Current Affairs September 2019 - Places in NEWS

1 - ‘Namaste Pacific’ Cultural Event held in New Delhi

The High Commissions of Australia, New Zealand, Papua New Guinea and Fiji jointly organised a cultural event 'Namaste Pacific' in New Delhi to showcase the culture of the Pacific countries.

The event saw the participation of members of the diplomatic community, government officials, business leaders, and cultural personalities. There was also showcase of the International Solar Alliance and Pollinate Energy based in Australia, Nepal and India, and solar lanterns from Barefoot College in Rajasthan.

2 - Regional Conference on Good Governance to be held at Jaipur on November 14-15, 2019

The Department of Administrative Reforms & Public Grievances (DARPG) will organize the Regional Conference on Good Governance with the theme “Strengthening State Institutes of Public Administration” on 14^th-15^th November, 2019 at Jaipur, Rajasthan. It will bring National and State level organizations on the same platform to share experiences and implementation of good governance initiatives.

Discussions will be held on 6 sub-themes during the Conference: Refurbishing Personnel Administration and Capacity Building Programs, Training of Trainers, Online Training Programs & e-Governance Modules, Development of a Training Index, Centers of Excellence in the State Institutes of Public Administration and Training Vision 2024.

3 - New Delhi to host 1^st conference on Military Medicine for SCO member states

Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) member states 1^st military medicine conference will be held in Delhi. The conference conducted by the Indian Armed Forces will be the first military co-operation event hosted by India, under the SCO Defence Co-operation Plan 2019-2020, after it became an SCO member-state in 2017.

The conference aims to focus on building capacities in the field of military medicine, humanitarian assistance during disasters, measures to improve patient safety and demonstrate the Rapid Action Medical Team by Indian Armed forces to the senior military medical practitioners of member states.

4 - ‘ANGAN’- A three-day international Conference on Energy Efficiency held in Delhi

An international conference ANGAN (Augmenting Nature by Green Affordable New-habitat) focussed on Energy Efficiency in Building Sector was held in Delhi. Speakers, Delegates, Experts and Policy Makers across 16 countries participated I conference. Research Institutions displayed an exhibition on Energy Efficient Building Material Suppliers.

The Experts discussed various alternative options and technologies in the field of design and construction of energy efficient buildings. It is estimated that an investment of Rs. 2000 billion in Building energy efficiency activities would lead to a cumulative savings of 388bn units of electricity for the next 10 yrs.

5 - Sixth India-China Strategic Economic Dialogue concluded

The sixth India-China Strategic Economic Dialogue concluded in New Delhi with both sides agreeing that the SED has emerged as a crucial mechanism to facilitate bilateral trade and investment flows and enhance economic cooperation between the two sides.

The two sides arrived at following mutual agreements

Policy Coordination
Working Group on Infrastructure
Working Group on High-Tech and Energy
Working Group on Pharmaceuticals
Working Group on Resource Conservation and Environmental Protection

6 - White Water Rafting Expedition – 'Rudrashila' Flagged off at Jaisalmer

The white water Rafting Expedition christened 'RUDRASHILA' being undertaken by Kalidhar Battalion under the aegis of Battle Axe Division was Flagged Off on 11 September 2019 at Jaisalmer Military station. The expedition christened 'Rudrashila' has been organised to commemorate the 75^th Raising day of the Kalidhar Battalion.

The expedition team led by Major Ravi Kant Gaurav displayed the spirit of adventure, team work, leadership and ability to discharge operational tasks under stress and highlighted the need to spread awareness towards ' Preservation of River Eco-system' .

7 - National Seminar on "Emerging Trends in Public Architecture" - Year of Construction Technology

As a part of Nationwide Awareness Campaign during ongoing 'Construction Technology Year', Central Public Works Department organized a National Seminar on “Emerging Trends in Public Architecture on September 18, 2019 at Vigyan Bhawan, New Delhi. The seminar facilitated knowledge sharing of the latest developments and capacity building in the field of Architecture design and planning in construction industry.

The Prime Minister had announced that April 2019 - March 2020 as the 'Year of Construction Technology' in a bid to increase the use of modern technologies in the construction sector.

8 - Ooty to host 2^nd flower festival during North East Monsoon

Udhagamandalam - Ooty - in Tamilnadu will be hosting the second flower festival of the year during the North East Monsoon in October and November. The preparatory works for the elaborate exhibition of colourful and fragrant flowers have started in the famous Botanical Gardens in Udhagamandalam.

More than eighty five exotic varieties, including predominantly English flowers like Dahlia, Marigold, Calentula and Daisy will be exhibited during the festival.

9 - 16^th Session of the Joint Economic Commission between India and Belgium Luxembourg Economic Union

The 16^th Session of the Joint Economic Commission (JEC) between India and Belgium Luxembourg Economic Union (BLEU) was convened in New Delhi. The Session was co-chaired by Anup Wadhawan, Commerce Secretary with Ms. Sylvie Lucas, Secretary General of the Ministry of Foreign and European Affairs of Luxembourg.

India and BLEU side reiterated the importance of the JEC towards the development of bilateral economic and trade relations on a wide range of issues such as, transportation and logistics, renewable energy, aerospace and satellites, audio and visual industry, agro and food processing industry, life sciences, etc.

10 - India’s first central police university will be set up in Greater Noida

India’s first central police university will be set up by the Union home ministry off the Yamuna Expressway in Greater Noida. Centre had given in-principle approval for the university and a 100-acre plot at a cost of Rs 372 crore has been identified in Sector Techzone to set up an institute that can tackle modern-day policing challenges, help in improving police personnel training, skills, research and also policymaking with regard to policing in India.

India did not have any central university for police yet though states like Rajasthan, Gujarat and Jharkhand have dedicated police varisities.

11 - 9^th India-China Financial Dialogue held

The 9^th India-China Financial dialogue was held in New Delhi. The India-China Financial Dialogue is a mechanism between the two countries with an aim to promote cooperation in the financial sector. During this dialogue, both sides had in-depth exchange of views on macroeconomic situation & policy, cooperation in multilateral framework, bilateral investment and financial cooperation.

A Joint Statement was issued at the conclusion of the Financial Dialogue. The next round of India-China Financial Dialogue is to be held in China.

12 - President inaugurated 6^th India Water Week 2019

The President of India, Shri Ram Nath Kovind, inaugurated 6^th India Water Week 2019 in New Delhi. The theme was “Water cooperation: Coping with 21^st Century Challenges”.

About 1500 delegates from India and abroad participated in the event. Japan and European Union have been associated as partner countries for this mega event. Ministry of Jal Shakti has been organizing India Water Week since 2012 as an international event to focus on water related issues.