Daily News Analysis : 17-18th September

PM Modi launches Vishwakarma Scheme

• PM Vishwakarma's scheme to support artisans with ?13,000 crore funding, training, and incentives for traditional trades.
• Modi launched 18 post tickets and the Toolkit Booklet during the launch of 'PM Vishwakarma' scheme at the India International Convention and Expo Centre, in Dwarka.
• The government will provide up to ?3 lakhs loan without any (bank) guarantee.
• Govt has decided that ?1 lakh loan will be given in the beginning and when it is repaid, govt will provide additional ?2 lakhs loan to the Vishwakarma partners
• In the first year, five lakh families will be covered and a total of 30 lakh families will be covered over five years from FY24 to FY28.

Santiniketan inscribed on UNESCO World Heritage List

• India had been striving for long to get a UNESCO tag for this cultural site located in Birbhum district.
• Santiniketan, the famed place in West Bengal where poet Rabindranath Tagore built Visva-Bharati over a century ago, has been inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List.
• The landmark site was recommended for inclusion in the UNESCO World Heritage List by international advisory body ICOMOS.
• The France-based International Council on Monuments and Sites (ICOMOS) is an international non-governmental organisation
• Established in 1901 by poet and philosopher Tagore, Santiniketan was a residential school and centre for art based on ancient Indian traditions
• A ‘world university’ was established at Santiniketan in 192

India, Brazil begin talks to resolve sugar-related trade dispute at WTO

• India and Brazil have started talks to mutually resolve a sugar-related trade dispute at the World Trade Organisation (WTO)
• Brazil is the largest producer of sugarcane and ethanol in the world. It is also a leader in the technology used for ethanol production.
• Ethanol is used to blend with oil to power vehicles.
• India currently is 85% dependent on imports for meeting its oil needs. Also, it cuts carbon emissions. There is a target of 20% ethanol blended petrol by 2025.
• Recently India and the US have ended six trade disputes and have also agreed to terminate the seventh case.
• The bilateral trade between India and Brazil increased to $16.6 billion in 2022-23 as against $12.2 billion in 2021-22. Trade gap is in the favour of India.
• In 2019, Brazil, Australia and Guatemala dragged India into the WTO's dispute settlement mechanism alleging that New Delhi's sugar subsidies to farmers are inconsistent with global trade rules.

Amit Shah addresses the Hyderabad Liberation Day celebrations

• On 17th September 1948, more than one year after India secured Independence from the British, the state of Hyderabad got its independence from Nizam’s rule.
• The liberation of Hyderabad was possible due to the swift and timely action by first Minister of Home Affairs of India, Shri Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel under Operation Polo.
• Operation Polo was the code name for the September 1948 "police action" against Hyderabad state by the thenindependent Dominion of India.
• It was a military operation in which the Indian armed forces annexed the Nizam-ruled princely state.
• Operation was started on September 13, 1948, and completed on day 5, September 17.
• The Nizam was not interested in forging connections with India, which implied he had other ideas in mind.
• As a result, Sardar Patel put up an inquiry team to find out what the Nizam was up to. i.e. Hyderabad was friendly with Pakistan yet opposed to India.
• On 18th September 1948, Operation Polo was terminated after the Indian Army accepted the surrender of the Nizam of Hyderabad’s army.
• The state of Hyderabad under the Nizam included The whole of current day Telangana,
• The Marathwada region in Maharashtra that included the districts of Aurangabad, Beed, Hingoli, Jalna, Latur, Nanded, Osmanabad, Parbhani and
• Districts of Kalaburagi ,Bellary Raichur ,Yadgir, Koppal, Vijayanagara and Bidar in current day Karnataka.

• Introduced in 1937, the double-decker buses became synonymous with the city itself, etching themselves into the collective memory of its residents and tourists, apart from being featured in Indian and Hollywood movies.
• BEST started replacing these iconic buses with leased battery-run red and black double-decker buses and so far, about 25 such buses have been introduced.

Moldova’s First President Mircea Snegur Dies At 83

• Mircea Snegur, who led Moldova to independence and served as its first president, has died at the age of 83.
• A former communist turned pro-western liberal, Snegur declared independence from Moscow on August 27, 1991, during the breakup of the then Soviet Union.
• Snegur was president from 1990 to 1996.
• Born on 17 January 1940, in the village of Trifanesti in northern Moldova, Snegur worked as an agronomist before joining the Communist Party of Moldavia.

Wales becomes first nation of UK to drop speed limit from 30mph to 20mph

• Welsh ministers stated that placing a 20mph (32km/h) limit would reduce death counts and noise and people would be encouraged to cycle or walk, however, it has caused controversy with few drivers.
• Now, the law will bring change in the speed limit on around 35 per cent of Welsh roads where lamp-posts are not more than 200 yards (183m) apart.

Earth’s High-Energy Electrons May Contribute to Moon’s Water Formation

• Researchers from the University of Hawai’i found that these electrons are contributing to weathering processes on the Moon, breaking down rocks and minerals.
• This discovery underscores the intricate connection between Earth and its Moon, shedding new light on lunar science.

Army likely to complete inducting 114 Dhanush guns by 2026

• The Army which has ordered 114 Dhanush artillery guns, and has one regiment operational, is expecting to receive all the guns by 2026
• Army is also looking at vastly increasing the range of the Pinaka Multi-Rocket Launch Systems (MRLS)
• Dhanush is a 155 mm, 45-calibre towed artillery gun with a range of 36 km, and it has demonstrated a range of 38 km with specialised ammunition. It is an upgrade of the existing 155 mm, 39-calibre Bofors FH 77 gun.
• The Advanced Weapons and Equipment India Limited is the manufacturer

Indian Coast Guard conducts International Coastal Clean-up Day – 2023

• The International Coastal Clean-up day is held worldwide on the third Saturday of September every year under the aegis of United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) and South Asia Co-operative Environment Programme (SACEP) in the South Asian Region
• The Indian Coast Guard has been coordinating this activity in India since 2006.
• This year, Maharashtra witnessed the highest participation of 11,425 volunteers followed by Tamil Nadu which had 5,166 volunteers.

DAC gives nod to buy 12 Su-30 jets, other military equipment

• The International Coastal Clean-up day is held worldwide on the third Saturday of September every year under the aegis of United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) and South Asia Co-operative Environment Programme (SACEP) in the South Asian Region
• The Indian Coast Guard has been coordinating this activity in India since 2006.
• This year, Maharashtra witnessed the highest participation of 11,425 volunteers followed by Tamil Nadu which had 5,166 volunteers.

RBI Imposes Monetary Penalties on Four Cooperative Banks

• Baramati Sahakari Bank – Rs 2 Lakh Penalty
• Violation: Failure to Credit Interest to Inoperative Savings Accounts
• Becharaji Nagarik Sahakari Bank – Rs 2 Lakh Penalty
• Violation: Breach of Prudential Inter-Bank Counter-Party Exposure Limits
• Waghodia Urban Co-operative Bank – Rs 5 Lakh Penalty
• Violations:
• Breach of Prudential Inter-Bank Counter-Party Exposure Limits
• Non-Payment of Interest on Recurring Deposits and Term Deposits
• Viramgam Mercantile Co-operative Bank – Rs 5 Lakh Penalty
• Violation: Not Specified in the Release

India Launches UPAg: A Revolutionary Unified Portal for Agricultural Statistics

• UPAg (Unified Portal for Agricultural Statistics).
• This groundbreaking initiative is aimed at tackling the complex governance challenges that currently beset the country’s farming industry.
• The UPAg portal promises to empower stakeholders by providing them with real-time, reliable, and standardized information

Manipur approves compensation plan for sex abuse victims

• The government has allowed applications for the compensation, ranging from ?1 lakh to ?10 lakh, to be filed physically before the State Legal Services Authority or the District Legal Services Authority or online from anywhere in the country.
• For instance, for victims who have lost their lives or those who have been gangraped, the compensation ranges from ?5 lakh to ?10 lakh. For other crimes, including rape, sexual assault, compensation varies from ?1 lakh to ?9 lakh.
• e-Bhoomi portal promises to further ease the process of purchasing land for the development of government projects with the consent of landowners.
• Offer of land on the new portal would be valid for six months. Farmers can offer their land independently or through listed aggregators. A minimum offer of 10 acres has been made mandatory for voluntary offers made by aggregators.

Assam Governor unveils 'Sarpanch Samvad' mobile app

• Assam Governor Gulab Chand Kataria unveiled the 'Sarpanch Samvad' mobile application developed by the Quality Council of India (QCI) at Raj Bhavan.
• QCI launched 'Sarpanch Samvad' as an initiative with the goal of connecting approximately 2.5 lakh Sarpanches (village heads) from across India.

Ashok Leyland signs MoU with UP Govt to set up integrated e-bus plant

• Ashok Leyland signed an MoU with the Uttar Pradesh government to set up an integrated commercial vehicle and electric bus plant in the state.
• The plant will predominantly produce electric buses, with the flexibility to assemble other vehicles powered by currently available fuels as well as emerging alternative fuels.

29th World Ozone Day

• World Ozone Day is celebrated on 16th September each year to commemorate the signing of the Montreal Protocol, an international environmental treaty for phasing out of production and consumption of Ozone Depleting Substances, that came into force on this day in 1987.
• The theme for World Ozone Day 2023 is “Montreal Protocol: fixing the ozone layer and reducing climate change”.

World Patient Safety Day 2023

• World Patient Safety Day, observed on the 17th of September every year, serves as a global platform to emphasize the importance of patient safety in healthcare systems worldwide.
• The 2023 Theme: “Engaging Patients for Patient Safety”RECORDS BROKEN BY INDIA IN THE ASIAN CUP FINAL
• India won the match by 10 wickets with 263 deliveries remaining in the 50-over innings
• India recorded its biggest win margin in ODIs, by deliveries remaining in an innings, when it chased down 51 runs in 6.1 overs against Sri Lanka in the Asia Cup 2023 final in Colombo
• India won the game by 10 wickets with 263 deliveries remaining.
• The side’s previous best haul was 231 deliveries which came against Kenya in 2001.
• The biggest win margin by a full-time ICC member is 274 deliveries when Sri Lanka chased down 39 runs in 4.2 overs against Zimbabwe in 2001.
• The commanding win handed India its eighth Asia Cup title, the highest by a nation.
• Mohammed Siraj equalled the fastest ODI five-wicket haul with a 16-ball five-for-record shared with Chaminda Vaas (v BAN, 2003).
• Siraj became the second-fastest bowler to record 50 ODI wickets (1002 balls), behind Sri Lanka’s Ajantha Mendis.
• Siraj became the 11th Indian bowler to bag an ODI six-wicket haul.
• Siraj’s 6 for 21 is the fourth-best bowling figures by an Indian man and 31st overall in ODI cricket
• Siraj became the first Indian bowler, fourth overall, to bag four wickets in an over in ODIs.

• Sri Lanka recorded the lowest-ever total in Asia Cup ODIs after being bundled out for 50 in 15.2 overs.
• India recorded its biggest win chasing (balls remaining) in ODI cricket, winning the match with 263 balls to spare.
• India extended the record for most wins by a team against a single opposition in ODIs with its 98th win over Sri Lanka.
• Rohit Sharma became the third Indian captain to win two ODI Asia Cup titles, level with MS Dhoni and Mohammed Azharuddin.
• Sri Lanka faced the second-lowest number of overs in an ODI when batting first and getting all out (15.2 overs).
• Asia Cup 2023 Winner- India (8th title) (Prize Money- $1,50000)
• Asia Cup 2023 runner-up- Sri Lanka (Prize Money- $75,000)
• Asia Cup 2023 Man of the Tournament- Kuldeep Yadav (Prize Money- $15,000)
• Asia Cup 2023 most runs- S Gill (302)
• Asia Cup 2023 Man of the Match (Final) – Mohammed Siraj ( Prize Money- $5000)
• Asia Cup 2023 most wickets- M Pathirana (SL)- 11

Christie, Yamaguchi win Hong Kong Open titles

• Jonatan Christie became the first Indonesian to win the Hong Kong Open men’s singles title in 25 years after a fierce battle with Japan’s Kenta Nishimoto, whose compatriot Akane Yamaguchi claimed the women’s title.
• Christie became the first Indonesian to take the men’s singles title since Budi Santoso in 1998.
• The Hong Kong pair of Tang Chun-man and Tse Ying-suet won the mixed doubles
• Indonesia’s Apriyani Rahayu and Siti Ramadhanti won the women’s doubles
• The men’s doubles title went to Denmark’s Kim Astrup and Anders Rasmussen

Project Cheetah completes one year

• 17th September, 2022 marked a history in the arena of wildlife conservation in India with the World’s fastest land animal finally back to India after almost 75 years of their local extinction from the country
• Eight African cheetahs (Acinonyx jubatus jubatus) from Namibia translocated into Kuno National Park in Madhya Pradesh
• Subsequently, twelve cheetahs from South Africa were also translocated and released in Kuno National Park in February, 2023.
• Other alternative sites for cheetah introductions are being prepared at Gandhi Sagar Wildlife Sanctuary and also at Nauradehi Wildlife Sanctuary.

EU Parliament votes in favour of Critical Raw Materials Act

• The European Union, the world’s largest trading bloc, aims to reduce its dependence on China and increase its domestic capacity for critical minerals through this legislation
• Critical raw materials (CRMs) are raw materials of high economic importance for the EU, with a high risk of supply disruption due to their concentration of sources and lack of good, affordable substitutes.
• The CRM Act identifies a list of 30 critical raw materials, including lithium, cobalt, nickel, rare earths, and magnesium.
• The Act will reduce the administrative burden, streamlining permitting procedures for critical raw materials projects in the EU.4th meeting of the G20 Framework Working Group

• Raipur in Chhattisgarh to host 4th meeting of the G20 Framework Working Group from September 18-19 2023
• More than 65 delegates from G20 member & invitee countries & International Organisations to attend the Raipur Working Group meeting

Karachi’s Erica Robin becomes first Miss Universe Pakistan 2023

• Erica Robin, a model from Karachi has been crowned “Miss Universe Pakistan 2023”, becoming the first-ever woman from the country to win the title.
• Hira Inam (24), Malyka Alvi (19), and Sabrina Wasim (26) were the rest of the finalists.
• Robin will be the official representative of Pakistan at the Miss Universe pageant, scheduled to be held in El Salvador later this year.

Srinivasan K. Swamy Elected Chairman of the Audit Bureau of Circulations (ABC) for 2023-2024

• Srinivasan K. Swamy, the Executive Chairman of R.K. Swamy Hansa Group, has been elected as the Chairman of the Audit Bureau of Circulations (ABC) for the term 2023-2024.
• Audit Bureau of Circulations (ABC) Founded: 1948;
• Audit Bureau of Circulations (ABC) Headquarters: Mumbai.

Rahul Navin appointed in-charge Director of ED

• IRS officer Rahul Navin was appointed in-charge Director of the Enforcement Directorate (ED) on Friday on the completion of tenure of the incumbent Sanjay Kumar Mishra
• Formed : 1 May 1956
• Directorate of Enforcement (ED) is a domestic law enforcement agency and economic intelligence agency responsible for enforcing economic laws and fighting economic crime in India .

Marathwada Redevelopment Project in Maharashtra

• 45000 crore
• The region, consisting of Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar, Nanded, Latur, Jalna, Beed, Parbhani, Dharashiv (formerly known as Osmanabad), and Hingoli districts, had been liberated from Nizam rule by Indian forces on September 17, 1948. The last such meeting was organised in the region in 2016.