BRICS Disaster Risk Reduction Working Group Meeting Concludes in Puri

The National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) successfully hosted the second technical meeting of the BRICS Disaster Risk Reduction (DRR) Working Group in the coastal town of Puri, Odisha.

• The Framework: The three-day international event was conducted under India's BRICS Presidency, centering around the theme: "Building for Resilience, Innovation, Cooperation and Sustainability."
• Key Highlights & Case Studies:
• State Showcase: Odisha was selected as the host state in recognition of its globally praised disaster preparedness systems, especially its record of minimizing casualties during intense cyclonic storms through early warning networks and community-led crisis responses.
• Uttarakhand Presentation: Representatives from Uttarakhand shared critical insights regarding mountainous geographic hazards (landslides, glacial lake risks). The historic Silkyara Tunnel Rescue Operation and the Dharali disaster mitigation efforts were presented as prominent global case studies for emergency response.
• The Agenda: Delegates, policymakers, and technical specialists from 11 member and partner nations (including Brazil, Russia, China, South Africa, Egypt, Ethiopia, Iran, Saudi Arabia, UAE, and Indonesia) focused on optimizing sustainable DRR financing, building resilient infrastructure, and deploying geospatial and remote sensing tech.

📌 High-Yield Static GK Notes

• BRICS Expansion: Originally consisting of Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa, the bloc expanded significantly to integrate new full members including Egypt, Ethiopia, Iran, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates.
• NDMA India: The National Disaster Management Authority is the apex statutory body for disaster management in India, established via the Disaster Management Act, 2005. It is ex-officio chaired by the Prime Minister of India.

International Cricket Council Suspends Cricket Canada Membership

Following a high-level board meeting in Ahmedabad, the International Cricket Council (ICC) announced the immediate suspension of Cricket Canada’s associate membership due to serious ongoing breaches of membership obligations.

• The Catalyst: The suspension follows months of intense scrutiny and an investigation by the ICC's Anti-Corruption Unit (ACU). This was triggered by widespread allegations of governance crises, financial mismanagement, corporate instability, and match manipulation inside the board's administrative framework.
• Financial Sanctions: Prior to the absolute suspension, the ICC had frozen its annual funding of roughly $3.6 million to Cricket Canada, which traditionally accounted for nearly 63% of the national body's operational revenue.
• Impact on Athletes: To protect the career paths of sportspersons, the ICC confirmed that Canadian national teams remain eligible to participate in official ICC events. Operational funding for the players will be directly handled through a strictly managed, independent ICC normalization committee.

📌 High-Yield Static GK Notes

• ICC Profile: The International Cricket Council is the global governing body for cricket. Founded in 1909 (as the Imperial Cricket Conference), it is headquartered in Dubai, United Arab Emirates.
• Precedent: Last year, the ICC executed a similar suspension against USA Cricket over membership rule and governance breaches.

Meesho and BSE Launch 'Project Shikhar' to Empower MSMEs

E-commerce marketplace Meesho has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Bombay Stock Exchange (BSE) to launch Project Shikhar, a joint initiative aimed at transitioning micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) into public capital markets.

• The Mission: Project Shikhar is specifically designed to help high-growth, digital-first e-commerce sellers and small family-owned businesses navigate the process of listing on the BSE SME platform.
• Structured Roadmap: Over its initial operational cycle, the program will onboard qualifying businesses and provide comprehensive, end-to-end support, including:
• Guidance on converting unorganized partnerships into formal corporate entities.
• Regulatory compliance mentoring and corporate disclosure training.
• Financial positioning and business presentation for public market investors.
• Economic Impact: By lowering administrative friction and offering an alternative route to expansion capital, the initiative aims to drive the formalization of India's vast retail trading ecosystem.

📌 High-Yield Static GK Notes

• BSE SME Platform: Launched by the BSE in 2012 under SEBI guidelines to offer small and medium enterprises a regulated platform to raise growth capital with less stringent regulatory requirements than the main exchange board.
• BSE Profile: Established in 1875 as the Native Share & Stock Brokers' Association, the Bombay Stock Exchange is Asia's oldest stock exchange. It is headquartered at Dalal Street, Mumbai. Sundararaman Ramamurthy serves as its Managing Director and CEO.