Seventh meeting of Governing Council of NITI Aayog (GS Paper 2, Governance)
Why in news?
- Recently, the seventh meeting of the Governing Council (GC) of NITI Aayog was held. This was the first physical meeting of the Governing Council since the onset of the pandemic, with the 2021 meeting held via video conferencing.
Details:
- The Prime Minister, heralded the collective efforts of all the States in the spirit of cooperative federalism as the force that helped India emerge from the Covid pandemic.
- The meeting was attended by 23 Chief Ministers, 3 Lieutenant Governors and 2 Administrators and Union Ministers.
- The meeting was moderated by Defence Minister Shri Rajnath Singh.
Agenda:
In 2022, the Governing Council discussed four key agenda items:
- crop diversification and achieving self-sufficiency in pulses, oilseeds and other agri-commodities;
- implementation of National Education Policy (NEP) in school education;
- implementation of National Education Policy in higher education; and
- urban governance.
Key Highlights:
- The Prime Minister highlighted the importance of all of the above issues, especially the need for India to focus on modernized agriculture, animal husbandry, and food processing to become self-sufficient and a global leader in the agriculture sector.
- He said rapid urbanization can become India’s strength instead of weakness by leveraging technology to ensure ease of living, transparent service delivery, and improvement in the quality of life for every citizen of urban India.
- He also asked the states to focus on promoting 3Ts -Trade, Tourism, Technology with a view to reducing imports and increasing exports.
Way Forward:
- NITI Aayog will study the states’ concerns, challenges, and best practices and subsequently plan the way forward.
Four MoUs inked between China-Bangladesh
(GS Paper 2, International Relation)
Why in news?
- Recently, Bangladesh and China signed four Memorandum of Understanding (MoUs) and agreements to boost cooperation between the two countries.
- The cooperation documents were signed after bilateral meeting between Chinese State Councillors and Foreign Minister Wang Yi and his Bangladesh counterpart.
Key Highlights:
- China will give Bangladesh another 1% duty-free facility in the case of Bangladeshi goods exports. Bangladesh will be able to export 99% of its exports to China duty-free. The facility will be effective from 1 September 2022.
- Disaster management, cultural exchange (renewal) and marine science cooperation are among the signed documents.
One China Policy:
- This visit comes even as tension is brewing in the Taiwan Strait after US House Speaker Nancy Pelosi's high-profile visit to the self-governed island China claims as its territory.
- Earlier, Bangladesh Foreign Ministry said it is closely following the developments in the Taiwan Strait and urges all parties concerned to exercise utmost restraint and refrain from any actions that may aggravate tensions and undermine peace and stability in the region and beyond.
- Bangladesh reiterates her firm adherence to the One China policy.
CSIR gets its first woman director general in Nallathamby Kalaiselvi
(Miscellaneous)
Why in news?
- Senior electrochemical scientist Nallathamby Kalaiselvi has become the first woman director general of the Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR), a consortium of 38 state-run research institutes across the country.
She succeeds Shekhar Mande, who superannuated in April.
Tenure:
- Her appointment is for a period of two years with effect from the date of assumption of charge of the post or until further orders, whichever is earlier.
About Nallathamby Kalaiselvi:
- Known for her work in the field of lithium ion batteries, Kalaiselvi is at present director of the CSIR-Central Electrochemical Research Institute at Karaikudi in Tamil Nadu.
- She will also hold the charge as secretary, Department of Scientific and Industrial Research.
- Kalaiselvi has risen through the ranks in CSIR and had broken the proverbial glass ceiling by becoming the first woman scientist to head the Central Electrochemical Research Institute (CSIR-CECRI) in February 2019.
- She is currently involved in the development of practically viable Sodium-ion/Lithium-sulfur batteries and supercapacitors.
Parliamentary panel recommends omitting term 'illegitimate child'
(GS Paper 2, Governance)
Why in news?
- Recently, a parliamentary panel to have recommended omitting the reference to "illegitimate child" from the adoption law, saying that no child is illegitimate whether born within or out of wedlock.
Details:
- Parliamentary Standing Committee on Personnel, Public Grievances, Law and Justice chaired by senior BJP leader Sushil Modi made this recommendation while reviewing the ‘Guardians and Wards Act’.
- The panel is likely to table its report on 'Review of Guardianship and Adoption Laws, in the ongoing Monsoon session.
Key Highlights:
- The committee feels that there is a need to amend the Guardians and Wards Act to give primacy to the 'welfare principle" over parental authority.
- The committee is also of the view that there is a need to define what constitutes the welfare of the child in broader terms in both the Acts.
- The amended Act should also facilitate guardianship of elderly persons as there may be circumstances where a senior citizen may reach a stage where the health concerns become overwhelming and they may need a guardian to take care of their health and well-being.
Way Forward:
- The panel has also underlined the need to enact a single comprehensive law covering guardianship aspects of various categories of persons and applicable to all, irrespective of religion.
In a first, US Navy ship arrives for repair at L&T shipyard in Tamil Nadu
(GS Paper 3, Defence)
Why in news?
- Recently, the US navy ship Charles Drew arrived at Larsen and Toubro shipyard at Kattupalli in Chennai for undergoing repairs and allied services.
Details:
- The US Navy had awarded a contract to the L&T Shipyard for undertaking maintenance of the ship. The event signifies the capabilities of the country's shipyards in the global ship repairing market.
- Indian shipyards offer wide ranging and cost-effective ship repair and maintenance services, using advanced maritime technology platforms.
- United States' Military Sealift Command's Lewis and Clark-class dry cargo ship USNS Charles Drew provides critical support to the US Navy fleet operating in the Indo-Pacific Region.
Way Forward:
- It is a new leaf in Indo-US strategic relationship, signifying the deepening bonds between the two nations.
- The USNS Charles Drew will be at Kattupalli shipyard from 7 to 17 August and all repairs would be completed by this time.
