Elevating Maritime Safety: SAREX-24 in Kochi
The Indian Coast Guard is set to conduct SAREX-24 in Kochi from November 27 to 30, 2024. Organized by the National Maritime Search and Rescue (NMSAR) Board, this exercise focuses on enhancing India’s search and rescue operations. With participation from various national agencies and international partners, the event will feature a range of activities including table-top exercises, workshops, seminars, and real-time sea exercises simulating large-scale contingencies. This comprehensive approach aims to improve coordination and efficiency in maritime emergency responses.
Delhi Government Enhances Old-Age Pension Scheme with New Portal
On November 26, 2024, the Delhi government announced the expansion of its old-age pension scheme, now covering an additional 80,000 senior citizens and raising the total number of beneficiaries to 5.3 lakh. AAP Chief Arvind Kejriwal highlighted these updates in a press conference, detailing that the scheme offers ₹2,000 per month for those aged 60-69 and ₹2,500 per month for individuals aged 70 and above. Beneficiaries from scheduled castes, scheduled tribes, and minority communities receive an additional ₹500 per month. To streamline the application process, a dedicated online portal has been launched, which has already received over 10,000 applications.
Nayi Chetna 3.0: Campaign Against Gender Violence Launched by Shivraj Singh Chouhan
On November 26, 2024, the Union Minister of Rural Development and Agriculture & Farmers’ Welfare, Shri Shivraj Singh Chouhan, launched the third edition of the national campaign “Nayi Chetna – Pahal Badlaav Ki” in New Delhi. This campaign, organized by the Deendayal Antyodaya Yojana – National Rural Livelihoods Mission (DAY-NRLM), spans across all Indian States and Union Territories. Its primary goal is to raise awareness and inspire collective action against gender-based violence (GBV) through grassroots-level initiatives. Highlights of the launch include the inauguration of 227 new Gender Resource Centres (GRCs) across 13 States, providing safe spaces for GBV survivors to access legal assistance, report incidents, and obtain support. Additionally, Union Minister of Women and Child Development, Smt. Annpurna Devi, introduced the #abkoibahananahi campaign, underlining the importance of eliminating GBV and empowering women economically, socially, and politically.
India’s New Envoy to Brazil: Dinesh Bhatia
Shri Dinesh Bhatia, a distinguished officer of the Indian Foreign Service (IFS) from the 1992 batch, has been appointed as the next Ambassador of India to Brazil. The Ministry of External Affairs announced this appointment on November 25, 2024. Bhatia, who is currently serving as India’s Ambassador to Argentina, will soon be taking up his new assignment. His illustrious diplomatic career includes significant roles such as Consul General of India in Toronto and Ambassador to Cote d’Ivoire, Guinea, and Liberia. Bhatia’s expertise and experience are expected to further strengthen the diplomatic ties between India and Brazil.
G. Balasubramanian: India’s Envoy to the Maldives
G. Balasubramanian, an esteemed Indian Foreign Service (IFS) officer from the 1998 batch, has been appointed as the new High Commissioner of India to the Republic of Maldives. Currently, he serves as the High Commissioner of India to Nigeria, where his efforts in diplomatic relations have been noteworthy. Balasubramanian’s extensive career includes important roles in major global capitals such as Moscow, Washington DC, and Bangkok. His new role is anticipated to further bolster the strong bilateral relations between India and the Maldives, focusing on strategic, economic, and cultural cooperation.
Revolutionizing Academic Access: ‘One Nation One Subscription’ Scheme Launched
On November 26, 2024, the Union Cabinet approved the transformative ‘One Nation One Subscription’ (ONOS) scheme. This pioneering initiative aims to provide universal access to scholarly research articles and academic journals for higher education institutions across India. Managed by the Information and Library Network (INFLIBNET), an autonomous inter-university centre of the University Grants Commission (UGC), the ONOS scheme will offer seamless access to over 13,000 e-journals from 30 major international publishers. With a substantial budget allocation of ₹6,000 crore for 2025, 2026, and 2027, this scheme is set to benefit approximately 1.8 crore students, faculty, and researchers across more than 6,300 institutions, significantly enhancing the quality and reach of academic resources in India.
Atal Innovation Mission 2.0: Elevating India’s Innovation and Entrepreneurship
The Union Cabinet has greenlit the Atal Innovation Mission 2.0 (AIM 2.0) on November 26, 2024, with an impressive budget allocation of ₹2,750 crore to be utilized until March 31, 2028. This ambitious initiative, driven by NITI Aayog, is designed to further bolster India’s innovation and entrepreneurship landscape. Building on the successes of the first phase, which saw the establishment of over 10,000 Atal Tinkering Labs (ATLs) and 69 Atal Incubation Centres (AICs), AIM 2.0 aims to create a more inclusive innovation ecosystem. Special attention will be given to underserved regions such as Jammu & Kashmir, Ladakh, and the North East. Key initiatives include the Language Inclusive Program of Innovation (LIPI), which supports innovators in vernacular languages, and the Frontier Program, tailored to develop innovation ecosystems in aspirational districts.