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1. The 'India Africa Postal Leaders Meet' was organized in India to strengthen ties between African countries and India in the postal sector. This initiative, under the "South-South and Triangular Cooperation" programme of the Universal Postal Union, was supported by India Post and the United States Postal Service. The key theme was capacity building through study visits, where India Post showcased its services, including e-commerce parcels, Dak Niryat Kendras, postal financial services via India Post Payments Bank, Aadhaar enabled services, Passport services, and Digital Life Certificate. The meet aligns with initiatives like the ‘Voice of Global South Summit,’ the India-Africa forum, and the inclusion of the African Union in the G20 during India's Presidency in 2023. It saw participation from 42 heads of postal administrations and senior management personnel from 22 African countries.
2. The Union Territory of Ladakh has been declared to have achieved Full Functional Literacy under the ULLAS-Nav Bharat Saksharta Karyakram, attaining over 97% literacy. Functional literacy involves the ability to read, write, and perform calculations for personal and community development, whereas basic literacy focuses on reading, writing, and arithmetic skills. ULLAS (Understanding Lifelong Learning for All in Society), a centrally sponsored scheme from 2022-2027, aims to empower adults aged 15 and above who missed formal schooling, in line with NEP 2020. The scheme has benefited over 77 lakh people nationwide. It encompasses five components: Foundational Literacy and Numeracy, Critical Life Skills, Basic Education, Vocational Skills, and Continuing Education. Other government educational initiatives include the National Programme on Technology Enhanced Learning, Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan, PRAGYATA, the Mid Day Meal Scheme, Beti Bachao Beti Padhao, and PM SHRI Schools.
3. India is hosting the 64th International Sugar Organization (ISO) Council Meeting in June 2024 in New Delhi. The event includes a workshop titled "Sugar and Biofuels-Emerging Vistas," attended by international delegates, Indian sugar mill executives, industry associations, and technical experts. Discussions focused on the future of the global sugar sector, biofuels, sustainability, and the role of farmers. India is the world's largest sugar consumer and the second-largest producer after Brazil, with sugarcane being the second major feedstock for ethanol production globally. The ISO, a UN-affiliated body headquartered in London, comprises about 85 member countries representing 90% of global sugar production. It aims to unite major sugar-producing, consuming, and trading nations. Many ISO member countries are also part of the Global Biofuel Alliance, providing a platform to expand the alliance and promote biofuels.
4. Jammu and Kashmir's DGP proposed using the Enemy Agents Ordinance of 2005 to prosecute militant supporters, offering penalties like life imprisonment or the death penalty, as an alternative to the UAPA. The Enemy Agents Ordinance, introduced in 1917 and re-enacted in 1948, targets those aiding enemies, particularly defined in the context of the 1947 invasion of Kashmir. It includes severe penalties and lacks provisions for appeals. The Unlawful Activities Prevention Act (UAPA), enacted in 1967 and amended recently in 2019, addresses secessionist and anti-national activities, including terrorist financing and cyber-terrorism. The UAPA allows detention without charge for up to 180 days and imposes strict penalties, including the death penalty and life imprisonment for terrorist acts.
5. The Rhisotope Project, launched in 2021, aims to curb rhino poaching by injecting radioactive material into rhino horns. This renders the horns "useless" and "poisonous for human consumption," making them detectable at border posts and reducing their black market value. The project involves inserting tiny radioactive chips, with the material lasting five years, proving more cost-effective than frequent dehorning. The procedure is safe for sedated rhinos, with a radiation dose low enough not to affect their health or the environment. By increasing the likelihood of detecting and prosecuting smuggling syndicates, the project aims to save rhinos from extinction. Despite previous efforts, 499 rhinos were killed in 2023, highlighting the need for innovative solutions like the Rhisotope Project.