United Nations observed the International Day to Protect Education from attack on September 9, 2021.
In order to recognize the importance of raising awareness on the need to preserve education and protect it from any attack, UN resolution has designated UNESCO and UNICEF to serve as co-facilitators of the observance of this day annually. The resolution also asks stakeholders to keep this issue at the top international agenda and ask them to act for alleviating the plight of students affected by armed conflicts.
This day is observed to raise awareness on the need to protect education from attack. The becomes significant because in most of the countries with armed conflicts, military uses schools and other educational institutions. As a result, students are deprived of their right of accessing quality education and teachers are deprived from the ability to deliver learning adequately.
In past six years, GCPEA has collected over 13,400 reports of attacks on education or military use of educational facilities across the world. In such conflicts, more than 25,000 students, teachers, and academics got injured, killed, or harmed.
World EV Day is observed on September 9 every year in order to mark the celebration of e-mobility.
EV Summit brings together the e-mobility leaders from across the world together to brainstorm on how they can take electrification and sustainable transport forwards. It is organised by Green.TV.
World EV Day initiative was created by sustainability media company Green.TV. First edition of the World EV day was observed in 2020.
China is the largest EV market worldwide. Besides China, India is also emerging as next favourite destination for automotive companies. Indian government has also promised to offer all possible help to take electric vehicle industry forward. Currently, the automotive industry of India is the fifth largest worldwide and is set to become third largest by 2030.
India is already making efforts to shift towards electric vehicles. Recently, a leading electric vehicle & clean energy company, Tesla, announced to enter into India. Tesla has already incorporated its subsidiary, Tesla India Motors & Energy Pvt Ltd, in Bengaluru. Japan-based Suzuki also declared to launch its first EV in India while Tata Motors has plans to launch 10 electric cars by 2025.
Prime Minister, Narendra Modi, chaired the 13th BRICS Summit virtually on September 9, 2021.
India has chosen the theme of the Summit as “[email protected]: Intra-BRICS Cooperation for Continuity, Consolidation and Consensus”.
Union minister of Civil Aviation, Jyotiraditya Scindia, announced a 100-day plan for India’s civil aviation sector on September 9, 2021.
Railway Ministry has closed down the Indian Railways Organization of Alternate Fuel (IROAF), in effect from September 7, 2021.
IROAF to its capacity had experimented with bio-diesel engines, CNG-fuelled engines etc earlier in order to find alternative to diesel. It had also been working on solar-powered trains in line with government’s plans to reduce carbon emission by adopting renewable energy by 2022.
Indian Railways have not aligned itself with the target of adopting renewable energy by 2022. Only some minor projects and showcase installations have aligned with the target as of now. Railways is doing very little to contribute to the agenda set by Government of India.
IROAF is the single window on Indian Railways that deals with work related to use of Alternate fuels, other than the conventional traction. It seeks to introduce Bio Diesel in Indian Railways, convert Diesel Powered Multiple Units (DEMU) to dual fuel using Compressed Natural Gas (CNG). It also seeks to promote the use of Solar Energy in Rolling Stock & Mechanical Assets.
Finance Ministry released the sixth monthly instalment of revenue deficit grant of Rs 9871 crores to 17 states, on September 9, 2021.
Eligibility of states for receiving this grant and quantum of the grant are decided by finance commission on the basis of gap between assessment of revenue and expenditure of the state. Commission also takes into account the assessed devolution for the respective financial year.
Fifteenth Finance Commission recommended names of the states to receive the Grant. They include- Assam, Andhra Pradesh, Himachal Pradesh, Haryana, Kerala, Karnataka, Meghalaya, Manipur, Mizoram, Sikkim, Nagaland, Punjab, Rajasthan, Tripura, Tamil Nadu, Uttarakhand and West Bengal.
The Fifteenth Finance Commission has recommended a total revenue deficit Grant of Rs 1,18,452 crore for 17 states in 2021-22. Out of this, Rs 59,226 crore that is 50 per cent has been released so far.
Revenue deficit grant of Post devolution revenue deficit grant is provided to the States under Article 275 of the Constitution. Grants are released in accordance with the recommendations of the Fifteenth Finance Commission in monthly installments. It is provided to meet the gap in Revenue Accounts post devolution.
Union Minister for Power and New & Renewable Energy, R. K. Singh met Minister for Climate, Energy & Utilities of Denmark, Dan Jorgensen in New Delhi on September 9, 2021.
India and Denmark launched the Green Strategic Partnership in the year 2020 to deliver the sustainable solutions in India. For this, Ministry of Commerce & Industry signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) for Intellectual Property (IP) Cooperation with Denmark. Green Strategic Partnership focuses on expanding green growth, economic ties and cooperation on global challenges like climate change.
Green growth is the path of economic growth which uses natural resources in a sustainable manner.
On September 9, 2021 the Allahabad High Court put hold on the order of Varanasi court that had asked for a ‘comprehensive archaeological physical survey’ of the disputed Gyanvapi mosque-kashi Vishwanath temple complex.
While staying the order of Varanasi court, Allahabad High Court (HC) underlined that HC “can interfere to keep subordinate tribunals & Courts ‘within the bounds of their authority’.
Petition was filed by UP Sunni Waqf Board and Anjuman Intezamia Masjid Varanasi, to challenge the April 8 order of the Varanasi court. However, Justice Prakash Padia ordered a stay on petitions. This miscellaneous application filed by Sunni Waqf Board was part of a writ petition that was being heard on complex dispute in Allahabad High Court. Allahabad HC had reserved the order on March 15 after the completion of arguments in this matter.
It is one among the most famous Hindu temples dedicated to Lord Shiva, located in the Vishwanath Gali of Varanasi. It stands on the western bank of the river Ganga. It is one among the twelve Jyotirlingas. Main deity in the temple is known by the names Shri Vishwanath and Vishweshwara which literally means Lord of the Universe.
In ancient times, Varanasi city was called as Kashi. Hence this temple is popularly called Kashi Vishwanath Temple.
This Temple has been referred as a central part of worship in the Shaiva Philosophy in Hindu scriptures for a very long time. It is claimed that, this temple had been demolished many times in ancient time. Current structure of the temple was built in 1780, on an adjacent site by Maratha ruler, Ahilya Bai Holkar of Indore.
According to Ministry of Home Affairs, Central Government inked a ceasefire agreement with the National Socialist Council of Nagaland (NSCN) Khaplang (K), led by Nikki Sumi. This peace pact was signed on September 8, 2021 and will be in force for one year.
Nikki Sumi had expressed his willingness to sign the ceasefire agreement with the government in December 2020. However, he was not able to present to sign the deal because of ill health.
According to Ministry of Home Affairs, this peace process was signed with the aim of fulfilling Prime Minister Modi’s vision of ‘insurgency free and prosperous North East. It will also be a significant step for the Naga peace process.
Central Government has also signed peace pact with other factions of National Socialist Council of Nagaland- NSCN (NK), NSCN (R), and NSCN (K)- Khango.
The framework agreement for Naga Peace Accord was inked between Central Government and NSCN (IM) group on August 3, 2015. Before this framework agreement, NSCN (K) had revoked the peace pact with the government in March 2015. This pact was signed to end the insurgency in Nagaland.
On September 9, 2021, National Mission for Clean Ganga organised Himalaya Diwas in collaboration with Naula Foundation, as a part of ‘Azadi ka Amrit Mahotsav’.
Himalayan Day 2021 was observed under the theme- ‘Contribution of Himalayas and our responsibilities’.
Himalaya Diwas/Day is celebrated every year in the state of Uttarakhand on September 9. The day is observed with the aim of conserving Himalayan ecosystem and region.
September 9 was officially declared as Himalaya Day by the then chief minister of Uttarakhand in 2015.
This day is observed to mark the significance of Himalayas. Himalayan hill towns face several challenges due to poor building planning & designs, poor infrastructure like roads, water supply, sewage etc and unprecedented cutting of trees. This result into serious ecological issues. The day is observed highlighting that there is an urgent need to develop eco-sensitive hill town plans and designs. Himalayas are the source of strength and a valuable heritage for entire world. thus, it needs to be preserved. The day helps in raising awareness and community involvement besides instilling scientific knowledge.
During the event, proceedings of ‘Stakeholders Webinar on Pahad-Paani-Parampra’ were also released. This webinar was organised on 10th, 11th and 12th June, 2021. It provided opportunity for policymakers and decision-makers to sensitize regarding the drying-up of springs and the crucial role of spring-shed management. The session was conducted to emphasise the need of Ganga Rejuvenation for Sustainable Himalayas.
Minister of State of Jal Shakti Ministry, Shri Prahlad Singh Patel, launched the “Swachh Survekshan Grameen 2021” under Swachh Bharat Mission (Grameen) Phase -II.
This programme was launched with the aim of supporting acceleration of ODF (Open defecation free) Plus interventions and increase momentum of improving ODF Sustainability and Solid & Liquid Waste Management (SLWM) activities in villages. It seeks to achieve the goal of comprehensive cleanliness.
India achieved the challenge of ODF declaration of all villages in mission mode in five years period of 2014-2019. The vision of Swachh Bharat triggered the Behavior Change to end open defecation by construction of more than 10 crore toilets. It also led to Jal Jeevan Mission (JJM) to address water security.
Under this phase, a mobile app named “SSG 2021 mobile app” will also be made available in major local Indian languages. App will help in getting feedback from citizens and using it survey will be well monitored through frequent field visits.
Swachh Bharat initiative was launched by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in 2014. Under it, a national behaviour change movement was started comprising of two primary yardsticks that is, Transparency and people’s participation. With the help of this movement, Swachh Bharat initiative succeeded in achieving its goal of safe sanitation across rural India.
Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) has handed over the first deliverable Firing Unit (FU) of Medium Range Surface to Air Missile (MRSAM) System to Indian Air Force (IAF) on September 9, 2021.
MRSAM is an advanced network centric combat Air Defence System. It was jointly developed by DRDO and Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI) in collaboration with Indian industry consisting of private and public sectors as well as MSMEs. It is a surface-to-air-missile, 4.5m in length. Contract for MRSAM programme was signed in February 2009. Under the contract, IAF was to buy 450 MRSAMs and 18 firing units at the value of $2bn.
Firing unit of MRSAM comprises of Missiles, Mobile Launcher Systems (MLS), Combat Management System (CMS), Advanced Long-Range Radar, Reloader Vehicle (RV), Mobile Power System (MPS), Radar Power System (RPS), and Field Service Vehicle (FSV).
MRSAM system provides point and area air defence for ground assets against threats like fighter aircraft, helicopters, UAVs, sub-sonic & supersonic cruise missiles guided & unguided munitions, etc. This system is capable of engaging multiple targets at ranges up to 70 kms in severe saturation cases. It is powered by indigenously developed rocket motor and control system which helps in achieving high manoeuvrability during the terminal phase.
Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan released the National Institutional Ranking Framework (NIRF), listing the top universities and colleges across India, on September 9, 2021.