Current Affairs Aug 2018 - Places in NEWS

1 - Third India-Nepal Coordination meeting held in New Delhi

The 3^rd India-Nepal Coordination meeting was held in Delhi. Various issues were discussed such as security scenario along the border, coordination meetings at field level, sharing of information about crimes and criminals, training of armed police personnel and mutual visits by officers of two countries.

Nepal appreciated excellent cooperation between security forces of two countries. The two countries emphasized on joint patrolling, common training of armed forces officers and regular border meetings.

2 - Jammu to be first city in North India to get a full-fledged Space Technology Research Centre

Jammu will be the first city in North India to get a full-fledged Space Technology Research Centre, devoted to research, academics and post-graduation study. The Centre will function under the aegis of the Central University Jammu. In addition to Jammu, the other town selected for opening a Space Technology Research Centre is in the Northeast in Tripura, where it would function under the aegis of National Institute of Technology (NIT) Agartala.

This was disclosed on the occasion of the beginning of year-long "Sarabhai Centenary" programmes of ISRO (Indian Space Research Organisation), to honour Dr. Vikram Sarabhai, the first Chairman of ISRO and the founding father of India's Space Programme.

3 - India’s only lab for conservation of endangered species opened in Hyderabad

Union Minister Dr. Harsh Vardhan dedicated India’s only facility for conservation of endangered species. The Laboratory for the Conservation of Endangered Species (LaCONES), a dedicated facility of CSIR’s Centre for Cellular and Molecular Biology (CCMB) in Hyderabad uses modern biotechnologies for conservation of endangered wildlife.

CCMB-LaCONES is the only laboratory in India that has developed methods for collection and cryopreservation of semen and oocytes from wildlife and successfully reproducing endangered blackbuck, spotted deer and Nicobar pigeons. It has established Genetic Resource Bank for 23 species of Indian wild animals.

4 - 11^th World Hindi Conference concluded in Mauritius

The 11^th World Hindi Conference concluded in Port Louis, Mauritius. Acting President of Mauritius Paramasivum Pillay Vyapoory expressed confidence that Hindi will strengthen world peace. Various recommendations upon deliberations held on “Hindi World and Indian Culture” and eight subtopics, were read out. A committee under External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj will examine these recommendations.

Eminent Scholars, academicians, teachers and institutions working for Hindi in India and across the world were also felicitated. More than 2000 delegates attended the three-day conference. The World Hindi Conference was started in 1975 to propagate and spread Hindi language around the world.

5 - International conference on recent advances in food processing technology (iCRAFPT) gets underway at IIFPT

International Conference on Recent Advances in Food Processing Technology (iCRAFPT) got underway at Indian Institute of Food Processing Technology, Thanjavur in Tamilnadu. The conference discussed the bumper production and diversification of agriculture that has brought in new challenges in view of the large scale food wastage and seasonal demand. The Ministry appreciated the continued efforts made by IIFPT in the field of research and food processing.

The Indian Institute of Food Processing Technology (IIFPT) organized International Conference on Recent Advances in Food Processing Technology (iCRAFPT) with the theme of ‘doubling farmers’ income through food processing’.

6 - Beijing, China hosted 24^th World Congress of Philosophy

The XXIV World Congress was hosted by Beijing, China based on theme “Learning To Be Human”. The World Congress of Philosophy is organized once in every five years by the International Federation of Philosophical Societies (FISP) partnering with one of its member societies.

24^th World Congress of Philosophy aimed at enabling philosophers to address emerging global issues, helping humans to face challenges, held discussions on the nature, roles, and responsibilities of philosophy and philosophers to enhance a common awareness of “learning to be human.

7 - Naya Raipur in Chhattisgarh to be renamed as Atal Nagar

The Chhattisgarh government has announced to rename Naya Raipur smart city as 'Atal Nagar' in honour of former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee, who passed away on August 16. The government has also renamed the Bilaspur University, a medical college, state capital expressway and the under-construction Central Park after Atal Bihari Vajpayee.

The state government will also give awards to honour people on the foundation day of the state on November 1 which will also be called as ‘ Atal Sushashan Awards’.

8 - Cyclone Warning Centre to be set up in Thiruvananthapuram

With several incidents of tropical cyclones and severe weather events striking over Kerala and Karnataka coasts in the recent times, the Union Ministry of Earth Sciences is proposing to set up a Cyclone Warning Centre in Thiruvananthapuram. The Centre will cater the needs of Kerala and Karnataka states and will be equipped with all state of the art infrastructure including forecasting tools to issue weather warnings and coastal bulletins (for fishermen,etc.)

The Ministry is also planning to set up another C-Band Doppler Weather Radar at Mangalore by end of 2019, which will cover the northern parts of Kerala.

9 - President inaugurated “International Buddhist Conclave 2018”

The President of India Shri Ram Nath Kovind inaugurated the “International Buddhist Conclave (IBC), 2018” organized from 23^rd – 26^th August, 2018 at New Delhi and Ajanta (Maharashtra), followed by site visits to Rajgir, Nalanda and Bodhgaya (Bihar) and Sarnath (Uttar Pradesh). The delegates from 29 countries participated in the International Buddhist Conclave such as Australia, Bangladesh, Bhutan, Brazil, Cambodia, Canada etc.

The Ministry organized an ‘Investors’ Summit’ during the Conclave to attract investments in developing world class infrastructure at Buddhist sites.

10 - Uttar Pradesh to host Krishi Kumbh International Conference & Exhibition

The Government of Uttar Pradesh will organise a three day Krishi Kumbh International Conference and Exhibition in Lucknow. The conference aims at providing a platform to farmers, technical experts and entrepreneurs for exchange of knowledge and expertise in the field of agriculture sector.

It also aims at increasing the agriculture production by adopting advance technologies. The event will provide new opportunities to the farmers and companies working in the agriculture sector.

11 - 22^nd Youth Parliament competition held at Basohli, Kathua

The 22^nd Youth Parliament competition was held at Basohli, Kathua (Jammu and Kashmir) in which 43 Jawahar Navodayaya Vidyalyas from across all the three regions of the state.

Union Minister of State in PMO Dr. Jitender Singh stressed on India’s emergence as the biggest democracy in the world and duty of every citizen to preserve the democratic character of the nation. The noblest feature of democracy is that it has equal opportunities for all.

12 - Arunachal Pradesh to host youths’ conclave ‘ATAL’ in September 2018

Arunachal Pradesh government is going to organize a youths’ conclave, titled ATAL (Arunachal Transformation & Aspirational Leadership) Conclave, in September 2018. The three day conclave will see participation of 1000 youths of the state in the age group of 18 to 30 years.

Participants shall brainstorm and present their ideas, proposals and solutions for government policies and existing challenges faced by the state before expert panels. Further, interactive sessions with key policy makers, bureaucrats, sectoral experts, thought leaders, grass-root change-makers are also planned to be hosted in the Conclave.