India on Wednesday(28th Sep 2022) banned the Islamic group Popular Front of India (PFI) and eight of its affiliates for five years. The government called the PFI an "unlawful association" and accused the group of terror-related activities.

 

In the past month, dozens of PFI offices have been raided and at least 200 PFI members were detained across India.

 

PFI has rejected the accusations and said authorities are fabricating evidence and targeting the group.

 

According to the Indian government, PFI has been funding terrorist activities, providing arms training to its supporters and radicalizing people for anti-India activities.

 

"PFI and its associates operated openly as a socio-economic, educational and political organization but they have been pursuing a secret agenda to radicalize a particular section of the society,'' read the notification issued by the government.

 

The government said the group has multiple "international linkages" with "global terrorist groups." Members of the PFI have been accused of joining the Islamic State and participating in "terror activites" in Syria, Iraq and Afghanistan.

Source : DW

Britannia Industries on Friday(23rd Sep 2022) said that its board has elevated "Varun Berry" as executive vice‐chairman and managing director with immediate effect and also appointed Rajneet Singh Kohli as executive director and chief executive officer.

 

In an exchange filing, the company said that Kohli's appointment will be effective from 26 September 2022 for a perioid of five years and he will report to Varun Berry. He is not debarred from holding the office of director by virtue of any SEBI order or any other authority, the company added.

 

Rajneet Kohli previously was working with Jubilant Food Works (JFL) as the president & chief business officer for Domino's Pizza. He has more than 25 years of experience in numerous senior leadership roles in sectors like FMCG & retail.

 

Varun Berry, executive vice-chairman and managing director said, I am delighted to welcome Rajneet to Britannia. His experience of building high performance businesses and profitable brands is strongly aligned to our vision of becoming a responsible global total foods company. 

 

Rajneet's proven track record of scaling up businesses and building highly engaged teams makes him a perfect fit for the Organization. I look forward to partnering with Rajneet to lead us to the next phase of growth.''

 

Rajneet Kohli said, As one of India's leading food companies with over a 100-year legacy, Britannia has an exceptional track record of innovation and serving consumers with exemplary standards. I feel privileged and am truly excited for what lies ahead of us at Britannia..

Source : Business Standard

Premier industry body Data Security Council of India (DSCI) established by NASSCOM promoted its senior vice president "Vinayak Godse" and appointed him as the new CEO on 7th September 2022.

Godse will be taking over from Rama Vedashree who led DSCI for more than six years. Vedashree was also part of the Justice BN Srikrishna committee which was appointed to recommend a framework for the Personal Data Protection Bill in the country.

 

Godse will be taking over as the CEO from October 1, 2022. The decision was taken by a selection committee of the DSCI Board chaired by former DSCI chairman Dr N Balakrishnan, current chairman Rajendra S Pawar, NASSCOM President, and other board members.

 

Godse has been associated with DSCI since inception and has over 27 years experience in information security, IT transformation, intelligent networking, and telecom infrastructure.

 

During his 14-year tenure in DSCI, apart from leading the tech team and flagship events, he has been managing the National Centre of Excellence for Cybersecurity Technology and Entrepreneurship, a joint initiative of DSCI and Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology..

Source : Economic Times

World Rabies Day is celebrated every year on September 28 to promote the fight against Rabies and raise awareness of its prevention.

 

In addition to this, the day also highlights the process of defeating this lethal disease to eradicate it completely. It was French chemist and microbiologist, Louis Pasteur, who developed the first-ever vaccination for treating rabies.

 

The prolific chemist passed away on September 28. Hence, to honour and commemorate his great contribution, his death anniversary was chosen to be celebrated as World Rabies Day.

 

World Rabies Day 2022 Theme : According to the World Health Organisation, the theme of World Rabies Day 2022 is ‘Rabies: One Health, Zero Deaths.’ The theme is to emphasize the connection between the environment, people, and animals.

 

World Rabies Day History : The first-ever World Rabies Day campaign took place back in 2007. The campaign began as a partnership between many organizations including the Alliance for Rabies Control, and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in Atlanta. This was headlined by the co-sponsorship of the World Health Organization, the World Organisation for Animal Health, and the Pan American Health Organization.

 

After three consecutive years of celebrating World Rabies Day, it was estimated that prevention and awareness events took place in more than 100 countries and over 100 million people were educated about the dangers of contracting rabies. Meanwhile, 3 million dogs were also vaccinated.

 

World Rabies Day Significance : On the day, a network of international government agencies, NGOs, and vaccine manufacturers use World Rabies Day as a tool to organize events, conferences, and campaigns led by experts to assist in the eradication of the disease. The government also announces plans and policies to progress toward the goal. In the long-term goal, the Global Strategic Plan for the eradication of this dog-mediated is aimed to be Zero deaths by 30 (2030)..

Source : News18

International Day for Universal Access to Information(IDUAI) was declared to be observed annually on September 28 by UNESCO. This day aims to support the idea that everyone has the right to seek, receive, and distribute information. International Day for Universal Access aims to raise awareness regarding the need to expand laws related to information. This is also in accordance with the right to freedom of expression. Here is everything you need to know about this day:

 

International Day for Universal Access to Information History :  The United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization (UNESCO), on 17 November 2015, declared that International Day for Universal Access to Information will be observed on September 28, every year. Several organizations and governmental bodies adhered to the declaration by UNESCO. Further, the UN General Assembly also decided to declare September 28 as the International Day for Universal Access of Information (IDUAI).

 

The Director-General of UNESCO, Audrey Azoulay stated, “UNESCO works to protect and promote access to information as a fundamental human right and an essential step towards the attainment of the Sustainable Development Goals. As part of these efforts, the United Nations General Assembly proclaimed 28 September as the International Day for Universal Access to Information – recognizing its role in development, democracy and equality.”

 

International Day for Universal Access to Information 2022 Theme : The theme of the Global Conference in 2022 is “Artificial Intelligence, e-Governance and Access to Information". This conference is set to take place in Tashkent, Uzbekistan. It will include a high-level opening and an inter-ministerial roundtable on Access to Information and Artificial Intelligence with international experts.

 

International Day for Universal Access to Information Significance :  Access to information is crucial for making informed decisions. Whether it is about what government you would want to represent you or to have knowledge of who governs you. Access to information is necessary for developments on all fronts. International Day for Universal Access to Information also upholds the idea of maintaining human rights. Furthermore, it raises awareness of the importance to have freedom of information..

Source : News18

Shri Hardeep Singh Puri, Minister of Petroleum and Natural Gas & Housing and Urban Affairs while addressing at the launch of AVGAS 100 LL on 26th Sep 2022. 

 

 

Shri Hardeep Singh Puri in the presence of General (Dr.) V. K.Singh (Retd.) Minister of State for Civil Aviation and Road Transport and Highways, launched AVGAS 100 LL, special aviation fuel meant for piston engine aircrafts and Unmanned Ariel Vehicles. 

 

Currently India is importing this product from European countries.

The launch event hosted by Indian Oil at Hindan Airforce Station witnessed participation by senior officials from Indian Airforce, senior officials from MoPNG and MoCA and officials from Flying Training Organizations (FTOs).

 

Highlighting the importance of launch of indigenous AV GAS 100 LL, the Minister for Petroleum and Natural Gas mentioned that the launch of indigenous AV GAS 100 LL is important to serve the needs of a thriving aviation industry with increase in footfall on airports, rise in number of aircrafts and Flying Training Organisations (FTOs) in trainee aircrafts for pilot training in future.  As the demand for air transport in India is expected to increase manifolds in the future, there is going to be a huge demand for trained pilots also..

Source : PIB

A contract for Maldives Hanimaadhoo International Airport Development Project was signed between Government of Maldives and JMC Projects (India) on Sunday(25th Sep 2022).

 

It is the first ever major infrastructure project to be undertaken outside Greater Male' region and is funded under the USD 800 million concessional Line of Credit (LoC) extended by Government of India to the Maldives. 

 

The worth of project is about USD $136.6 million.

 

It was confirmed that the project will be financed by India's Exim Bank.

 

The scope of the project includes major infrastructure and operational upgrade on the airside, landside and building infrastructure to meet the future growth of traffic to the Maldives in general, and the northern region of Maldives in particular. 

 

The project will see the construction of a new 2.46km runway and a terminal with a capacity of 1.3 million passengers per annum. Facilities will also be established to further expand international flights.

 

The construction work is expected to be fully operational by the year 2024..

Source : Economic Times

Saudi Arabia’s Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman has been named the kingdom’s prime minister in a cabinet reshuffle ordered by King Salman, according to a royal decree published by the official Saudi Press Agency on Tuesday(27th Sep 2022).

 

Prince Mohammed is already de facto ruler of the world’s largest oil exporter, and the appointment formalises his role as leader of the kingdom’s government.

 

The crown prince, known by his initials MBS, previously served as deputy prime minister as well as defence minister. He is being replaced as defence minister by his younger brother, Khalid bin Salman, who was deputy defence minister.

 

The royal decree reaffirmed all the other senior ministers in their posts, including Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan Al Saud, Finance Minister Mohammed al-Jadaan and Investment Minister Khalid al-Falih..

Source : Aljazeera

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday(25th Sep 2022) announced that the Chandigarh airport will be renamed after Bhagat Singh as a tribute to the great freedom fighter, triggering a race among several leaders to claim credit for it.

 

In his ‘Mann Ki Baat’ radio broadcast, Modi said that September 28 is an important day of ‘Amrit Mahotsav’ as it is the birth anniversary of Bhagat Singh.

 

“Just before the birth anniversary of Bhagat Singh, an important decision has been taken as a tribute to him. It has been decided that the Chandigarh airport will now be named after Shaheed Bhagat Singh. It had been in waiting for a long time,” Modi said.

 

He congratulated the people of Chandigarh, Punjab and Haryana and the rest of the country for this decision.

 

“Let us take inspiration from our freedom fighters, follow their ideals and build the India of their dreams… this is our tribute to them. The memorials of martyrs, the names of places and institutions named after them inspire us with a sense of duty,” the prime minister said..

Source : Theprint

Senior bureaucrat Rajendra Kumar has been appointed the director general of the Employees' State Insurance Corporation(ESIC), as part of a senior-level bureaucratic reshuffle effected by the Centre on Sunday(25th Sep 2022).

 

Kumar, a 1992-batch Indian Administrative Service (IAS) officer of Tamil Nadu cadre, is currently an additional secretary in the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology.

 

He has been appointed the DG of ESIC, an order issued by the Personnel Ministry said.

 

As per the order, T Natarajan, a 1996-batch IAS officer of Gujarat cadre, will be an additional secretary in the Department of Economic Affairs, Ministry of Finance.

 

V Hekali Zhimomi has been appointed as additional secretary in the Department of Health and Family Welfare. She is at present working as a joint secretary in the same department.

 

Ashish Srivastava, Additional Secretary and Financial Adviser in the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, has been named as adviser in the Inter State Council Secretariat, Ministry of Home Affairs..

Source : Business Standard