BIMSTEC Youth Summit 2025 to be Held in Gandhinagar
The BIMSTEC Youth Summit 2025 is scheduled to take place in Gandhinagar, Gujarat, from February 7 to 11. Organized by the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports, the summit aims to unite young leaders from BIMSTEC member countries to share experiences and insights on youth-led initiatives. Under the theme “Youth as a Bridge for Intra-BIMSTEC Exchange,” the event focuses on harnessing the collective energy of youth to advance regional goals. Union Minister Dr. Mansukh Mandaviya will inaugurate the summit, highlighting key initiatives such as Mera Yuva Bharat and Viksit Bharat Young Leaders Dialogue.
NITI Aayog Conclave: Viksit Bharat@2047
NITI Aayog recently hosted a high-level conclave titled “Viksit Bharat@2047” at Sushma Swaraj Bhawan, New Delhi. The event brought together prominent leaders and experts to discuss India’s path to progress by 2047. Keynote addresses were delivered by the Chief Economic Advisor and the Secretary of the Ministry of Defence. Panel discussions covered critical topics such as economic growth, global competitiveness, and strategic partnerships. The conclave emphasized bold reforms, sustainable energy strategies, and increased private sector investment to achieve India’s development goals.
Indian Navy’s First Training Squadron Visits Changi Naval Base
The First Training Squadron (1TS) of the Indian Navy, consisting of INS Sujata, INS Shardul, and ICGS Veera, docked at Changi Naval Base in Singapore. This visit is part of their Long-Range Training Deployment to Southeast Asia, aimed at enhancing maritime cooperation and understanding between India and Singapore. During the port call, the High Commissioner of India to Singapore, Dr. Shilpak Ambule, interacted with Sea Trainees, highlighting the Indian Navy’s role in Indo-Pacific maritime security. The visit includes professional exchanges, cross-training, and friendly sports fixtures to foster cooperation and interoperability between the two navies.
New Framework for Corporate Insolvency Resolution
The Insolvency and Bankruptcy Board of India (IBBI) has proposed a new mechanism to enhance the Corporate Insolvency Resolution Process (CIRP) for interconnected corporate entities. This initiative addresses inefficiencies, high costs, and conflicts arising when multiple related entities undergo CIRP simultaneously. Key features include joint hearings, appointing a common resolution professional, establishing information-sharing protocols, and coordinating timelines to improve efficiency and value realization. This “mini group insolvency” approach is a step towards a comprehensive group insolvency framework under the Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code (IBC).
Impact of Nitrogen Dioxide Pollution on Crop Yields
Nitrogen dioxide (NO2), primarily produced from fossil fuel combustion, significantly affects both health and agriculture. Road traffic is a major contributor to outdoor NO2 levels. Recent research indicates that NO2 emissions, particularly from coal power plants, can reduce India’s wheat and rice yields by up to 10%. These harmful effects are most pronounced within a 100 km radius of the emission sources. Addressing NO2 pollution through emission reductions is crucial for improving food security and agricultural productivity, as well as mitigating associated health risks.
Enhanced SARAT Version 2 for Improved Search and Rescue
The Government of India has upgraded its Search and Rescue Aid Tool (SARAT) to version 2, aiming to boost efficiency for search and rescue agencies. The enhanced SARAT version 2 offers faster response times and higher success rates, particularly in the Indian Ocean region. Key features include more accurate determination of search areas based on the Last Known Position (LKP), improved data visualization, and the ability to export search data for seamless integration with rescue planning maps. Comprehensive training programs have been implemented to ensure that Indian Coast Guard personnel and other agencies can effectively utilize the updated tool.