Weekly BeeBooster 1st Dec to 8th Jan 2020
Finance and Banking
RBI directs UCBs having deposits above ₹ 100 crore to set up Board of Management Reserve Bank of India directed Urban Cooperative Banks (UCBs) with deposit size of ₹ 100 crore and above to constitute a Board of Management (BoM). This is directed to facilitate professional management and focused attention to their banking-related activities. • According to the RBI, it will be mandatory for UCBs with deposit size of ₹ 100 crore and above to constitute BoM for seeking approval to expand their area of operation and/or open new branches. • These UCBs will also require prior approval of the RBI for appointment of their CEOs. • The BoM will have minimum five members and maximum 12. The CEO would be a non-voting member. A member of BoM can be appointed in more than one bank, subject to a maximum of three, provided that there is no overlapping in area of operation. • The BoM will report to the Board of Directors (BoD) and exercise oversight over the banking related functions of the UCBs, assist the BoD on formulation of policies, and any other related matter specifically delegated to it by the BoD.
RBI launches mobile app MANI for visually challenged to identify denomination of currency notes Reserve Bank of India has launched a mobile app, MANI, Mobile Aided Note Identifier, to help visually challenged people to identify denomination of currency notes. • The visually challenged can identify the denomination of a note by using the application, which can also work offline once it is installed in mobiles. • Through the downloaded app, users can scan the notes using the camera. The audio output will give the result in Hindi and English.
BoB joins hands with JM Financial for co-lending to home buyers Bank of Baroda (BoB), an Indian Multinational, public sector Bank has signed a co-lending partnership agreement with JM Financial Home Loans Limited (JMFHL), the housing finance arm of JM Financial Group, to provide retail loans to home buyers. • This tie up will boost the credit delivery to customers & also promote home buying field in India.
Lakshmi Vilas Bank appoints S Sundar as interim MD and CEO Lakshmi Vilas Bank (LVB) has appointed S Sundar, its chief financial officer, the interim managing director (MD) and chief executive officer (CEO) effective January 1, 2020.
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Weekly BeeBooster 1st Dec to 8th Jan 2020
• As part of this, he resigned from the post of CFO. He has also been appointed an additional director of the bank. • In August 2019, the bank’s MD & CEO, Parthasarathi Mukherjee, resigned from the position and the post was lying vacant since then.
Shivalik Mercantile Cooperative Bank Limited, first UCB to convert into SFB Shivalik Mercantile Cooperative Bank Limited has become the first urban cooperative bank (UCB) that has been granted ‘in-principle’ permission to convert into a small finance bank by the Reserve Bank of India (RBI). • This is the first such approval after the central bank came up with a ‘Scheme on Voluntary Transition of UCB into an SFB’ in September 2018. • The in-principle approval granted is valid for 18 months to enable the applicant (Shivalik Mercantile Cooperative Bank, which is a multistate UCB) to comply with the requirements under the scheme, the guidelines for ‘ontap’ Licensing of SFBs in the private sector , and fulfil other condition.
SBI announces 'residential builder finance with buyer guarantee' scheme Country's largest public sector bank, State Bank of India has announced a 'residential builder finance with buyer guarantee' (RBBG) scheme. It aims at giving a push to residential sales and improve homebuyers' confidence. • Under this scheme, SBI will issue a guarantee for completion of select residential projects to customers who have availed home loans from it. The scheme will focus on affordable housing projects priced up to 2.50 crore rupees in 10 cities initially. • Under RBBG, the guarantee would be given by the bank till the project gets the occupation certificate (OC). • The guarantee will be available for RERA (Real Estate [Regulation and Development) Act], registered projects and a project will be considered stuck after it crosses the RERA deadline.
Karur Vysya Bank CEO, MD PR Seshadri resigns Karur Vysya Bank's chief executive officer (CEO) and managing director (MD) P R Seshadri has resigned, citing personal reasons. • The bank has informed stock exchanges that Seshadri will continue to function till the end of this financial year 2019-20.
HDFC gets IRDAI nod to acquire stake in Apollo Munich Health Insurance Housing Development Finance Corporation Ltd (HDFC), India’s largest mortgage financier, has received approval from Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority of India (Irdai) to
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Weekly BeeBooster 1st Dec to 8th Jan 2020 acquire 51.2% stake in Apollo Munich Health Insurance – a joint venture between Apollo Hospitals and German reinsurer Munich Re Group. • The Corporation and HDFC Ergo have received all requisite approvals for the acquisition including competition commission of India (CCI), Reserve Bank of India and the last being from Irdai • The total deal size of ₹1,347 crore for the entire 51.2% stake values Apollo Munich Health Insurance at 1.2 times the gross written premium for fiscal 2019. • HDFC runs HDFC Ergo General Insurance Co, a joint venture with Ergo International AG, the primary insurance entity of Munich Re. Separately, Munich holds 49% stake in Apollo Munich Health Insurance.
RBI allows banks to offer round-the-clock rupee trading The Reserve Bank of India has allowed banks to offer foreign-currency transactions outside of local market hours, a move aimed at boosting trading volumes at home. • Interbank deals, as well as those with customers in and outside India, can be undertaken by banks or their overseas branches and units at all times, the RBI said in a statement. • It stopped short of saying whether the timing of the onshore over-the-counter market has been extended from the current 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. • The move is in line with recent recommendations to reverse the trend of the partially convertible rupee being traded more abroad than in India. • London has overtaken Mumbai to become the top center for trading the rupee, adding to a sense of urgency among local authorities to deepen the onshore market. • Average daily volumes for rupee in the UK soared to $46.8 billion in April, a more than fivefold jump from $8.8 billion in 2016, according to a survey from the Bank for International Settlements published in September. That exceeded the $34.5 billion recorded in India.
RBI revises norms for faster resolution of Urban Cooperative Banks' bad assets The RBI revised the Supervisory Action Framework (SAF) for urban cooperative banks to ensure expeditious resolution of financial stress being faced by some of them. • The move comes in the backdrop of the scam in Punjab and Maharashtra Cooperative (PMC) Bank causing distress to over 9 lakh depositors. • The central bank will monitor asset quality, profitability and capital/net worth of UCBs under the revised SAF. • As per the revised norms, a UCB may be placed under SAF when its net NPAs exceed 6 per cent of its net advances. An urban cooperative bank could also be placed under SAF when it incurs losses for two consecutive financial years or has accumulated losses on its balance-sheet.
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Weekly BeeBooster 1st Dec to 8th Jan 2020
• Further, issue of show cause notice for cancellation of banking license may be considered by the Reserve bank when continued normal functioning of the UCB is no longer considered to be in the interest of its depositors/ public.
Two Indian banks to cease operations in Sri Lanka The Central Bank of Sri Lanka has permitted Indian private sector lenders Axis Bank and ICICI Bank to close their operations in the island nation, according to online news portal Colombo Page. • This follows requests by their parent banks. The licenses issued to them will be cancelled once the winding-up operations are complete. • Colombo Page said the two banks are no longer permitted to carry on banking operations, including accepting deposits from the public.
Indian Bank sings MoU with Women Entrepreneurs Welfare Association to provide credit Indian bank has signed a MoU with the Welfare Association of Women Entrepreneurs (WEWA), Tamil Nadu, to offer training and credit linking to women members/entrepreneurs of the association to establish businesses. • The bank, which has dedicated products especially designed for women customers, said WEWA members would get support for loans at special discounted rates. • The bank emphasizes that WEWA should facilitate prompt repayment by their members. • WEWA aims at adding 1,000 members by 2023 and requested the bank to provide the skill training to their members as per the interest and choice of the members
FDI inflows rose 15% to $26 Bn in 1st half of FY2020 Foreign direct investment (FDI) into India rose 15% to $26 billion during the first half of FY2020, according to latest data. Inflow of foreign direct investment (FDI) during April-September of 2018-19 stood at $22.66 billion. • Sectors, which attracted maximum foreign inflows during April-September 2019-20, include services ($4.45 billion), computer software and hardware ($ 4 billion), telecommunications ($4.28 billion), automobile ($2.13 billion) and trading ($2.14 billion). • Singapore continued to be the largest source of FDI in India during the first half of the financial year with $8 billion investments.
HDFC Life tie-up with Paytm to increase life insurance penetration HDFC Life, one of India’s leading life insurance companies, announced its tie-up with Paytm. • This partnership will enable Paytm customers to purchase innovative life insurance products offered by HDFC Life, via the mobile commerce platform.
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Weekly BeeBooster 1st Dec to 8th Jan 2020
• All customers of Paytm can purchase HDFC Life policies in a simple and hassle-free manner. The purchasing journey has been optimized so as to offer the product within a few clicks. • This tie-up further strengthens HDFC Life’s proposition of offering life insurance products in a simplified manner.
Mastercard acquires security assessment startup, RiskRecon Mastercard is acquiring RiskRecon, a Salt Lake City startup that uses publicly available data to build security assessments of organizations. • It has become increasingly important for financial services companies like Mastercard to help customers navigate cybersecurity, and RiskRecon will give customers an objective score of a company’s risk profile. • RiskRecon leverages information that is available on the web from companies operating there as part of the act of doing business.
Small savings schemes: Govt keeps interest rates unchanged for Jan-Mar quarter The government kept the interest rates on small savings schemes, including NSC and PPF, unchanged for the fourth quarter of 2019-20 despite moderating bank deposit rates. • Public Provident Fund (PPF) and National Savings Certificate (NSC) will continue to carry an annual interest rate of 7.9 per cent, while Kisan Vikas Patra (KVP) will give a yield of 7.6 per cent and mature in 113 months. • Interest rates for small savings schemes are notified on a quarterly basis. • The interest rate for the five-year Senior Citizens Savings Scheme has been retained at 8.6 per cent. The interest on the senior citizens' scheme is paid quarterly. Interest on savings deposits has been retained at 4 per cent annually. • The girl child savings scheme Sukanya Samriddhi Yojana account will offer 8.4 per cent rate during the first quarter of the next fiscal. • Term deposits of 1-5 years will fetch interest rate in the range of 6.9-7.7 per cent, to be paid quarterly, while the five-year recurring deposit is pegged at 7.2 per cent.
Flipkart inks pact with MoHUA to support DAY-NULM Flipkart signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with the Housing and Urban Affairs Ministry's Deendayal Antyodaya Yojana - National Urban Livelihoods Mission (DAY-NULM) to empower skilled yet underserved sections of society by inducting them into e-commerce. • The e-commerce company will collaborate with state missions under the DAY-NULM to establish the 'Flipkart Samarth programme' in 22 states in India. • The government and the company will work with self-help groups (SHGs), including local artisans, weavers and crafts producers, and producers of raw and organic food items to provide them market access, training and support. 5 | P a g e All ixamBee Mock Tests are FREE Please visit www.ixamBee.com Contact us at 92055 24028 (SMS/WhatsApp/call) or [email protected]
Weekly BeeBooster 1st Dec to 8th Jan 2020
• It will bring small businesses and SHGs under the DAY-NULM umbrella into the e-commerce fold, enabling them to access a much larger, pan-India market. • This partnership will increase business and trade opportunities for micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) and provide them training and support to grow their business.
PNB MetLife and RevFin in tie-up to offer life cover RevFin, India''s leading digital lending start up, has partnered with PNB MetLife India Insurance Company Limited (PNB MetLife) to provide protection to the customers through life insurance on their loans. • This partnership will support financial inclusion by helping to secure the families of the borrowers against loan repayment burden in the event of the unfortunate demise of the borrower during the loan term. • RevFin customers, who have taken a loan to buy an electric three-wheeler, can take advantage of this tie-up, and cover their outstanding loan amount during the loan tenure. To facilitate the hassle-free process, RevFin customers can apply for this life insurance product digitally without any additional paperwork, and at an affordable premium.
CCEA approves strategic disinvestment of 49.78 per cent equity shareholding of MMTC The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs, CCEA has given in-principle approval for the sale of equity held by four Central Public Sector Enterprises and two-state PSUs in Neelachal Ispat Nigam Limited-NINL. • It has approved strategic disinvestment of 49.78 per cent equity shareholding of Minerals and Metals Trading Corporation Limited and 10.10 per cent of National Mineral Development Corporation. • The CCEA gave approval for strategic disinvestment of 0.68 per cent of MECON and Bharat Heavy Electricals Limited each. 12 per cent disinvestment in Industrial Promotion and Investment Corporation of Odisha Limited and 20.47 per cent in Odisha Mining Corporation in have also been approved. • NINL is a Joint Venture company, in which these six companies are shareholders. • The proposed strategic disinvestment of Neelachal Ispat Nigam Limited will unlock resources to be used to finance the social sector and developmental programmes of the Government benefiting the public.
At 5%, GDP growth to hit 11-year low in FY-20: CSO The Central Statistics Office has projected the economy’s growth rate for 2019-20 at 5 per cent, the lowest in the current series with 2011-12 as the base year.
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Weekly BeeBooster 1st Dec to 8th Jan 2020
• This projection is an 11-year low. This first advance estimate is much lower than the 7 per cent growth rate projected in the Economic Survey as also the average forecast of 5.5 per cent by major agencies. • Real GDP or GDP at Constant Prices (2011-12) in the year 2019-20 is likely to attain a level of ₹147.79 lakh crore, as against the Provisional Estimate of GDP for the year 2018-19 of ₹140.78 lakh crore, released on 31st May 2019. The growth in real GDP during 2019-20 is estimated at 5.0 per cent as compared to the growth rate of 6.8 per cent in 2018-19. • Real GVA at Basic Prices is estimated to increase from ₹129.07 lakh crore in 2018-19 to ₹135.40 lakh crore in 2019-20. Estimated growth of real GVA in 2019-20 is 4.9 per cent as against 6.6 per cent in 2018-19. • All the three sectors of the economy — agriculture, industry and services — are projected to grow at a lower rate than the previous year.
Hyundai, Uber join hands to develop electric air taxis South Korean automobile manufacturer Hyundai Motor Company entered into a partnership with US ride-hailing giant Uber to produce electric air taxis. • Hyundai is the first automotive company to join the Uber Elevate initiative. Under the partnership, Hyundai will produce and deploy the air vehicles and Uber will provide airspace support services, connections to ground transportation and customer interfaces through an aerial rideshare network. • The concept PAV -- S-A1 -- is an eVTOL (electric vertical take-off and landing) aircraft designed for aerial ridesharing purposes. The S-A1 will seat five people, including the pilot, and have a cruising speed of 290 kmph, with a flying trip up to 100 km. The cruising altitude of the air vehicle will be around 1,000-2,000 feet above the ground. • Being a completely electric air vehicle, the S-A1 will utilise distributed electric propulsion, powering multiple rotors and propellers around the airframe to increase safety by decreasing any single point of failure. During peak hours, it will require about five to seven minutes for recharging.
IRDAI gives big boost to affordable health cover with mandatory 'Arogya Sanjeevani' Policy From April 1, all general and health insurance companies will have to offer a standard health insurance product — Arogya Sanjeevani Policy — covering basic expenses related to hospitalisation, pre- and post-admission treatment and Ayush treatment. • Both non-life insurers and standalone health insurers will offer this policy, the Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority (IRDAI) has told all insurers. • The move comes after the insurance regulator observed too many variations in individual health insurance products which it said had confused the public while choosing health insurance covers. All insurance companies will charge a uniform rate for this standard health plan. 7 | P a g e All ixamBee Mock Tests are FREE Please visit www.ixamBee.com Contact us at 92055 24028 (SMS/WhatsApp/call) or [email protected]
Weekly BeeBooster 1st Dec to 8th Jan 2020
• One can buy the Arogya Sanjeevani Policy either on an individual basis or on a family floater basis. The minimum and maximum sum insured will be Rs 1 lakh and Rs 5 lakh, respectively. The product, which will have no exit age, will allow minimum and maximum entry age of 18 and 65 years, respectively, and three months to 25 years for children under family floater policies. • The standard product shall be offered with a policy term of one year, and will allow all modes of premium payment i.e. monthly, quarterly, half-yearly and yearly.
Forbes India’s “20 people to watch in 2020” list: 7 Indians featured According to the Forbes India’s prestigious list of ‘20 people to watch in the 2020s’, 7 Persons from India featured in the list. • An US (United States) based Indian origin -Hasan Minhaj, comedian & political commentator, is on the 1st position in the list, while Keyna’s Marathon runner Eliud Kipchoge in on the 20th place.
Rank Name Designation 1 Hasan Minhaj Comedian, political commentator 2 Aditya Mittal ArcelorMittal Europe Group CFO and CEO 3 Peter Buttigieg Mayor of South Bend, Indiana, US 6th Godrej family Adi Godrej 7th Dushyant Chautala Deputy chief minister (CM) of Haryana 9th Mahua Moitra Lok Sabha member, Trinamool Congress 12th Kanhaiya Kumar Politician, Communist Party of India (CPI) 14th Garima Arora Chef, the first Indian woman to receive a Michelin star. Political strategist, mentor-IPAC, and politician, Janta Dal 16th Prashant Kishor United (JDU)
India ranked 34th on world travel, tourism competitiveness index India has moved up six places to rank 34th on world travel and tourism competitiveness index, driven by rich natural and cultural resources and strong price competitiveness, a WEF report said. • India's ranking improved from 40th to 34th, the greatest improvement over 2017 among the top 25 per cent of all countries ranked in the report. • As per the report, China, Mexico, Malaysia, Thailand, Brazil and India -- which are not high- income economies but rank in the top 35 in the overall list -- stand out in the Cultural Resources and Business Travel Pillar through their combination of rich natural and cultural resources and strong price competitiveness. • From a sub-regional perspective, the nation (India) has better air infrastructure (33rd) and ground and port infrastructure (28th), international openness (51st) and natural (14th) and cultural
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Weekly BeeBooster 1st Dec to 8th Jan 2020
resources (8th). Compared to global benchmarks, the country can also add price competitiveness (13th) to its roster of strengths. • India also greatly improved its business environment (89th to 39th), overall T&T policy and enabling conditions (79th to 69th), infrastructure (58th to 55th) and information and communications technology (ICT) readiness (112th to 105th), however, It still needs to enhance its enabling environment (98th), tourist service infrastructure (109th) and environmental sustainability (128th). • Spain held on to the top spot in the World Economic Forum's (WEF) latest Travel and Tourism Competitiveness Report (TTCR), which ranked 140 countries on their relative strengths in global tourism and travel. • Spain was followed by France, Germany and Japan, with the United States replacing the UK in the top five.
GoM approves EoI, share purchase agreement for Air India's privatisation A Group of Ministers (GoM) headed by Union Home Minister Amit Shah approved the Expression of Interest (EoI) as well as the share purchase agreement for Air India's privatisation, a senior government official said. • The EoI and the share purchase agreement would be issued in January itself for the bidders, he said. • Last year, the Air India Specific Alternative Mechanism (AISAM) approved the re-initiation of the process for the government's 100 per cent stake sale in Air India along with Air India Express and the carrier's stake in joint venture AISATS. • While Air India's net loss in 2018-19 was around Rs 8,556 crore, its current total debt is around Rs 80,000 crore.
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Weekly BeeBooster 1st Dec to 8th Jan 2020
National News
MoHUA announced Swachh Survekshan League 2020 Hardeep Singh Puri, Minister of State for Housing and Urban Affairs, announced the results of Swachh Survekshan League 2020 (Quarter 1 and Quarter 2). • Swachh Survekshan 2020, the fifth edition of the annual urban cleanliness survey conducted by the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs (MoHUA), Government of India. (First quarter covers months of April to June 2019, while second quarter covers months of July to September 2019.) • Indore was adjudged India’s cleanest city for the fourth time in a row in the central government's cleanliness survey.
Cleanest cities having population more than 1 million (10 lakhs and more): First Quarter Second Quarter
Indore Indore
Bhopal Rajkot
Surat Navi Mumbai
Nashik Vadodara
Rajkot Bhopal
Cleanest cities having population between 1 lakh to 10 lakhs: First Quarter Second Quarter
Jamshedpur, Jharkhand Jamshedpur, Jharkhand
New Delhi( NDMC) Chandrapur, Maharashtra
Khargone, MP Loni, UP
Bilaspur, Chhattisgarh Ambikapur, Chhattisgarh
Kolhapur, Maharashtra New Delhi( NDMC)
Kolkata grabbed lowest position in cleanliness in the category of cities having population more than 10 lakh in the second quarter
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Weekly BeeBooster 1st Dec to 8th Jan 2020
Cleanest Cantonments: First Quarter Second Quarter
ST Thomas Mount Cant. Delhi Cant.
Jhansi Cant. Jhansi Cant.
Delhi Cant. Jalandhar Cant.
Secunderabad Cantonment Board in Hyderabad was worst performer among other cantonment boards.
RPF is now Indian Railway Protection Force Service The Ministry of Railway has renamed Railway Protection Force (RPF) as Indian Railway Protection Force Service. • The Ministry of Railway has also accorded Organised Group 'A' Status (OGAS) to Indian Railway Protection Force Service.
Indian Railway Protection Force Service:
The Indian Railway Protection Force Service (RPF) is a security force, established by the Railway
Protection Force Act, 1957 enacted by the Indian Parliament for the better protection and security
of railway property. The force is under the authority of the Indian Ministry of Railways.
Headquarters: New Delhi, India ; Director General: Arun Kumar ; Governing body: Ministry of
Railways (India)
EC launches Political Parties Registration Tracking Management System The Election Commission has launched a Political Parties Registration Tracking Management System to enable applicants to track the status of the applications. • Under it, applicants, applying for the party registration from 1st January will be able to track the progress of applications and will get the status through SMS and e-mail. • An association seeking registration has to submit an application to the Commission within a period of 30 days from the date of its formation.
30% of Poshan Abhiyaan funds used in 3 years as per data shared in parliament According to a recent data given in Parliament by Ministry of Women & Child Development, the State governments and the Union Territories utilised a mere 30% of the funds released under the Poshan Abhiyaan, or the National Nutrition Mission, since it was launched in 2017.
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Weekly BeeBooster 1st Dec to 8th Jan 2020
• According to the information given by Minister for Women and Child Development in the recent session of Parliament, a total of ₹4,283 crore was disbursed by the Centre to different States and Union Territories. • Of this, ₹1,283.89 crore was utilised until October 31, 2019, or only 29.97% of the funds granted. Figures were not available for 2017-2018 as the scheme was launched at the end of the fiscal. • The five best performers were Mizoram (65.12%), Lakshadweep (61.08%), Bihar (55.17%), Himachal Pradesh (53.29%) and Meghalaya (48.37%). • The worst five performers were Punjab (0.45%), Karnataka (0.74%), Kerala (8.75%), Jharkhand (13.94%) and Assam (23.01%). • During 2019-20, funds were released for 19 States, though 12 of them had used less than a third of the funds released in the previous two years. • The CNNS, released by the Ministry of Health and Welfare in October, showed that 35% of children under the age of 5 are stunted and in this age group, 17% are wasted (low weight for height) and 33% underweight (low weight for age). • Barring Mizoram, Lakshadweep, Himachal Pradesh and Bihar, none of the governments used even half of the sum granted in the past three years, according to an analysis of the data shared in Parliament.
353rd birth anniversary of Guru Gobind Singh is celebrated on 2nd January 353rd birth anniversary of the tenth Sikh Guru, Guru Gobind Singh is celebrated on 2nd January. Born at Patna Sahib in 1666, Guru Govind Singh was the 10th Sikh guru. He succeeded his father Guru Tegh Bahadur Singh as leader of Sikhs at the age of just nine. • In Punjab, Haryana and Chandigarh the Prakash PARV of Shri Guru Gobind Singh Ji is being celebrated with great devotion and enthusiasm. • The 10th Sikh Guru was a spiritual leader, philosopher, poet and master warrior. He is considered as the eternal guru by his followers because of his contribution to Sikhism.
Room air conditioners to now have default temperature of 24 degree Celsius: BEE The central government in consultation with BEE had notified new energy performance standards for room air conditioners (RACs) on October 30, 2019, according to a statement by the power ministry • According to the notification, all brands and types of star-labelled RACs, which are rated from one star to five stars based on their energy efficiencies and manufactured, commercially purchased or sold in India, shall ensure default setting of temperature in the room air conditioners at 24 degrees Celsius, with effect from January 1, 2020.
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Weekly BeeBooster 1st Dec to 8th Jan 2020
• The new norms provide that the Indian Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio (ISEER) as per the new standards will range from 3.30 to 5 for split and 2.70 to 3.50 for window air conditioners. • However, these performance standards, except default temperature of 24 degrees Celsius, will be applicable from January 1, 2021, onwards. • The BEE launched a voluntary star-labelling programme for fixed-speed RACs in 2006 and this programme became mandatory on January 12, 2009. • Thereafter, in 2015, a voluntary star-labelling programme for inverter RACs was also started, which was further made mandatory with effect from January 1, 2018. • The BEE star-labelling programme for RACs now covers both fixed and inverter RAC up to a cooling capacity of 10,465 watts (2.97 tonne of refrigeration).
Senior NCP leader D P Tripathi passes away after prolonged illness Senior Nationalist Congress Party leader and former MP, D P Tripathi passed away in Delhi after a prolonged illness. He was 67. • Born in Sultanpur, Uttar Pradesh Tripathi was active in students' movement during his college days. • D P Tripathi was a renowned political thinker, who worked throughout his life despite visual impairment.
Rajnath Singh inaugurates 3-day National Traders Convention in Delhi Defence Minister Rajnath Singh said NDA government is committed to protect the interests of traders and to promote ease of doing business. • He said this while inaugurating the three-day National Traders Convention at Ramlila Maidan in New Delhi. • The convention has been organised by Confederation of All India Traders and will deliberate upon various issues concerning traders.
India, Pakistan exchange list of nuclear installations India and Pakistan exchanged for the 28th consecutive year a list of their nuclear installations under a bilateral agreement that prohibits them from attacking each other’s atomic facilities. • The two countries also exchanged details of civilian prisoners and fishermen lodged in each other’s jails. • The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said India handed over to Pakistan a lists of 249 Pakistani civilian prisoners and 98 fishermen in its custody. • Pakistan gave India lists of 54 civilian prisoners and 483 fishermen in its custody, who are Indians or are believed-to-be-Indians.
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Weekly BeeBooster 1st Dec to 8th Jan 2020
• The two countries, through diplomatic channels simultaneously at New Delhi and Islamabad, exchanged the list of nuclear installations and facilities covered under the Agreement on the Prohibition of Attack against Nuclear installations between India and Pakistan • The agreement, which was signed on December 31, 1988 and came into force on January 27, 1991, says that the two countries will inform each other of nuclear installations and facilities to be covered under the agreement on January 1 of every calendar year. • This is the twenty eighth consecutive exchange of such list between the two countries, the first one having taken place on January 1, 1992. • The two countries exchanged lists of prisoners and fishermen in keeping with the provisions of a 2008 agreement under which such lists are shared on January 1 and July 1 every year.
Navigation facilities for visually impaired inaugurated at Chandigarh railway station Navigation facilities for visually impaired were inaugurated at Chandigarh railway station in Punjab. This facility has been introduced by the Indian Railway Stations Development Corporation through NGO 'Anuprayaas'. Chandigarh is fifth Railway station in the country and first in North India to have this facility. • This step will help visually impaired passengers to know about the passenger amenities at the Chandigarh Railway Station. In addition to Braille Tactile Map, signages are also installed for all the facilities and offices in the premise like Enquiry, Station Manager, waiting rooms, lifts, and toilets etc. • Visually impaired people can identify these facilities independently. With this, the common challenges faced by the visually impaired people at railway stations like missing trains because of wrong guidance will be minimized and they will be empowered to travel independently.
MoU between ISRO and IIA A Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO) and Indian Institute of Astrophysics (IIA) for cooperation in the field of Space Situational Awareness (SSA) and Astrophysics • It was signed by Shri.R.Umamaheswaran, Scientific Secretary, ISRO and Dr.Annapurni Subramaniam, Director, IIA at ISRO Headquarters on 2nd January 2020. • MOU is signed as part of ISROs initiatives to utilize the efforts of Indian Academic Institutions in the space technology. • This MoU will pave the way for future collaborations between ISRO and IIA in establishing optical telescope facilities under NETRA Project for space object tracking, studies related to space weather, Asteroids, and other Near Earth Objects (NEO). Collaboration between ISRO and IIA will
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Weekly BeeBooster 1st Dec to 8th Jan 2020
help in progressing various fields of Astrophysics and Astronomy as well.
GoM constituted to expedite implementation of Rs 69,000 crore revival plan of BSNL, MTNL A seven-member Group of Ministers (GoM) has been constituted to fast-track and oversee the implementation of the Rs 69,000 crore revival plan for state-owned telecom corporations BSNL and MTNL. • The high-level group will expedite smooth implementation of recent decisions taken on revival of BSNL and MTNL that includes crucial elements like allocation of 4G spectrum and asset monetisation. • The GoM includes Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, IT and Telecom Minister Ravi Shankar Prasad, Home Minister Amit Shah, Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal and Oil Minister Dharmendra Pradhan. • The Union Cabinet headed by Prime Minister Narendra Modi had approved the plan to combine Mahanagar Telephone Nigam Ltd (MTNL), which provides services in Mumbai and New Delhi -- with Bharat Sanchar Nigam Ltd (BSNL) that services the rest of the nation.
India welcomes highest number of New born babies on first day of 2020, Surpasses China: UNICEF As per UNICEF (United Nations Children’s Fund), India has recorded the highest number of births of 67,385 children on the first day of 2020 in the world. A Total of 3,92,078 babies were born around the world.
MoSPI constitutes Standing Committee on Economic Statistics headed by Pronab Sen The Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation (MoSPI) has constituted a 28-member Standing Committee on Economic Statistics (SCES) headed by former Chief of Statistics Pronab Sen. • The new panel is slated to meet for the first time on 6 January 2020. • The SCES will effectively subsume four existing committees, the Standing Committee on Labour Force Statistics (SCLFS), Standing Committee on Services Sector (SCSS), Standing Committee on Industrial Statistics (SCIS) and the Standing Committee on Services Sector and Unincorporated Sector Enterprises (SCSSUSE). • It will review the existing framework of data sources, indicators and definitions of index of industrial production, periodic labour force survey, time use survey, economic census and unorganised sector statistics, among others.
ITBP DG SS Deswal gets additional charge of CRPF ITBP Director General SS Deswal will now have “additional” charge of the country’s largest paramilitary force CRPF as the serving DG RR Bhatnagar retired. 15 | P a g e All ixamBee Mock Tests are FREE Please visit www.ixamBee.com Contact us at 92055 24028 (SMS/WhatsApp/call) or [email protected]
Weekly BeeBooster 1st Dec to 8th Jan 2020
• Deswal, a 1984-batch Haryana cadre IPS officer, will hold the CRPF charge “till the appointment and joining of the successor or untill further orders, whichever is earlier.” • The CRPF is not only India's but also the world's largest paramilitary force with over 3.25 lakh personnel in its ranks and is categorised as the lead internal security, law and order maintenance and anti-Naxal operations conducting force of the country.
HAL, Wipro ink pact for 3D printing in aerospace Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL), aerospace & defence company, has signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with Wipro 3D,the metal additive manufacturing (AM) business of Wipro Infrastructure Engineering (WIN), to jointly design, develop and manufacture aerospace components using metal additive technology through three Dimensional (3D) printing. • The MoU will enable both partners to develop, prove and apply new material in the production of aerospace applications, including Maintenance Repair and Overhaul.
ISRO to set up second launch port in Thoothukodi district of Tamil Nadu for small satellite launch vehicles Indian Space Research Organisation will establish a second launch port in Thoothukodi district in Tamil Nadu exclusively to launch small satellite launch vehicles. • On the lines of GPS navigation system developed by America, the Indian navigation system called Navic with the indigenous atomic clock will be operational with mobile phone manufacturers coming forward to install the regional navigation device.
Ayushman Bharat: 171 hospitals de-empanelled, ₹4.5 cr fine imposed for fraud A total 171 hospitals have been de-empanelled and penalties to the tune of ₹4.5 crore have been imposed on hospitals for allegedly committed fraud and indulging in malpractices under the Ayushman Bharat health insurance scheme, the apex body implementing it said. • FIRs have been lodged against six hospitals in Uttarakhand and Jharkhand, the National Health Authority said. • The NHA said the National Anti-Fraud Unit has detected suspect e-cards on the basis of algorithms developed internally by it and shared with states for due diligence and action. • It ruled out any possibility of a fake e-card being generated automatically by the system, saying the process requires a go-ahead by authorised persons based on supporting documents and final approval of the state health agency officials to not just create an e-card but also to add any additional family member.
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Weekly BeeBooster 1st Dec to 8th Jan 2020
5 DRDO Young Scientists Labs launched Five defence laboratories led by under-35 directors and young military scientists were formally launched to drive the country’s war technologies of the future under the Defence Research & Development Organisation. • Prime Minister Narendra Modi dedicated to the nation the DYSLs or DRDO Young Scientists Laboratories that will operate from five cities across the country. • The labs operating in Bengaluru, Mumbai, Chennai, Kolkata and Hyderabad will each pursue a key technology necessary for developing the nation’s next generation of defence systems.
Indian Railways launches integrated helpline number 139 for passengers The Indian Railways has integrated its helpline numbers into a single number - 139 for quick grievance redressal and enquiries by passengers during their train journeys. • The new helpline number 139 will take over all the existing helpline numbers. It will be easy for passengers to remember this number and connect with Railways for all their needs during train travel. • The Helpline 139 will be available in twelve languages. It will be based on Interactive Voice Response System. A call can be made on this number from any mobile phone and not just smart phones, thus, providing easy access to all mobile users.
Union HRD Minister inaugurates the 28th edition of New Delhi World Book Fair 2020 Union Human Resource Development Minister Shri Ramesh Pokhriyal ‘Nisank’ inaugurated the 28th edition of New Delhi World Book Fair 2020 (NDWBF) at Pragati Maidan in New Delhi. • Theme of New Delhi World Book Fair 2020 is GANDHI: WRITERS’ WRITER because we are celebrating 150th year of Mahatma Gandhi’s birth anniversary.
Kerala becomes first state to pass anti-CAA resolution Kerala has become the first state in India to pass a resolution demanding rollback of the controversial Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA). The Kerala assembly passed a resolution against the CAA on December 31, 2019. • Kerala CM Pinarayi Vijayan had moved the anti-CAA resolution in the special one-day session, stating that the CAA act contradicts the basic values and principles of the Constitution. • The Chief Minister noted that the Act had triggered widespread protests among various strata of society and dented India's image in front of the international community. • Both the ruling CPI (M)-led LDF government and Congress-led UDF government jointly opposed the centre’s CAA act and supported the anti-CAA resolution.
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Weekly BeeBooster 1st Dec to 8th Jan 2020
107th Indian Science Congress inaugurated at the University of Agricultural Sciences (UAS) in Bengaluru Recently, the Prime Minister has inaugurated 107th Indian Science Congress Agricultural Sciences (UAS) in Bengaluru. • It is scheduled to take place between January 3-7, at the University of Agricultural Sciences (UAS) in Bengaluru, Karnataka. • The theme of the congress for 2020 is “Science & Technology: Rural Development”. • The previous (2019) session 106th edition was held at Lovely Professional University (LPU) in Jalandhar, Punjab. • The Indian Science Congress Association (ISCA) owes its origin to the foresight and initiative of two British Chemists, namely, Professor J. L. Simonsen and Professor P.S. MacMahon. • The first meeting of the Congress was held from January 15-17, 1914 at the premises of the Asiatic Society, Calcutta.
MHA Amit Shah to head group of ministers to examine the proposed National Tariff Policy Minister of Home Affairs (MoHA) Shri Amit Shah will head the Group of Ministers (GOM) to discuss and examine the proposed National Tariff Policy 2016. • Before being sent to Shri Amit Shah, the draft policy was first sent for approval to the cabinet secretariat. The policy if implemented, will bring a major reform in the stressed power sector but is opposing by the state govts and discoms (Distribution Companies) due to clauses like penalties for load shedding. • The interministerial group will have 10 ministers comprising of 8 ministers in the cabinet rank and 2 ministers with independent charge.
Entire Nagaland declared 'disturbed', AFSPA extended for six more months The Centre declared the whole of Nagaland as a "disturbed" area under the Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act, 1958, for a further period of six months. • Nagaland has been under AFSPA for almost six decades now and it was not withdrawn even after a framework agreement was signed on August 3, 2015. • The AFSPA gives the military sweeping powers to search and arrest, and to open fire if they deem it necessary for "the maintenance of public order", and to do so with a degree of immunity from prosecution.
Labour Ministry mulls 'Santusht' portal in January for speedy resolution of grievances The labour ministry has chalked out a plan to launch a new portal 'Santusht' for speedy redressal of worker as well as employer grievances and ensuring effective implementation of labour laws at the grassroot level. 18 | P a g e All ixamBee Mock Tests are FREE Please visit www.ixamBee.com Contact us at 92055 24028 (SMS/WhatsApp/call) or [email protected]
Weekly BeeBooster 1st Dec to 8th Jan 2020
• Initially, Santusht would monitor all services provided by retirement fund body EPFO and health insurance and services provider ESIC to formal sector worker. Later, the portal would cover other wings of the ministry as well. It would also have data on real time basis to assess the performance of each and every official. • Presently, the ministry is in the process of categorising 44 central labour laws into four broad codes on wages, industrial relations, social security and occupational safety, health and working conditions (OSH). The ministry top brass is hopeful of getting all the four codes operational by 2020. • Santusht is envisaged to ensure transparency, accountability and effective implementation of labour laws.
14th Global Healthcare Summit will be held at Visakhapatnam The 14th edition of the prestigious Global Healthcare Summit will be held in Visakhapatnam district in Andhra Pradesh from 3rd January 2021. • It has been organized by the American Association of Physicians of Indian Origin (AAPI), and this summit around 500 Doctors from the US, Australia, Britain will be participating. • The objective of this conference is to providing cost-effective medicines and addressing the shortage of healthcare professionals. • For the first time, the 14th Global Health Care summit will be held in AP and is expected to boost the healthcare in the region.
Gujarat CM unveils world’s 2nd tallest statue of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel Gujarat Chief Minister Vijay Rupani unveils the second tallest statue of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel in the world at Ahmedabad. • 50 feet tall bronze statue with the weight of 70 thousand kilograms has been unveiled at the Sardardham campus near Vaishnodevi circle in Ahmedabad. • It has become the second highest statue of India’s first home home minister after the Statue of Unity of the legendary leader situated at Kevadiya in Narmada district of Central Gujarat. • The 50 feet tall statue of Sardar Patel has also been designed by Padma Bhusan Ram V. Sutar, the same sculptor who had designed the Statue of Unity.
Abhinav Kumar gets extension as BSF IG The Appointments Committee of the Cabinet has extended the deputation tenure of IPS Abhinav Kumar, Inspector General, Border Security Force (BSF), up to June 27, 2021, in relaxation of IPS Tenure Policy.
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Weekly BeeBooster 1st Dec to 8th Jan 2020
Mountaineer Malavath Poorna scales peak in Antarctica Malavath Poorna, who has won laurels for scaling Mount Everest thereby becoming the youngest girl in the world to achieve the feat, has added another feather to her cap by conquering Mt. Vinson Massif, the Antarctica continents highest mountain peak (4,987 metres). • Eighteen-year-old Poorna becomes the first and youngest tribal woman in the world to set foot on the six tallest mountain peaks across six continents. • Poorna has so far scaled Mt. Everest (Asia, year 2014), Mt. Kilimanjaro (Africa, 2016), Mt.Elbrus (Europe, 2017), Mt. Aconcagua (South America, 2019) Mt. Cartsnez (Oceania region, 2019) and Mt. Vinson Massif (Antarctica, 2019).
Centre releases Rs 5,908 crore to seven states as disaster relief The Centre has released 5,908 crore rupees of Central assistance to seven states which were affected by floods, landslides, cloudburst in 2019. • The decision was taken at a High-Level Committee meeting headed by Home Minister Amit Shah. • The financial assistance has been given to Assam, Himachal Pradesh, Karnataka, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Tripura and Uttar Pradesh from the National Disaster Response Fund, NDRF. • Out of 5,908 crore rupees, over 617 crore has been allocated to Assam, 285 crore rupees to Himachal Pradesh, 1,870 crore rupees to Karnataka, 1,750 crore rupees to Madhya Pradesh, 957 crore rupees to Maharashtra, 63 crore rupees to Tripura and 367 crore rupees to Uttar Pradesh.
India extends $75 million line of credit for solar parks in Cuba India has extended a line of credit of $75 million (over Rs 500 crore) to Cuba for financing solar parks. • An agreement signed between Export-Import Bank of India (Exim Bank) and Banco Exterior De Cuba in July last year came into effect from December 12. • Banco Exterior De Cuba is a nominated agency of the Government of Cuba. • Under the LoC, the terminal utilisation period is 60 months after the scheduled completion date of the project. • Out of the total credit by Exim Bank under the agreement, goods, works and services of the value of at least 75 per cent of the contract price can be supplied by the seller from India, and the remaining 25 per cent of goods and services may be procured by the seller from outside India.
CSC inks pact with Paytm Payments Bank for sale of FASTags CSC e-Governance Services India has signed a memorandum of understanding with Paytm Payments Bank Ltd (PPBL) for sale of FASTags.
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Weekly BeeBooster 1st Dec to 8th Jan 2020
• The agreement will facilitate sale of PPBL FASTags through the last mile network of 3.6 lakh CSCs, helping realise the government's vision of cashless and smooth transit at all toll plazas across country. • The Village Level Entrepreneurs will be trained on conducting paperless and cashless sales. • FASTags -- which work on Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) technology -- have been made mandatory at toll gates on national highways. The FASTag process allows toll payments directly from the prepaid or savings account linked to it, thus doing away with the need for waiting in queues, saving time and fuel. • CSCs started selling FASTags in September 2017 when it partnered with Equitas Bank. Later on, State Bank of India and HDFC Bank came onboard.
Sucheta Satish: 13-year-old Indian girl wins Global Child Prodigy Award in Dubai A 13-year-old Indian girl Sucheta Satish in Dubai has won the 100 Global Child Prodigy Award for singing in most languages during one concert and the longest live singing concert by a child. • Sucheta Satish, a student in Dubai Indian High School, can sing in 120 languages. • The 100 Global Child Prodigy Award is supported by the Dr APJ Abdul Kalam International Foundation and Oscar winning music director AR Rahman among others. • The award celebrates the talent of children in different categories — dancing, music, arts, writing, acting, modelling, science, innovation, sports.
J&K registers highest Inpatient Department care in country Jammu and Kashmir has registered the highest Inpatient Department, IPD care in the country. According to the state-wise fact sheets released by National Health Systems Resource Centre (NHSRC), New Delhi, overall all women in J&K are availing Antenatal Care (ANC) services. • As per the report, the 96 percent IPD care in rural areas of J&K is provided by Public Health Facilities which is highest against the country’s average of 85 percent. • In 2016, Jammu and Kashmir had surpassed Kerala as the state with the highest life expectancy in India for all ages, barring life expectancy at birth.
Women Science Congress begins in Bengaluru The Women Science Congress was inaugurated at the ongoing Indian Science Congress in Bengaluru on Jan 5. • DRDO Aeronautical Systems Director General Dr.Tessy Thomas who is known as Missile Woman of India graced the occasion as the Chief Guest.
Cabinet approves India-Mongolia agreement on space cooperation The Cabinet gave its approval for an Agreement between India and Mongolia on Cooperation in the Exploration and Uses of Outer Space for Peaceful and Civilian Purposes. 21 | P a g e All ixamBee Mock Tests are FREE Please visit www.ixamBee.com Contact us at 92055 24028 (SMS/WhatsApp/call) or [email protected]
Weekly BeeBooster 1st Dec to 8th Jan 2020
• The agreement was signed in New Delhi on 20th September last year during the visit of the President of Mongolia to India.
About Mongolia: Capital: Ulaanbaatar ; Currency: Mongolian tögrög ; President: Khaltmaagiin Battulga
Institutions at Gujarat Ayurved University to get status of Institution of National Importance The Cabinet approved conferring the status of Institution of National Importance to a cluster of Ayurvedic institutions at Gujarat Ayurved University campus in Jamnagar. • The elevation of the status of institution will provide it with the autonomy to upgrade the standard of Ayurveda education, frame various courses in Ayurveda as per national and international demand. • Considering the rapidly growing role of AYUSH Systems in addressing the Public Health challenges of India, conferring the status of National Importance will boost the role and importance of Ayurveda in Public Health.
ISRO’s astronaut training hub to be established in Challakere, Karnataka Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO) proposed 2,700 crores of infrastructure plans to construct its first Human Space Flight Infrastructure Centre (HSFIC). This astronaut hub will be established Challakere, Chitradurga district of Karnataka. • It is expected that this center will start functioning in the next three years. • Various activities related to the training of astronauts to manned missions will be conducted here. This pace is about 200 km from Bengaluru. • Challakere is also known as Science City where various other scientific establishments are already working. Challakere Astronaut Training Centre • ISRO has prepared a proposal of Rs 2700 crore for the development of this center. There will be no need to go elsewhere for activities related to manned missions when this center is ready. • Three astronauts will be sent to space by the year 2022 under the Gaganyaan mission. Four astronauts have been selected for training in Russia. • There are centers of Defence Research Development Organization (DRDO), Bhabha Atomic Research Center (BARC), Indian Institute of Science (IISc) and ISRO spread over an area of about 10,000 acres.
Kochi to host global meet on marine ecosystem Eminent marine scientists, oceanographers, fisheries researchers and marine biotechnologists from across the globe are expected to participate in the third international symposium on marine ecosystems – challenges and opportunities (MECOS-3) in Kochi from January 7 to 10. 22 | P a g e All ixamBee Mock Tests are FREE Please visit www.ixamBee.com Contact us at 92055 24028 (SMS/WhatsApp/call) or [email protected]
Weekly BeeBooster 1st Dec to 8th Jan 2020
• Organised by the Marine Biological Association of India, MECOS-3 will serve as a platform for discussions on a range of topics, including the impact of the climate crisis on marine ecosystems and an unusual warming of the Arabian Sea. • The four-day meet, which will be held at the Central Marine Fisheries Research Institute, assumes significance in the backdrop of the recent spate of cyclonic storms and other climatic phenomena in the Arabian Sea. • Healthy oceans, coasts and related ecosystems are crucial for economic growth and food production. Billions of people worldwide, especially the world’s poorest, rely on healthy oceans to provide jobs and food, underscoring the urgent need to sustainably use and protect this natural resource.
CISF to observe 2020 as 'year of mobility' for troops' welfare, housing The Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) will observe 2020 as the 'year of mobility' that will have a special focus on creation of more residential units and implementation of various welfare measures for the troops. • It will emphasise on taking all measures for welfare of troops and their families, creating infrastructure and logistics like housing, acquiring new land and procuring modern equipment, training with focus on physical fitness and sports and leveraging modern gadgetry and technology on duty. • The objective of the DG's address was to reach out and connect with the personnel deployed in far-flung areas of the country. • The Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) is mandated as the primary civil airports guarding force of the country apart from protecting some vital installations in the aerospace, nuclear, government and private domain. CISF Director General (DG) - Rajesh Ranjan
Royal Navy of Oman ships arrive in Goa for naval exercise 'Naseem-Al-Bahr' Two ships of the Royal Navy of Oman (RNO) arrived in Goa to participate in the 12th edition of the Indo-Oman bilateral naval exercise 'Naseem-Al-Bahr'. • RNOV Al Rasikh and RNOV Khassab arrived at Mormugao Port. • 'Naseem-Al-Bahr' (or sea breeze) is a naval exercise between the Indian Navy and the RNO, being conducted since 1993. • Indian Navy ships Beas and Subhadra are participating in it, with harbour phase in Goa followed by sea phase off the Goa coast. • The ships will conduct subject matter expert exchanges on professional topics.
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Weekly BeeBooster 1st Dec to 8th Jan 2020
MEA Sets Up New And Emerging Strategic Technologies Division To Deal With Security Implications Of 5G, AI In a bid to deal with emerging security implications arising due to emergence of new technologies like 5G and artificial intelligence, the Ministry of External Affairs has announced the setting up of a new division on New and Emerging Strategic Technologies (NEST). • The development comes as the government has allowed all telecom equipment makers, including Chinese Huawei, to participate in the 5G trials. • NEST is one of the many specialised divisions created in recent years to deal with emerging challenges and scenario and will reportedly act as the nodal point at the ministry for all matters related to new and emerging technologies including exchange of view with foreign governments and coordination with domestic ministries and departments. • Besides, NEST will also help in assessing the foreign policy and international legal implication of emerging technology and technology-based resources.
4th All India Police Judo Cluster Championship 2019 • The 4th All India Police Judo Cluster Championship 2019 was inaugurated in New Delhi. The 5- day sporting event will draw to a close on the 7th Jan. • 4th All India Police Judo Cluster Championship organized this year by CRPF is being attended by 34 participating teams consisting of 1207 sports persons from across the country, with a total of 15 Trophies and 214 Medals, including 1 Medal for the Best Gymnast, in contention.
10,000 cameras to be used in Gujarat Lion Census, 2020 The Wildlife Institute of India (WII) is to conduct Asiatic Lion Census in May 2020. The Institute will use 10,000 cameras to conduct the census. • The census is to adopt the technology of National Tiger Conservation Authority. The entire census area is to be divided in to 3-km grid. Officers will collect hair, nails, teeth, etc. • The collection process is to be carried out using scientific methods laid out by NTCA. Around 1,000 to 2,000 officers are to be employed. • In the second phase, 10,000 cameras are to be used to capture the lions.
Dept of Heavy Industries sanctions 2,636 charging stations to support EVs In order to enhance clean mobility in the road transport sector, the Department of Heavy Industries has sanctioned 2,636 charging stations under the second phase of the Faster Adoption and Manufacturing of Electric (FAME) Vehicles in India scheme, with highest in Maharashtra. With this, the total number of charging stations planned to be installed across select cities has gone up to about 14,000. • Minister of Heavy Industries & Public Enterprises Prakash Javadekar said that in future at least one charging station will be available in most of the select cities in a grid of 4 Km x 4 km. He said 24 | P a g e All ixamBee Mock Tests are FREE Please visit www.ixamBee.com Contact us at 92055 24028 (SMS/WhatsApp/call) or [email protected]
Weekly BeeBooster 1st Dec to 8th Jan 2020
this would boost the confidence of electric vehicles users and encourage OEMs (Original Equipment Manufacturers) to launch the new EV models • The Department of Heavy Industry had invited Expressions of Interest (EoI) for deploying EV charging infrastructure, from cities with a population of over one million, State/UT capitals, smart cities, and those in special category states.
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Weekly BeeBooster 1st Dec to 8th Jan 2020
International News
Umaro Cissoko Embalo wins Guinea-Bissau presidential election Umaro Cissoko Embalo, a former prime minister, won the presidential election of Guinea-Bissau with 53.55 percent of votes. • Outgoing Jose Mario Vaz came to power in 2014 on hopes of stabilising a country notorious for coups and assassinations since gaining independence from Portugal in 1974. But his tenure was hampered by a paralysing face-off with Parliament under the country's semi-presidential political system.
United States President Donald Trump officially launches “US Space Force” United States President Donald Trump has signed the 2020 National Defense Authorization Act, authorizing US for the establishment of US Space Force. • The US Space Force will become the 6th branch of the armed forces and would be part of the Department of the Air Force, led by Air Force General Jay Raymond • Space Force would become the youngest US military branch, and the first new service since the establishment of the US Air Force back in 1947. • The launch of the Space Force will be funded by an initial $40m for its first year.
Iran's Qassem Soleimani and Iraq's Abu Mahdi al-Muhandis killed in US air strike Iranian Major-General Qassem Soleimani, head of the elite Quds Force, and Iraqi militia commander Abu Mahdi al-Muhandis were killed in an air strike on their convoy at Baghdad airport. • Iran's supreme leader named the deputy head of the Revolutionary Guards' foreign operations arm Esmail Qaani to replace its commander after he was killed in a US strike in Baghdad. • Qaani was described by Khamenei as one of the "most decorated commanders" of the Guards during the 1980-88 Iran-Iraq war.
Paddlefish of China’s Yangtze River, declared as extinct China has declared that the country’s giant paddlefish often called as ‘Panda of the Yangtze river’ or ‘Chinese swordfish’ has become extinct. The extinction was reported due to decades of overfishing. • As per scientists of the Yangtze River Fisheries Research Institute (YRFRI) the paddlefish with scientific name Psephurus gladius which can grow upto 22 feet (7 meters) in length became extinct between 2005 and 2010.
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Britain's Prince William unveils prize for climate innovation Prince William announced "the most prestigious environment prize in history" to encourage new solutions to tackling climate change. • The Earthshot Prize will be awarded to five people every year over the next decade, and aims to provide at least 50 answers to some of the greatest problems facing the planet by 2030. • They include promoting new ways of addressing climate change and issues surrounding energy, nature and biodiversity, the oceans, air pollution and fresh water. • The prize, inspired by US president John F. Kennedy's ambitious "Moonshot" lunar programme in the 1960s, promises "a significant financial award", a statement said. • The award, which will be launched later next year and be bestowed from 2021, is open to individuals as well as to communities and businesses. • This year Prince William and a global alliance launch the most prestigious environment prize in history, designed to motivate and inspire a new generation of thinkers, leaders and dreamers to think differently.
Honouring Mahatma Gandhi’s 150th birth anniversary, Bangladesh organises ten days art exhibition India and Bangladesh over the years have strengthened their relations with closely knitting together its bilateral and diplomatic ties. • Regarding Mahatma Gandhi’s contribution, a ten-day long art exhibition commemorating 150th birth anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi was inaugurated in Dhaka. • The art exhibition has been organised by the Indian High Commission in Bangladesh in association with the Bangladesh Shilpkala Academy.
UN declares Malala decade’s ‘most famous teenager’ The UN has declared Pakistani education activist and Nobel laureate Malala Yousafzai as “the most famous teenager in the world” in its ‘Decade in Review’ report. • In 2014, Malala became the youngest recipient of the Nobel Peace Prize in recognition of her efforts for children’s rights which started even before she was shot in the head two years ago by Taliban militants. • The attack made waves around the world, and was widely condemned. On Human Rights Day that year, a special tribute to Malala was held at the Paris headquarters of the UNESCO, pushing for action to ensure every girl’s right to go to school, and to advance girls’ education as an urgent priority. • Malala’s activism and profile have only grown since the assassination attempt. She became a UN Messenger of Peace in 2017, with a special focus on girls’ education.
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Hillary Clinton appointed as 11th and 1st female Chancellor of UK’s Queen’s University Hillary Rodham Clinton appointed as the first female Chancellor of United Kingdom’s Queen’s University, succeeding Tom Moran. • Clinton is the 11th Chancellor of the University and will serve for a period of five years from January 1, 2020. She will act as an advisor to the vice-chancellor Prof Ian Greer and senior management.
Palau becomes first nation in the world to ban ‘reef-toxic’ sun cream Pacific Island Nation, Palau has become the first nation to ban sun cream which damages the coral reefs, sea life and are toxic to juvenile wildlife species. • The sun cream consists of oxybenzone and octinoxate absorbs UV (UltraViolet) rays which causes water more acidic, makes corals susceptible to bleaching and agitating fish stocks. • Hawaii also bans sun cream comes into effect from 2021.
Neutral pronoun 'they' voted Word of the Decade Neutral pronoun 'they' has been voted word of the decade by US language experts. • "They" is used in English by a growing number of non-binary individuals, people who do not identify as either male or female. They prefer the plural neutral pronoun to bypass using the pronouns "he" or "she". • The recognition comes after US dictionary Merriam-Webster in December named "they" as word of the year. • The American Dialect Society had previously named "they" word of the year in 2015.
UAE Cabinet approves 5-year multi-entry tourist visa His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, announced that tourist visas in the UAE will now be issued for five years. The move comes in a bid to support the UAE’s tourism economy, and affirm the country’s position as a global tourist destination. • Industry executives and analysts believe that tourist spending will substantially increase due to longer stays while the real estate sector could benefit by attracting them as residents. • The UAE receives more than 21 million tourists per annum and it aims to establish itself as a top global tourist destination. Around 25 million visitors are expected to visit the six-month long Expo 2020 alone.
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Weekly BeeBooster 1st Dec to 8th Jan 2020
Facts of the Day (Important Days)
World Braille Day being celebrated on 4 Jan World Braille Day is an international day on 4 January and celebrates awareness of the importance of braille as a means of communication in the full realization of the human rights for blind and visually impaired people. • The date for the event was chosen by the United Nations General Assembly via a proclamation in November 2018. The first World Braille Day was celebrated on January 4, 2019. • The day is marked remembering the birth anniversary of Louis Braille, the inventor of Braille - for people with visual disabilities. • Louis Braille was born on 4th January 1809 in the town of Coupvray in northern France. At the age of just 3, he lost both his eyes in an accident. This resulted in the invention of the language of 6 dots- which is popularly known as braille.
Journalist Day Observed in Maharashtra on January 6 Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray-led Maharashtra state celebrates the Journalist Day on January 6th every year in the memory of late journalist Balshastri Jambhekar. • Balshastri Jambhekar, is also known as ‘The Father of Marathi Journalism’, for his efforts in starting journalism in Marathi language. • The first newspaper in the Marathi language named ‘Darpan’, was published on January 6, 1832, the date which also marks his birth anniversary.
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Facts of the Day (Awards)
Piyuus Jaiswal honoured with Global Peace Excellence Humanitarian & Global Bihar Excellence Awards 2019 Piyuus Jaiswal was awarded the Global Bihar Excellence Award 2019. This award was presented by Rajya Sabha MP and Padma Shri Awardee Dr CP Thakur and Bihar Women Commission president Dilmani Devi in Patna to promote women empowerment. • The award was given to recognise and felicitated Piyuus Jaiswal's contribution towards social welfare, women empowerment and introducing new talent in the field of arts and culture. • Piyuus Jaiswal was recently awarded the humanitarian award with the Global Peace Excellence Humanitarian Award 2019 on the occasion of International Human Day.
First-ever Antar-rashtriya Yoga Diwas Media awards presented to 30 media houses for promoting Yoga Information and Broadcasting Minister Prakash Javadekar conferred the first Antarrashtriya Yoga Diwas Media Samman to 30 media houses in New Delhi. The Ministry had instituted the award in June last year to mark the contribution of media in spreading the message of Yoga. • It acknowledged the positive role and responsibility of the media in disseminating the outreach of Yoga in India and abroad. • Eleven awards were conferred under the category of Best Media Coverage of Yoga in Newspapers. Eight awards under the category Best Media Coverage of Yoga in Television and 11 awards were conferred under the category Best Media Coverage of Yoga in Radio. • The International Day of Yoga is being celebrated on 21st of June every year since 2015. The idea of International Day of Yoga was first proposed by the Prime Minister Narendra Modi during his address at the United Nations General Assembly in September 2014. Our Correspondent talked to some of the awardees.
77th Golden Globe Awards 2019 - Beverly Hills, California, US The 77th annual Golden Globes kicked off with comedian Ricky Gervais hosting for his fifth time. Netflix led the award show's nominations with 34 across the film and TV categories, but it was Sam Mendes' WWI tale "1917" that won best picture (drama) and Quentin Tarantino's "Once Upon a Time in Hollywood" that won best film (comedy or musical). • Netflix's divorce drama "Marriage Story" had six nods (Laura Dern took home best supporting actress) and its mobster film "The Irishman" had five. Both were up against eventual winner "1917," along with "Joker" and "The Two Popes" in the best drama category.
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• Netflix ended up with only two awards (the second for Olivia Colman's performance in "The Crown"). • One of the noteworthy achievements of the night went to Awkwafina, star of the indie family drama "The Farewell." She became the first woman of Asian descent to win best actress in a comedy or musical. • The Golden Globe Ambassadors for the year 2019 were Dylan Brosnan and Paris Brosnan. The Golden Globe Ambassador, until 2017 known as Miss Golden Globe or Mr. Golden Globe, is the young person who assists in the annual Golden Globe Awards presentations by handing out trophies to the winners and escorting them off stage.
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Facts of the Day (Sports)
MS Dhoni picked captain of ESPN Cricinfo's ODI and T20 teams of past decade Former India skipper Mahendra Singh Dhoni was picked as captain of ESPN Cricinfo's ODI and Twenty20 teams of the decade, while Virat Kohli was named the leader in Tests. • Kuldeep Yadav, and Yuzvendra Chahal, were the only other Indians to make the Test XI. • Rohit Sharma was also named in the ODI XI. Jasprit Bumrah found a place, alongside Kohli and Dhoni in the T20 XI. • Former skipper Mithali Raj and fast bowler Jhulan Goswami were named in the same women's team picked for both the ODIs and T20s. Australia's inspirational cricketer, Meg Lanning was named the captain of the side.
India women's hockey team defender Sunita Lakra announces retirement due to injury breakdown Indian women's hockey team defender Sunita Lakra, who was part of the 2018 Asian Games silver-winning side, announced her international retirement, citing a knee injury which would require another surgery. • The 28-year-old said the nagging injury has come in the way of her dream to be a part of India's Tokyo Olympics campaign this year. • In the team since 2008, Lakra captained India during the 2018 Asian Champions Trophy, leading the side to a second-place finish in the event. In all, she played 139 matches for India and her achievements also included being part of the side that claimed the 2014 Asian Games bronze medal.
World Cup winner De Rossi of Italy retired from football Former Italian professional footballer and the 2006 FIFA (Fédération Internationale de Football Association) world cup winner Daniele De Rossi (36 years) has announced his retirement from the game after retiring from Argentina’s Boca Juniors Football club. • Daniel has played 117 games for Italy from 2004-17 and won the 2006 world cup title after defeating France and is Italy’s 4th most-capped player with 117 caps.
5th IHAI National Ice Hockey Championship-2020 begins in Leh The 5th Ice Hockey Association of India (IHAI) National Ice Hockey Championship -2020 has begun in Leh. • In the inaugural match in Under-20 Boys category between Chandigarh and Haryana, the contest ended in a draw with 4 goals each.
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• The tournament will continue till 7th January in Karzoo Ice Hockey Rink in Leh.
Rohit Sharma lays foundation stone for international cricket stadium in Hyderabad Star opening batsman Rohit Sharma laid down the foundation stone for an international cricket stadium and training centre at Heartfulness Institute on the outskirts of Hyderabad. • The cricket stadium has been named after Rohit Sharma and this facility will provide the youngsters at the institute to perfect their cricketing skills.
Cristiano Ronaldo Wins Best Men's Player of the Year at Dubai Globe Soccer Awards Cristiano Ronaldo wins the prize for Best Men's Player of the year 2019 at the Dubai Globe Soccer Awards. • Ronaldo, who came third in the 2019 Ballon d'Or rankings behind Virgil van Dijk and winner Lionel Messi, has now won the award six times out of its nine years of existence. • It also marked a fourth successive triumph at the awards for the 34-year-old. • England international Lucy Bronze was crowned best women's player of the year. • Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp was named as the Best Manager.
Manav Thakkar becomes world no.1 in latest International Table Tennis Federation rankings Young Indian paddler Manav Thakkar became world no.1 in the latest International Table Tennis Federation (ITTF) rankings in the Under-21 men's singles category. • With this, Thakkar became the fourth Indian to achieve the feat after Harmeet Desai, G Sathiyan and Soumyajit Ghosh. • The 19-year-old Manav Thakkar achieved the top spot after clinching the Under-21 men's singles title at the ITTF Challenge Plus Benemax-Virgo North American Open in Markham, Canada. He was part of the Indian men's team which won a bronze medal in the 2018 Asian Games in Jakarta.
New Zealand’s Leo Carter smashes 6 Sixes in an over, becomes 7th batsman in the world Leo Carter, New Zealand’s batsman, has recorded his name in the history books by becoming the 7th cricketer in the world to score six sixes in an over. • Carter achieved this feat during his team's Canterbury Kings' victory against Northern Knight at New Zealand's 20-20 tournament Super Smash. • Apart from Carter, Gary Sobers of the West Indies, Ravi Shastri and Yuvraj Singh of India, Herschelle Gibbs of South Africa, Ross Vitali of England and Hazratullah Zazai of Afghanistan have scored six sixes in an over. Yuvraj Singh hit 6 sixes against England’s fast bowler Stuart Broad in the 2007 T20 World Cup.
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Saurabh Chaudhary wins gold in men's 10 m air pistol at 63rd National Shooting C'ship Ace shooter Saurabh Chaudhary has won the men's 10 metres air pistol gold at the 63rd National Shooting Championship in Bhopal. The 17-year-old from Uttar Pradesh shot a classy 246.4 to finish on top. • Second-placed Sarabjot Singh of Haryana was well behind with a score of 243.9, while world number two Abhishek Verma settled for bronze in final. • Abhishek and Sarabjot together won the team gold for Haryana.
Irfan Pathan announces retirement from all forms of Cricket Indian all-rounder Irfan Pathan announced his retirement from all forms of Cricket. • Irfan made his Team India debut at the age of 19 in 2003. • He played 29 Tests, 120 ODIs and 24 T20Is. He was part of the victorious Indian team at the 2007 World Twenty20 and was the man-of-the-match in the final against Pakistan.
For the first time Lawn bowls & Cycling to be included in 3rd Khelo India Games 2020 to be held in Guwahati Chief Executive Officer of “Khelo India Games” has announced the inclusion of “Lawn bowls” and “Cycling” in the 3rd edition of Khelo India Games. These two games will be included in the event for the first time. • Around 6500 athletes from 37 teams will take part in the 3rd edition of Khelo India youth games in Guwahati, Assam which is scheduled to be held from 10th of January to 22nd of February at Indira Gandhi Stadium. • The cultural events from Assam, North East and other states will be added in the event which starts from 13th to 15th of January at Sarusajai. The exhibition of indigenous games will also be held and there will be no entry fee for the inaugural ceremony people can enjoy it free of cost.
Bhubaneswar to host 1st edition of Khelo India University Games from Feb 22 to March 1 The first edition of Khelo India University Games is scheduled to be held at the KIIT University in Bhubaneswar from February 22nd to March 1st. • The launching ceremony of the event was held at Bhubaneswar. Union Sports Minister Kiren Rijiju and Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik unveiled the logo and jersey of Khelo India University Games. • The sports minister Mr. Rijiju who was the chief guest in the function.
K. Srikkanth & Anjum Chopra to get CK Nayudu Lifetime Achievement Award Krishnamachari Srikkanth & Anjum Chopra will be conferred with the CK Nayudu Lifetime Achievement Award.
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• Krishnamachari Srikkanth will be the recipient of 2019's prestigious CK Nayudu Lifetime Award. Former India women's captain Anjum Chopra is the co-recipient of the lifetime achievement award for the year 2019. • Srikkanth and Anjum will be conferred with the Lifetime Achievement award by Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) for their contributions to Indian cricket.
Indian GM P Magesh Chandran wins 95th edition of Hastings International Chess Congress India's P Magesh Chandran win the title of the 95th edition prestigious Hastings International Chess Congress in Hastings, England. • The 36-year old Grand Master with a FIDE rating of 2479, remained unbeaten and finished in clear first place with 7.5 points from nine games after securing a 33-move draw in the final round against compatriot G A Stany, also a GM. • The US-based Chandran posted six wins and secured three draws to take the top spot. He outscored a field that included two players with a 2600-plus ELO rating and five in the 2500-plus category. • The Indian had become a GM in 2006 and moved to the US for higher studies at the University of Texas.
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States
Pragati Maidan metro station renamed as Supreme Court station Delhi government's naming committee has decided to rename Pragati Maidan Metro station as Supreme Court Metro Station. • The naming committee also decided to rename Mukarba Chowk and its flyover after Kargil war martyr Captain Vikram Batra. • Mehrauli - Badarpur Road is renamed as Acharya Sri Mahapragya Marg.
First-of-its kind turtle rehab centre comes up in Bihar A first-of-its-kind rehabilitation centre for freshwater turtles will be inaugurated in Bihar’s Bhagalpur forest division in January 2020. • The rehab centre, spread over half a hectare, will be able to shelter 500 turtles at a time. • Forest department officials said the need to build such a centre was felt after several turtles were found severely wounded and sick when rescued from smuggles by rescue teams. • According to a report by the National Mission for Clean Ganga (NMCG) and Wildlife Institute of India (WII) , the turtle species are under threat due to loss through dams and barrages, pollution, illegal poaching, accidental drowning through fishing nets and threats to their nesting habitats etc.
UPSRTC launches calling and WhatsApp service 'Damini' helpline for safety of women The Uttar Pradesh State Road Transport Corporation (UPSRTC) has launched a dedicated women helpline, 'Damini', which is a calling and a WhatsApp service for the safety of women. • The unique number "81142-77777" has been subscribed for the helpline, which is an extension of the 'Nirbhaya Yojana' that aims to ensure safety of women. • The service will be functional from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. every day and will be exclusively handled by women officers at the UPSRTC headquarters and regional offices. • Women passengers can lodge their complaints on the general helpline number, 1800-180-2877, after 6 p.m.
Andhra Pradesh government appoints Special Officers for Disha The Andhra Pradesh state government appointed Indian Administrative Service (IAS) official Dr Kritika Shukla and Indian Police Service (IPS) official M. Deepika, as Special Officers for implementing the Andhra Pradesh Disha Act 2019. • The Act is intended for speedy trial and faster execution in cases of sexual offences against women in the state.
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• Dr Kritika Shukla, is presently the Director of Women Development and Child Welfare has been given an additional charge as DISHA Special Officer. M. Deepika, who is the Additional Superintendent of Police (Administration) of Kurnool has been transferred and posted as DISHA Special Officer. • The AP Disha Bill prescribes life imprisonment for other sexual offences against children and includes Section 354 F and 354 G in IPC. In cases of harassment of women through social or digital media, the Bill states two years imprisonment for the first conviction and four years for second and subsequent convictions. For this a new Section 354 E will be added in IPC, 1860. • To ensure a speedy trial, the state will set up exclusive special courts in all the 13 districts to deal with cases of offences against women and children including rape, acid attacks, stalking, voyeurism, social media harassment of women, sexual harassment and all cases under POCSO Act. The state will also employ special Public Prosecutors and Special Police force dedicated to such crimes only.
Gujarat to set up Vikram Sarabhai Children Innovation Center in state Gujarat Chief Minister Vijay Rupani has announced the setting up of the Vikram Sarabhai Children Innovation Center (VSCIC) to identify, nurture and promote children’s innovation in the state. • He was speaking during the felicitation ceremony of Children’s Innovation Festival (CIF) held at Swarnim Sankul in Gandhinagar. • Top 30 idea teams led by school students have been felicitated by Chief Minister Vijay Rupani on this occasion. A letter of intent was exchanged between Gujarat University and UNICEF on this occasion. • Children’s Innovation Festival - CIF has been organized by Gujarat University Start-ups and Entrepreneurship Council (GUSEC) - an incubation centre set up by Gujarat University in partnership with UNICEF. CIF initiative was conceptualized to identify, nurture and support children’s innovations in the state. • As a part of CIF, more than 480 teams applied from 25 districts of Gujarat, out of which 114 teams were selected for CIF Boot Camp for mentorship and capacity building on entrepreneurship. The festival was exclusively for the school-going children up to 18 years old. Out of 114 teams, 30 top ideas had been selected by a panel of jury, which have been felicitated at the event.
Telangana govt declared 2020 as AI year Telangana Information Technology (IT) minister Kalvakuntla Taraka Rama Rao has declared 2020 as year of Artificial Intelligence(AI) and has signed 8 Memorandum of Understanding(MoU) with various companies and Indian Institute of Technology Kharagpur (IIT-KGP) to make way for technological advancements in the state. 37 | P a g e All ixamBee Mock Tests are FREE Please visit www.ixamBee.com Contact us at 92055 24028 (SMS/WhatsApp/call) or [email protected]
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• The MoU with IIT-KGP is for setting up centre of excellence in AI and research and Development Park. Pilot projects of registration and police departments on the occasion was also launched. • KT Rama Rao also unveiled a poster and a logo to mark the year of AI at a programme in Hyderabad, Telangana while IT Secretary Jayesh Ranjan inaugurated a website for the same. • Some of the companies with which Telangana govt has signed MoU includes Intel, Public Health Foundation of India (PHFI), Nvidia and Hexagon etc • New businesses will be given permissions through Telangana State Industrial Project Approval and Self-Certification System (TS-iPASS).
Ritualistic festival ‘Lai Haraoba’ begins in Tripura In Tripura, Lai Haraoba, a ritualistic festival observed by Manipuri meitei communities since ancient times, began in Agartala. • The five day long festival is jointly organised by Department of Information and Cultural Affairs, Government of Tripura, Puthiba Lai Haraoba Committee and Puthiba Welfare & Cultural Society, Agartala. • The five-day long festival aims to uphold tradition and cultural values of Meitei community. • Lai Haraoba is celebrated through oral literature, music, dance and rituals. They will be performing various cultural and traditional musical skits including Manipuri martial arts, folk music and folk dances during the festival.
MP govt starts health insurance scheme for staff The Madhya Pradesh government has given its 12.55 lakh employees a new year bonanza by approving a health insurance scheme, Mukhyamantri Karmachari Swasthya Bima Yojana, Minister Tulsi Silawat said. • The scheme will be effective from April 1 and will make every government employee and their families eligible for medical treatment worth Rs 5 lakh annually. For some critical diseases, the eligibility will be enhanced to Rs 10 lakh. • All permanent and contractual employees, teachers, retired employees, home guards and others getting salary from contingency fund will reap the benefits of this scheme. Staff of autonomous institutions of the state will also be covered. • Employees of corporations, boards and officers of all India service can also opt for the scheme, adding it was tailored on the lines of the All India service adopted by some states.
Himachal Pradesh Govt launches Himachal MyGov portal to strengthen public participation The Himachal Pradesh Government has launched Himachal MyGov portal in Shimla with a view to strengthen public participation in the governance process. • With this, Himachal Pradesh has become the 11th state in the country to have this facility.
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• While launching the portal, Chief Minister Jairam Thakur said, the portal will help people of the state to communicate their views, suggestions, feedback as well discontentment, if any. • MyGov is an innovative platform to build a partnership between citizens and government with the help of technology for growth and development of India. This unique platform aims to enhance citizen partnership with the State Government and vice-versa. • Chief Minister Thakur also launched CM App on the occasion. Through this App, people of the state would be able to write directly to the Chief Minister regarding their grievances.
Maharashtra Government launches ‘Cyber Safe Women’ initiative Maharashtra Government has launched a ‘Cyber Safe Women’ initiative under which awareness camps will be held across all the districts of the state regarding cyber safety. • The initiative will help in educating women about how the web is used by anti-social elements and child predators to commit various types of crimes. • Rising instances of cyber-crime need to be curbed and the government is looking to take all measures to ensure that women and children do not fall prey to these criminal activities.
Odisha launches e-Gazette portal The State Government of Odisha has launched the e-Gazette portal, a first-of-its-kind initiative in the country, and directed all departments to use it for all Gazette notifications. • Launching the portal, Chief Secretary Asit Tripathy termed it a milestone in governance. The system while expediting the process of Gazette publication will make it error-free and paperless • The decision for digitisation of Gazette was taken as part of the 5T initiative. The e-Gazette will have hassle-free access to all indenting, publishing, user departments, institutions and public anytime anywhere. • People can log on to http://egazetteodisha.nic.in. • e-Gazette portal has been designed and developed by the NIC. • Odisha Gazette is a public journal and an authorized legal document of the State Government published weekly on every Friday and also daily as extra-ordinary depending upon urgency of the matter for the publication of Government bills, acts, rules, notifications, resolutions and orders.
Kolkata Police to start third edition of 'Sukanya' project Kolkata Police will start the third edition of its 'Sukanya' project to provide girls studying in schools and colleges in the city with self-defence training. • The third batch of 'Sukanya' will start at 100 city-based schools and colleges situated in Kolkata Police jurisdiction. • Girl students of VIII, IX, XI and girls studying in the first year at educational institutions in this area will be part of it.
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• Sukanya is an initiative of the Kolkata Police's Community Policing Wing to provide self-defence training to girl students of city-based schools, colleges and universities. • The initiative is funded by Women and Child Development and Social Welfare Department of the state government.
Gujarat: 31st International Kite Festival launched in Ahmedabad In Gujarat, the 31st International Kite Festival has been launched at Sabarmati river front in Ahmedabad. It will continue till 14th January- Makarsankranti- the festival of Kites in different parts of the state. Chief Minister Vijay Rupani has inaugurated the colourful kite festival, which is also attracting large number of foreign tourists in the state. • Speaking on this occasion, Chief Minister Rupani said that kite has become an identity of Gujarat. He said that the size of kite industry in the state has increased multi-fold following the successive International Kite Festivals in the state. Governor of Gujarat Acharya Devvrat was also present on this occasion. • More than 140 kite flying experts from 40 countries are participating in this event. About 800 kite fliers from Gujarat and 200 kite fliers from 12 other states are also participating in this unique festival. • International Kite Festival is being organized at nine other places across the state simultaneously including Statue of Unity- Kevadiya, Surat and Vadodara.
Maharashtra Govt launches ‘Cyber Safe Women’ initiative Maharashtra Government has launched a ‘Cyber Safe Women’ initiative under which awareness camps will be held across all the districts of the state regarding cyber safety. • In a statement, Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray has said the initiative will help in educating women about how the web is used by anti-social elements and child predators to commit various types of crimes. • Mr. Thackeray said rising instances of cyber-crime need to be curbed and the government is looking to take all measures to ensure that women and children do not fall prey to these criminal activities.
Mizoram govt to organise Zo fest in 10 states, US, Bangladesh The Mizoram government is organising Zo Kutpui (festival) in at least 10 states across India and countries such as US, Myanmar and Bangladesh. • The first edition of the festival will start on January 9 in Vanghmun in Tripura and will be held over three days, an official of the state tourism department said. • The festival will then move to other states which have significant Mizo population. • The move is an attempt to unify and strengthen the brotherhood among various Mizo tribes living in different parts of the world. 40 | P a g e All ixamBee Mock Tests are FREE Please visit www.ixamBee.com Contact us at 92055 24028 (SMS/WhatsApp/call) or [email protected]
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• The government would also soon launch bus services from state capital Aizawl to Kanhmun in Tripura, Churachandpur in Manipur, Shillong in Meghalaya and Tahan in Myanmar to connect people of the Mizo community.
WB Govenment to provide holy water of Ganga Sagar through an app West Bengal Government has decided to provide holy water of Ganga Sagar through an app on the occasion of Makar Sankranti. • People who desire to have holy water may apply through the designated app of the Mela and only courier charges will be taken for this purpose. • The government launched an app for the pilgrims of Ganga Sagar to cater to various information to the devotees. The Ganga Sagar Mela will take place on the 14th of January this year.
2nd round of Intensified Mission Indradhanush- 2 begins The second phase of Intensified Mission Indradhanush 2.0 rolled out at block level in 35 districts of Uttar Pradesh. • The aim of the program launched by central government in 2017 is to achieve 90 percent vaccination coverage in children of less than 2 years in state. • Under the program the immunization activity will be in four rounds over seven working days excluding the Regular immunisation days, Sundays and holidays. First round was completed in December 2019 while present round started this year. Next rounds will be in February and March months and will cover 425 blocks of 73 districts of state.
Uttar Pradesh becomes 1st state to shortlist migrants for citizenship Uttar Pradesh is all set to become the first state in the country to start the exercise of shortlisting migrants from Pakistan, Bangladesh and Afghanistan, eligible for citizenship under the new Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA). • The exercise will also identify those who are living illegally in the state. • The presence of migrants from Pakistan and Bangladesh has been found mainly in Lucknow, Hapur, Rampur, Shahjahanpur, Noida and Ghaziabad. • The purpose of compilation of the list is to ensure the state government could intervene and ensure that 'genuine migrants' become citizens of the country. This is the first time such a list is being prepared.
Gujarat CM unveils world’s 2nd tallest statue of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel Gujarat Chief Minister Vijay Rupani unveiled the second tallest statue of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel in the world at Ahmedabad. • 50 feet tall bronze statue with the weight of 70 thousand kilograms has been unveiled at the Sardardham campus near Vaishnodevi circle in Ahmedabad. It has become the second highest 41 | P a g e All ixamBee Mock Tests are FREE Please visit www.ixamBee.com Contact us at 92055 24028 (SMS/WhatsApp/call) or [email protected]
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statue of India’s first home home minister after the Statue of Unity of the legendary leader situated at Kevadiya in Narmada district of Central Gujarat. • The 50 feet tall statue of Sardar Patel has also been designed by Padma Bhusan Ram V. Sutar, the same sculptor who had designed the Statue of Unity. • After unveiling the statue Chief Minister Vijay Rupani said that it was a matter of pride for Gujarat that both the highest and second highest statue of Sardar Patel, the architect of united India are situated in his home state.
ASCEND 2020: Kochi hosted Global Investors Meet on 9-10 Jan ASCEND 2020 comes amid a paradigm shift Kerala is experiencing in harnessing industrial investments, according to state Industries Minister E.P. Jayarajan. • Kerala govt highlighted a Kochi-to-Palakkad integrated manufacturing cluster, a defence park at Ottapalam and an electronic hardware park in Ernakulam • The meet has also seen organisers showcasing 70-odd other projects classified as large, medium and small in the descending order of their capital investment • KINFRA (Kerala Industrial Infrastructure Development Corporation) is also keen to set up a ₹400-crore logistics hub (in Palakkad) with warehousing facility, while thrust will also be given to set up a ₹300-crore cryogenic warehouse in Kochi's Puthuvypeen next to the existing LNG terminal. • The ₹131-crore Defence Park at 60 acres in Ottapalam of Palakkad district has central government assistance under the Modified Industrial Infrastructure Upgradation scheme. • The Invest Kerala Portal is a single-window facilitator for hassle-free investment promotion launched under its Ease of doing business initiatives.
The fourth 'Buxa Bird Festival' has begun in Buxa National Park in West Bengal's Alipurduar district. Over 50 birdwatchers from across the country and abroad have registered for the 2020 edition of the four-day festival. • More than 300 rare species including the Great Hornbill, Sultan Tit and Greater Spotted Eagle visit the national park during this period.
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Persons/events
Former Rajya Sabha member Alajangi Viswanath Swamy from Odisha passed away Social activist and former Rajya Sabha member, Alajangi Viswanath Swamy popularly known as AV Swamy passed away in Nuapada district, Odisha. • In 2012, he was elected as a member of Rajya Sabha from Odisha as an independent candidate and remained in office till April 2018. • He was a member of ‘Vanar Sena’ during India’s freedom struggle and a follower of Vinobe Bhave.and also one of the most important social reformers of Odisha.
Vinod Kumar Yadav assumes charge as Chairman, Railway Board on reappointment for period of one year Vinod Kumar Yadav has assumed the charge of Chairman, Railway Board after being reappointed. • The Appointments Committee of Cabinet has approved the reappointment of Vinod Kumar Yadav as Chairman, Railway Board for a period of one year.
Government appoints AIIMS' Prof Suresh Chandra Sharma as first chief of NMC The chief of Delhi AIIMS' ENT head-neck surgery department, Professor Suresh Chandra Sharma, is appointed the chairman of National Medical Commission. • The Appointments Committee of the Cabinet has approved the appointment of Sharma for a period of three years or till the age of 70 years. • President Ram Nath Kovind had on August 8 given assent to the National Medical Commission (NMC) Act, 2019, which provides for a system that improves access to quality and affordable medical education and ensures availability of adequate and high quality medical professionals in all parts of the country, among others. • The new law provides for setting up of an NMC in place of the Medical Council of India for development and regulation of all aspects of medical education, profession and institutions.
Babita Rayudu is SEBI’s new ED G Babita Rayudu has taken charge as SEBI’s executive director. Rayudu will handle the legal affairs department, enforcement department and special enforcement cell. • Prior to the promotion, Rayudu was in the legal affairs department in the Securities and Exchange Board of India. • Apart from Rayudu, SEBI has eight other executive directors.
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Weekly BeeBooster 1st Dec to 8th Jan 2020
NBA mastermind David Joel Stern of New York, US dead David Joel Stern born in New York, United States (US), the former commissioner of the NBA (National Basketball Association), passed away due to brain haemorrhage at the age of 77 in New York.
Former Karnataka Governor and Padma Vibhushan awardee T N Chaturvedi passes away Former Karnataka Governor Triloki Nath Chaturvedi passed away in Noida, Uttar Pradesh. He was 90. He served as the Governor of Karnataka from 2002-2007. • Government Auditing, Auditing Receipts, Auditing Science and Technology are some of the books authored by T V chaturvedi.
Former MP of India’s 1st Lok Sabha, Bahadur Singh passed away Former Member of Parliament of the country’s 1st Lok Sabha, constituted in 1952 and last maharaja of erstwhile Dumraon Raj (zamindari estate) Kamal Bahadur Singh passed away. • Kamal Bahadur Singh was the only surviving MP of the first Lok Sabha of India. After the independence movement Kamal Singh contributed mainly to the education and social development sectors in Shahabad city of Uttar Pradesh. • He was elected as MP as an independent candidate from Shahabad in 1st general election after independence.
14 scientists awarded Swarna Jayanti Fellowships The Union Ministry of Science and Technology have awarded Swarna Jayanti Fellowships to 14 scientists to pursue basic research in frontier areas of science and technology. • The fellowship covers all the requirements for performing the research and includes a fellowship of 25 thousand rupees per month. A research grant of five lakh rupees for five years is also being provided in addition to their salary. • Instituted to commemorate India's 50th year of independence, Swaran Jayanti Fellowships are awarded to young and brilliant scientists to pursue unfettered research with financial freedom and flexibility.
Noted Assamese Theatre Personality Ratna Ojha, Who Had Avidly Opposed CAA, Dies at 88 Eminent Assamese dramatist, litterateur and social activist Ratna Ojha died at his Guwahati residence due to old age-related ailments. He was 88. • Recipient of the prestigious Natyasurya Award in 2005 for his contributions to theatre, Ojha had introduced street plays in Assam in 1971 with his skit 'Kokaideo' to revive the theatre movement in the state. • Ojha had also introduced 'cartoon theatre' in the Northeast. • The former vice-chairman of the state cultural centre Srimanta Sankardev Kalakshetra had produced and directed documentary film 'Naam-ghar'. 44 | P a g e All ixamBee Mock Tests are FREE Please visit www.ixamBee.com Contact us at 92055 24028 (SMS/WhatsApp/call) or [email protected]
Weekly BeeBooster 1st Dec to 8th Jan 2020
NCP leader Devi Prasad Tripathi passed away General Secretary of the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) and former Member of Parliament (MP) Devi Prasad Tripathi passed away in New Delhi. He was the former MP of Rajya Sabha from Maharashtra. • He was one of the founders of NCP along with Sharad Pawar and P.A. Sangma and also the Editor-in-Chief of the quarterly journal Think India. • He played an important role in the establishment of democracy in Nepal.
Former Western Army Commander Lt Gen PN Hoon passes away Former Western Army Commander Lieutenant General Prem Nath Hoon, 90 years old, passed away in Chandigarh. Born at Abbottabad in Pakistan and commissioned into the army in 1947, he is one of the most senior military veterans in the country. • He led the ‘Operation Meghdoot’ the code-name for the Indian Armed forces to capture the Siachen Glacier in the Kashmir region. He also served during 1965 in the India-Pakistan war. • In October 2015, he had launched his book “The Untold Truth” in which he claimed that there was a plot to topple Rajiv Gandhi Government in 1987.
Centenarian Freedom fighter Bhim Chandra Jana dies Centenarian Freedom fighter Bhim Chandra Jana, who spied on British police, has died of old- age related ailments in West Bengal’s Howrah District at the age of 107. • Jana was awarded by the Government of India after Independence. In 1972, he was awarded the Tamra Patra (a copper plaque given to freedom fighters by the Centre) when Indira Gandhi was the Prime Minister of India.
Padma Bhushan artist Akbar Padamsee passes away Noted painter and artist Akbar Padamsee, 91 years old, died at the Isha Yoga Ashram near Coimbatore, Tamil Nadu. Art Icon Padamsee was born on 12 April 1928 in Mumbai, Maharashtra • He was also a photographer, sculptor, painter, engraver, film-maker and lithographer. • He was awarded “Padma Bhushan” by the Indian Government in 2010. • He also received a gold medal from the Lalit Kala Akademi, New Delhi in 1962 and JD Rockefeller foundation fellowship in 1965 and Kalidas Samman award by the Madhya Pradesh Government for the field of Plastic Arts during the year 1997-98. • He also received Kailash Lalit Kala Award in 2010.
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Defence
Maha-Navy Connect 2020 Tri-Dimensional Expedition Flagged Off from Mumbai An expedition, to promote the maritime heritage of India and spread awareness about Coastal Security amongst the coastal communities in Maharashtra, was launched by the Indian Navy on 05 January 2020 from the Naval Dockyard, Mumbai. • Vice Admiral Ajit Kumar, PVSM, AVSM, VSM, ADC, the Flag Officer Commanding-in-Chief, Western Naval Command flagged off the tri-dimensional expedition consisting of yachting, running and cycling teams of 50 naval personnel along three different axes. • The expedition extends from Arnala fort, Northernmost fort of Maharashtra to Sindhudurg fort, the southernmost fort of Maharashtra, covering more than 555 km. Enroute, the teams will touch Kanhoji Angre (Khanderi), Revdanda, Korlai, Murud-Janjira, Raigad, Suvarnadurg, Jaigad, Ratnadurg, Purnagad, Vijaydurg and Devgad forts. • The teams will also visit various schools and local establishments to interact with locals and students. Along these routes, the teams will undertake community interaction, Swachhta Abhiyan and awareness campaigns amongst the locals, especially the fishing communities, school and college students, NCC and NSS cadets.
Defence Minister Rajnath Singh launches website on grant of permission for aerial photography/ remote sensing survey Defence Minister Rajnath Singh launched Ministry of Defence (MoD) No Objection Certificate (NOC) web portal www.modnoc.ncog.gov.in for undertaking aerial survey with the final permission of Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA). • Mr Rajnath Singh suggested that internal mechanism should be developed to monitor the time taken to give NOC. • The portal will be used by various vendors engaged by State Governments/Public Sector Undertakings/Autonomous bodies in seeking NOC from MoD. • Defence Secretary Dr Ajay Kumar explained the salient features and benefits of the portal, hosted on National Informatics Centre platform. He informed that through this initiative, MoD will be able to considerably reduce the time usually taken in issuing NOC. • Among other benefits, this initiative will help in speeding up developmental projects undertaken by various agencies. Further, this will also ensure expeditious disposal of applications for carrying out aerial survey, besides bringing in more transparency and accuracy.
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IAF formally inducts Dornier aircraft Air Force Chief R.K.S. Bhadauria has formally inducted the light utility aircraft Dornier-228 into the No. 41 ‘Otters’ Squadron. • The IAF in 2015 had signed a contract to purchase 14 Dornier aircraft, which are flight inspection system planes, for Rs 1,090 crore from state-run Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL). • The Dornier-228 aircraft is a multi-purpose, fuel efficient, rugged, light weight twin turboprop aircraft with a retractable tricycle landing gear. • The Dornier-228 aircraft's cockpit is designed to accommodate two crew members and is fitted with duplicate controls. The cabin can accommodate 19 passengers in commuter configuration.
Government creates new Department of military affairs headed by Bipin Rawat The government has created a new ‘Department of Military affairs (DMA)’ in the Ministry of Defence (MoD) to be headed by Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) General Bipin Rawat. • The new department works for the unity of the three forces Army, Navy and Air Force and will also monitor the services except for capital acquisitions according to prevalent rules and procedures. • The DMA is the 5th department in the Ministry of Defence (MoD) and was created after a change in Government of India (Allocation of Business), Rules 1961. • The other existing 4 departments under MoD are the Department of Defence, the Department of Defence Production, the Department of Defence Research and Development and the Department of Ex-Servicemen Welfare.
Former DG CRPF Rajiv Rai Bhatnagar appointed as Advisor to J&K LG Former Director General of Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) Rajiv Rai Bhatnagar has been appointed as Advisor to the Lieutenant Governor of Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir. • With this, the Lieutenant Governor of J&K Union Territory, Girish Chandra Murmu will have three Advisors. The other two Advisors -K K Sharma and Farooq Khan were appointed on November 14, 2019. • IPS officer Rajiv Rai Bhatnagar is recently retired as the CRPF DG. Bhatnagar is a 1983-batch officer of the Uttar Pradesh cadre. • He superannuated as the CRPF Director General (DG) on December 31 last year after heading the 3.25 lakh personnel force for over two and a half years.
Army to sign MoU to procure more than 750,000 elite AK-203 assault rifles. The Army is likely to sign a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) in a month for the procurement of over 7.5 lakh AK-203 assault rifles, which are to be manufactured locally by an India-Russia joint venture (JV).
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• Of the total order, 100,000 rifles will be manufactured in Russia. The JV based in Amethi will produce the remaining 650,000 units. • The rifles will be manufactured by the Indo-Russian Rifles Private Limited (IRRPL) at Korwa in Uttar Pradesh. The facility is being set up between the Ordnance Factories Board (OFB) from the Indian side, and Rosoboron Exports and Kalashnikov on the Russian side. • The OFB owns 50.5% equity and Russian side holds the remaining 49.5%. The JV was formed following the Inter-governmental Agreement between India and Russia in February 2019. • The Army has appointed Major General Sanjeev Senger as the Chief Executive Officer of IRRPL.
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Agriculture
Eight States finalise Agricultural Action Plan to boost Exports The Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority (APEDA) announced that eight states namely Maharashtra, Kerala, Uttar Pradesh, Nagaland, Assam, Tamil Nadu, Punjab and Karnataka finalised their action plan to boost agricultural exports. • The Agricultural Export Policy was introduced in December 2018. The policy aimed at doubling agricultural exports from 30 billion USD to 60 billion USD by 2022. • The APEDA nodal officers visited the product clusters at various cities in order to check if the policy implementation and their plan is effective. The product clusters selected were at Jalandhar (Potato), Sangli (Grapes), Salem (Poultry products), Theni (Banana). Chittoor (Mango) and several other places. • Also, the states are operating a market intelligence cell under the guidance of APEDA that report the activity of e-market intelligence, international trade issues and also about the current scenario of exporters and statistical information. • The National Cooperative Development Corporation have signed MoUs with the APEDA to include co-operatives in implementing the Agricultural Export Policy. Over 800 Farmer Producer Organizations have signed the agreement so far.
Group of ministers set up to review crop insurance scheme For government’s flagship crop insurance scheme, the centre has set up a seven-member group of ministers (GoM) headed by defence minister Rajnath Singh to review the scheme and recommend changes to make it more farmer friendly. • The GoM includes home minister Amit Shah and agriculture minister Narendra Singh Tomar as members and other members include the ministers of state for for agriculture, finance, tribal affairs and animal husbandry. • There have been demands for making crop insurance voluntary to all farmers, removal of high premium crops and giving flexibility to states to provide customised add-on products. • States like Bihar, West Bengal and Andhra Pradesh have exited from the central scheme and have launched their own crop insurance scheme. • Bihar was the first state to opt out in 2018 followed by West Bengal in this kharif season and Andhra Pradesh is the latest to launch its own scheme a few days back ruling out its participation in Rabi season. • States rue that the claim ratio, which refers to the claims paid as against the premiums, was low, benefitting insurers rather than farmers. In 2018-19, the claim ratio for Andhra Pradesh was 88.8% while for West Bengal, it was 53%.
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Weekly BeeBooster 1st Dec to 8th Jan 2020
• The scheme provides comprehensive crop insurance from pre-sowing to post-harvest period against non-preventable natural risks at extremely low premium rates a farmer has to pay - 2% for kharif crops, 1.5% for rabi crops and 5% for horticulture and commercial crops. The remaining amount of premium is equally shared by central and the respective state governments.
Red brittle star “Ophiocoma wendtii” becomes the 2nd creature to exhibit extraocular vision Scientists from the University of Oxford in England, United Kingdom, for the first time have discovered that a starfish like species called “red brittle star (Ophiocoma wendtii)” lives in the coral reefs of the Caribbean Sea, can see even though it does not have eyes/ the ability to exhibit extraocular vision. • It has become only the 2nd creature, after a sea urchin species, known to have this ability. • In both species, extraocular vision is said to be facilitated by the photoreceptor cells found on their bodies. A light-sensing cells that cover its whole body, give the species visual stimuli to recognise coarse structures such as rocks.
2019 recorded 7th Warmest Year In India Since 1901: A report by IMD 2019 was recorded as the seventh warmest year since 1901, but the heating was substantially lower than the highest warming observed in 2016, the India Meteorological Department (IMD) said. • In its report for 2019, the IMD said 1,562 people died due to extreme weather events -- avalanches floods, heat wave and thunderstorms. • Bihar was the most adversely affected state during the year, which reported about 650 lives due to heavy rain and floods, heat wave, lightning, thunderstorm and hailstorm, according to the IMD. • The report said the year saw eight cyclonic storms formed over the Indian seas. Arabian Sea contributed five out of these eight cyclones against the normal of one per year, which equals the previous record of 1902 for the highest frequency of cyclones over the Arabian Sea. • This year also witnessed development of more intense cyclones over the Arabian Sea. • The five warmest years on record are 2016 ( 0.71 degree Celsius), 2009 ( 0.541 degree Celsius), 2017 ( 0.539 degree Celsius), 2010 ( 0.54 degree Celsius) and 2015 ( 0.42 degree Celsius). • The IMD said 11 out of 15 warmest years were during the recent past fifteen years (2005-2019).
5th edition of Asia Pacific Drosophila Research Conference Pune hosted the fifth edition of the Asia Pacific Drosophila Research Conference (APDRC5). The biennial conference is hosted for the first time in India. It is hosted from 6-10 January 2020.
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Weekly BeeBooster 1st Dec to 8th Jan 2020
• APDRC5, one of the largest meetings of Drosophila researchers, is organized by the Indian Institute of Science Education and Research (IISER). • APDRC5 aims to promote the interaction of Drosophila researchers in the Asia-Pacific region with their peers across the world. • A total of 57 talks and 240 posters are discussed at the conference. Topics ranging from morphogenesis, and mechanobiology, gametogenesis and stem cells, hormones and physiology, infection and immunity, ecology and evolution and cellular and behavioural neurobiology will be discussed. • The pre-conference symposium called "signals from the gut" in collaboration with the National Centre for Cell Science and pre-conference microscopy workshop on super- resolution microscopy is a part of the conference. • The last 4 editions of this conference took place in Taipei, Seoul, Beijing, and Osaka. • Around 430 delegates, 330 Indian and 100 foreign are participating in the 5-day conference. It also witnessed the participation of two Nobel laureates, professors Eric Wieschaus and Michael Rosbash.
KVIC opens first silk processing plant in Gujarat to boost Patola saree production Khadi and Village Industries Commission (KVIC) inaugurated the first silk processing plant at Surendranagar in Gujarat. This would help cut down the cost of production of silk yarn drastically and increase the sale and availability of raw material for Gujarati 'Patola' sarees locally. • The plant has been set up by a khadi institution at a cost of Rs 75 lakh, in which KVIC has contributed Rs 60 lakh. • Patola, the trademark saree of Gujarat, is considered to be very costly and worn only by royals or aristocrats. The reason high cost of Patola sarees is that the silk yarn used to make them is purchased from Karnataka or West Bengal, where silk processing units are situated. This increases the cost of the fabric manifolds. • Now cocoons will be brought from Karnataka and West Bengal and silk yarn will be processed in house, thus reducing the cost of production and giving a major boost to the sale of famous Gujarati Patola sarees.
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Others
Amit Shah releases a book ‘Karmayoddha Granth’ on the life of PM Narendra Modi Union Home Minister Amit Shah released the book 'Karmyodha Granth', written on the life of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, on January 07, 2020. • He said that Narendra Modi is a sensitive man, a strict administrator and a fearless commander and has always worked on the mantra of 'Raja Prathamo Sevak'. • Amit Shah said that Narendra Modi has worked hard to provide free of coast gas stoves to 13 crore houses. He also said that Narendra Modi worked to provide electricity to every household. Apart from that, he also informed about the other social welfare works done by PM Modi.
PayPal India announces new adoption assistance program for employees Payments player PayPal India has launched a new Adoption Assistance Program. The announcement is a part of the company’s continual effort to enhance the parental support benefits for employees. • The new policy will offer financial support of up to INR 1 lakh per adoption for adoptive parents. • This covers reimbursement of adoption expenses such as CARA registration, child placement, foster care and establishment of legal guardianship. • PayPal offers paid adoption leave of 16 weeks for female employees and paternity leave of 2 weeks. The move is a part of PayPal’s endeavour to ensure a work-life balance for employees keeping in mind the evolving family dynamics and work culture.
Malayali author Sethu pens first novel in English Noted Malayali writer A Sethumadhavan, popularly known as Sethu, has come out with his first novel in English in which he talks about how social evils continue to plague the Indian society. • In "The Cuckoo's Nest", the author attempts to fight against these divisions in society through the character of the eternal optimist, Madam Agatha, a former nun. • The novel, published by Niyogi Books, seeks to explore the kind of challenges Agatha has to face from vested interests all around while working towards her idea of secularism. It provokes one to deliberate whether breaking away from these identities is actually practical or just wishful thinking.
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