Current Context : Pradhan Mantri Kisan Maandhan Yojana (PM-KMY) has completed five years of its implementation.

ABOUT PRADHAN MANTRI KISAN MAAN-DHAN YOJANA (PM-KMY)

• Launched on September 12, 2019.
• Aim : to provide social security to all land-holding Small and Marginal Farmers (SMFs) across the country.
• Target Group: Small and marginal farmers aged between 18 and 40 years.
• Landholding Criteria: Farmers with landholdings of up to 2 hectares.
• Income Ceiling: Farmers with an annual income of less than ₹2 lakh.
• Monthly Pension: ₹3,000 per month will be given after the age of 60.
• As of August, 2024, a total of 38 lakh farmers have joined the scheme.
• Under the scheme, Bihar leads with over 3.4 lakh registrations while Jharkhand ranks second with over 2.5 lakh registrations.

Observed annually on September 11th 

• Aim : to honor the sacrifices of those who have laid down their lives in defense of the country’s forests and wildlife.
• This date was chosen by the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change in 2013 to coincide with the historic Khejarli Massacre of 1730, where members of the Bishnoi community sacrificed their lives to protect trees in the Marwar Kingdom.

Current Context : At the Paris 2024 Paralympic Games, India made history with their best-ever performance, winning a total of 29 medals, comprising seven gold, nine silver, and 13 bronze medals.

• This surpasses their previous record of 19 medals at Tokyo 2020.

WINNERS LIST :

Current Context : Randhir Singh, a five-time Olympian and sports administrator, became the first Indian to become president of the Olympic Council of Asia (OCA).

• He will serve from 2024 to 2028.
• He was Indian Olympic Association secretary-general (1987-2012) and IOC member (2001-14).

ABOUT OLYMPIC COUNCIL OF ASIA (OCA) :

• The Olympic Council of Asia (OCA) is a key organization within the Olympic movement responsible for promoting and organizing Olympic sports across the Asian continent.
• Established : on February 4, 1982.
• Objective : To promote and develop Olympic sports in Asia, organize continental multi-sport events, and support the development of sports across the Asian region.
• Headquarters : Kuwait City, Kuwait
• Members: 45 member countries

Current Context : Ministry of Commerce and Industry under the Business Reforms Action Plan (BRAP) released Ease of Doing Business Reforms ranking.

RELEVANT DATA :

Top performer states : Kerala ranked top, followed by Andhra Pradesh, Gujarat, Rajasthan, Tripura, and Uttar Pradesh.

Worst performers states : Arunachal Pradesh, Telangana, Punjab, and Puducherry.

• Odisha has reformed its mining sector,
• UP has begun promoting investment,
• Maharashtra is attracting Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) by improving infrastructure
• Sikkim is adding value to organic farming,

Current Context : 10-Day Onam Festival started with Atham In Kerala. 

About Atham : This is the first day of Onam, which begins with the Athachamayam parade. From this day onwards, the “Pookalam” (flower decorations) in the houses begin.

ABOUT ONAM FESTIVAL

• Onam is a major annual festival celebrated in the Indian state of Kerala, marking the harvest season and the homecoming of the mythical King Mahabali.
• Celebrated to honor King Mahabali, a revered figure in Kerala’s mythology who is believed to visit his people during Onam.
• The festival lasts for ten days, with the main festivities taking place on Thiruvonam, the 8th day of the festival.

FESTIVE EVENTS:

• Vallamkali (Boat Races): Traditional snake boat races held in the backwaters of Kerala, attracting large crowds and showcasing teamwork and traditional craftsmanship.
• Pulikali: A folk dance where participants paint themselves as tigers and leopards, performing in groups to entertain the public.
• Athachamayam: The festival begins with a grand procession featuring traditional music, dance, and floats.

Current Context : Union Minister of Environment, Forest and Climate Change presented the Swachh Vayu Sarvekshan award 2024.  

• Aim : to create stronger partnerships, increase investment, and share responsibility for overcoming air pollution, with the global theme of “Together for Clean Air.”

RANKINGS

• Under the first category (million-plus population) : Indore ranked first, followed by Agra and Thane.
• Second category (3-10 lakh population) : Amravati secured first rank followed by Moradabad and Guntur.
• Third category (less than 3 lakh population) : Parwanoo secured the first rank, followed by Kala Amb and Angul.

Current Context : The Indian Army and Indian Air Force signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Gati Shakti Vishwavidyalaya  for Enhanced Logistics Expertise

• It will enhance the skills and capability building of personnel in logistics operations.

ABOUT GATI SHAKTI 

• Gati Shakti Vishwavidyalaya is a pioneering institution focused exclusively on transportation and logistics.
• It aims to address the needs of the entire logistics sector, including Railways, shipping, ports, highways, roads, waterways, and aviation.
• The university’s programs are designed in collaboration with industry experts to ensure practical relevance and cutting-edge education.
• Established as a central university under the Gati Shakti Act, 2021.

Current Context : External Affairs Minister Dr. S. Jaishankar (EAM), visited Riyadh, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, to attend the 1st ever India–GCC Joint Ministerial Meeting for Strategic Dialogue.

• This was the first meeting between India and the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) at the Foreign Ministers level.

ABOUT

• The Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) is a political and economic alliance of six Middle Eastern countries located on the Arabian Peninsula.
• The member states are:
  • Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, United Arab Emirates (UAE)
• Established on May 25, 1981 in Riyadh.
• Objective: To promote economic, security, cultural, and social cooperation between the six states and hold a summit every year to discuss cooperation and regional affairs.
• Collectively, GCC countries hold nearly half of the world’s oil reserves.

INDIA AND GCC:

• The GCC is India’s largest regional trading partner.
• In FY2022–23, trade with GCC countries accounted for 15.8% of India’s total trade.
• The UAE is India’s leading trading partner within the GCC and the third-largest overall trading partner for India.

Approximately 8.9 million Indian expatriates live in GCC countries, making up about 66% of the Indian diaspora living abroad.

Current Context : Prime Minister Narendra Modi will inaugurate SEMICON India 2024 at the India Expo Mart in Uttar Pradesh’s Greater Noida on September 11.

• SEMICON India 2024 is being organised from September 11 to 13 with the theme “Shaping the Semiconductor Future”.
• The three-day conference will showcase India’s semiconductor strategy and policy which envisions making India a global hub for semiconductors.
• It will bring together global leaders, semiconductor industry experts, academia, and government officials.

ABOUT

• SEMICON refers to a series of global trade shows and conferences organized by SEMI (Semiconductor Equipment and Materials International), a global industry association serving the semiconductor and related industries.
• These events focus on the latest innovations, technologies, and trends in the semiconductor sector