IMPORTANT DAYS

National Technology Day 2024 celebrated on 11 Maye

• National Technology Day is commemorated annually on May 11th in India. This year, the theme of National Technology Day 2024 is “From Schools to Startups: Igniting Young Minds to Innovate.”

• On May 11th, 1998, the Indian Army conducted the historic Pokhran nuclear tests in Rajasthan.

• In recognition of these tests, former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee designated the day as National Technology Day in India.

• The Council for Technology organized the inaugural National Technology Day event the subsequent year, on May 11th, 1999.

• This day is also celebrated to showcase the nation's progress in various other technological accomplishments.

DEFENCE

Defence Ministry notified the New Inter-Services Organizations Act.

•The Defense Ministry has officially notified the Inter-Services Organizations (Command, Control, and Discipline) Act. This legislation was approved by both Houses of Parliament during the Monsoon Session last year and received the President's assent on August 15, 2023.

• The primary aim of this act is to empower Commanders-in-Chief and Officers-in-Command of inter-service organizations to exert control over the service personnel under their jurisdiction.

• This control is crucial for maintaining effective discipline and administration, while ensuring that the distinct service conditions specific to each branch of the armed forces remain intact.

• This act will empower the heads of Inter-services Organizations and pave the way for the early disposal of cases.

• This will pave the way for expeditious disposal of cases by avoiding multiple proceedings and is an important step towards greater integration and jointness among the armed forces.

• The act came ahead of the planned reorganization of the Indian military into integrated theatre commands.

Joint Military Exercise ‘Shakti’

• India and France will carry out the 7th edition of the Joint Military Exercise ‘Shakti’ from 13-26 May.

• This exercise will be carried out in the Umroi region of Meghalaya.

• The aim of the exercise is to enhance the joint military capacity of India and France to undertake Multi-Domain Operations in a Sub Conventional scenario.

• This exercise will facilitate the development of interoperability between the Armed Forces of India and France.

• The sixth edition of the exercise, Ex Shakti 2021 was carried out at the Military School of Draguignan, France in November 2021.

• A composite team consisting of three officers, three junior commission officers, and 37 soldiers from a battalion of the Gorkha Rifles represented the Indian Army contingent.

INTERNATIONAL NEWS

India supported Palestine’s bid to become a full UN member.

• India has extended its support to Palestine's endeavor to attain full membership status within the United Nations (UN). During a session of the 193-member General Assembly convened to vote on the resolution, India cast its vote in favor of Palestine's bid.

• The draft resolution, advocating for Palestine's full UN membership, was put forth by the United Arab Emirates. According to this resolution, Palestine meets the qualifications necessary for admission as a full member of the United Nations.

• The resolution garnered 143 affirmative votes, with nine opposing and 25 abstentions, reflecting a significant global stance on the issue.

• Currently, Palestine is a non-member observer state at the UN. It got this status from the General Assembly in 2012.

• In 1974, India was the first non-Arab state to recognize the Palestine Liberation Organization as the sole and legitimate representative of the Palestinian people.

• India was one of the first countries to recognize the State of Palestine.

Ukraine parliament has passed bill that permits prisoners to join military.

• The Ukrainian parliament has recently approved a bill allowing prisoners to enlist in the military, responding to the urgent need for additional military personnel.

• This move comes amidst a critical shortage of manpower faced by Ukrainian forces.

• However, the bill is pending final approval from both the Chairperson of Parliament, the Verkhovna Rada, and President VolodymyrZelenskyy before it can be implemented.

• The legislation stipulates that participation in the military will be voluntary and restricted to certain categories of prisoners.

• Notably, individuals convicted of serious offenses such as sexual violence, severe corruption, multiple homicides, and former high-ranking officials are iineligible

• Furthermore, eligible prisoners must have less than three years remaining on their sentence to qualify for enlistment.

APPOINTMENTS

DileepSanghani has been elected as IFFCO Chairman.

•DileepSanghani has been elected as the Chairman of the Indian Farmers Fertiliser Cooperative (IFFCO), following the cooperative's 15th RGB elections for its Board of Directors.

• Balvir Singh has been elected as the Vice Chairman.

• The elections for the post of 21 Directors were held on May 9, 2024.

• Dr. US Awasthi, the Managing Director of IFFCO, extended his congratulations to Chairman DileepSanghani, Vice Chairman Balvir Singh, and all the newly elected board members.

• IFFCO, a multi-state cooperative society headquartered in New Delhi, was established in 1967.

• Engaged in the manufacturing and marketing of fertilisers, it plays a significant role in supporting Indian agriculture.

AWARDS

Global Pride of Sindhi Award 2024

•Pawan Sindhi was bestowed with the prestigious Global Pride of Sindhi Award 2024 in recognition of his outstanding contributions to society and unwavering commitment to serving humanity.

• The award ceremony, graced by revered saints, Mahatmas, and sadhus, underscored the values of humanity, peace, and prosperity, imparting noble messages to society at large.

• In his gracious acceptance speech, Mr. Sindhi underscored the significance of community service, reverence for gurus and saints, and emphasized the pivotal role of social service in fostering national strength and shaping a brighter future for all.