1) Parliament passes 3 Bills: Both the Houses of the Parliament have passed following 3 bills:
- The Post Office Bill, 2023 to ensure the effective functioning of the Postal Department
- The Chief Election Commissioner and Other Election Commissioners (Appointment, Conditions of Service and Term of Office) Bill, 2023 provides for the appointment, salary, and removal of the CEC and ECs
- The Telecommunications Bill, 2023 to regulate activities related to telecommunication
2) ECI guidelines on Persons with Disabilities (PwDs).: The guidelines seek to nudge political parties to move towards respectful discourse for PwDs and ensure their equal participation.
Key highlights
- Any usage of derogatory references to PwDs may attract provisions of Section 92 of Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act 2016.
- The Section discusses punishment for atrocities against PwD.
- All political parties shall use rights-based terminologies as mentioned in CRPD (Convention on Rights of Persons with Disabilities).
- CPRD (India is signatory) aims to promote, ensure full and equal enjoyment of all human rights and fundamental freedoms by all PwDs
3) UNESCO’s 2023 Prix Versailles: Kempegowda International Airport Bengaluru (Karnataka) was honored at UNESCO’s 2023 Prix Versailles, and named among the ‘World’s most beautiful airports’.
- Granted annually at UNESCO since 2015, the Prix Versailles consists of architecture awards that showcase the finest contemporary achievements worldwide.
- The Official list align with the principles of intelligent sustainability and takes into consideration projects’ ecological, social and cultural impacts into consideration.
- It highlights the primary role of the Laureates in beautifying and improving the living environment.
4) Chilla-i-Kalan began in Kashmir: Chilla-i-Kalan is a Persian term that means ‘major cold’ and it refers to the 40-days of harsh winter in Kashmir.
- It begins from December 21 and ends on January 31.
- Snow during the period replenishes the streams, rivers, and lakes of Kashmir.
- It is followed by a 20-day-long ‘Chillai Khurd or small cold (occurs between January 31 and February 19)’ and a 10-daylong ‘Chillai Bacha or baby cold (February 20 to March 2)’.
Places in News:
1) Papua new Guinea ( Capital: Port Moresby):
- Recently $1 million relief assistance announced by India for the volcanic eruption at Mount Ulawun affected people of Papua New Guinea.
- Political features
- It is an island country in the southwestern Pacific Ocean.
- Situated between the Coral Sea and the South Pacific Ocean.
- It has Indonesia in the west, Australia in the South, Solomon Islands in the East.
- Geographical Features
- Highest point: Mount Wilhelm in the Bismarck Range
- Major Rivers: Sepik, Ramu, Fly.
