Published on: November 30, 2024

Snippets : 30 NOVEMBER 2024

Snippets : 30 NOVEMBER 2024

  • The Karnataka Government has announced a project to upgrade 500 government schools into Karnataka Public Schools from July 2025 to June 2029, with a total funding of ₹2,500 crore. Of this, ₹2,000 crore will be a loan from the Asian Development Bank and ₹500 crore will be contributed by the state government. Currently, 308 Karnataka Public Schools operate in 204 taluks, offering classes from Lower Kindergarten (LKG) to Grade 12, with a focus on English and Kannada as the mediums of instruction. The schools provide modern facilities such as smart classes and interactive blackboards, along with adequate teachers and classrooms. The initiative aims to reduce dropout rates, enhance student progression to higher education, and improve infrastructure and learning quality across the state.
  • The Stamps and Registration Department of Karnataka has achieved a 26% revenue growth, surpassing the state’s average growth rate of 11%, and is on track to meet its ₹24,500 crore revenue target, having collected ₹15,500 crore by October. Revenue Minister Krishna Byre Gowda defended the mandatory e-khata for property transactions, citing its potential to reduce fraud, ensure tax compliance for millions of properties, and contribute to Bengaluru’s infrastructure development. Additionally, digital certificates for bagair hukum land ownership rights will be issued soon, and compensation for crop losses during the rabi and kharif seasons, amounting to over ₹282 crore, is being credited to farmers.
  • The Department of Consumer Affairs has implemented the E-Daakhil portal across all States and Union Territories in India. Launched in 2020 by the National Consumer Dispute Redressal Commission, this portal offers a cost-effective and user-friendly mechanism for filing consumer complaints. It allows users to approach consumer forums online, eliminating the need for physical presence. With features like complaint filing, fee payment, and case tracking, the portal ensures accessibility for consumers from metropolitan to remote areas. Users can register via mobile OTP or email, pay fees electronically, and track case progress seamlessly.
  • A Siberian Demoiselle crane, nicknamed Sukpak, has set a record for the longest migratory flight by traveling 3,676 km from the Tyva Republic in Siberia to Khichan in Rajasthan, India. Tagged by Russian researcher Elena Mudrik on July 20, 2024, with a yellow-blue leg ring, Sukpak broke the previous migration record of 2,800 km. This remarkable journey, deviating from typical migration routes, highlights Khichan’s significance as a vital wintering ground for over 20,000 Demoiselle cranes and its designation as India’s first crane reserve. These cranes, culturally significant in India as Koonj or Kurjaa, are known for their diverse behaviors and habitats, migrating from Central Eurasia to India and Africa during winter. Despite their “Least Concern” IUCN status, they face threats such as habitat loss, wetland drainage, hunting, and illegal trade.
  • The Council of Scientific and Industrial Research-National Aerospace Laboratories (CSIR-NAL) recently organized the National Kannada Science Conference, focusing on science and technologies for aerospace, defense, and social applications. This event also celebrated the golden jubilee of ‘Kanaada’, the annual Kannada science magazine published by CSIR-NAL’s Kannada Samskruthika Sangha.
  • Chief Minister Siddaramaiah inaugurated Bengaluru’s second mechanised waste transfer station at Chalavadipalya, aiming to end roadside waste transfer. The facility, one of three established at a cost of Rs 40 crore, can transfer 150-200 metric tonnes of waste daily. BBMP plans to build one plant in each of Bengaluru’s 27 assembly constituencies, with funds already earmarked for three more stations
  • The Department of Horticulture, in collaboration with the Women and Child Development Department, is hosting a three-day flower show at Jawahar Bal Bhavan, Cubbon Park, from November 29 to December 2, featuring over one lakh cut flowers and 20,000 pots, with floral sculptures of animals and special attractions for children, at an estimated cost of Rs 40 lakh.
  • The Union Ministry of Tourism has selected 23 sites across India, including the Devika Rani Estate at Tataguni in Bengaluru and Yallamma Gudda at Savadatti in Belagavi district, for special financial assistance under the Special Assistance to States/Union Territories for Capital Investment (SASCI) scheme. This initiative aims to develop iconic tourist centres globally by providing long-term, interest-free loans for 50 years to states. The government has allocated ₹99.17 crore for creating an ecotourism and cultural hub at the Roerich and Devika Rani Estate and ₹100 crore for Savadatti Yallamma Gudda. Of 87 proposals worth ₹8,000 crore, the Ministry shortlisted 40 projects in 23 states for ₹3,295.76 crore, with all funds to be released by March 2026 and projects to be completed within two years. The scheme seeks to boost local economies, create employment, and promote sustainable tourism while reducing overcrowding at popular destinations by developing alternative, lesser-known locations like Gandikota in Andhra Pradesh, Jal Mahal in Rajasthan, and Loktak Lake in Manipur, among others.
  • Australia has made history by becoming the first country to ban social media for children under 16, with the Australian Senate passing the landmark law on Thursday. The law will hold platforms like TikTok, Facebook, Snapchat, Reddit, X, and Instagram liable for fines of up to $33 million if they fail to prevent minors from creating accounts. The bill was passed with 34 votes to 19 in the Senate and 102 votes to 13 in the House of Representatives. Platforms will have a year to implement the ban before penalties are enforced. While Meta Platforms has criticized the legislation as “rushed,” Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese believes the law is necessary to protect young people from the harms of social media.
  • The Indian Space Research Organisation’s (ISRO) EOS-06 (Oceansat-3) and INSAT-3DR satellites are closely tracking Cyclone Fengal, which has been approaching Tamil Nadu, providing crucial early detection and real-time insights on the cyclone’s intensity and direction.
  • Economic historian Amiya Kumar Bagchi passes away
  • The 55th International Film Festival of India (IFFI) concluded after a nine-day showcase of over 180 international titles from 81 countries. The festival’s top honors included the Golden Peacock Award for Best Film, which went to Lithuanian filmmaker Saulė Bliuvaitė’s debut feature “Toxic”, while Vikrant Massey was named Indian Film Personality of the Year. Additionally, Bogdan Muresanu won Best Director for “The New Year That Never Came”, and Australian director Phillip Noyce received the Satyajit Ray Lifetime Achievement Award.
  • The 11th edition of Indian Coast Guard’s National Maritime Search and Rescue Exercise & Workshop (SAREX-24) will be in Kochi, Kerala on November 28-29, 2024
  • India has achieved significant progress in the Network Readiness Index (NRI) 2024, climbing 11 ranks to secure the 49th position globally among 133 economies, as per the report released on November 21, 2024, by the Portulans Institute, a Washington-based non-profit. The NRI evaluates economies on four pillars—Technology, People, Governance, and Impact, with 54 variables in total. India’s score improved from 49.93 in 2023 to 53.63 in 2024, reflecting robust advancements in digital innovation and transformation. The country ranked 1st globally in AI scientific publications, AI talent concentration, and ICT services exports, 2nd in FTTH/Building Internet subscriptions, mobile broadband internet traffic, and international Internet bandwidth, 3rd in domestic market scale, and 4th in annual investment in telecommunication services. Within the lower-middle-income group, India is ranked 2nd, behind Vietnam, underscoring its leadership in technological innovation and digital growth.
  • In a significant development to enhance the Indian Army’s logistical operations, private drone manufacturer EndureAir has delivered its advanced Sabal-20 logistics drone to the Eastern theatre of operations. The Sabal-20 is an electric unmanned helicopter utilizing variable pitch technology, tailored for demanding aerial logistics tasks such as precise deliveries, high-altitude operations, and long-range missions. Featuring a tandem rotor configuration, it offers exceptional stability, superior high-altitude performance, and an impressive payload capacity of up to 20 kg (50% of its own weight), with scalable options for future needs. Its Vertical Take-Off and Landing (VTOL) capability allows operation in confined or rugged terrains, while a low RPM design reduces noise for stealth in sensitive missions. Equipped with cutting-edge autonomous flight systems and user-friendly controls, the drone ensures reliable performance even beyond the operator’s line of sight, reinforcing its utility in challenging operational environments.
  • Pilikula Nisargadhama in Mangaluru, an eco-tourism destination, is set to undergo a facelift to transform it into a world-class attraction, announced Science and Technology Minister N. S. Boseraju. Inaugurated by Chief Minister Siddaramaiah in 2018, the site, part of the Pilikula Wildlife Sanctuary, offers ample space for development into an international-level destination. The Pilikula Development Authority, established under Siddaramaiah in 2018, will discuss a detailed blueprint for its comprehensive development at its next meeting. Boseraju revealed that a formal proposal would be submitted for inclusion in the 2025-26 budget and urged officials to expedite the appointment of a consultant for the project. Additionally, the Department of Science and Technology is planning to host a two-day Quantum Summit in July 2025, modeled on the success of the Bengaluru Nano Summit, to highlight Karnataka’s advancements in quantum technology and promote global collaboration.
  • The Ashmolean Museum in Britain, located at Oxford University, has agreed to return a 500-year-old bronze idol of Thirumangai Alvar to India after Tamil Nadu Police provided compelling evidence proving that the statue, originally from a temple in Thanjavur district, was illegally taken abroad. Following a visit by a representative from the university to Tamil Nadu, the evidence presented by the Idol Wing Criminal Investigation Department (CID) led to the decision to repatriate the statue. The university has pledged to cover the costs of transporting the idol to the Sri Soundaraja Perumal Temple in Kumbakonam, where it is believed to have been stolen in the 1960s. The Idol Wing CID had launched an investigation in 2020, uncovering the theft of four valuable idols from the temple between 1957 and 1967. Tracing the Thirumangai Alvar idol to the Ashmolean Museum, as well as other stolen idols to museums in the U.S., the CID’s efforts have led to the imminent return of the statue, valued at several crores of rupees
  • India and the UK have signed a broad framework agreement to collaboratively develop and build an electric propulsion system for large naval ships, which will be constructed in Indian shipyards. The pact, signed in Portsmouth on November 28, focuses on the co-design, co-creation, and co-production of electric propulsion for future naval vessels, particularly Landing Platform Docks (LPDs). These ships, which will be powered by the new propulsion system, are part of India’s plans to enhance its amphibious capabilities by constructing four such ships, in addition to the one currently in operation (INS Jalashwa). Unlike the diesel engines or gas/steam turbines used in current Indian warships, the new propulsion system will provide a more efficient alternative for larger ships with a displacement of 6,000 tonnes.
  • India re-elected to UN Peacebuilding Commission.The UN Peacebuilding Commission (PBC) was established in 2005 to assist countries in post-conflict situations, supporting peacebuilding and recovery efforts, and fostering international cooperation and coordination. The PBC has 31 members, including representatives from the Security Council, Economic and Social Council, and top providers of UN contributions. The PBC provides advice and support, facilitates international coordination, promotes peacebuilding, and supports national peacebuilding plans, focusing on conflict prevention, human rights, economic development, and social cohesion.
  • The average effective rentals across major cities in India have grown by 3.6% on a five-year compound annual growth rate (CAGR), according to India’s first commercial property rental index developed by the Indian Institute of Management Bangalore (IIMB) in collaboration with CRE Matrix. The index, which is based on over a decade of transactional data, provides insights into rental trends across ten major cities, covering 90% of Grade A/A+ office stock. Unlike traditional indices that rely on anecdotal evidence, the IIMB-CRE Matrix CPRI uses a spatiotemporal modeling approach that incorporates both real and hypothetical transactions, offering a more accurate and balanced view of the market. It tracks quarterly effective rental trends since 2012, excluding anomalies like rent-free periods or abnormal escalations. The index reveals that Pune has been the top performer with a 12-year CAGR of 6.9%, followed by Chennai and Bengaluru at 5.5% and 5.3%, respectively. The report also highlights Bengaluru’s stability, with positive rental growth in 44 out of 50 quarters, and a recovery in office rentals post-pandemic. Bengaluru’s key growth areas include Whitefield, South Bengaluru, and Outer Ring Road. The index’s insights are expected to support informed decision-making and capital allocation in India’s real estate sector, helping the country move toward its goal of becoming a $25 trillion economy by 2047.
  • Recently, the Chief of the Indian Army launched an online learning platform for the Indian Army, called “Eklavya,” developed under the aegis of Headquarters Army Training Command with the Army War College as the sponsor agency. The platform, built by the Bhaskaracharya National Institute of Space Applications and Geoinformatics (BISAG-N) with support from the Directorate General of Information Systems, is hosted on the Army Data Network and features a scalable architecture. Eklavya supports the seamless integration of various Indian Army training establishments and offers a wide range of courses. It aligns with the Indian Army’s “Decade of Transformation” and the 2024 theme, “Year of Technology Absorption.” The platform offers three categories of courses: ‘Pre-Course Preparatory Capsules,’ which provide study material for offline courses, ‘Appointment or specific assignment-related courses’ to help officers specialize in their fields, and the ‘Professional Development Suite,’ which includes courses on strategy, leadership, emerging technology, and more. Additionally, Eklavya features a “Knowledge Highway,” a searchable repository of journals, research papers, and articles. This initiative aims to promote continuous professional education, reduce the burden on physical courses, prepare officers for specialist roles, and foster domain expertise.
  • The national capital has reported an “isolated” case of Japanese Encephalitis, official sources said recently.
  • The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs recently approved investment of Rs 1750 crores for the Tato-I Hydro Electric Project (HEP) in Arunachal Pradesh’s Shi Yomi District.