Published on: September 4, 2024

Snippets : 4 SEPTEMBER 2024

Snippets : 4 SEPTEMBER 2024

  • The Department of School Education, Karnataka has launched a 21-day ‘Reading Campaign’ for students in classes 1 to 7 at government and aided schools. The campaign is divided into two phases, with the first phase running from September 3 to 18, starting with a read-a-thon from 11 am to 11:30 am. The initiative aims to enhance students’ reading skills by encouraging them to read age-appropriate storybooks. The campaign is designed not to interfere with regular teaching hours, and activities are to be conducted during morning assembly, the first class, or library hours. Teachers are instructed to document the campaign’s activities through photographs and share them in local WhatsApp groups with officials, parents, and School Development and Monitoring Committees (SDMCs).
  • The Karnataka government is set to release India’s first draft policy on global capacity centres (GCC) next month. IT/BT Minister Priyank Kharge emphasized the importance of stakeholder feedback for refining the policy, which aims to reshape both Indian and global economies. Bengaluru, home to over 400 GCCs, is a key hub for international companies. Additionally, the state will launch a Rs 100 crore skilling policy for emerging technologies, seeking corporate contributions. The government is also planning to partner with Microsoft to enhance skills in generative AI through a forthcoming memorandum of understanding.
  • West Bengal Assembly Passes Aparajita Women and Child Bill, 2024 – The Bill increases punishments for rape, gang rape, rape leading to death or vegetative state, and offenses by police or public servants, and amends the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) + It mandates that rape investigations be concluded within 21 days + The Bill was introduced following the rape and murder of a doctor in Kolkata + The Bill emphasizes increased punishment, speedy investigations, and justice for sexual assault cases under BNS and the POCSO Act.
  • The World Bank forecasts a 7% growth for the Indian economy in the current fiscal year, up from a previous estimate of 6.6%. India’s economy grew at 8.2% in FY 23/24, driven by public infrastructure investment, household investment in real estate, a 9.9% rise in manufacturing, and resilient services. Urban unemployment has improved since the pandemic, with female urban unemployment decreasing to 8.5%, while youth unemployment remains high at 17%. India’s growth, coupled with a declining inflation rate, is expected to reduce extreme poverty. India is advised to enhance growth by leveraging its global trade potential and diversifying exports into textiles, apparel, footwear, electronics, and green technology.
  • The Bengaluru City Police set a world record for providing 2,500 police personnel with Cardio Pulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) and basic first aid life support skills in a day which has been recognised by London Book of Records. The training was held at the Sri Kanteerava Indoor Stadium and organised in collaboration with the Sankalpa Chase Cancer Foundation on January 14. The event saw the participation of traffic and law and order police, security personnel from the Vidhana Soudha, and 48 security personnel from Raj Bhavan.
  • Russian troops recently hit Kharkiv, Ukraine, with a Grom-E1 hybrid missile.
  • The Union Cabinet recently gave the green light to Kaynes Semicon Pvt Ltd to establish a new semiconductor unit in Sanand, Gujarat, which is the fifth semiconductor unit to be approved under the India Semiconductor Mission (ISM).
  • Thanjavur Veena is the first musical instrument in the country to get the Geographical Indication (GI) tag.
  • Karnataka has declared dengue fever an epidemic, requiring property owners, occupiers, and managers to cover water storage, dispose of waste properly, and prevent water collection in unused sites. BBMP Chief Commissioner oversees Bengaluru while Deputy Commissioners handle other districts. Enforcement includes property inspections, notice issuance, and penalties: Rs 400 in urban areas, Rs 200 in rural areas, with increased fines for commercial establishments and continued non-compliance. As of September 3, 2024, there have been 25,589 cases and 12 deaths. The aim is to reduce mosquito populations and control dengue spread statewide.
  • Union Agriculture Minister Shri Shivraj Singh Chouhan has launched the AgriSURE Fund, a Rs 750 crore initiative supported by the Government of India, NABARD, and private investors to finance technology-driven start-ups and rural enterprises in agriculture, aimed at transforming India’s rural economy.