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Current Affairs Daily Digest – September 16 2024

1. Inauguration of CREATE at Leh

The Union Minister for Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSME), Shri Jitan Ram Manjhi, virtually inaugurated the Centre for Rural Enterprise Acceleration through Technology (CREATE) in Leh. Many important people attended the event, including the Minister of State for MSME, the Lieutenant Governor of Ladakh, the Chairman of the Khadi and Village Industries Commission (KVIC), and other officials from the MSME Ministry, Ladakh, KVIC, and Mahatma Gandhi Institute for Rural Industrialization (MGIRI). About 200 local artisans also joined.

Key Objectives of the Centre:

Pashmina Wool Roving Facility: The Centre has set up machines to process Pashmina wool, which is famous for making high-quality shawls. These machines are now running and helping local producers.

Training Programs: The Centre also provides training for extracting essential oils from flowers and bio-processing fruits and raw materials. This helps locals learn new skills and create valuable products.

The main goal of the Centre is to improve local production, make products of better quality, and help local communities earn more money, boosting their livelihoods and economic opportunities.

2. India at G20 Agriculture Ministerial Meeting in Cuiabá, Brazil

On September 12-13, 2024, India took part in the G20 Agriculture Ministerial Meeting held in Cuiabá, Brazil. The Indian delegation was led by Ram Nath Thakur, the Minister of State for Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare. During the event, India held bilateral talks with various countries to boost agricultural cooperation and address issues related to market access for different products.

Meeting with Japan

On September 12, Minister Thakur met with Japan’s Minister of Agriculture, Forestry, and Fisheries, Sakamoto. They discussed ways to strengthen cooperation in areas like agricultural technology, food processing, cold storage, and sustainability practices.

India’s Request: India asked Japan to speed up the approval process for exporting Indian pomegranates and grapes to the Japanese market.

Japan’s Request: Japan, in return, sought better access for its cedar wood products in the Indian market.

These discussions aimed to deepen agricultural ties between the two nations and resolve trade barriers for better cooperation.

3. VINETRA Commissioned at INS Satavahana, Visakhapatnam

The Kalvari Submarine Escape Training Facility (VINETRA) was officially commissioned at INS Satavahana in Visakhapatnam by Vice Admiral Rajesh Pendharkar, the Flag Officer Commanding-in-Chief of the Eastern Naval Command.

Aim of the Facility:

The primary purpose of VINETRA is to improve the ability of submarine crews to safely escape in case of an emergency on a Kalvari-class submarine. The facility was indigenously designed and developed, showcasing India’s commitment to self-reliance in defense, in line with the ‘Aatmanirbhar Bharat’ initiative. This initiative emphasizes using homegrown technology to strengthen India’s defense capabilities.

4. World Ozone Day 2024

In 1994, the United Nations General Assembly designated September 16 as the International Day for the Preservation of the Ozone Layer. This day marks the signing of the Montreal Protocol in 1987, a global agreement aimed at protecting the ozone layer by phasing out harmful substances that cause its depletion.

Recent Developments: The Kigali Amendment

On October 15, 2016, at the 28th Meeting of the Parties held in Kigali, Rwanda, countries agreed to further protect the ozone layer by phasing down the use of hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs). HFCs are not ozone-depleting, but they are potent greenhouse gases that contribute to global warming. The Kigali Amendment is an important step in addressing both ozone depletion and climate change.

Impacts and Benefits:

Ozone Layer Protection: The phaseout of ozone-depleting substances has helped restore the ozone layer, ensuring its protection for present and future generations.
Climate Change Mitigation: Phasing out these harmful substances has significantly contributed to global efforts in combating climate change.
Human Health and Ecosystem Protection: By reducing harmful ultraviolet (UV) radiation exposure, the Montreal Protocol and its amendments have helped protect human health and ecosystems from UV-related damage.

5. DPIIT to Launch BHASKAR

The Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT), part of the Ministry of Commerce and Industry, is preparing to launch a new digital platform called the Bharat Startup Knowledge Access Registry (BHASKAR). This platform is being introduced under the Startup India program and aims to strengthen India’s startup ecosystem by bringing together key players like startups, investors, mentors, service providers, and government bodies. BHASKAR supports India’s vision of becoming a global leader in innovation and entrepreneurship, and it will further boost the country’s commitment to supporting startups.

Key Features of BHASKAR:

Networking and Collaboration:
BHASKAR will create a bridge between startups, investors, mentors, and other stakeholders, encouraging smooth communication and cooperation across different sectors.

Centralized Access to Resources:
The platform will provide startups with quick access to important tools and knowledge, helping them make informed decisions and grow more effectively.

Personalized Identification:
Each user will be given a unique BHASKAR ID, allowing for a personalized experience and efficient collaboration across the platform.

Enhanced Discoverability:
With advanced search features, users can easily find relevant resources, partners, and opportunities, which will help them make faster decisions and seize new opportunities.

This initiative is expected to boost the startup ecosystem by making it easier for entrepreneurs to connect with the right people, resources, and support systems to scale their businesses.