18 July 2022 – Current Affairs

Inauguration of Bundelkhand Expressway

Paper 3- Infrastructure

Why Should You Know?

PM modi visits UP and inaugurates Bundelkhand Expressway.

In details –

• On July 16, 2022 The Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi inaugurated Bundelkhand Expressway at Kaitheri village in Orai tehsil of Jalaun, Uttar Pradesh. Chief Minister of Uttar Pradesh, Yogi Adityanath, State Ministers, People’s representatives were among those present on the occasion
• Talking about the difference that will be brought about by the new expressway, the Prime Minister said “the distance from Chitrakoot to Delhi has been reduced by 3-4 hours by the Bundelkhand Expressway, but its benefit is much more than that. This expressway will not only give speed to vehicles here, but it will accelerate the industrial progress of entire Bundelkhand.”
• Regarding improving air connectivity in the state, the Prime Minister said that new airports terminals came up in Prayagraj. Kushinagar got new airport and work is going on in Jewar, NOIDA for a new airport and many more cities are being connected with air travel facilities. This will give a push to tourism and other development opportunities, he said.
• The Prime Minister asked the Chief Minister to develop a tourism circuit around the many forts in the region. He also asked the Chief Minister to organise fort related events and competitions.
• Shri Modi remarked about the change of pace and said that doubling of railway line increased to 200 Km from 50 km per year. Similarly number of Common Service Centers in Uttar Pradesh increased from 11,000 in 2014 to 1 lakh 30 thousand Common Service Centers, today. From 12 Medical Colleges, UP, today has 35 medical colleges and work on 14 more is underway, he added.
• The Prime Minister listed Ratauli Dam, Bhavani Dam, Majhgaon-Chilli sprinkler irrigation project as effort to take water of Bundelkhand rivers to maximum numboer of the local people. Ken-Betwa link project will change the lives of people of the region, he said.
• The Prime Minister reiterated his request for contribution by the people of Bundelkhand in the campaign for 75 Amrit Sarovers in every district.
• Referring to the role of Make In India Campaign in strengthening the small and cottage industry the Prime Minister underlined the success of the toy industry. He said due to the efforts of the government, artisans, industry and the citizens there has been a drastic cut in the import of toys. This will benefit poor, deprived, backward, tribals, dalits and women, he pointed out.
• The Prime MInister also highlighted the contribution of Bundelkhand in the field of sports. He said that the highest sporting honour is named after the local son Major Dhyanchand. He also mentioned Shaili Singh, International athlet from the region who brought laurels in under-20 world athletics championship.

About Bundelkhand Expressway –

• The government has been committed to enhancing connectivity across the country, a key feature of which has been the work towards improvement in road infrastructure. A significant endeavour towards this was the laying of foundation stone for the construction of Bundelkhand Expressway by the Prime Minister on 29 February, 2020.
• The work on the Expressway has been completed within 28 months, an indication of the work culture of New India where projects are delivered on time.
• has been constructed at a cost of around Rs 14,850 crores, under the aegis of Uttar Pradesh Expressways Industrial Development Authority (UPEIDA), and can later be expanded up to six lanes as well.
• It extends from NH-35 at Gonda village near Bharatkoop in Chitrakoot district to near Kudrail village in Etawah district, where it merges with the Agra-Lucknow expressway.
• , viz. Chitrakoot, Banda, Mahoba, Hamirpur, Jalaun, Auraiya and Etawah.

Significance –

• Along with improving connectivity in the region, the Bundelkhand Expressway will also give a major boost to economic development, resulting in the creation of thousands of jobs for the local people.
• Work on the creation of industrial corridor in Banda and Jalaun districts, next to the Expressway, has already been started.

Indian Council of Agricultural Research

Paper 3 – Agriculture

Why Should You Know?

Recently 94th Foundation Day ceremony of the Indian Council of Agricultural Research held under the chairmanship of Agriculture Minister, awards given away.

In details –

• a function was organized at ICAR Pusa Campus, Delhi on this occasion.
• To commemorate the Azadi ka Amrit Mahotsav, an e-publication has been prepared by compiling success stories of 75,000 farmers out of lakhs of farmers whose incomes have increased.
• Also a State-wise brief publication on Doubling Farmers Income has also been prepared. These were released by Agriculture Minister Shri Tomar on the occasion. The e-publication is available on the ICAR website. Shri Tomar also distributed awards to scientists and farmers on the 94th foundation day of ICAR.
• Union Minister Shri Tomar said that it has been 93 years since the setting up of the ICAR. “Since its establishment in the year 1929 till date, about 5,800 seed-varieties have been released by it, including about 2,000 of these varieties released in the eight years since 2014 till now. This is a very important achievement. These include seed varieties of horticultural, climate friendly and fortified varieties. Today we are facing the challenge of Climate Change, so this is the matter of biggest concern to the scientists. We have to come out with a roadmap in this direction and present the results before the country so that India’s agricultural exports improve further. In this, the role of other scientists of all Krishi Vigyan Kendras (KVKs) and ICAR institutes is important,” he said.
• Shri Tomar also asked ICAR and KVK to make determined efforts in the field of agricultural productivity including increasing the production of pulses, oilseeds and cotton. Earlier, the Agriculture Minister interacted online with some farmers from different parts of the country. In the discussion of the Agriculture Minister with the farmers of Himachal Pradesh, Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, Gujarat etc., it emerged that their incomes and standard of living is improving due to government schemes and institutional support.
• It is noteworthy that the budget of agriculture was about Rs 22,000 crore 8 years ago, which has now been increased to Rs 1.32 lakh crore. Under the PM Kisan Samman Nidhi, farmers are being given Rs. 6,000 in 3 installments every year directly into their bank accounts while the problems of small farmers are being resolved through the FPOs. The new 10,000 FPOs will prove to be a milestone and through them the farmers will be able to sell their produce easily not only the country but in any corner of the world.

Awards –

• Continuing its tradition to incentivize the individual Employees and Teams for the outstanding performances across the Organizations and make them more efficient, responsive & productive apart from improving their levels of job satisfaction, the Minister gave away 15 Awards in 4 major Categories.The Categories included –
• National Award of Excellence for Agricultural Institutions,
• National Award for Excellence in Agricultural Research,
• National Award for Application of Agricultural Technologies and
• National Award for Innovations & Technology Development by the Farmers.

• This Year, the ICAR selected 92 Awardees under 15 different Awards including 4 Institutions, 1 All India Coordinated Research Project, 4 Krishi Vigyan Kendras, 67 Scientists and 11 Farmers of whom 8 were Women Scientists and Farmers.

About Indian Council of Agricultural Research –

• r the Department of Agricultural Research and Education in the Ministry of Agriculture, Government of India.

• It was established on 16 July 1929, registered under the Societies Registration Act, 1860, pursuant to the report of the Royal Commission on Agriculture.
• Its headquarter is in New Delhi. Earlier this society was named Imperial Council of Agricultural Research.
• Its objective is to promote and educate about science and technology programs in the field of agricultural research.
• The Council is directly involved in research activities in the traditional and marginal areas to solve the problems related to conservation and management of resources in agriculture, crops, animals and fish and allied sectors etc. It plays an important role in developing new technology in agriculture sector.
• This council is the apex body for coordinating, guiding and managing research and education in the field of agriculture including horticulture, fisheries and animal sciences in the country.
• It has 103 ICAR institutes and 73 agricultural universities spread across the country and thus it is one of the largest national agricultural systems in the world.
• Indian Council of Agricultural Research has played a leading role in the development of the country’s agriculture sector with its research and technology development after bringing green revolution in the country. Due to which the country has been able to increase food grain production by 5 times, horticulture crops by 9.5 times, fisheries by 12.5 times, milk production by 7.8 times and egg production by 39 times from 1951 to 2014 and thus national food and nutritional security. A clear effect of this is reflected in
• The Council has played a major role in promoting excellence in higher education in agriculture. The Council has been involved in working in innovative areas of science and technology development and its scientists are internationally known in their disciplines.

Legal Metrology (Packaged Commodities) Rules 2011

Paper 3 – Economy

Why Should You Know?

Centre amends the Legal Metrology (Packaged Commodities) Rules 2011 for ease of doing business and reducing the compliance burden for the electronic industries

In details –

• The Department of Consumer Affairs vide the Legal Metrology (Packaged Commodities), (Second Amendment) Rules 2022 has allowed the electronic products to declare certain mandatory declarations through the QR Code for a period of one year, if not declared in the package itself.
• This amendment will allow the industry to declare the elaborated information in the digital form through the QR Code. It will allow important declarations to be declared effectively on the label in the package while the other descriptive information can be conveyed to the Consumer through the QR Code.
• The Department to enable greater use of technology in this digital era to declare the mandatory declaration through the QR Code which can be scanned to view the declarations like address of the manufacturer or packer or importer, the common or generic name of the commodity, the size and dimension of the commodity& customer care details except the telephone number & e-mail address.
• Earlier, all the prepackaged commodities including the electronic products are required to declare all the mandatory declarations as per the Legal Metrology (Packaged Commodities), Rules 2011 on the package.

What is The Legal Metrology (Packaged Commodities) Rules, 2011?

• The Legal Metrology (Packaged Commodities) Rules, 2011 (“Packaging Rules”) regulate pre-packaged commodities in India and inter – alia mandate certain labeling requirements prior to sale of such commodities.
• The Department of Consumer Affairs, administers the Legal Metrology Act 2009.
• The act provides for the application of legal requirements to measurements and measuring instruments.
• The objective of Legal Metrology is to ensure public guarantee from the point of view of security and accuracy of the weights and measurements.
• The Legal Metrology (Packaged Commodities), Rules 2011 are primarily intended to ensure that the consumers are able to make informed choices by being informed of essential declarations on the pre-packed commodities.

18th All India Legal Services Meet

Paper 2 – Constitution

Why Should You Know?

Recently the 18th All India Legal Services meeting was held in Jaipur in which the Union Minister of Law and Justice Shri Kiren Rijiju participated.

In details –

• “From this year, Tele-Law service is being made free of cost for citizens in the country,” announced Shri Kiren Rijiju, Minister of Law and Justice at the 18th All India Legal Services Meet at Jaipur on July 16, 2022.
• Tele–Law mainstreams legal aid to the marginalized seeking legal help by connecting them with the Panel Lawyers through the tele/video-conferencing infrastructure available at Common Service Centers (CSCs) across 1 lakh Gram Panchayats.
• For easy and direct access Tele- Law Mobile Application (both Android and IoS) has also been launched in 2021 and it is presently available in 22 scheduled languages. Benefitting from this digital revolution, Tele-Law has widened the outreach of legal services to 20 Lakh + beneficiaries in just five years.
• During the event, Department of Justice, Ministry of Law & Justice and National Legal Services Authority (NALSA) exchanged Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on Integrated Delivery of Legal Services.
• The Union Minister said that the MoU is symbolic of our joint commitment to advance the cause of Justice for All and establish the Rule of Law as the greatest unifying factor among the citizens.
• Under the provision of the MoU, NALSA would provide the services of 700 lawyers, in each district exclusively for the Tele-Law program. These empanelled lawyers would now also act as referral lawyers and also assist in strengthening the mechanism for dispute avoidance and dispute resolution at the pre-litigation stage. Shri Kiren Rijiju expressed his confidence that the association will help in reaching out to 1 crore beneficiaries in no time.
• Addressing the event, Shri Kiren Rijiju, underscored the need of decongestion of jails through release of undertrials. NALSA through its SLSAs and DLSAs is already working in this regard through Under Trial Review Committee (UTRCs) by making available free legal aid/legal counsel to the undertrials. During last year a total of 21,148 meetings of UTRCs were held resulting in release of 31,605 undertrial inmates.
• The Minister appealed the State Legal Services Authorities to further intensify their efforts to provide legal counsel/aid to the under-trial prisoners so that in co-ordination with the Under Trial review Committee maximum number of undertrial prisoners are released.
• He further appealed the High Courts to ensure during this period regular meetings of UTRC headed by the concerned District Judge so that maximum number of undertrial prisoners languishing in our jails are recommended for release before 15th August 2022.
• He said that the release of undertrial prisoners may be seen in the context that as part of the celebration of “Azadi ka Amrit Mahotsav” Government of India has already decided to grant Special Remission to prisoners for which the guidelines have already been issued by Ministry of Home affairs.
• He also noted that the Central government has identified 1,824 obsolete laws and in the upcoming Monsoon Session of the Parliament it will deliberate to remove 71 such laws.
• The Law Minister emphasized that justice should not be limited to the privileged and accessible to the common man. “Today, there are many lawyers in the Supreme Court who charge Rs 10-15 lakh per hearing. How can a common man afford it? The court should not be only for the privileged. I believe the doors of justice should be open to all,” said Rijiju.
• In his concluding remarks, Shri Kiren Rijiju said that access to justice has been recognized as an integral part of our legal framework prescribed under the Constitution of India. And to achieve, realize this vision and build on the work accomplished so far, there needs to be greater collaboration between legal services authorities and various departments and agencies of the government.

What is NALSA ?

• National Legal Services Authority of India (NALSA) was formed on 9 November 1995 under the authority of the Legal Services Authorities Act 1987.
• Its purpose is to provide free legal services to eligible candidates(the weaker sections of the society) (defined in Sec. 12 of the Act), and to organize Lok Adalats for speedy resolution of cases.
• The Chief Justice of India is patron-in-chief of NALSA while the second senior-most Judge of the Supreme Court of India is the Executive-Chairman.
• In every State, State Legal Services Authority has been constituted to give effect to the policies and directions of the NALSA and to give free legal services to the people and conduct Lok Adalats in the State.  The State Legal Services Authority is headed by Hon’ble the Chief Justice of the respective High Court who is the Patron-in-Chief of the State Legal Services Authority.
• In every District, District Legal Services Authority has been constituted to implement Legal Services Programmes in the District. The District Legal Services Authority is situated in the District Courts Complex in every District and chaired by the District Judge of the respective district..
• The prime objective of NALSA is speedy disposal of cases and reducing the burden of judiciary.

200 Crore COVID-19 Vaccinations

Paper 2 – Health

Why Should You Know?

India achieves major landmark of ‘200 Crore’ COVID-19 Vaccinations.

In details –

• Under his proactive and visionary leadership, India supported the research, development and manufacturing of COVID19 vaccines under the “Make-in-India” and “Make-for-World” Strategy, embarked on the use of cutting-edge technologies like CoWIN for evaluating geographical coverage, tracking AEFI for vaccines, promoting inclusivity and for providing a single reference point for citizens to follow their vaccination schedule, and prioritized vaccine administration based on scientific evidence and global best practices.
• Several systematic interventions were also carried out in ensuring capacity building for carrying out this nationwide exercise. Existing supply chain for storage and transport of COVID19 vaccines was leveraged and strengthened and effective monitoring of vaccine distribution and assured availability and efficient utilization of vaccines and syringes was ensured at all times.
• India’s free and voluntary nationwide COVID19 vaccination exercise is also being carried out in a citizen friendly approach through initiatives like Har Ghar Dastak, Workplace CVC, School based vaccination, vaccination of persons with no identity documents, Near-to-Home CVC and Mobile Vaccination Teams.
• With 71% of CVCs located in rural areas and over 51% of vaccine doses administered to women, India’s National COVID19 Vaccination Programme also ensured geographical and gender equity.
• Despite the decline in COVID cases across the country, consistent efforts were ongoing to vaccinate all eligible citizens. This is exemplified by the fact that it took almost 9 months to reach the 100 Cr mark and another 9 months to reach the 200 Cr vaccination mark since the start of the vaccination drive on 16 Jan’ 2021, with the highest single day vaccination record of 2.5 Cr doses achieved on 17 Sept 2021.
• to provide free precaution dose to all eligible adult population at Government COVID Vaccination Centres (CVCs). This special drive, part of the celebration for Azadi ka Amrit Mahotsav, is being implemented in a ‘mission mode’ to increase uptake of precaution dose of COVID vaccine.
• India also laid out a well-organized communication strategy of providing correct information and customized guidelines on COVID vaccination. It helped address vaccine hesitancy and promoted vaccine eagerness and COVID appropriate behaviour among the masses.
• The Union Government is committed to further accelerating the pace and expanding the scope of COVID-19 vaccination throughout the country.

Aurangabad and Osmanabad name change

Paper 3- Infrastructure

Why Should You Know?

Maharashtra government decided to rename Aurangabad as Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar and Osmanabad as Dharashiv.

In details –

• Maharashtra government has decided to rename Aurangabad city as Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar and Osmanabad as Dharashiv.
• The decision was taken in the cabinet meeting chaired by Chief Minister Eknath Shinde. Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis told reporters that a proposal in this regard would be tabled during the upcoming monsoon session of the assembly and then it would be sent to the central government for necessary approval.
• The state government has also decided to rename Navi Mumbai International Airport as D.B. Patil Navi Mumbai Airport. Earlier on June 29, 2022, it was decided to change the name in the last meeting of the cabinet chaired by the then Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray.

About Aurangabad –

• Aurangabad proposed to be officially renamed as Sambhajinagar or Sambhaji Nagar, is a city in the Indian state of Maharashtra.
• It is the administrative headquarters of Aurangabad district and is the largest city in the Marathwada region Located on a hilly upland terrain in the Deccan Traps.
• Aurangabad is the fifth-most populous urban area in Maharashtra.
• The city is known as a major production center of cotton textile and artistic silk fabrics.
• Several prominent educational institutions, including Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar Marathwada University, are located in the city.
• The city is also a popular tourism hub, with tourist destinations like the Ajanta and Ellora caves lying on its outskirts, both of which have been designated as UNESCO World Heritage Sites since 1983.
• Other tourist attractions include the Aurangabad Caves, Daulatabad Fort, Grishneshwar Temple, Jama Mosque, Bibi Ka Maqbara, Himayat Bagh, Panchakki and Salim Ali Lake.
• Aurangabad held an important place in India during the medieval period. Aurangzeb spent the latter part of his life here and Aurangzeb also died here. there is also the tomb of Aurangzeb’s wife Rabia Durani which is known as “Bibi Ka Maqbara”. This tomb was built with the inspiration of the Taj Mahal. That is why it is also called ‘Taj Mahal of the West’.
• Historically, there were 52 Gates in Aurangabad, some of them extant, because of which Aurangabad is nicknamed as the “City of Gates”.
• In 2019, the Aurangabad Industrial City (AURIC) became the first greenfield industrial smart city of India under the country’s flagship Smart Cities Mission.

About Osmanabad –

• Osmanabad is a city and a municipal council in Osmanabad district in the Indian state of Maharashtra.
• It is located in south-west India, on the border of Karnataka state. Osmanabad is situated on the Osmanabad plateau, which is drained by the Manjra River.
• Osmanabad derives its name from the last ruler of Hyderabad, Mir Osman Ali Khan.
• Osmanabad is the seventh largest city in Marathwada While 29th largest city in Maharashtra by population.
• As per historical evidence, the district was ruled by the Mauryas, Satavahanas, Rashtrakutas, and Yadavas. In early centuries the city belonged to the Hindu Chalukyas and Devagiri Yadavas, but later became a part of the Bahmani and Bijapur kingdoms.
• For a period of time, Osmanabad was also ruled by the Mughals, Bahmani, Nizam and Adil Shah kingdoms. Before the Hyderabad Nizam’s rule, it was under the control of the Mughal King Aurangzeb.
• This place is notable for the Gupta caves. This place is popular all over the country because of Goddess Tulja Bhavani.Bhajan, Kirtan and Gondhal are popular folk arts here.
• There are many places of interest for tourists to visit here. Naldurg Fort, Tuljapur, Paranda Fort, Kuntal Giri, Jain Temple, Ghat Shila, Garib Baba Math Shri Dutt Mandir Sansthan Ruibhar Shrikshetra Ruibhar etc. are popular and famous places of interest here. To see these places of interest, tourists from many parts of the country keep coming here.

NIIO Seminar ‘Swavlamban’

Paper 3- Security

Why Should You Know?

PM modi to address NIIO Seminar ‘Swavlamban’ on 18th July

In details –

• Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi will address the NIIO (Naval Innovation and Indigenisation Organisation) Seminar ‘Swavlamban’ on 18th July, 2022 at 4:30 PM at Dr. Ambedkar International Centre, New Delhi.
• A key pillar of Aatmanirbhar Bharat is attaining self-reliance in the Defence Sector. To further this endeavour, during the programme, Prime Minister will unveil ‘SPRINT Challenges’, which are aimed at giving a boost to usage of indigeneous technology in the Indian Navy. 
• As a part of the ‘Azadi ka Amrit Mahotsav’, NIIO, in conjunction with the Defence Innovation Organisation (DIO), aims at inducting at least 75 new indigenous technologies / products in the Indian Navy.
• This collaborative project is named SPRINT (Supporting Pole-Vaulting in R&D through iDEX, NIIO and TDAC).
• The Seminar aims to engage Indian industry and academia towards achieving self-reliance in the Defence sector.
• The two day Seminar (18-19 July) will provide a platform for leaders from Industry, Academia, Services and Government to come together on a common platform to ideate and come up with recommendations for the Defence Sector.
• Sessions dedicated to Innovation, Indigenisation, Armament and Aviation will be held. The second day of the Seminar will witness outreach to the Indian Ocean Region, in line with the government’s vision of SAGAR (Security and Growth for All in the Region).

What is NIIO ?

• to fulfil its requirements relating to technology.
• The organisation was launched by Defence Minister Rajnath Singh through an online webinar and the ceremony was attended by Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath and other dignitaries.
• that has established a special structure allowing end-users to interact with academia and industry to boost innovation and indigenisation in line with the vision of India’s Atmanirbhar Bharat to achieve national defence self-reliance.
• The Naval Technology Acceleration Committee (N-TAC) will combine the two aspects of innovation and indigenisation and provide the highest-level directives. A working group under the committee will implement these projects.
• A Technology Acceleration Acceleration Unit (TDAC) was also established to introduce breakthrough technologies in an accelerated time frame.
• The launch of the new centre comes in consonance with the Draft Defense Acquisition Policy 2020 (DAP 20) that contemplates the service headquarters establishing an Innovation and Indigenisation Organisation within the current resources.
• The Indian Navy already features an operational Department of Indigenisation (DoI) and the new structure will build on an ongoing indigenous initiative with an emphasis on innovation.
• At the ceremony, the Indian Navy signed memorandums of understanding with Uttar Pradesh Expressway Industrial Development Authority (UPEIDA), Raksha Shakti University (RSU), Gujarat, Maker Village, Kochi and Society of Indian Defence Manufacturers (SIDM).
• In collaboration with the RSU, an online discussion forum for domestic industry and academia was created and launched.
• At the same time, an outline of the Indian Navy’s Indigenisation perspective plans, known as ‘SWAVLAMBAN’, was also published.

INS Sindhudhvaj

Paper 3- Security

Why Should You Know?

INS Sindhudhvaj decommissioned after 35 years of glorious service to the nation.

In details –

• INS Sindhudhvaj bid adieu to Indian Navy on Saturday, 16 Jul 2022, serving for a glorious period of 35 years.
• Vice Adm Biswajit Dasgupta Flag Officer Commanding -in-Chief, Eastern Naval Command was the Chief Guest for the ceremony. The Decommissioning event was attended by 15 of the former Commanding Officers including Cmde SP Singh (Retd), the Commissioning CO and 26 Commissioning crew veterans.
• The submarine crest depicts a gray colour nurse shark and the name means flag bearer at sea.
• Sindhudhvaj, as the name suggests, was the flag bearer of indigenisation and Indian Navy’s efforts towards achieving Atmanirbharta in the Russian built Sindhughosh class submarines throughout her journey in the navy.
• She had many a firsts to her credit including operationalisation of the indigenised sonar USHUS, Indigenised Satellite Communication systems Rukmani and MSS, Inertial Navigation System and Indigenised Torpedo Fire Control System.
• She also successfully undertook mating and personnel transfer with Deep Submergence Rescue Vessel and only submarine to be awarded CNS Rolling trophy for Innovation by the Honourable Prime Minister Mr. Narendra Modi.
• The traditional ceremony was conducted at sunset, with an overcast sky adding to the solemnity of the occasion when the Decommissioning Pennant was lowered and the submarine was paid off after a glorious patrol of 35 Years.

Visit of Vice President of Gambia to India

Paper 2 – International Relations

Why Should You Know?

Recently Gambia’s Vice President Badara-e-Juf arrives in India on a five-day visit.

In details –

• Vice President of Gambia Badara A Joof has arrived in India today (July 18, 2022).
• He is on a 5-day visit to India. In a tweet, External Affairs Ministry Spokesman Arindam Bagchi said, Badara Joof will participate in CII-EXIM Bank conclave 2022 along with attending other bilateral engagements.
• The 17th CII-EXIM Bank Conclave on India-Africa Growth Partnership will be held in New Delhi tomorrow (July 19, 2022).

About Gambia –

• The Gambia,officially the Republic of the Gambia, is a country in West Africa.
• It is the smallest country within mainland Africa and is surrounded by Senegal, except for its western coast on the Atlantic Ocean.
• The Gambia is situated on both sides of the lower reaches of the Gambia River, the nation’s namesake, which flows through the centre of the Gambia and empties into the Atlantic Ocean, thus the long shape of the country.
• Banjul is the Gambian capital and the country’s largest metropolitan area. The largest cities are Serekunda and Brikama.
• The Gambia’s economy is dominated by farming, fishing, and especially, tourism. In 2015, 48.6% of the population lived in poverty. In rural areas, poverty was even more widespread, at almost 70%.
• A variety of ethnic groups live in the Gambia, each preserving its own language and traditions. The Mandinka ethnicity is the most numerous, followed by the Fula, Wolof, Jola/Karoninka, Serahule / Jahanka, Serers, Manjago, Bambara, Aku Marabou, Bainunka and others, such as Tukulor.
• The Krio people, locally known as Akus, constitute one of the smallest ethnic minorities in the Gambia. They descend from Sierra Leone Creole people and have traditionally concentrated in the capital.
• English is the official language of the Gambia and is thus used for official purposes and education. Other languages include Mandinka, Wolof, Fula, Serer, Soninke, Krio, Jola and other indigenous vernaculars.

52nd BGB-BSF DG level conference

Paper 2 – International Relations

Why Should You Know?

Recently 52nd BGB-BSF DG level conference started in Dhaka

In details –

• The 52nd BGB-BSF Director General level Border conference started in Bangladesh on July 17, 2022 with the arrival of the Indian team led by DG, BSF Pankaj Singh in Dhaka in the morning.
• On the inaugural day, the two sides discussed a wide range of issues related to border management, smuggling of arms and ammunition, drugs, trafficking of women and children and various developmental activities within the 150 yards of the international border.
• Discussion on the joint initiatives to implement the Coordinated Border Management Plan (CBMP) as well as exchange of information on various armed groups and extremist and terrorist organisaitons also took place during the conference.
• Both the countries discussed ways to enhance mutual trust between the BGB and BSF and further strengthen the existing bilateral relations.
• During the course of the conference, the Indian delegation will also visit Padma Bridge and Cox’s Bazar as part of strengthening bilateral relations and increasing goodwill between the two countries, said a press release issued by the BGB. The conference will conclude on 21 July with the signing of the Joint Record of Discussions (JRD).
• The 20 member Bangladesh delegation is being led by the Border Guards Bangladesh (BGB) Director General Major General Shakil Ahmed. Senior officials of the BGB, Bangladesh Home Ministry, Ministry of  Foreign Affairs, Directorate of Narcotics, Joint Rivers Commission took part in the proceedings on the opening day of the conference on Sunday.
• From the Indian side, apart from DG, Border Security Force (BSF) Pankaj Kumar Singh, other senior officials from the Ministry of Home Affairs and External Affairs took part in the conference.