History of Kargil Vijay Diwas celebrates on 26th July
Kargil Vijay Diwas is celebrated every year on 26th July to pay tribute to the bravery of Indian Soldiers who made ultimate sacrifice for the country during the Kargil War 1999.
Kargil Vijay Diwas 2023:
In 2023, it has been 24 years since the Kargil War of 1999. ‘Operation Vijay’ was fought by the Indian Army against Pakistan in the Kargil sector of Jammu & Kashmir now in ladakh.
Kargil War:
Kargil War Diwas is observed on 26th July as on this day in 1999, the Indian troops announced their victory over the Pakistani rangers after nearly three-month long armed battles on the icy heights of Kargil.
Kargil War, also known as the Kargil Conflict, was fought between May-June of 1999 in the Kargil district of Jammu and Kashmir along the Line of Control (LoC) in which India got victory. Therefore, the day is dedicated to the victory of Indian Soldiers.
Story behind the Kargil War:
After the Indo-Pak War of 1971 there have been many military conflicts. Both the countries have conducted nuclear tests in 1998 which have further escalated tensions. To calm the situation in February 1999, Lahore Declaration was signed by both the countries, promising to provide a peaceful and bilateral solution to the Kashmir conflict. But Pakistan Armed Forces started sending its soldiers and paramilitary forces across the Line of Control (LoC) into the territory on the Indian Side and the infiltration was code named ‘Operation Badr’. The main objective is to break the link between Kashmir and Ladakh and to withdraw the Indian Army from the Siachen Glacier. At the same time, Pakistan believed that creating any kind of tension in this area would help in making the Kashmir issue an international issue, helping it to secure a speedy resolution.
The Scenario before the Kargil War:
In 1998-1999 during the winters, the Pakistani Army secretly started training and sending troops near Kargil to dominate the region with the goal to claim Siachen Glacier. Pakistani Army exclaimed that they were not the Pakistani Soldiers but the Mujahideen. The main motive of the Pakistan is to draw international attention on the dispute so that pressure could be generated on the Indian Army to withdraw its army from the Siachen Glacier region and force India to negotiate for the Kashmir dispute.
How the Kargil War unfolded?
On 3rd May 1999, Indian Army was alerted about Pakistani troops and militants in the region by local shepherd in Kargil.
On 5th May 1999, Pakistani troops killed about 5 Indian Soldiers.
On 10th May 1999, Indian Army launched ‘Operation Vijay’. Pakistani army targeted Indian Army’s ammunition deposits in Kargil.
On 26th May 1999, Indian Army launched air strike.
On 27th May 1999, IAF, a MiG-27 went down, 4 airforce crew died. Pakistan captured the ejecting pilot as a prisoner of war.
On 31st May 1999, War like situation was declared in Kargil by Atal Bihari Vajpayee.
On 1st June 1999, USA and France hold Pakistan responsible for military operations against India.
On 5th June 1999, Indian Army released the documents that showed the Pakistan’s involvement.
On 9th June 1999, Indian Army recaptured two important positions in the Batalik Sector.
On 10th June 1999, Pakistan returned 6 soldiers mutilated bodies of the Jat regiment.
On 13th June 1999, India retook the crucial Tololing peak to alter the direction of the war.
On 15th June 1999, Bill Clinton, US President urged to Pakistan PM Nawaz Sharif to retreat Pakistani troops.
On 20th June 1999, Indian Army captured Point 5060 and Point 5100 near Tiger Hill after 11-hour battle.
On 5th July 1999, Bill Clinton met Nawaz Sharif and Pakistan PM announced pull-out of Pakistani troops from Kargil.
On 11th July 1999, Pakistani troops began retreat and Indian Army captured many peaks in Batalik.
On 14th July 1999, Indian Army declared success of ‘Operation Vijay’.
On 26th July 1999, Kargil War came to an end and hence this day has been considered as ‘Kargil Vijay Diwas’.
Ladli Behna Yojana: Benefits and Registration Started
The second phase of the Ladli Bahna Yojana, an ambitious initiative by the state government, has commenced its application process on July 25th. Launched this year, this scheme aims to empower women financially. Eligible women can now apply from five different locations, and in order to extend its benefits to more women and daughters, the eligibility criteria have been relaxed this time. This Madhya Pradesh government scheme ensures that eligible members receive a monthly transfer of Rs. 1,000 to their bank accounts on the 10th of each month, further enhancing their financial stability and independence. Apply now to avail the benefits of this empowering program!
Application for second phase of Ladli Bahna Yojana starts from today
The Madhya Pradesh government has launched the Ladli Bahna Yojana on March 15, 2023, with the noble objective of empowering daughters and women economically. So far, the scheme has successfully provided financial assistance to 1.25 crore eligible members, with payments released twice. Now, the applications for the second phase have commenced on July 25th, aiming to include those women who were previously unable to avail the scheme’s benefits. Additionally, women who own a tractor will also be eligible to take advantage of this program. Don’t miss this opportunity to secure financial strength for yourself or your loved ones! Apply now and reap the benefits of the Ladli Bahna Yojana.
Benefits of Ladli Bahna Yojana
Our sisters whose age is 21 to 23 years and such sisters who also have tractors, all of them are being linked to Ladli Bahna Yojana. Now they will also get the benefit of the scheme. Let us inform that those who had a tractor at the time of first phase of application were kept out of the application.
Application rules and eligibility conditions for Ladli Bahna Yojana have been simplified. To get the benefits of the scheme, general category, other backward castes, scheduled castes, scheduled tribes, minorities, women, abandoned women, widows are eligible to apply. Women must be a local resident of Madhya Pradesh. The age limit for application is from 21 to 60 years, earlier the age limit was 23 years.
Apply for Ladli Bahna Yojana from these 5 places.
Forms of Ladli Bahna Yojana are being filled offline. The government has made the forms of the scheme available at 5 places-
From panchayat center
Through accountant
Through Panchayat Secretary
Through principal
From special camp office
Russia bans sex change and transgender marriages
Russian President Vladimir Putin has signed a new legislation that deals a significant blow to the LGBTQ+ community in the country. The act, passed unanimously by both houses of parliament, strictly prohibits individuals from officially or medically changing their gender, further marginalizing Russia’s embattled LGBTQ+ population.
Comprehensive Ban on Gender Changes and More
The new legislation imposes a comprehensive ban on various aspects related to gender changes.
It prohibits any medical interventions aimed at altering a person’s sex and also bars individuals from changing their gender in official documents or public records.
Only medical intervention to treat congenital anomalies will be allowed under the new law.
Furthermore, the legislation goes beyond restricting gender changes and extends its impact to marriages and family planning.
It annuls marriages in which one of the partners has undergone a gender change, and it outright prevents transgender individuals from becoming foster or adoptive parents.
Preserving “Traditional Values” and Combating “Western Ideology”
The ban on gender changes and the wider crackdown on LGBTQ+ rights in Russia are rooted in the Kremlin’s pursuit of preserving what it deems as the nation’s “traditional values.”
Lawmakers argue that the legislation is essential to protect Russia against what they view as “western anti-family ideology.”
Some legislators have even labeled gender transitioning as “pure satanism,” highlighting the extent of the conservative stance taken by the government.
A Decade of LGBTQ+ Crackdown in Russia
Russia’s stringent measures against LGBTQ+ individuals have been on the rise over the past decade.
It began with President Putin’s emphasis on promoting “traditional family values,” a stance that found support from the Russian Orthodox Church.
In 2013, the Kremlin passed legislation that forbade any public endorsement of “nontraditional sexual relations” among minors.
Subsequently, in 2020, Putin introduced constitutional reforms that banned same-sex marriages.
Last year, another law was enacted to suppress the “propaganda of nontraditional sexual relations” among adults, further tightening the grip on LGBTQ+ rights in the country.
Rajasthan tables Bill to guarantee social security to gig workers
The Rajasthan government presented the Rajasthan Platform Based Gig Workers Bill, 2023, becoming the first state in India to ensure social security assurance for gig workers. As part of this initiative, the Rajasthan Platform Based Gig Workers Welfare Board will be established, enabling gig workers in the state to register with all the state’s aggregators.
Rajasthan Platform Based GIG Workers Bill, 2023
Ensuring Compliance and Welfare Fee Deduction
The bill aims to create a monitoring mechanism to ensure the aggregator’s adherence to the bill’s provisions and to verify the regular deduction of the welfare fee for gig workers. As per the bill, the aggregator will contribute a portion of the welfare fee either on a transactional basis or as per the instructions of the Rajasthan government.
Integrated Fee Deduction Mechanism and Penalties for Non-Compliance
The bill’s objective is to establish an integrated welfare fee deduction mechanism within the aggregator app. In the event of an aggregator’s non-compliance with the act’s provisions, the bill proposes a penalty of ₹5 lakh for the first offense and ₹50 lakh for subsequent offenses.
Empowering Gig Workers: Unique ID, Social Security Access, and Involvement in Decision-Making
The bill aims to furnish gig workers with a standardized unique ID applicable across all platforms. This distinctive identification will empower these workers to access a wide range of social security programs, both general and specific in nature.
Furthermore, it will enable them to raise grievances effectively and be heard. Additionally, by being represented on the board, gig workers will actively participate in all decision-making processes concerning their well-being.
Gig Workers in India: A Driving Force for Future Economic Growth
By 2030, India is expected to see a significant rise in the gig workforce, with projections indicating that the number of gig workers will reach 23.5 million, solidifying their crucial role in the country’s future economic growth.
Recognizing the importance of this workforce, the Code of Social Security (2020) has a dedicated section for ‘gig workers,’ which mandates employers to provide them with social security benefits.
What are Gig workers?
Gig workers includes a diverse group of independent contractors, online platform workers, contract firm workers, on-call workers, and temporary workers. They engage in formal agreements with on-demand companies to deliver services to the company’s clients.
Gig workers enjoy unique freedoms such as the ability to set their own working hours, operate from the comfort of their homes, and essentially be their own bosses.
India’s forex reserves breach $600 billion-mark, hover around 15-month high
India’s foreign exchange reserves have recorded their most substantial weekly surge in four months, witnessing a remarkable increase of $12.74 billion, reaching an impressive total of $609.02 billion, as reported by the Reserve Bank of India (RBI). This surge comes after a previous uptick of $1.23 billion in the preceding week ending on July 7.
Foreign Currency Assets and Gold Reserves Drive the Growth
The Weekly Statistical Supplement released by the RBI highlighted that Foreign Currency Assets (FCAs) played a pivotal role in the surge, surging by $11.19 billion to an impressive total of $540.17 billion.
FCAs, expressed in dollar terms, take into account the appreciation or depreciation of non-US units such as the euro, pound, and yen, held within the foreign exchange reserves.
Moreover, the nation’s gold reserves also rose significantly by $1.14 billion, reaching $45.20 billion.
SDRs and IMF Reserve Position Show Positive Momentum
Alongside the growth in FCAs and gold reserves, India’s Special Drawing Rights (SDRs) experienced an increase of $250 million, reaching a total of $18.500 billion.
Furthermore, the country’s Reserve Position in the International Monetary Fund (IMF) also moved up by $158 million, now standing at $5.18 billion.
Amount (in $ billion)Increase (in $ billion)Forex Reserves609.0212.74Foreign Currency Assets (FCAs)540.1711.19Gold Reserves45.201.14SDRs18.500.25IMF Reserve Position5.180.16
RBI’s Prudent Market Intervention
The RBI plays a vital role in maintaining market stability through strategic interventions. It occasionally manages liquidity, including selling dollars, to prevent a steep depreciation in the value of the rupee.
The central bank carefully monitors foreign exchange markets and intervenes solely to ensure orderly market conditions and contain excessive volatility in exchange rates, without adhering to any pre-determined target level or band.
RBI’s Recent Foreign Exchange Activity
According to the RBI’s monthly bulletin data, the central bank purchased $7.37 billion in the spot foreign exchange market in May.
In contrast, no dollar sales were reported during the same period. In April, the RBI had acquired a net total of $7.70 billion in the spot market.
These interventions were taken amid a depreciation of over 1 per cent in the Indian rupee against the dollar during May.
India’s growing forex reserves reflect the nation’s strengthened economic position and the RBI’s vigilant efforts to maintain financial stability. The substantial surge in reserves serves as a positive signal for the country’s economic resilience amidst global uncertainties.
Gruha Lakshmi Scheme: Benefits, Registration Started
Registration for Gruha Lakshmi starts on 19th July 2023, an effective scheme launched by the Karnataka Government to provide financial assistance to women heads of a household. The beneficiaries of Gruha Lakshmi Yojana would be able to register for free without being lured by any middleman.
The beneficiaries of the scheme can register for free without the help of any middleman. They can register online or offline. The online registration can be done through the website sevasindhuservices.karnataka.gov.in. The offline registration can be done at any of the designated Common Service Centres (CSCs) in the state.
Here are some of the key points about the Gruha Lakshmi Yojana:
The scheme is open to all women who are the heads of their households in Karnataka.
The monthly financial assistance of Rs. 2,000 will be transferred directly to the beneficiary’s bank account through the DBT (Direct Benefit Transfer) mode.
The registration for the scheme will start on 19th July 2023.
The beneficiaries can register for free online or offline.
Gruha Lakshmi Scheme Benefits?
Just two months into their tenure, the Karnataka government has successfully delivered on their promise by introducing the Gruha Lakshmi Scheme.
Commencing registration on July 19th, this program aims to provide financial support of Rs. 2000 per month to female heads of households.
The beneficiaries will receive this monthly assistance from August 15th to 20th, and the registration process will continue for a year.
With an allocated budget of Rs. 18,000 crore, the scheme is set to benefit over 1,11,00,000 women, benefiting a total of 12.8 million families across the state.
Ministry Responsible
Gruha Lakshmi Scheme has been launched by the Karnataka Government under the Ministry of Women and Child Development for the benefit of the women’s heads of households. The scheme is expected to benefit around 1.28 crore women in Karnataka. The scheme has been welcomed by women’s groups and activists. They say that the scheme will help to improve the financial status of women and their families. They also say that the scheme will help to empower women and give them more control over their finances.
Gruha Laxmi Scheme Eligibility Criteria
According to the Minister of Women and Child Development, Laxmi Hebbalkar, all women whose names are there as the head of the family on BPL and APL cards are eligible the avail of the benefits under the scheme.
The women or their husbands should not fall under the category of income tax.
Women must not be government employees.
Only one woman in the family will be the beneficiary under the scheme.
Documents required for Gruha Lakshmi Scheme
Above Poverty Line Card (APL)/Below Poverty Line (BPL)/Antyodaya Card.
Bank-linked Aadhar Card
Bank details of the beneficiary.
Aadhar linked phone number.
Registration process under Gruha Lakshmi Scheme
Beneficiaries can get them registered either offline or online.
Offline Registration:
For offline registration, the beneficiary needs to approach to the assigned centers with all the required documents and there is no registration fee.
Online Registration:
For online registration, one must follow the following steps:
Visit the official portal of the ‘Seva Sindhu Guarantee Scheme’.
Choose and click on the ‘Gruha Lakshmi Scheme’ option.
Click on the ‘Click here to apply’.
Fill up all the required details and upload the documents.
Click on the ‘Submit’ and note the application form number for further reference.
Karnataka Gruha Lakshmi Scheme Steps To Apply Online
To participate in the Karnataka Gruha Lakshmi Scheme 2023, visit the official website at Sevasindhu.karnataka.gov.in. Select the “Gruha Lakshmi Scheme 2023” from the list of available schemes. If you are a new user, register by providing your Aadhar number and other necessary details. For existing users, log in using your credentials.
Fill in the application form with accurate personal information, including family income, address, and bank account details. Upload the required documents such as Aadhar card, domicile certificate, ration card, and bank account passbook as mentioned in the form. Review all the information before submitting the application.
Make sure to note down the application number for future reference, as it will be used to track your application status. The authorities will verify the submitted applications, and upon approval, you will start receiving the benefits of the Gruha Lakshmi Scheme in your bank account.
To check the status of your application, visit the Sevasindhu portal and use your registered mobile number. Once approved, you will receive a financial assistance of Rs. 2000 per month directly in your bank account through the Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) mode.
Why PM DevINE scheme in news?
Prime Minister’s Development Initiative for North Eastern Region (PM-DevINE) scheme was announced as a new Central Sector Scheme. This scheme was 100% funded by Central Government in the Union Budget of 2022-23 with initial list of seven projects and an initial allocation of Rs.1500 crore.
PM-DevINE scheme got approval by the Cabinet on 12th October 2022 with an overall outlay of Rs.6,600 crore for the 4 years period from 2022-23 to 2025-26 (remaining years of the 15th Finance Commission period).
Objectives of PM-DevINE Scheme:
To fund infrastructure convergently, in the spirit of PM GatiShakti.
To support social development projects based on felt needs of the NER.
To enable livelihood activities for youth and women.
To fill the development gaps in various sectors.
Keeping in view the objectives of the PM DevINE Scheme, eleven projects amounting to Rs.1503.44 crore including the seven projects announced in Budget 2022-23, have been selected for sanction in FY 2022-23 and an amount of Rs.121.10 crore has been disbursed.
The time frame defined for PM-DevINE scheme projects is 2023-24 for sanction and 2025-26 for completion.