Why is it in news?

The Airports Authority of India (AAI), Lev Air Navigation Services of Sweden (Luftfartsverkat) signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) at the Authority's Corporate Headquarters in New Delhi today.

Highlights

• It is noteworthy that under the agreement, both Indian and Swedish air carriers will cooperate closely with the capabilities to create and operate next-generation sustainable aviation technology and explore smart aviation solutions.

• This MoU will open the way for bilateral exchange of aviation expertise and technology between the two countries.

• Through this, Indian companies will grow rapidly, while on the other hand they will also benefit from the innovation and expertise of Sweden.

• In the light of the MoU, they will be able to cooperate in areas of mutual interest.

• The MoU was signed by Mr. M. Suresh, Member (Aircraft Operations Services) of AAI and Mr. Magnus Korel, Deputy Director, LFV Sweden.

• The President of AAI, Mr. Sanjeev Kumar, Ms. Melin Sederfeldt stberg, Minister of State in the Ministry of Infrastructure, Sweden, H.E. Klaas Mallin, Ambassador of Sweden to India and H.E. Tanmay Lal, Ambassador of India to Sweden were present at the ceremony.

• Senior officials from AAI, LFV, Embassy of Sweden and Business Sweden – Swedish Trade and Investment Council also attended the event.

• Keeping in view the need for rapid development of next generation smart airports and creation of sustainable transport systems, both sides agreed under the MoU on the following elements:

• Exchange of Aviation Knowledge and Technology Transfer Program

• To encourage close and friendly relations between the two agencies

• Aims to enhance technical cooperation at airports

• Supporting the development of a safe, secure, sustainable and efficient aviation sector

• Constructive cooperation in promoting bilateral and international trade

• Speaking on the occasion, he expressed confidence that the civil aviation exchanges between AAI and LFV Sweden will go a long way in creating and operating the next generation of smart and sustainable aviation technology.

• Mr. Klaas Mallin, Ambassador of Sweden to India, noted the long standing cooperation between India and Sweden.

• He said, “We intend to take the already extensive India-Sweden cooperation forward. Our cooperation includes sustainability, health, innovation, energy, and now includes civil aviation. I hope this MoU will provide opportunities for Sweden and India to explore climate-smart solutions in the aviation sector."

• The Ambassador of India to Sweden, Mr. Tanmay Lal, in his address mentioned, “India-Sweden partnership is at heights.

• The MoU covers new areas and will enable technological collaboration to enhance safety, sustainability and efficiency in the aviation sector. This is also an important step in the context of rapidly developing regional air connectivity in India.”

 Cooperation area and activity plan

Both the agencies of India and Sweden AAI and LFV will cooperate jointly in the following areas:

• Air Traffic Management

•        air traffic control

• Airport management and traffic control from a location other than the local control room

• Airspace design and planning

• Airport design and infrastructure

• Digitized airports and aviation

• Capability and Training

• Sustainable Airports and Aviation

• Procedures for Pilots

• Procedures for Upgradation

• A joint working group will be set up to accelerate cooperation between the two countries and prioritize areas of mutual interest.

• This MoU will play an important role in cooperation between the two governments in the aviation sector in addition to the existing cooperation between India and Sweden in the areas of sustainability, healthcare, innovation, energy and infrastructure etc.

Why is it in news?

• The 38th Ministerial meeting of the India-Bangladesh Joint Rivers Commission was held in New Delhi on August 25, 2022. The Indian delegation was chaired by the Union Minister for Jal Shakti, Shri Gajendra Singh Shekhawat. The Bangladesh delegation was led by the Minister of State for Water Resources, Mr. Zaheed Farooq. The Bangladesh delegation also included Deputy Minister of Water Resources Shri AKM Inamul Haque Shamimi.

• The meeting assumes significance as it was held after a gap of 12 years, although during this time technical talks between the two sides continued under the draft of the Joint Rivers Commission. Before this meeting, a meeting at the level of Water Resources Secretaries of both the sides was held on Tuesday 23 August 2022.

Highlights

• During this bilateral meeting, all the ongoing bilateral issues related to mutual interest were discussed, including sharing of water of rivers existing in both countries, sharing of flood data, prevention of river pollution, siltation in rivers. Joint study on deposit and its management, work for the protection of river banks, etc. was included.

• The two sides also finalized a draft Memorandum of Understanding to share the waters of the Kushiara River on an interim basis.

• Both sides welcomed the finalization of the design of Feni river water harvesting site and its technical infrastructure to meet the drinking water needs of Sabroom Town in Tripura.

• It is noteworthy that in this regard, the MoU between the two countries came into existence in October 2019.

• Sharing of real-time flood data is also among the important areas where India is cooperating with Bangladesh. India recently shared flood data since October 15 to assist Bangladesh in dealing with unforeseen flood situations.

• India and Bangladesh share 54 rivers among themselves, of which seven such rivers have already been identified, in respect of which the draft on sharing of water is to be prepared on a priority basis.

• During the meeting, both sides agreed to expand this area of ​​cooperation already underway. In this regard, eight more rivers should be connected for exchange of data. The technical committee of the Joint Rivers Commission on this subject will discuss this further.

• The India-Bangladesh Joint River Commission was set up in 1972 as a bilateral mechanism to resolve issues of common interest related to shared/border/cross-border rivers.

Why is it in news?

• Recently a 'Social Empowerment Camp' was organized in Nagpur to distribute aids and assistive devices to senior citizens and Divyangjan.

• The event was organized today at Reshimbagh Ground in Nagpur under the 'Assistance to Persons with Disabilities for purchase/fitting of equipment' (ADIP) scheme of the Union Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment for persons with disabilities and for senior citizens under 'Rashtriya Vayoshree Yojana'.

• Social Justice and Empowerment Department organized the camp in collaboration with ALIMCO, Nagpur Municipal Corporation and Nagpur District Administration.

Highlights

• The Chief Guest of the function, Union Minister for Road Transport and Highways Shri Nitin Gadkari inaugurated the distribution camp and distributed different types of assistive devices to the differently-abled and senior citizens in the presence of the Union Social Justice and Empowerment Minister Dr. Virendra Kumar.

• Under the scheme of the Central Government, a total of 241200 helpers and assistive devices worth Rs 3483.00 lakh will be distributed to 27,356 senior citizens and 7780 Divyangjan beneficiaries.

• On this occasion, Shri Nitin Gadkari said that it is very necessary to serve the deprived people of the society and the last person standing in the queue.

• He said that making them empowered is the goal of the government and it should be ensured that the benefits of government schemes reach them.

• Shri Gadkari expressed his gratitude to the Union Minister of Social Justice and Empowerment, Dr. Virendra Kumar that social welfare schemes are being implemented in Nagpur city under his ministry.

• Various types of facilities will be available in this “Divyang Park” for the differently abled, such as sensory gardens, pathways with flower beds giving tactile and aroma experience, skill training facilities, rehabilitation facilities, sports and entertainment etc.

• Various types of assistive devices will be distributed in a phased manner to the identified senior citizens and differently-abled beneficiaries who had registered during the evaluation camps organized by ALIMCO in collaboration with NMC and Nagpur District Administration. The evaluation camps were organized at various places in Nagpur urban and rural areas. Evaluation camps were organized during February to March this year to identify the beneficiaries.

• Various types of assistive devices will be given to the identified beneficiaries of South Nagpur, including motorized three-wheelers, 98 three-wheelers, 1520 wheel-chairs, 305 crutches, 6488 walking aids, 21 braille kits, 75 braille sticks. , 09 Rollators, 4166 Hearing Aids, 102 MSIED Kits, 11 CP. sockets, 64 smart phones, 6436 cervical collars, 211 calipers etc.

• Other aids provided to senior citizens include 13 foot care units, 1585 tri-pods, 1247 spinal supports, 8107 LS belts, 213 commode wheel chairs, 7677 commode chair stools, 7855 silicone foam cushions, 03 seats Includes walking aids, 581 walkers, 4,763 ankle braces, 16168 knee braces, 935 dentures.v

Why is it in news?

Other aids provided to senior citizens include 13 foot care units, 1585 tri-pods, 1247 spinal supports, 8107 LS belts, 213 commode wheel chairs, 7677 commode chair stools, 7855 silicone foam cushions, 03 seats Includes walking aids, 581 walkers, 4,763 ankle braces, 16168 knee braces, 935 dentures.

Fahmida Azim wins Pulitzer Prize 2022

Why is it in news?

• Bangladesh-born painter and story writer Fahmida Azim has been selected for the 2022 Pulitzer Prize. Currently, she is working for Insider, an American online magazine.

• Fehmida is honored for an illustrated report entitled "How I Escaped a Chinese Internment Camp" with her winning team members Anthony Dale Col, Josh Adams and Insider's Walt Hickey in New York.

Highlights

• Fahmida Azim was born in Bangladesh and settled in America. His work focuses on themes of identity, culture and autonomy.

• His works have been published in many international magazines like NPR, Glamour, Scientific American, The Intercept, Vice, The New York Times.

• Significantly, the Pulitzer Prize is a prestigious award given for achievements in newspapers, magazines, music composition, online journalism and literature.

• This award was established in the year 1917 by the provisions written in the will of Joseph Pulitzer. Columbia University administers the award.

• These awards are being given annually in 21 categories. In 20 categories, each winner receives USD 15,000 and a certificate. The winner receives a gold medal in the Public Service category of the award.

Why is it in news?

• Former German Chancellor Angela Merkel has been awarded the 2022 UNESCO Peace Prize for her efforts to welcome refugees.

Introduction

• Angela Merkel (full name - Angela Dorothea Kasner) was born on 17 July 1954 in Hamburg, West Germany.

• He is trained as a physicist and entered politics after the fall of the Berlin Wall in 1989.

• In the 2005 national elections, Merkel became the first female chancellor of Germany, and one of the leading figures in the European Union.

• Before joining politics, she was working as a research scientist.

Highlights

• All jury members, including the chairman of the jury and 2018 Nobel Peace Prize laureate Denis Mukwege, were impressed by Merkel's courageous decision to welcome more than 1.2 million refugees from Syria, Iraq, Afghanistan and Eritrea in 2015.

• Additionally, the jury awarded an honorable mention to Julian Lusanz for his commitment to women victims of sexual violence. She is best known for her work in North Kivu in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, where she denounced rape as a "weapon of war".

Felix Houphouet-Boigny Peace Prize

• UNESCO's Felix Hauffouet-Bogen Peace Prize was created in 1989 to honor living individuals and active public or private bodies or institutions that have made significant contributions to peace.

• The award was established by a resolution supported by 120 countries and adopted by the UNESCO Convention at its 25th session.

• In the past, the Felix Hauffouet-Bogny Peace Prize has been given to internationally renowned figures such as Nelson Mandela, Yasser Arafat, King Juan Carlos of Spain, former US President Jimmy Carter and Shimon Peres.

 Why is it in news?

• Former German Chancellor Angela Merkel has been awarded the 2022 UNESCO Peace Prize for her efforts to welcome refugees.

Introduction

• Angela Merkel (full name - Angela Dorothea Kasner) was born on 17 July 1954 in Hamburg, West Germany.

• He is trained as a physicist and entered politics after the fall of the Berlin Wall in 1989.

• In the 2005 national elections, Merkel became the first female chancellor of Germany, and one of the leading figures in the European Union.

• Before joining politics, she was working as a research scientist.

Highlights

• All jury members, including the chairman of the jury and 2018 Nobel Peace Prize laureate Denis Mukwege, were impressed by Merkel's courageous decision to welcome more than 1.2 million refugees from Syria, Iraq, Afghanistan and Eritrea in 2015.

• Additionally, the jury awarded an honorable mention to Julian Lusanz for his commitment to women victims of sexual violence. She is best known for her work in North Kivu in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, where she denounced rape as a "weapon of war".

Felix Houphouet-Boigny Peace Prize

• UNESCO's Felix Hauffouet-Bogen Peace Prize was created in 1989 to honor living individuals and active public or private bodies or institutions that have made significant contributions to peace.

• The award was established by a resolution supported by 120 countries and adopted by the UNESCO Convention at its 25th session.

• In the past, the Felix Hauffouet-Bogny Peace Prize has been given to internationally renowned figures such as Nelson Mandela, Yasser Arafat, King Juan Carlos of Spain, former US President Jimmy Carter and Shimon Peres.

चर्चा में क्यों

भारतीय विमानपत्तन प्राधिकरण (एएआई) ने लेव एयर नेवीगेशन सर्विसेज ऑफ स्वीडन (लुफ्तफार्त्सवरकत) ने आज नई दिल्ली स्थित प्राधिकरण के कॉरपोरेट मुख्यालय में एक समझौता-ज्ञापन पर हस्ताक्षर किये।

महत्वपूर्ण बिन्दु

·         गौरतलब है कि समझौते के तहत अगली पीढ़ी वाली सतत विमानन प्रौद्योगिकी को तैयार करने और उसे संचालित करने तथा स्मार्ट विमानन समाधानों की पड़ताल करने की क्षमताओं के मद्देनजर भारत तथा स्वीड़न के दोनों वायु विमानन सेवा प्रदाता करीबी सहयोग करेंगे।

·         इस समझौता-ज्ञापन से दोनों देशों के बीच विमानन विशेषज्ञता और प्रौद्योगिकी के द्विपक्षीय आदान-प्रदान का रास्ता खुल जायेगा।

·         इसके जरिये भारतीय कंपनियां तेजी से उन्नति करेंगी, तो वहीं दूसरी तरफ वे स्वीडन के नवोन्मेष और विशेषज्ञता से भी लाभ उठायेंगी।

·         समझौता-ज्ञापन के आलोक में वे आपसी हितों के क्षेत्रों में सहयोग करने में सक्षम होंगी।

·         समझौता-ज्ञापन पर एएआई के सदस्य (विमान परिचालन सेवा) श्री एम. सुरेश और एलएफवी स्वीडन के उप निदेशक श्री मैगनस कोरेल ने हस्ताक्षर किये।

·         समारोह में एएआई के अध्यक्ष श्री संजीव कुमार, स्वीडन के अवसंरचना मंत्रालय में राज्य मंत्री सुश्री मेलिन सेडरफेल्ट ऑस्तबर्ग, भारत में स्वीडन के राजदूत महामहिम क्लास मॉलिन और स्वीडन में भारत के राजदूत महामहिम तन्मय लाल उपस्थित थे।

·         कार्यक्रम में एएआई, एलएफवी, स्वीडन राजदूतावास और बिजनेस स्वीडन – स्वीडिश ट्रेड एंड इनवेस्ट काउंसिल के वरिष्ठ अधिकारी भी सम्मिलित हुये।

·         अगली पीढ़ी के स्मार्ट हवाई अड्डों के तेज विकास और सतत यातायात प्रणालियों के निर्माण की  वश्यकता को ध्यान में रखते हुये दोनों पक्षों ने समझौता-ज्ञापन के तहत इन तत्‍वों पर सहमति व्यक्त कीः

·         विमानन ज्ञान और तकनीकी स्थानांतरण कार्यक्रम का आदान-प्रदान

·         दोनों एजेंसियों के बीच करीबी और मैत्रीपूर्ण रिश्तों को प्रोत्साहित करना

·         हवाई अड्डों पर तकनीकी सहयोग को बढ़ाने का लक्ष्य

·         सुरक्षित, संरक्षित, सतत और कारगर विमानन सेक्टर के विकास को समर्थन

·         द्विपक्षीय और अंतर्राष्ट्रीय व्यापार को प्रोत्साहित करने में रचनात्मक सहयोग

·         इस अवसर पर उन्होंने विश्वास व्यक्त करते हुये कहा कि अगली पीढ़ी की स्मार्ट तथा दीर्घकालिक विमानन प्रौद्योगिकी को तैयार करने व संचालित करने में एएआई और एलएफवी स्वीडन के बीच नागरिक विमानन के क्षेत्र में होने वाला आपसी आदान-प्रदान लंबे समयRead More