CONTENT:
India
Lok Sabha passes The Assisted Reproductive Technology (Regulation) Bill, 2020
Dinyar Patel wins Kamaladevi Chattopadhyay NIF Book Prize 2021 for his book “Naoroji: Pioneer of Indian Nationalism”
Arunachal Pradesh govt ropes in actor Sanjay Dutt as brand ambassador for 50th year celebrations
Nagaland: Hornbill Festival beings in Naga Heritage village Kisama on statehood day–Dec 1
Parliamentary Delegation from Mongolia calls on the President
India joins G20 Troika, to work closely with Indonesia, Italy on agenda
Economy and Corporate
ADB providing USD 250 mn loan for National Industrial Corridor Development Program
Sambit Patra appointed chairman of India Tourism Development Corporation
Serum Institute of India delivers first Novavax vaccine batch through COVAX
International Affairs
World AIDS Day observed on Dec 1
Paris-based OECD (Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development) lowers global growth forecast for 2021 to 5.6% from 5.7% earlier
Bangladesh-US holding CARAT (Cooperation Afloat Readiness and Training) maritime exercise in Bay of Bengal
Harsh Vardhan Shringla meets EU special envoy for Afghanistan
India Foundation organising fifth Indian Ocean Conference in Abu Dhabi on Dec 4-5.
Lok Sabha passes The Assisted Reproductive Technology (Regulation) Bill, 2020
The Lok Sabha on Wednesday passed the Assisted Reproductive Technology (Regulation) Bill 2020 for prevention of misuse and for safe and ethical practice of assisted reproductive technology services. The bill has been passed with amendments.
The Bill, first tabled in the Lok Sabha on 14 September 2020, defines "assisted reproductive technology" to include all techniques that attempt to obtain a pregnancy by handling the sperm or the oocyte outside the human body and transferring the gamete or the embryo into the reproductive system of a woman.
The need to bring the legislation was felt in face of the rising demand for ART services. "India has over the years become one of the major centres of this global fertility industry, with reproductive medical tourism becoming a significant activity...However,there is yet no standardisation of protocols and reporting is still very inadequate," the statement of objects annexed to the Bill stated.
The Bill contains provisions for the protection of rights of the donors, the commissioning couple, and the children born out of ART.
Regulation of ART clinics :The Bill provides for the establishment of the National Registry of Clinics and Banks, which will act as a central database for details of all the clinics and banks in the country.
Conditions for donation of gametes As per the Bill, the sourcing of gametes shall be done only by a registered ART bank.
It may collect semen from males between 21-55 years of age (both inclusive) and oocytes from females between 23-55 years of age.
Rights of a child born through ART
Section 31 of the Bill provides that the child born through assisted reproductive technology shall be deemed to be a biological child of the commissioning couple and the said child shall be entitled to all the rights and privileges available to a natural child only from the commissioning couple under any law for the time being in force.
A donor shall relinquish all parental rights over the child or children which may be born from his or her gamete.
Counselling:
The Bill provides that assisted reproductive technology clinics shall provide professional counselling to commissioning couple and women about all the implications and chances of success of ART procedures in the clinic.
Dinyar Patel wins Kamaladevi Chattopadhyay NIF Book Prize 2021 for his book “Naoroji: Pioneer of Indian Nationalism”
New India Foundation announced the winner of the fourth edition of the Kamaladevi Chattopadhyay NIF Book Prize 2021 today. It went to Dinyar Patel for Naoroji: Pioneer of Indian Nationalism (Harvard University Press)
Dinyar Patel is Assistant Professor of History at the S.P. Jain Institute of Management and Research in Mumbai.
The winner was selected from a shortlist of six books that covered a variety of themes and subjects and showcased some of the finest non-fiction writing about India. The prize will be presented to Patel at a special event on December 4 held in collaboration with the Bangalore International Centre.
The Jury said of the book,“Naoroji: Pioneer of Indian Nationalism by Dinyar Patel (Harvard University Press) is an exemplary biography about one of India’s first nationalists, written with great lucidity and detail by a promising scholar. In his keenly-researched work, Dinyar Patel illuminates the life and legacy of Dadabhai Naoroji as a key figure in the history of India’s movement towards Independence.”
Arunachal Pradesh govt ropes in actor Sanjay Dutt as brand ambassador for 50th year celebrations
The Government of Arunachal pradesh signed - Actor Sanjay Dutt as Brand Ambassador and Filmmaker Rahul Mittra as it’s Brand Advisor.
This was announced by the CM of Arunachal Pradesh : Pema Khandur and Speaker : Pasang Sona Dorjee.
Nagaland: Hornbill Festival beings in Naga Heritage village Kisama on statehood day–Dec 1
Hornbill festival is a state festival of Nagaland that is held from December 1 every year, in conjunction with the celebration of Nagaland Statehood Day on December 1.
Nagaland is home to several tribes, which have their distinct festivals, where more than 60 per cent of the population depends on agriculture and therefore most of their festivals revolve around agriculture. The Nagas consider their festivals sacred, so participation in these festivals is essential.
The state government organises the Hornbill festival to encourage inter-tribal interaction and promote the cultural heritage of Nagaland. The first festival was held in 2000 and is named after the Indian hornbill, a large and colorful forest bird that is displayed in the folklore of most of the state’s tribes.
The Hornbill festival is held at Naga Heritage Village, Kisama which is about 12 km from Kohima, the capital of Nagaland. All the tribes of Naga from the state and outsides of the state take part in this festival.
The ten-day-long festival unites one and all in Nagaland and people enjoy the colorful performances, crafts, sports, food fairs, games, and ceremonies. Traditional arts which include paintings, wood carvings, and sculptures are also on display.
Festival highlights include the traditional Naga Morungs exhibition and the sale of arts and crafts, food stalls, herbal medicine stalls, flower shows and sales, cultural medley - songs and dances, fashion shows, the Miss Nagaland beauty contest, traditional archery, Naga wrestling, indigenous games, and musical concert.
Moreover, Naga troupes sing folk songs, perform traditional dances and play indigenous games and sports. In the evenings, a program of music concerts, catering to all tastes, ensures that the festive spirit continues through the night. One of the major highlights of this festival is the Hornbill International Rock Festival, which is held at Indira Gandhi Stadium, where local and international rock bands perform.
Parliamentary Delegation from Mongolia calls on the President
A Parliamentary Delegation from Mongolia led by H.E. Mr Gombojav Zandanshatar, Chairman of the State Great Hural of Mongolia, called on President of India, Shri Ram Nath Kovind, at Rashtrapati Bhavan today (December 1, 2021).
Welcoming the delegation to India, the President said that India and Mongolia share civilisational, historical, spiritual and cultural ties. The common values and ideals of democracy and freedom strengthen our bonds. As Mongolia’s ‘third neighbour’ and ‘spiritual neighbour’, India looks forward to continued cooperation to further deepen its strategic partnership with Mongolia. He expressed confidence that this visit would add to the vibrancy of our bilateral relationship.
The President said that Buddhism is a special connect between India and Mongolia. He noted that India’s National Mission for Manuscripts has undertaken printing of Mongolian Kanjur manuscripts. He also noted that India is extending assistance for digitization of Buddhist manuscripts at Gandan Monastery.
Speaking about the global issue of climate change, the President said that impact of climate change would be particularly higher on developing countries such as ours. It is imperative that we work together to address this common challenge. He was happy to note that Mongolia has decided to join the International Solar Alliance.
Speaking about the developmental projects undertaken by India in Mongolia, the President was happy to note the progress on the Oil Refinery Project in Mongolia. He said that this project is a symbol of India-Mongolia strong cooperation and the strategic partnership. India is fully committed to its timely completion as it would greatly enhance Mongolia’s energy security, he added.
Pointing to the cooperation between India and Mongolia in facing challenges of Covid-19, the President said that we appreciate the timely and valuable support given to us in the second wave by the Government of Mongolia. He also expressed happiness that India could support Mongolia through the supply of vaccines and medicines.
India joins G20 Troika, to work closely with Indonesia, Italy on agenda
India joined G20 Troika - 1-Dec-2021.
The G20 Troika consists of Indonesia, Italy and India.
Premier forum of International Economic cooperation.
As a founding member of G20, India uses this platform to raise issues of vital importance and those impact the vulnerable around the world.
G20 to be held on - 30-31- Oct-2022.
Theme : G20 Troika : “Recover together, recover stronger”.
India will assume G20 Presidency on 1-Dec-2022 from Indonesia.
G20 leader’s summit to be held for first time in India in 2023.
ADB providing USD 250 mn loan for National Industrial Corridor Development Program
ADB - Asian Development Bank.
ADB signed with the Indian Govt to provide a loan for NICDP.
NICDP - National Industrial Corridor Development Program.
AIM: to develop world class industrial nodes that are buttressed by efficient urban agglomeration and multi modal connectivity.
This includes : Gateways - Ports and Airports, Climate resilient and sustainable infrastructure.
This supporting system of loan may help to build capacity to create an enabling environment for integrated development of industrial corridors.
ADB is owned by 68 members and established in 1966.
Sambit Patra appointed chairman of India Tourism Development Corporation
BJP national spokesperson Sambit Patra has been appointed as the Chairman of India Tourism Development Corporation (ITDC).
As per an order dated November 30, the Appointments Committee of the Cabinet (ACC) has approved the Tourism Ministry’s proposal to split the post of chairman and managing director of ITDC.
Appointment of Dr. Sambit Patra as Part-Time Non Executive Director & Chairman of ITDC for a period of three years from the date of assumption of charge, or until further orders, whichever is earlier,”
Serum Institute of India delivers first Novavax vaccine batch through COVAX
Serum Institute of India has sent doses of COVID-19 vaccine to Indonesia, in its first export of the Novavax shot through the COVAX network.
The world's biggest vaccine maker exported 137,500 doses of Covovax, as it calls the shot, to the Southeast Asian country last week.
Indonesia has approved the vaccine but India and the World Health Organization, which co-leads the COVAX vaccine-sharing network, have not.
World AIDS Day observed on Dec 1
Every year, December 1 is observed as World AIDS Day across the globe to spread awareness about the disease and remember all those who lost their lives to it. It was first observed in 1988.
The theme of World AIDS Day 2021 is: ‘End inequalities. End AIDS’. “With a special focus on reaching people left behind, WHO and its partners are highlighting the growing inequalities in access to essential HIV services,” World Health Organisation (WHO) said.
Paris-based OECD (Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development) lowers global growth forecast for 2021 to 5.6% from 5.7% earlier
The OECD warned Wednesday that the Omicron coronavirus variant threatens the global economic recovery as it lowered the growth outlook for 2021 and appealed for a swifter rollout of Covid vaccines.
The global economy is now expected to expand by 5.6 percent this year, down from an earlier forecast of 5.7 percent, the OECD said in its updated economic outlook which warns that low vaccination areas could create "breeding grounds" for deadlier virus mutations.
Its forecast for 2022 remains unchanged at 4.5 percent, but the report was released only days after Omicron was detected.
The report by the Paris-based Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development said the global recovery is continuing to progress.
Bangladesh-US holding CARAT (Cooperation Afloat Readiness and Training) maritime exercise in Bay of Bengal
At the US embassy in Dhaka on Wednesday, the exercise demonstrates the U.S. 's continuing commitment to work with the Bangladesh military to address shared maritime security concerns in the region and strengthen partnership to ensure a free and open Indo-Pacific region.
Speaking during the online inaugural programme, Rear Admiral Fred Kacher, Commander Expeditionary Strike Group (ESG) 7 of US said that they will continue to operate with and learn from the Bangladesh Navy. He further said that the US navy stands shoulder-to-shoulder with Bangladesh in its commitment to a free and open maritime commons.
Presiding over the opening ceremony, Commander, Bangladesh Navy Fleet Rear Adm. M Mahbub-Ul Islam said that CARAT has become a unique forum to work with US Navy. He said that mutual cooperation and partnership is essential to make the maritime domain safe.
Harsh Vardhan Shringla meets EU special envoy for Afghanistan
Harsh Vardhan Shringla met the special envoy of the EU for Afghanistan, Tomas Niklasson, and discussed the current situation in the war-ravaged nation.
Foreign Secretary Harsh Vardhan Shringla on Wednesday met the special envoy of the EU for Afghanistan, Tomas Niklasson, and discussed the current situation in the war-ravaged nation. Ministry of External Affairs Spokesperson Arindam Bagchi informed that both the diplomats have agreed to continue the ongoing coordination between India and the European Union (EU) on Afghanistan.
India Foundation organising fifth Indian Ocean Conference in Abu Dhabi on Dec 4-5
External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar will address the fifth Indian Ocean Conference to be held in Abu Dhabi on December 4-5 besides the Sri Lankan president, Maldivian vice-president and the Fijian prime minister.
The theme of the Indian Ocean Conference 2021 is "Indian Ocean: Ecology, Economy, Epidemic"
There will be around 200 delegates and over 50 speakers from 30 countries. The inaugural address will be delivered by President of Sri Lanka Gotabaya Rajapaksa, the think-tank said.
