NATIONAL NEWS

Janaushadhi Scheme

• According to Ravi Dadhich, CEO of the Pharmaceuticals and Medical Devices Bureau of India, the Jan Aushadhi scheme has helped citizens save around Rs 20,000 crore on their medicine bills in the last 9 years.

• Over the past nine years, the number of Janaushadhi Kendras has increased significantly, growing by 100 times.

• The sales of Janaushadhi Kendras have also experienced a remarkable increase, surpassing 150 times.

• The government has set a target to further expand the number of Janaushadhi Kendras to 10,000 by the end 2023.
• Currently, there are over9,400 functional Janaushadhi Kendras across the country, where medications are sold at discounted rates ranging from 50 to 90 percent compared to branded medicines.

Dugdh Sankalan Sathi Mobile App

• Union Minister of Heavy Industries Dr Mahendra Nath Pandey unveiled the ‘Dugdh Sanakalan Sathi Mobile App’ at Mussorie, Uttarakhand.
• This innovative application has been developed by Rajasthan Electronics & Instruments Limited (REIL), located in Jaipur.
• REIL is a Central Public Sector Enterprise under the Ministry of Heavy Industries and holds the prestigious "Mini Ratna" status.
• Its primary objective is to enhance milk quality, promote transparency among stakeholders, and streamline operations at the village level, particularly within Milk Cooperative Societies.
• The app is poised to make a significant impact on the Indian dairy industry by addressing critical challenges in the milk collection process.
• The 'Dudgh Sankalp Sathi' mobile app will provide transparency, efficiency and empowerment to all the participants involved in the milk collection process.
• This will benefit the milk producers and contribute to the development of the dairy sector.

Centre to Spend Rs 15,000 Crores During 3 Years

• Tribal Affairs Minister Arjun Munda, the government is taking several steps for the welfare of the tribal people in the country.

• He said the focus has been laid on improving the socio-economic conditions of the particularly vulnerable tribal groups, providing quality education and affordable health facilities to the tribal in the last nine years.

• 15,000 crore rupees will be spent under the Pradhan Mantri Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Groups Development Mission in three years.

• He said this will improve basic facilities in the far-flung villages by focussing on clean drinking water, sanitation, improved access to education, health, road and telecom connectivity, and sustainable livelihood opportunities.
• He said, there are one lakh 12 thousand tribal-dominated villages in the country and the government has set a target to develop 36,000 villages as a model village.
• He said considerable progress has been made on this front.
• The Minister said an announcement has been made to appoint more than 38,000 teachers to provide quality education to the tribal population.

INTERNATIONAL NEWS

India and Nepal Signed Seven Agreements in Various Fields

• India and Nepal signed seven agreements in various fields on June 2023.

• These fields include trade and commerce, cross-border petroleum pipelines, development of Integrated Check Posts and hydroelectric projects and payment mechanisms.

• The agreements were signed after delegation-level talks between the Prime Ministers of both countries.

• Delegation-level talks were held between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Nepal Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal Prachanda in N ew Delhi.

• The Indian Railway cargo train from Bathnaha to Nepal Customs yard was jointly flagged off by both Prime Ministers.
• An integrated Check Post between Rupaidiha-Nepalgunj and Sunauli-Bhairahawa was also inaugurated by them.
• The foundation stone of the Motihari-Amlekhguj Oil Pipeline – Phase 2 project was laid.
• The construction work of the Gorakhpur-New Butwal sub-station 400 kv cross-border transmission line was initiated by them.

BANKING

SBI Mutual Fund to Acquire Up to 10% Stake in ICICI Lombard

• The Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority of India (IRDAI) gave its approval to SBI Mutual Fund (SBI MF), along with its group entities, to acquire up to 10% stake in ICICI Lombard General Insurance Company Limited (ICICI Lombard).
• Currently, SBI Mutual Fund, through various schemes, already holds a 4.62% stake in ICICI Lombard General Insurance.
• The IRDAI had advised SBI Mutual Funds to ensure that the total shareholding of SBI Mutual funds along with its group entities or body corporate under the same management shall not exceed 10% of the total paid-up equity share capital of the company.
• The approval of the IRDAI is valid for a period of 1 year from the date of the approval letter.

SPORTS

World Squash Championship

• Egypt emerged victorious in the World Squash Championship, defeating Malaysia 2-1 in the final held in Chennai.

• Malaysia secured the silver medal in the championship.

• The third place in the championship was shared between the host country, India, and Japan.

• Malaysia defeated India with a score of 3-0 in the semi-final held the previous day.

• The Tamil Nadu Chief Minister, M.K.Stalin, awarded the winning team with the golden cup, while the Sports Minister, Udhayanidhi Stalin, presented medals to the victorious players.

AWARDS & PRIZES

4th National Water Awards

• NTPC Barauni has achieved a significant milestone by securing the first rank in the Best Industry Category at the 4th National Water Awards.

• Madhya Pradesh received the first prize in the best State category, while the best district award went to Ganjam District in Odisha.

• The Jagannadhapuram Village Panchayat in Bhadradri Kothagudem district of Telangana was honored with the best Village Panchayat award.

• Each winner was presented with a citation, a trophy, and cash prizes.

• The National Water Awards aim to acknowledge and encourage the efforts made by individuals and organizations in realizing the government's vision of a water-prosperous India.

• They also seek to create awareness about the importance of water and promote the adoption of best practices for its sustainable use.

IMPORTANT DAYS

World Father’s Day

• Father's Day is a special occasion celebrated in many countries around the world to honor and appreciate fathers.

• It is celebrated on the third Sunday of June. This year Father's Day 2023 is being celebrated on 18 June.

• It is a day to express love, gratitude, and respect towards fathers, stepfathers, grandfathers, and other father figures who have played important roles in people's lives.

• People celebrate Father's Day by giving cards, gifts, or spending quality time with their fathers.

• The significance of Father's Day goes beyond material gifts, as it serves as a reminder to acknowledge the love, support, and guidance provided by fathers.

• The theme for 2023 is ‘Celebrating the Greatest Heroes of Our Lives’.

Global Wind Day

• World Wind Day is celebrated every year on 15 June.

• This is a significant event that highlights the immense potential and importance of wind energy in addressing climate change and promoting sustainable energy solutions.

• In India, these celebrations were initiated by the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy, Government of India.

• Theme for the year 2023 is ‘Pawan – Urja: Powering the Future of India’.

• MNRE has set a target of 500 GW renewable energy capacity by 2030.

• World Wind Day was first established in 2007 by the European Wind Energy Association (EWEA), which later became WindEurope.

OBITUTARY

Daniel Ellsberg, Renowned Whistleblower of the Pentagon Papers

• Daniel Ellsberg, a prominent whistleblower who leaked the Pentagon Papers, passed away. He was at the age of 92.

• Ellsberg's actions, which exposed the government's deception and doubts regarding the Vietnam War, had far-reaching consequences and played a role in President Richard Nixon's resignation.

• Ellsberg revealed his terminal illness with pancreatic cancer in February.

• Until the early 1970s, Ellsberg was an influential member of the government and military establishment.
• As a Harvard graduate and self-described ‘cold warrior,’ he served as a consultant on Vietnam, risking his life and holding the highest security clearances.