SEBI Issues debt broker License to Zerodha-backed GoldenPi Technologies
Zerodha-backed GoldenPi Technologies has become the first online bond platform provider to receive a debt brokerage license from market regulator Securities and Exchange Board of India (Sebi).
Zerodha-backed GoldenPi Technologies has become the first online bond platform provider to receive a debt brokerage license from market regulator Securities and Exchange Board of India (Sebi). The Bengaluru-based fintech firm expects this development to spur greater trust in online bonds and debentures investment space.
Regulation for online debt trading platforms:
The regulator introduced regulations for online debt trading platforms which stated that no company or individual shall act as an online bond platform provider without the certificate of registration as a stock broker under the SEBI Regulations, 2021.
The awarding of the license by Sebi to GoldenPi is expected to work as a catalyst for greater investor trust in the online bonds and debentures investment space, the company said in a release.
About GoldenPi Technologies:
Incorporated in 2017, the Zerodha-backed company currently offers more than 100+ bonds and debentures on its online platform in the form of daily listings.
It has more than 3.7 lakh active users on its platform, investing in corporate bonds, NCD, IPOs and other fixed-income assets.
India’s Vinaya Prakash Singh new Asian Pacific Postal Union Secretary General
Vinaya Prakash Singh: According to the Ministry of Communications, Vinaya Prakash Singh, a former Member (Personnel), Postal Services Board, was elected as the union's Secretary General.
Vinaya Prakash Singh: New Asian Pacific Postal Union Secretary General
According to the Ministry of Communications, Vinaya Prakash Singh, a former Member (Personnel), Postal Services Board, was elected as the union’s Secretary General and will assume responsibility for the position for a four-year term following the successful elections held during the 13th APPU Congress, which was held in Bangkok during the months of August and September 2022. The Asian Pacific Postal Union (APPU), which has its headquarters in Bangkok, Thailand, will be led by India starting this month.
Vinaya Prakash Singh new Secretary General of Asian Pacific Postal Union
An international group of 32 Asia-Pacific nations makes up the Asian Pacific Postal Union (APPU).
The only restricted union of the Universal Postal Union (UPU), a specialised organisation of the United Nations, in the area is the APPU.
The APPU’s mission is to strengthen postal ties among its members and to advance international collaboration in the provision of postal services.
As the regional hub for a number of UPU initiatives, APPU also assumes responsibility for ensuring that all technical and operational UPU projects are completed in the area, providing the best possible integration of the region into the global postal network.
Baskar Babu Re-Appointed as Suryoday Bank’s Chief for 3 Years
The union’s activities are overseen by the secretary general, who also serves as director of the Asian Pacific Postal College (APPC), the largest intergovernmental postal training facility in the area.
GA-ASI Announced Strategic Partnership with Bharat Forge to Manufacture Aerostructures
General Atomic Aeronautical Systems Inc. (GA-ASI) and Bharat Forge Limited, India have announced a partnership to manufacture main landing gear components.
General Atomic Aeronautical Systems Inc. (GA-ASI) and Bharat Forge Limited, India have announced a partnership to manufacture main landing gear components, subassemblies, and assemblies of remotely piloted aircraft. Bharat Forge is the largest repository of metallurgical know-how, design, engineering expertise, and manufacturing prowess in India.
GA-ASI Announced Strategic Partnership with Bharat Forge to Manufacture Aerostructures- Key Points
GA-ASI is confident that the collaboration with Bharat Forge will result in significant capability-building for both companies and provide an impetus to the Indian large, unmanned aircraft industry.
GA-ASI is an affiliate of General Atomics, is a leading designer and manufacturer of proven, reliable, remotely piloted aircraft systems, radars, electro-optics, and related mission systems.
GA-ASI provides long-endurance, mission-capable aircraft with Integrated sensor and data link systems required to deliver persistent flight that enables situational awareness and rapid strike.
The company also produces a variety of ground control stations and sensor control analysis software, offers pilot training and support services, and develops meta-material antennas.
Bharat Forge Limited has a state-of-the-art, digitally integrated manufacturing, assembly, and testing facility for aerospace components and systems.
It manufactures structural and engine parts and subsystems for aircraft and engines for both civil and military applications.
Water Vision@2047: 1st All India Annual State Ministers Conference on Water
Ministry of Jal Shakti organized the "1st All India Annual State Minister Conference on Water" with the theme of "Water Vision@2027" in Bhopal, Madhya Pradesh.
Ministry of Jal Shakti organized the “1st All India Annual State Minister Conference on Water” with the theme of “Water Vision@2027” in Bhopal, Madhya Pradesh on 5th and 6th January 2023. Chief Minister of Madhya Pradesh, Shivaraj Singh Chouhan, and Union Minister of Jal Shakti Gajendra Singh Shekhawat felicitated the occasion.
The Minister of State for Jal Shakti and Food Processing Industries Prahlad Singh Patel was also present during the event. The primary objective of the 2-day conference was to gather inputs for India@2027 and the 5P vision from the different water stakeholders of the state, water being a state subject, and improve engagement and partnership with states.
1st All India Annual State Ministers Conference on Water- Key Points
The government is deliberating on the preparation of the Action Plan and Vision Document of India@2027 according to Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision to make India a developed Nation in 2027.
The Prime minister has proclaimed the 5P mantras which include Political will, Public Financing, Partnerships, Public Participation, and Persuasion for sustainability.
India’s water sector will play a significant role in achieving the heights India strives to reach in the next few years.
The first All India Annual State Ministers Conference on Water was held in Bhopal, Madhya from 5th January to 6th January 2023.
The conference was also attended by Senior Secretaries of Water Resources, the Public Health Engineering Department (PHED), and Irrigation from all States/UTs along with Agriculture Production Commissioners will also be attending the Conference.
The 1st Thermatic Session addressed the various aspects of “Water Security in Water Deficit, Water Surplus, and Hilly Regions”.
The 2nd Thermatic Session is on “Water Use Efficiency including the Reuse of Water water/Greywater”.
The 3rd Thermatic Session will be on “Water Governance” which aims to break the silos in the water sector by bringing various states together facilitated by the center.
The 4th Thermatic Session addresses the present scenario of climate change in the country and the measures that need to be taken to reduce the effects of climate change.
The 5th Session is on Water Quality and deals with problems of water quality of drinking water, surface water, and groundwater.
US Approves World’s First Vaccine for Declining Honey Bees
US has approved the first-ever vaccine for honey bees which will confer protection from the American foulbrood disease.
US has approved the first-ever vaccine for honey bees which will confer protection from the American foulbrood disease, raising hopes of a new weapon against diseases that routinely ravage colonies that are relied upon for food pollination. The US Department of Agriculture (USDA) has permitted a conditional license for a vaccine, developed by Dalan Animal Health, a US-based biotech company. The vaccine will be supplied on a “limited basis” to commercial beekeepers in the US and is expected to be available this year.
How will the vaccine work:
The vaccine, which contains an inactivated form of the causative bacteria, will be administered along with the royal jelly feed given by the worker bees to the queen bee. The developing bee larvae, being exposed to the vaccine, will have immunity to the foulbrood disease when they hatch. This will cut down the death rates associated with the disease, claims the company.
There is no cure for the foulbrood disease:
American foulbrood (AFB) is an infectious disease caused by the bacterium Paenibacillus larvae that can weaken and kill honey bee colonies. Currently, there is no cure for this contagious disease. Beekeepers follow one treatment method and that is to destroy and burn the infected hives and administer antibiotics to the nearby colonies in order to curb the spread of the disease.
Why does Bees matter:
Bees are considered important pollinators due to their effectiveness and availability.
According to the United Nations Food and Agricultural Organization, bees, along with bats and birds, are responsible for about a third of the world’s crop production.
There are several factors, which include pesticides, diseases, and malnutrition that are leading to the decline of bees across the world.
Honey bees have been declining at an alarming rate:
According to the USDA, the US has witnessed annual reductions in honey bee colonies since 2006. Between April 2020 to April 2021, beekeepers in the US lost around 45% of their colonies, according to Auburn University’s College of Agriculture.
The vaccine, a “breakthrough” for protecting honey bees:
“Global population growth and changing climates will increase the importance of honey bee pollination to secure our food supply,” said Annette Kleiser, chief executive of Dalan Animal Health.
India Deploys Its “Largest Single Unit Of UN Women Peacekeepers”
India will deploy a platoon of women peacekeepers to UN Mission in Sudan. This will be India's largest single unit of women Peacekeepers in a UN Mission.
India’s largest single unit of women Peacekeepers
India will deploy a platoon of women peacekeepers to UN Mission in Sudan. This will be India’s largest single unit of women Peacekeepers in a UN Mission since it deployed the first-ever all-women contingent in Liberia in 2007. The Indian contingent, comprising two officers and 25 Other Ranks, will form part of an Engagement platoon and specialize in Community outreach, though they will be performing extensive security-related tasks as well. The deployment in Abyei will also herald India’s intent of increasing significantly the number of Indian women in Peacekeeping contingents. The operation has been tasked with monitoring the flashpoint border between north and south and facilitating the delivery of humanitarian aid and is authorized to use force in protecting civilians and humanitarian workers in Abyei.
NOTABLY:- As of October 31, 2022, India is the second largest contributor to UN peacekeeping missions with 5,887 troops and personnel deployed across 12 missions, after Bangladesh (7,017).
What is the U.N. Peacekeeping mission?
The U.N. Peacekeeping mission is a joint effort between the Department of Peace Operations and the Department of Operational Support, and aims to assist host countries to transition from situations of conflict to peace.
The U.N. began its Peacekeeping efforts in 1948 when it deployed military observers to West Asia. The Peacekeeping mission’s role was to monitor the Armistice Agreement between Israel and its Arab neighbours.
U.N. Peacekeepers provide security as well as political and peacebuilding support to conflict-ridden countries.
The three basic principles that guide U.N.’s Peacekeeping missions are:
Consent of the parties
Impartiality
Non-use of force except in self-defence and defence of the mandate
Who are the ‘Blue Helmets’?
Blue Helmets are the military personnel of the U.N. that work alongside the U.N. Police and civilian colleagues to promote “stability, security, and peace processes”. The personnel get the name from the iconic blue helmets or berets they wear.
All military personnel under Blue Helmets are members of their national armies first who are seconded to work under the U.N. command.
Currently, there are more than 70,000 military personnel enlisted as Blue Helmets. African and Asian countries outnumber their western counterparts in contributing soldiers to Blue Helmets.
What are the responsibilities of U.N. military personnel?
U.N. military personal can be tasked with:
Protecting civilians and other U.N. personnel
Monitoring disputed borders
Observing peace processes in post-conflict areas
Providing security in conflict zones
Providing security during elections
Assisting in-country military personnel with training and support
Assisting ex-combatants in implementing the peace agreements
How are Blue Helmets enlisted?
Qualified military officers from U.N. member states are recruited to serve as individual staff officers, military observers, or as part of units from an individual troop-contributing country, by the United Nations Office of Military Affairs. Staff officers are also deployed at the U.N. headquarters from where they monitor all aspects related to deployment of troops on the ground.
Blue Helmets are seconded to work under the U.N. flag for periods normally of up to one year in the field, or two or three years at the headquarters.
U.N. Peacekeeping has listed increasing the number of female military personnel as one of its top priorities.
ISRO and Microsoft Signed MoU to Boost Indian Space Tech Ecosystem
Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO) and Microsoft signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to help Indian Space tech start-ups with technology tools.
Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO) and Microsoft signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to help Indian Space tech start-ups with technology tools, go-to-market support, and mentoring to help them scale and become business ready. Through this MoU, the space tech startups identified by ISRO will be onboarded onto the Microsoft for Startups Founders Hub.
A platform that aims to support start-ups at every stage. With the help of Microsoft for Startups Founders Hub, space tech startup founders in India will have free access to the tech tools, and resources they need to build and run their businesses.
ISRO and Microsoft Signed MoU to Boost Indian Space Tech Ecosystem – Key Points
The technical support to build and scale on Azure, developer, and productivity tools including GitHub Enterprises and Microsoft 365, and access to smart analytics with Power BI and Dynamics 365.
Microsoft will provide mentoring support to space tech entrepreneurs in areas ranging from space engineering to cloud technologies, product and design, fundraising, and sales and marketing.
Founders will have access to Microsoft Learn for tailored Startup centric training content and programs to help them build connections with the industry and potential customers.
Microsoft and ISRO will also jointly organize knowledge-sharing and thought leadership sessions for the startups with space industry experts.
The collaboration will also support founders with go-to-market strategies, technical support, and opportunities to sell their solutions via Microsoft channels and the marketplace.
ISRO Chairman S Somanath said that ISROs collaborating with Microsoft will greatly benefit space tech startups in their analysis and processing of vast amounts of satellite data for various applications.
Comments