
  • ‘MANN KI BAAT 100’ in English will be written below the microphone image.

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International Mother Earth Day celebrates on 22nd April

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International Mother Earth Day 2023

International Mother Earth Day was introduced by the United Nations on April 22, 2009, following a resolution proposed by the State of Bolivia and supported by more than 50 member countries. The resolution recognizes the Earth and its ecosystems as our home and emphasizes the importance of promoting harmony between humans, other living beings, and the planet. The term “Mother Earth” is used to emphasize the interdependence that exists between humans, other living species, and the planet we all inhabit.

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Significance of the International Mother Earth Day

International Mother Earth Day is significant because it emphasizes the interconnectedness of humans, other living beings, and the planet we all share. The day serves as a reminder of our responsibility to protect and preserve the Earth and its ecosystems for future generations. It calls for a change in attitudes and behaviors towards the environment and promotes sustainable development practices. International Mother Earth Day provides an opportunity for individuals, communities, and governments to reflect on their impact on the environment and take action to address environmental challenges such as climate change, pollution, deforestation, and biodiversity loss. By celebrating this day, we can raise awareness and promote a deeper understanding of the need to protect and respect the Earth and all its inhabitants.

History of the International Mother Earth Day

In 2009, the United Nations General Assembly passed a resolution, A/RES/63/278, declaring April 22 as International Mother Earth Day. The holiday was first observed in 2010. The roots of this day can be traced back to the 1972 United Nations Conference on the Human Environment held in Stockholm, which emphasized the interconnectedness of humans, other living species, and the planet. The purpose of International Mother Earth Day is to inspire people worldwide to take action towards promoting a cleaner and more sustainable environment. The day encourages individuals to be mindful of their actions and to work towards reducing harmful practices that can harm the planet and other living species.
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India-UK Financial Markets Dialogue Explores Collaboration in Regulation and Sustainable Finance

Six Themes Focused on During India-UK Financial Markets Dialogue

The India-UK Financial Markets Dialogue’s second meeting took place in London with the aim of discussing the possibility of cooperation in financial regulation between the two countries. During the financial markets dialogue between India and the UK, there was a primary focus on six themes, which included banking, payments, insurance, capital markets, asset management, and sustainable finance. Delegates from India and the UK shared their views on the respective areas of responsibility and identified emerging areas for collaboration, including knowledge exchange on regulatory frameworks for pension funds and the development of ecosystems for Social Stock Exchange.

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Private Sector Partners Join India-UK Financial Markets Dialogue

After the discussion between the two governments, the private sector partners were welcomed to participate in the dialogue, which was chaired by the co-chairs of the India-UK Financial Partnership (IUKFP). The participants discussed recent developments in their respective banking sectors, including the trends and emerging risks in the sector, and explored the scope for augmenting knowledge on Central Banking Digital Currency (CBDC) through mutual learning. The governments also welcomed the appointment of new UK and India chairs of the IUKFP and presented their recommendations on the UK-India financial services relationship.

GIFT-IFSC Presents Opportunities for India-UK Financial Cooperation

The meeting emphasized the continuation of cooperation to explore the possibilities presented by GIFT-IFSC in various areas, including sustainable finance, fund management, capital markets for dual listing, and re-insurance. During the meeting, the participants discussed the potential for utilizing the asset management sector to facilitate greater cross-border trade and investment. Additionally, participants exchanged views on the appropriate regulation of ESG rating providers and decided to work together in the upcoming months, including participating in the Sustainable Finance Forum and the Economic and Financial Dialogue (EFD) to promote green cooperation.

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India-Thailand Defence Dialogue: Strengthening Bilateral Engagements

Ministry of Defence Official to Co-Chair India-Thailand Defence Dialogue

The Special Secretary of India’s Ministry of Defence, Smt Nivedita Shukla Verma, has been invited by the Government of Thailand to visit Bangkok on April 20-21, 2023. During her visit, she will co-chair the 8th meeting of the India-Thailand Defence Dialogue with General Nuchit Sribunsong, the Deputy Permanent Secretary for Defence of Thailand’s Ministry of Defence. The meeting aims to review the defence cooperation between India and Thailand and explore new initiatives to strengthen bilateral engagements. The two co-chairs will also discuss regional and global issues of mutual interest. The Special Secretary will also call on General Sanitchanog Sangkachantra, the Permanent Secretary for Defence of the Ministry of Defence, Thailand.

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Strategic Partnership Between India and Thailand

India and Thailand have a strategic partnership, and defence is a key area of cooperation between the two nations. Over the years, the bilateral defence engagements have expanded significantly, including military-to-military exchanges, high-level visits, capacity building and training programmes, bilateral exercises and the Defence Dialogue meeting. The meeting between the Special Secretary and the Deputy Permanent Secretary for Defence is a continuation of these efforts to deepen the defence cooperation between India and Thailand and to explore new areas of collaboration.

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What is PUBLIC SAFETY ACT, 1978?

Introduction

The Public Safety Act (PSA) is used in Jammu and Kashmir to combat militancy and insurgency, but its arbitrary detention of civilians has been controversial. Amnesty International calls it a ‘Lawless law’ due to the frequent human rights violations. This article analyzes the provisions, controversies, and significant judgments of the act.

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Brief background of Public Safety Act, 1978

Initially enacted to curb timber smuggling in Jammu and Kashmir, the Public Safety Act has been widely used to detain individuals suspected of causing public outrage and inciting communal disharmony. The rise of terrorism and insurgency in the region has led to the broader application of the act, causing controversy over its arbitrary nature and potential for human rights violations.

Section 8 of the Public Safety Act

Section 8 of the PSA allows authorities to detain individuals who are deemed to be acting in a way that is harmful to public order, such as promoting hatred or inciting violence based on religion, race, caste, community, or region. It also includes those who prepare or incite the use of force or commit offenses that could lead to imprisonment for seven years or more. The District Magistrates and Divisional Commissioners have the power to authorize detention under Section 8(2) of the PSA.

What makes the Public Safety Act so controversial?

Despite its goal of ensuring public safety and preventing insurgency, the Public Safety Act is considered a controversial and draconian law. The Act provides unlimited powers to administrative authorities to detain any person suspected of posing a threat to the public interest, leading to potential problems. Although Section 13(1) of the Act requires authorities to communicate the grounds of detention to the detenu, Section 13(2) permits the authorities to withhold information deemed to be against the public interest. This provision undermines the fundamental right of the detenu to represent themselves, consult a lawyer, and file a bail application. Thus, the Act’s application and implementation can be misused, raising concerns about its draconian nature. Additionally, Section 22 of the Act grants immunity to officials against any order passed under its provisions, implying that the official acted in good faith. Last year, the Act gained national attention when political leaders, including opposition and separatist leaders, were detained under its provisions after the revocation of Article 370, leading to criticism of the government’s use of the Act to curb unrest in the valley.

Is the Public Safety Act constitutionally valid about Article 22?

The Public Safety Act has been the subject of controversy, particularly about Article 22 of the Indian Constitution. Article 22 ensures that a person who is detained or arrested is informed of the grounds for their detention, has the right to consult with a lawyer, and must be presented before a magistrate within 24 hours. These provisions protect individuals from arbitrary arrests and detentions and provide a check on the powers of the executive. However, these protections do not apply to the Public Safety Act, as Article 22 subclause (3) specifies that they do not apply “to any person who is arrested or detained under any law providing for preventive detention.” The constitutionality of the Public Safety Act’s provisions has been a matter of debate, but the Act is considered constitutional because it falls under the purview of “certain cases” outlined in Article 22.

For how long can a person be detained under the Public Safety Act?

Under Section 18(1) of the Public Safety Act, the maximum period for detention is 3 months initially, but it can be extended up to 12 months for threats to public order, up to 12 months for smuggling of timber, and up to 2 years for activities prejudicial to the security of the State. The government must refer the case to an Advisory Board within 4 weeks, and the Advisory Board must deliver its opinion within 8 weeks of the detention order being passed.

Can the detention orders be revoked?

According to Section 19 of the Public Safety Act, the Government has the power to revoke or modify a detention order at any time, even if it goes against the authorized officers’ order. However, if the revocation is due to technical defects or illegality, Section 19(2) allows the authorities to detain the same individual again on the same grounds. This creates a loophole in the Act, allowing for repeated detention and harassment of the same person.

Remedies available to the detenu

Although challenging a detention order under the Public Safety Act can be difficult, an individual can use constitutional safeguards to challenge it. This includes filing a writ petition of Habeas Corpus to the Supreme Court under Article 32 or to the High Court under Article 226. However, the scope of the challenge is limited to procedural violations or irregularities. If the High Court finds that there has been a miscarriage of justice and a blatant violation of an individual’s liberty resulting in illegal detention, it can quash the detention order. However, the High Court does not undertake a substantive review of the merits of the detention and generally does not review the “subjective satisfaction” formed by the administration regarding the cause of detention, except where clear discrepancies are visible to the court on the part of the detaining authority.

Conclusion

The Public Safety Act is a unique law that grants immense power to the executive, but it is necessary to balance individual and national interests. The founding fathers of the country recognized that national interest is of utmost importance, and the administration must ensure it for a smooth functioning nation. In cases of conflict, national interest must prevail, and reasonable restrictions may be imposed on fundamental rights to ensure public safety. While the PSA may seem overbearing, it is necessary in cases of abnormal situations such as the current situation in Jammu and Kashmir, where militancy has caused chaos and loss of innocent lives. The PSA provides exclusive powers to the executive to maintain law and order in such situations.

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UK and India Discuss Technical Cooperation on Maritime Electric Propulsion Systems

UK Chief of Defence Staff Highlights Discussions on Electric Propulsion for Indian Warships

The UK and India are discussing the sharing of technical expertise and experience on maritime electric propulsion systems to meet the future requirements of Indian warships. Admiral Sir Tony Radakin, Chief of the Defence Staff of the UK, stated that both nations are exploring increased cooperation in logistics, technology, and information sharing, and are also in talks regarding a training pact that would enable their armed forces to share common ethos and basis. During his three-day visit to India, the top UK military officer met with top Indian military officials to discuss these issues, amidst a series of high-level military interactions between the two nations.

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Admiral Radakin discusses strengthening UK-India military cooperation

Admiral Radakin’s remarks are significant since Indian naval warships currently lack electric propulsion systems, and the Navy intends to include them in its future warships. The countries have formed a joint electronic propulsion working group that met in the UK in February and again in Kochi last month, and discussions are at the exploratory stage.

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International Day of Persons with Disabilities 2022: 3 December_90.1

Maha Govt has announces a 4% reservation for Divyang employees in promotions

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The Maharashtra Government has introduced a 4% quota for employees with disabilities in promotions. This reservation will apply to cadres where the recruitment through direct service is less than 75%. The state cabinet has also decided to pay all outstanding dues for non-teaching staff serving in non-agricultural universities as per the Seventh Pay Commission. The payment of arrears will be made in five installments on July 1st every year for the next five years. The government established a Divyang department in December 2022, to safeguard the interests and welfare of differently-abled people, making Maharashtra the first state in the country to create a dedicated department for this purpose.

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The Cabinet has made a decision that women from the Open and backward categories will not be required to present the non-creamy layer certificate for positions reserved for them. Additionally, the Cabinet has authorized a plan to incorporate 30% of agriculture feeders under solar energy as part of the ‘Chief Minister Solar Agriculture Feeder Scheme’. This initiative aims to ensure a reliable and sustainable supply of power for agricultural pumps.

The Maharashtra government’s actions follow the welfare schemes and initiatives launched by the central government for people with disabilities. In March of this year, the central government mandated the provision of UDID numbers for people with disabilities to access various welfare schemes launched by the government. Those without a UDID number can use their UDUD Enrolment Number to avail government schemes and benefits. Recently, many states have distributed thousands of UDID cards to people with disabilities to ensure their welfare.

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