India and US have recently signed Communications Compatibility and Security Arrangement (COMCASA) as a part of 2+2 talks.
It is meant to provide a legal framework for the transfer of communication security equipment from the U.S. to India.
It helps in sharing high-tech military hardware, especially armed drones which the U.S. is willing to supply to India.
It would facilitate “interoperability” between their forces and potentially with other militaries that use U.S. origin systems for secured data links.
Previously, India had signed Logistics Exchange Memorandum of Agreement (LEMOA) and General Security of Military Information Agreement (GSOMIA).
LEMOA gives both nations access to each other’s military facilities and GSOMIA paved the way for greater technology cooperation in the military sector.
Mobilise Your City Initiative
It is an international initiative supported by the French and German governments.
It was launched as a part of COP 21 UNFCCC Paris climate conference.
It seeks to provide support to 100 cities worldwide in 3 years to engage in sustainable urban mobility planning to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
It will be financed by the European Union under its Asia Investment Facility (AIF) through French Development Agency (AFD).
AFD (AgenceFrancaise du Development), French Development Agency is a Paris based public financial institution, which imposes the policies stated by the French government.
India is one of the very first countries to benefit from this initiative.
Kochi, Nagpur and Ahmadabad are the 3 cities selected for the project.
India and France have recently signed an implementation agreement under this initiative.
This initiative will be implemented by the Union Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs.
Jan Dhan Yojana Scheme
It is a flagship financial inclusion scheme launched in 2014 for a period of 4 years.
The scheme facilitates the opening of bank accounts with zero balance for every household to ensure access to financial services in an affordable manner.
There are some special benefits like free accident insurance cover, over draft facility for the Jan Dhan account holders.
The first phase of the scheme focused on opening basic bank accounts and RuPay debit card with inbuilt accident insurance cover of Rs 1 lakh.
The 2nd phase (2015-2018) planned to provide micro-insurance to the people and pension schemes to unorganised sector workers through Business Correspondents.
Union Finance Ministry has recently announced that it plans to make the scheme open ended with more incentives.
It has decided to provide the facility of opening zero balance account from every household to every adult.
The accident insurance cover and overdraft facility have also been increased.
The free accident insurance cover for those opening Jan Dhan accounts has been doubled to Rs 2 lakh.
There will be no conditions attached for over-draft of up to Rs 2,000.
Also, the upper age limit for availing the facility has been hiked to 65 from the earlier 60 years.
Malanad Malabar Cruise Tourism Project
Ministry of Tourism sanctioned Malanad Malabar Cruise Tourism Project under the Swadesh Darshan Scheme.
It will be focusing on the development of water-based thematic cruise experiences in North Kerala.
The thematic cruises will be developed in Valapattanam and Kuppam River.
Public Private Partnership model will be adopted to develop infrastructure facilities such as Passenger Terminals, Boat Terminals, Jetties, Boat Race Gallery etc.
Swadesh Darshan Scheme
It is one of the flagship schemes of Ministry of Tourism for development of thematic circuits in the country in a planned and prioritised manner.
It is a central sector scheme.
The following thematic circuits have been identified, for development namely North-East India Circuit, Buddhist Circuit, Himalayan Circuit, Coastal Circuit, Krishna Circuit, Desert Circuit, Tirtankar circuit, Tribal Circuit, Eco Circuit, Wildlife Circuit, Rural Circuit, Spiritual Circuit, Sufi circuit, Ramayana Circuit and Heritage Circuit.
It is different from "PRASAD" scheme of Ministry of Tourism.
National Mission on Pilgrimage Rejuvenation and Spiritual Augmentation Drive (PRASAD) focus on development and beautification of the identified pilgrimage destinations.
Nari Shakti Puraskar
It is the Highest Civilian Honour for women in India.
It is the national level award given by the Ministry of Women and Child Development on eminent women and institutions in recognition of their service towards the cause of women empowerment.
The Puraskars are open to all Indian Institutions, organisations and individuals.
It is conferred every year on the occasion of International Women’s Day.
The Ministry of Women & Child Development has recently invited nominations for the Nari Shakti Puraskars.
