MoU Signed Between India and Bhutan

India and Bhutan have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to expand their environmental cooperation.

The MoU is expected to pave the way for new avenues of bilateral cooperation in areas such as https://exam.pscnotes.com/Climate-change”>Climate Change, Waste Management, Air Pollution, chemical management, and so on.

The MoU will also strengthen technological, scientific, and management capabilities, as well as expand environmental cooperation areas, to promote a mutually beneficial PARTNERSHIP between the two countries.

MoU Between India and Fiji

Fiji and India signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to collaborate in Agriculture-notes-for-state-psc-exams”>Agriculture and allied sectors.

The MoU calls for collaboration in the areas of Industry Development, Rice Industry Development, Root Crop Diversification, Resources“>Water Resources Management, Coconut Industry Development, Food Processing Industry Development, Agriculture Mechanization, Horticulture Industry Development, Agricultural Research, Animal Husbandry, Pest and Disease, Cultivation, Value Addition and Marketing, Post-Harvest Processing and Milling, Breeding and Agronomy.

1.49 lakh Indian illegal immigrants detained since 2019: US data

As many as 1.49 lakh Indians were caught trying to unlawfully enter the US between February 2019 and March 2023, according to data from theUS Customs and Border Protection(USCBP), revealing a grim truth that the “American dream” continues to lure Indian asylum-seekers despite several deaths in dangerous border crossings.

“Those detained are mostly fromGujaratand Punjab,” said a Police officer from Gujarat.

In January 2022, as many as 5,459 Indians were caught entering the US illegally. Of these, 708 were caught along the US-Canada border. The numbers rose 35.9% to 7,421 in January 2023, including 2,478 detentions made on the US-Canada border.

PM Modi to flag off Indias first Water Metro in Kochi

During his two-day visit to Kerala, Prime Minister Narendra Modi is set to inaugurate Indias first-ever water metro that connects 10 islands surrounding Kochi using battery-operated electric hybrid boats. This innovative mode of transportation will provide seamless connectivity between the islands and the city, offering a similar level of convenience and travel experience as traditional metro systems. This transportation system is particularly beneficial in urban areas like Kochi

The metro project in Kochi will begin with eight electric hybrid boats developed by Cochin Shipyard Limited.

The project is being funded by the Kerala government and the German company KfW.

The water metro system will include 38 terminals and 78 electric boats

BRO puts up signboard describing Mana as First Indian Village

Mana village in Uttarakhand, which was previously recognized as the last Indian village, will now be acknowledged as the first Indian village. The Border Roads Organisation (BRO) has installed a signboard at the entrance of the border village to declare Manas updated status. This decision comes after Prime Minister Narendra Modi supported Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhamisassertion that Mana was the first village in the country, and all border villages should be recognized as such. PM Modi, who visited Mana in October last year, stated that areas that were previously viewed as the end of the countrys borders should now be viewed as the beginning of the countrys prosperity.

The Vibrant Villages Programme is designed to uplift the standard of living for residents in selected border communities.

The programme aims to develop a total of 2967 villages situated in 46 blocks of 19 districts located on the northern border of India.

The programme covers border communities in states such as Arunachal Pradesh, , Uttarakhand, and Himachal Pradesh, as well as the Union Territory of Ladakh.

The goal is to develop Infrastructure, provide basic amenities, and enhance the overall living conditions in these villages.

The programme will focus on providing better access to healthcare, Education, and clean drinking water.

The Vibrant Villages Programme will also aim to promote rural tourism and generate EMPLOYMENT opportunities in the border communities

WHO aims to restore child immunisation to pre-pandemic level

TheWorld Health Organisation(WHO) is working with member nations, including India, to catch up the millions of children who missed out on Vaccines during the Covid-19 pandemic.

The UN health body said its aim was to restore essential immunisation coverage to at least 2019 levels and strengthen primary healthcare to deliver immunisation.

The WHO initiative comes days after a report released by Unicef showed that routine immunisation was affected during the pandemic.

According to Unicefs State of the Worlds Children 2023 report, there were around 2. 7 million zerodose (unreached or missed out) under-5 children in India who did not receive a single dose of the necessary vaccines during 2021.

This number was 3 million in 2020 when the pandemic struck, severely impacting immunisation drives.

Padma Awards 2023

The President has given his approval for the presentation of 106 https://exam.pscnotes.com/padma-Awards“>Padma Awards, including 3 duo cases, in 2023. The list includes 91 Padma Shri Awards, 9 Padma Bhushan Awards, and 6 Padma Vibhushan Awards.

The Padma awards date back to the 1950s. The Government of India instituted two civilian awards, namely, the Bharat Ratna and the Padma Vibhushan on January 2, 1954. The latter had three classes, namely Pahela Varg, Dusra Varg, and Tisra Varg.

These were subsequently renamed as Padma Vibhushan, Padma Bhushan and Padma Shri vide Presidential Notification issued on January 8, 1955. The Padma Vibhushan, Padma Bhushan and the Padma Shri are three distinct awards given by the Government of India to exceptional Indian citizens.

The Padma Vibhushan is awarded for exceptional and distinguished service; the Padma Bhushan for distinguished service of a high order; while the Padma Shri for distinguished service.

The Thanthai Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary in Erode, announced on Monday as the states 18th, will be the last protected link betweenNilgirisbiosphere reserve and the South Cauvery Wildlife Sanctuary.
Spread over 80,567 hectares and including Anthiyur and Gobichettipalayam taluks it will be Home to 21 species of mammals ranging from the rare honey badger to carnivores such as tigers and leopards and herbivores such as elephants, 136 species of birds and 118 species of butterflies.

Kerala has its First Trans Lawyer Padma Lakshmi

Padma Lakshmi becomes the first ever Transgender in Kerala who has obtained the position of lawyer and got her name in the Bar Council.

The Law Minister of Kerala, P. Rajeev posted on Social Media and congratulated her to be designated as a lawyer and encouraged more transgender people to acquire the role.

This is a great step for the whole Transgender community as it will help them to stand for their rights more firmly in future.

Worlds Happiness Index 2023, Finland remains on Top

The UN solutions Network released the World Happiness Report of 2023 on March 20 as the day is celebrated every year as World Happiness Day.

Finland for the 6th consecutive time has been ranked number one in happiness levels. The report surveys the happiness factors and satisfaction levels among the world Population. It shows how happy the people are with their lives across nations.

India improves a little from 136 to 125 however it is a sad position for the country as it is among the least happy nations.