Kerala Affairs
Kerala: First in Asias Global Start-up Ecosystem Report
Asias Global Start-up Ecosystem Report was recently released on June 14, 2022, in the Light of London Tech Week 2022.
In the report, start-up ecosystem in Kerala has been ranked at first position in Asia.
Kerala has also been ranked at fourth position, in terms of Affordable Talent.
The report recognises creative steps taken by Kerala Start-up Mission (KSUM) to position it as a start-up power house.
This ranking will help Kerala in building a strong Network of start-ups that will play a key role in its Growth.
The GSER was released to bring together global governments, inspirational start-up founders, investors and corporate leaders, to discuss the power of technology for societies. This year, ranking has been decided jointly by policy advisory and research organization Start-up Genome and Global Network. The first ever GSER was published in 2020. In 2020, Kerala was ranked at 5thposition in Asia while 20thin World.
National and International Affairs
First train under Bharat Gaurav scheme
First Train under the Bharat Gaurav Scheme started from Coimbatore ( Nadu) to Shirdi (Maharashtra) by Indian Railways Southern RAILWAY zone.
Bharat Gaurav Train started on June 14, 2022 from Coimbatore North to Sainagar Shirdi. It will reach Sainagar Shirdi on June 16, 2022.
1100 passengers boarded the round-trip service from Coimbatore to Shirdi.
Private service is offered by Registered Service provider for itinerary comprising of five days.
This scheme was launched by Indian Government to tap the huge potential of Tourism in India.
Under it, trains have a third segment for tourism. Before this scheme was launched, Railways had goods segments and passenger segments.
These trains are not regular trains, and will run according to timetable.
It will run on the lines of Ramayana Express, which is being run by the IRCTC.
Scheme was announced under theme-based tourist circuit trains.
Indias Coastal clean-up campaign
The clean-up drive is one of its kind initiatives and it is going to be the longest-running drive with highest participation and spreading awareness. It is one of the reasons for the campaign called Swachh Sagar, Surakshit Sagar.
Coastal Clean-up drive will start from July 3 and will conclude on September 17, 2022.
This year, September 17 will also mark the International Coastal Clean-up Day 2022.
The International Coastal Clean-up Day is observed on third Sunday of September, every year. In year 2022, this day will be observed on September 17. The day promises to bring purity and cleanliness to nature as a whole.
The 75 days drive is going to be most extended clean-up in India.
Konkan Railway Electrified Network
Prime Minister Narendra Modi is scheduled to dedicate 100% electrification of the Konkan RAILWAY (KR) route to India. He will flag off trains on electric traction from Ratnagiri, Margao and Udupi through video conferencing.
Konkan Railway had electrified its 741km route from Roha, near Mumbai to Thokur in Mangaluru in March 2022.
The 741-km Network was certified for operating trains on March 28, 2022.
It marked an important step towards green transportation of Indias biggest stretches of railway electrification.
Konkan Railway being one of Indias biggest railway routes on Indian Railway network. On this route, train operations with electric traction will be implemented in a phased manner.
World Competitiveness Index 2022
Institute for Management Development recently compiled and released the annual World Competitive Index.
Indias witnessed a six-position rise from 43rd to 37th rank, due to gains in economic performance.
Denmark has been ranked at top position, among top 63-nation list. It was ranked at third position in 2021.
Switzerland dropped from the top position to second position.
It is followed by Singapore at third position, which was ranked at fifth, position.
Indian economy witnessed significant improvement in competitiveness, after stable and stagnant five years because of gains in economic performance. It experienced a rise from 30thto 9thposition in one year. The labour market in India has moved from 15thto 6thposition. Labour market is a key sub-factor in business efficiency parameter and business attitudes.
SwayamPrabha TV channel (one class, one channel) one earmarked channel for each class from 1 to 12.
Extensive use of Community radio, Radio, and CBSE Podcast- Shiksha Vani.
Special e-content for visually and hearing impaired. It has been developed on Digitally Accessible Information System (DAISY) as well as in sign language on YouTube/NIOS website.
UNESCO Recognition for Use of ICT in PM eVidya
Use of ICT in PM e-Vidya scheme by Ministry of Education won UNESCOs recognition, called King Hamad Bin Isa Al-Khalifa Prize recently.
PM eVIDYA programme was launched by Ministry of Education, as part of Atmanirbhar Bharat Abhiyaan by in May 2020. The programme unifies all efforts associated to digital, on-air, online education, in order to enable multi-mode access for imparting education using technology to minimise Learning losses.
Major initiatives of PM eVidya scheme include:
- Kerala PSC Mains Tests and Notes Program
- Kerala PSC Prelims Exam 2024- Test Series and Notes Program
- Kerala PSC Prelims and Mains Tests Series and Notes Program
- Kerala PSC Detailed Complete Prelims Notes