VETRII IAS STUDY CIRCLE TNPSC Current Affairs JANUARY - 2020
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01 - 21 HISTORY 01 . Important Days . Defence National Security and Terrorism . World Organisations – Pacts and Summits . Eminent Persons . Sports and Games . Books & Authors . Awards & Honours . Cultural Panaroma . India & its Neighbours . Appointments – Who is who?
22 - 25 POLITICAL SCIENCE 22 .India’s Foreign Policy .Latest Court Verdicts .Govt – Welfare oriented Govt schemes, their utility
25 - 27 GEOGRAPHY .Policy on Environment and Ecology .Natural Disasters 25 – Safeguard Measures
28- 29 ECONOMICS .New Economic Policy & Govt. Sector .Current Socio 28 - Economic Problems 30 - 35 SCIENCE 30 .Latest Inventions in Science & Technology . Latest Discoveries on Health Science . Mass Media & Communication
36 36 NATIONAL – DIARY OF EVENTS
50
50 INTERNATIONAL AFFAIRS
53 53 TAMIL NADU AFFAIRS Vetrii's Current Affairs, January - 2020 Important Days History
1.1 Important Days
Date Day Theme / Remark Armed Forces Veteran’s Day is observed every year on 14th January as a mark of respect and recognition of the services rendered by Field Marshal Kodandera Fourth Armed Forces 14-01-2020 Madappa Cariappa OBE (Order of the British Empire), Veterans’ Day the first Indian Commander-in-Chief of the Indian Armed Forces who retired on 14 Jan 1953. Observing since 2017, the year 2020 marked day’s fourth edition.
15-01-2020 Indian Army Day
145th Foundation Day 15-01-2020 of India Meteorological Department (IMD)
1 to 17 National Road Safety The theme for National Road Safety Week 2020 is : January Week 2020 ‘Sadak Suraksha – Jeevan Raksha’. National Immunization 19-01-2020 day
Theme for NVD 2020 is ‘Electoral Literacy for Stronger Democracy’
25-01-2020 10th National Voters’ Day Honble President of India Sh. Ram Nath Kovind will be the Chief Guest at the 10th National Voters’ Day being organized by Election Commission of India on 25th January 2020 at Manekshaw Centre, Delhi Cantt.
International day of The theme for the year 2020 is ‘Learning for people, 24-01-2020 education 2020 planet, prosperity, and peace’.
Vetrii IAS Study Circle 1 Important Days Vetrii's Current Affairs, January - 2020
Bharat Parv, 2020, the programme to celebrate the Spirit of India, started at Red Fort in New Delhi and will be continued 26 to 31 Bharat Parv 2020 January till 31st January, 2020. Theme: “Ek Bharat Shreshtha Bharat” & “Celebrating 150 years of Mahatma Gandhi”. The theme of International Customs Day 2020, International Customs 26-01-2020 “Customs fostering Sustainability for People, Day Prosperity and the Planet”. International Holocaust Theme: “75 years after Auschwitz-Holocaust 27-01-2020 Remembrance Day Education & Rememberance for Global Justice”.
30-01-2020 World Leprosy Day Theme: “Leprosy isn’t what you think
2 Vetrii IAS Study Circle Vetrii's Current Affairs, January - 2020 Defence, National Security and Terrorism 1.2 Defence, National Security and Terrorism
Japan coast guard Ship ‘Echigo Russia to deliver S-400 air defence PLH08’ arrives Chennai to take part systems to India by 2025 in the 19th edition of ‘Sahyog-Kaijin’ Russia said it has started production of exercise S-400 long-range surface-to-air missile systems for India, and all five units will The Japan Coast Guard (JCG) Ship ‘Echigo PLH08’ has arrived Chennai be delivered by 2025.
on a five-day goodwill visit and it will The Indian Armed forces will receive the participate in the 19th edition of Annual first batch of 5,000 Kalashnikov rifles this Joint Exercise ‘Sahyog-Kaijin’ which will year as well. These will be produced in be begin on January 16, 2020 with the India under a joint venture.
Indian Coast Guard (ICG) off in Chennai, Asserting that the S-400 air defence missile Tamil Nadu. systems are among best in the world, the diplomat said they will significantly It is aimed at further strengthening bilateral ties and mutual understanding bolster India’s air defence mechanism.
between the two Coast Guards In October 2018, India signed a USD 5 and to enhance interoperability in billion deal to buy the air defence missile communication and Search and Rescue systems. procedures and sharing of best practices. Winged Raider: Indian Army’s First edition of ‘Sahyog- Kaijin’ exercise largest airborne exercise-500 troops between two coast guards took place in 2000. participate Four Indian Coast Guard Ships, their aircraft and a vessel from National The Indian Army recently conducted Institute of Ocean Technology will be the largest air borne exercise called the participating along with Japan Coast Winged Raider. Around 500 troops Guard Ship. participated in the exercise. Around 500 troops participated in the Apache and Chinook helicopters to exercise. The exercise was conducted in participate in Republic Day parade-2020 the north-eastern theatre.
The newly inducted Apache attack The exercise was conducted to and Chinook heavy lift helicopters will demonstrate the operational readiness be participating in the fly past of the of the paratroopers and air warriors. Republic Day for the first time. The C-130 Hercules, Dhruv Helicopters The Indian Air Force (IAF) tableau for the and C-17 globe master transport aircraft Republic Day 2020 will showcase scaled participated in the exercise. down models of five systems, which will include the Rafale fighter aircraft.
Vetrii IAS Study Circle 3 Defence, National Security and Terrorism Vetrii's Current Affairs, January - 2020
Thanjavur gets a Sukhoi squadron The Army’s Signal corps contingent was The Indian Air Force (IAF) inducted a led by Capt. Tanya shergill, a fourth squadron of Sukhoi-30 MKI fighter jets generation officer. armed with BrahMos supersonic cruise The Army showcased its recent induction, missiles, at its Thanjavur Air Force Station. the 155-mm Dhanush towed howitzer Five to six SU-30MKI fighter planes with and K9-Vajra self-propelled artillery gun. the capability to carry BrahMos missiles Both, however, were part of the parade in would be positioned at the Air Force the past. Station and the full capacity of 18 planes RSS Army School to begin session in would be reached. April This is also the first Sukhoi squadron of the IAF with BrahMos missiles. Rajju Bhaiya Sainik Vidya Mandir (RBSVM), the first of-its-kind RSS school, Start Up India-first time in Republic is set to begin its first session in April. Parade; Indian Navy In July, ET had reported that RSS was The Department of Promotion of Industry setting up its first Army school in and Internal Trade (DPIIT) operating Bulandshahr district of Uttar Pradesh under Ministry of Commerce and which would be named after former RSS Industry is to showcase tableau on Start chief Rajendra Singh, alias Rajju Bhaiya. Up India at the Republic Day Parade to be Navy launches Op Vanila to help held at Rajpath, New Delhi. The tableau Madagascar is to be held under the theme: Reach for the sky. The Navy launched ‘Operation Vanilla’ in This is the first time Start Up India is support of the national disaster in flood- participating at the Parade. hit Madagascar and diverted a large amphibious ship to provide assistance. Indian Navy INS Airavat, which was mission deployed The Indian Navy is to showcase its has been diverted for the same, the Indian tableau at the Republic Day parade under Navy said in a statement. the theme Theme: Indian Navy-Silent, Strong and Swift. ICG commissioned high-speed India showcases it’s A-SAT missile interceptor boat C-448 in Mangaluru prowess The Indian Coast Guard (ICG) has Among the Army’s marching contingents, commissioned a high speed interceptor marching for the first time on the Republic boat C-448 in Mangaluru, Karnataka. Day was a contingent from the Corps of The boat will be operational under the Army air Defence.
4 Vetrii IAS Study Circle Vetrii's Current Affairs, January - 2020 Defence, National Security and Terrorism administrative control of Commander of planned & executed by Inspector General the Coast Guard Region (West) Inspector Assam Rifles (North), will be inaugurated General AP Badola. soon.
Assam Rifles builds war memorial in SAMPRITI-IX: India-Bangladesh Nagaland for 357 martyrs Joint Military Exercise to be held in Assam Rifles (military unit) has Meghalaya constructed a war memorial “Veer A Joint Military Exercise between India Samriti” in Nagaland, Kohima for 357 and Bangladesh is to be held at Umroi, Army & Assam Rifles, died while fighting Meghalaya between 3rd February, 2020 against insurgency against north-eastern and 16th February, 2020. The exercise is state. called “SAMPRITI” About “Veer Samriti” war memorial: The memorial has been built at Mokokchung, Nagaland (one of the cultural & intellectual center), which was
Vetrii IAS Study Circle 5 World Organisations – Pacts and Summits Vetrii's Current Affairs, January - 2020 1.3 World Organisations – Pacts and Summits
The Global Risks Report 2020 Top10 list includes Sweden at 4th, th th The Global Risks Report 2020 presents the Denmark at 5 , the Netherlands at 6 , th th major risks the world will be facing in the Finland at 7 , Luxembourg at 8 , Norway th th coming year. It stresses the need for a multi at 9 and Australia at the 10 position. nd stakeholder approach to addressing the China was ranked at the 42 place, th th world’s greatest challenges, and comes Russia at 48 position, South Africa at 70 th ahead of the World Economic Forum’s position and Brazil at 80 position. 50th Annual Meeting in Davos-Klosters. Nepal pitches for informal SAARC Switzerland tops the Global Talent summit Competitiveness Index 2020, India Nepal will host an informal summit of the ranks 72nd leaders of the South Asian Association The Global Talent Competitiveness for Regional Cooperation (SAARC) on Index 2020 (GTCI) report was launched the sidelines of the coming Sagarmatha by INSEAD, a partner and sponsor of Sambaad. the United Nations (UN) Sustainable To revive the forum, which has been Development Goals (SDGs) Tent in unable to meet formally during the last Davos, Switzerland. India has moved four years because of the negative India- up eight places to the 72nd position from Pakistan relations. The SAARC summit 80th position in GTCI 2019. In list of 132 could not be held in Islamabad in 2016 countries Switzerland tops the list. after India faced terror strikes blamed on According to the report the United States elements in Pakistan. (USA) is at the 2nd position followed Kathmandu had invited all SAARC heads Singapore. of government for Sagarmatha Sambaad, the first edition of a multi-stakeholder dialogue, to be held from April 2 to 4 and argued that an alternative to the formal summit model could be explored.
6 Vetrii IAS Study Circle Vetrii's Current Affairs, January - 2020 Places in News | Eminent Persons 1.4 Places in News Women Power at Republic Day parade: Tania Shergil and CRPF bikers The Republic Day parade held at Rajpath Statue of Unity finds place in 8 every year is one of the largest parades Wonders of SCO of the world. The parade marches from The 182-meter tall Statue of Unity in Rashtrapati Bhawan along Rajpath Gujarat has been included in the Shanghai until India Gate. This year the parade Cooperation Organization’s ‘8 Wonders has certain events to express the woman of SCO’ list, External Affairs Minister S power in the defence sector. Jaishankar announced. Women Power
The ‘Statue of Unity’, the world’s tallest Tania Shergil In 2020 republic day parade, statue, is a monumental tribute to Sardar Tania Shergil becomes the first woman Vallabhbhai Patel, independent India’s officer to lead all men contingent. The first home minister as well as deputy Contingent was commissioned in March prime minister. 2017 from Officer Training Academy, The statue was inaugurated in October Chennai. 2018 by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on the occasion of Patel’s 143rd birth Subhash Chandra Bose Birth anniversary. Anniversary 2020 India is celebrating the 123rd birth anniversary of Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose on January 23, 2020. Subhash Chandra Bose is known for the 1.5 Eminent Persons establishment of the Azad Hind Fauj or Indian National Army (INA). Tania Shergill-trailblazer woman Nation pays a tribute to Netaji Subhash officer who led all-men contingents Chandra Bose on his birthday. Several during Army Day parade cultural programs held across the country Captain Tania Shergil in his respect. It is believed that Netaji created history on this Subhash Chandra Bose died in a plane Army Day by becoming accident in 1945. the first-ever woman to January 28: Lala Lajpat Rai Birth ‘Parade Adjutant’ to lead Anniversary Celebrated an all-men contingent. The historic move came The India celebrated the legend Lala after she commanded the Lajpat Rai’s 155th birth anniversary. He contingent with her head is one of the most celebrated freedom held high at the Cariappa Parade Ground fighters in the country. His patriotism in Delhi Cantonment on January 15.
Vetrii IAS Study Circle 7 Eminent Persons Vetrii's Current Affairs, January - 2020 earned him titles such as “Punjab Kesari” 1.6 Sports and Games and “Lion of Punjab”.
Bhakta Ramadasu Statue to be 16th edition of ICC awards 2019 unveiled announced ; Rohit Sharma named An 11-foot imposing bronze statue ODI cricket of the year of Bhakta Ramadasu, the renowned The International Cricket Council (ICC) saint composer of the 17th century, is has announced the list of ICC award all set to be unveiled at his birthplace, winners for the year 2019 to recognise Nelakondapalli, on the occasion of his and honor the best international cricket 387th birth anniversary on January 29. players of the previous 12 months. Indian opener Rohit Gurunath Sharma Abhijit Banerjee conferred D Litt by became ODI (One Day International) alma mater Calcutta University Cricketer of the Year for the first time. At Nobel Prize winner in the same time, Virat Kohli bagged Spirit economics Abhijit of Cricket award. Vinayak Bannerjee conferred with the Jacqueline Williams of Jamaica honorary D Litt becomes the 1st woman third Umpire (Doctor of Literature) in men’s T20I by his alma mater Jacqueline Williams of Calcutta University in Jamaica becomes the first Kolkata, West Bengal. woman third umpire in Abhijit was awarded Nobel Prize in 2019 men’s international for “Experimental approach to alleviating cricket match. The global poverty”. 43-year-old Jamaican woman oversaw all 3 A first-person take on Gandhi’s matches of the Twenty20 assassination International (T20I) Film-maker series in Grenada, West Indies between Bharatbala, who has West Indies and Ireland. embarked on a 1,000 short film challenge that involves untold st stories about India, India wins 7 medals in 1 UWW Rome has released an eight- ranking series 2020 held in Rome, and-a-half minute Italy film, The The Indian wrestling team has clinched Assassination of Mahatma Gandhi, on 7 medals (4 gold, 2 silver and a bronze) the occasion of his 72nd death anniversary.
8 Vetrii IAS Study Circle Vetrii's Current Affairs, January - 2020 Sports and Games in the 1st edition of UWW (United World Events from 23 January 2020 onwards. Wrestling) Rome Ranking Series 2020 The decision to remove suspension was held from January 15 – 18, 2020 in the taken by World Archer’s executive Board Italian Capital, Rome. postal vote. The 4-day tournament, organized by Key Points: UWW, has featured all the 3 disciplines AAI will be required to send a progress – freestyle, Greco Roman and women’s report every 3 months to World Archery wrestling. as the federation instructed to update the List of Indian winner: constitution athlete membership. Winner Category Medal The Archery Association of India had been suspended since August 5,2019. Due Bajrang 65kg freestyle Gold to this reason, Indian athletes were only Punia allowed to compete under a neutral flag Ravi Kumar 61kg freestyle Gold at events, which directly affected their Dahiya qualification chances for the Olympics. Vinesh 53kg Gold India currently has 3 men and 1 women’s Phogat quota place at Tokyo 2020 olympics. Gurpreet 82kg -Greco- Gold Singh roman Award for Rani Rampal Anshu 57kg Silver The Indian women’s team captain Rani Malik Rampal became the first-ever hockey Sunil Kumar 97kg Silver player to win the prestigious World Sajan 77 kg Bronze Games Athlete of the Year Award. Bhanwal “Indian hockey superstar Rani is The World Games Athlete of the Year 2019 A blend of chess and tourism As the first international chess tournament to be held on a houseboat, the mascot of Kerala Tourism, the six-day tourney will be held in a ‘Spice Route luxury houseboat,’ which will cruise along the backwaters, blending chess and tourism and promoting Kerala globally.
World Archery lifts suspension on AAI World Archery removed suspension imposed on Archery Association of India (AAI). Indian archers has now been allowed to compete in World Archery
Vetrii IAS Study Circle 9 Books & Authors Vetrii's Current Affairs, January - 2020 1.7 Books & Authors Book ‘Essays and Reminiscences: A Festschrift in Honour of Nani A Palkhivala’ released on noted jurist and economist Nani A Palkhivala Former Union minister Ashwini Kumar’s was launched book Human Dignity—A The book ‘Essays & Reminiscences: purpose in perpetuity in New Delhi. A Festschrift in Honour of Nani A Palkhivala‘ was released to mark the birth centenary anniversary of Indian Gandhi wanted to spend 15 Aug, Jurist and Economist Nanaboy “Nani” 1947 in Pak: Book by MJ Akbar Ardeshir Palkhivala. The book is Mahatma Gandhi wanted to spend published by LexisNexis publications. August 15, 1947, the first day of freedom, in Key Points: breakaway Pakistan rather than in India, The book was commissioned by the says a new book ‘Gandhi’s Hinduism: Nani A Palkhivala Memorial Trust and The Struggle new book ‘Gandhi’s edited by the senior advocate Arvind Hinduism: The Struggle Against Jinnah’s Datar Islam’ Against Jinnah’s Islam’ by former Union minister M J Akbar. Book titled The Story of Yoga: From According to the author, Gandhi’s India to the Contemporary World by immediate concern after independence Alistair released was the fate of partition’s principal Book titled “first definitive history” of victims, the minorities: Hindus in Yoga, “The Story of Yoga: From India Pakistan and Muslims in India. to the Contemporary World” has been Whether in South Africa or India, for over written by Scottish cultural historian half of a century till the end of his public Alistair Shearer, will be released by career in 1948. the end of January, 2020 and published Former Indian Cricketer WV Raman’s by Penguin Random House. The book discusses about the practice of yoga since book ‘The Winning Sixer’ ancient time in India till now. Woorkeri Venkat Raman (WV Raman), former Indian cricket team opener Book on Kiran Bedi launched has authored a book ‘The Winning Mr. Purohit, who launched the book Sixer: Leadership Lessons To Master’, Where Kindness Spoke, published which which was released formally by Anil is devoted Ms. Bedi’s work in the Union Radhakrishna Kumble during an event Territory, said he had been her fan since in Bengaluru, Karnataka. WV Raman is 1982, when as a deputy commissioner the current head coach of the national of police she had famously ordered the women’s cricket team. The book was removal of the Prime Minister Indira published by Rupa Publications, India. Gandhi’s car. 10 Vetrii IAS Study Circle Vetrii's Current Affairs, January - 2020 Latest Terminology Minority Affairs minister Mukhtar endearing Indian words like ‘Abba’ and Abbas Naqvi’s new novel ‘Balwa’ to ‘Anna’ were added to the dictionary. The be released list of inclusions for 2018 also had words The Union Minister for Minority Affairs like ‘gulab jamun’, ‘dadagiri’, ‘achcha’, Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi will soon release ‘bapu’ and ‘surya namaskar’. As many as his Hindi novel Balwa, a fiction story 70 Indian words were added that year. based on the happenings in India in the But about a month back, the dictionary 1990s. It will be published by Diamond assumed a more serious tone and chose Pocket Books. ‘climate emergency’ as the Word of the Year 2019. Other shortlisted words Key Points: included ‘Climate crisis’, ‘climate The book revolve the concepts of society action’, ‘climate denial’, ‘eco-anxiety’ misleding by religious, political and and ‘extinction’. The latest edition of the administrative machinery. Oxford Advanced Learner’s Dictionary Also, Naqvi has written a Hindi novel features 26 new Indian English words, ‘ Raj Lila’, which based on the story including ‘Aadhaar’, ‘chawl’, ‘dabba’, of tribal woman’s struggles & Cyber ‘hartal’ and ‘shaadi’. The 10th edition of Supari will also be released soon. the dictionary has 384 Indian English ‘Relentless’ Autobiography by Former words and incorporates over 1,000 new finance minister Yashwant Sinha words such as chatbot, fake news and released by Pranab Mukherjee microplastic. Former president of India, Shri Pranab ‘Samvidhaan’ named as Oxford Hindi Mukherjee released the autobiography of Word of the Year for 2019 former Finance Minister Shri Yashwant The Oxford University Press(OUP) has Sinha titled “Relentless” at the India named ‘Samvidhaan’(constitution) International Centre in New Delhi. The as the Oxford Hindi Word of the Year book describes Sinha’s journey from a (HWOTY) for 2019. This name received normal life to a high political powered widespread attention in August 2019 life. The book is published by Bloomsbury with the abrogation of Article 370 and Publishing India Pvt ltd. article 35(A) of the Indian Constitution on August 05, 2019. The articles removed 1.9 Latest Terminology special status granted to Jammu and 26 new Indian English words added Kashmir. to the Oxford Dictionary The Oxford Dictionary includes a range of colloquial terms, slangs, acronyms, and phrases as official new words for people to use. About two years ago
Vetrii IAS Study Circle 11 Awards & Honours Vetrii's Current Affairs, January - 2020 1.9 Awards & Honours award (Liagat Ali Khan), GU Pope award (Maria Joseph Xavier), ElangoAdigal TN cuts road accidents, gets Centre award (Poet G Thirugnanasambandam), award Amma Literary award (Umayal Muthu), Singaravelar award (SK The award titled ‘Best Performance in Subramanian), MaraimalaiAdigal Road Safety` was given to TN by the award (P Muthukumaraswamy) and centre. AyothiDasaPandithar award (Poet V Defence Minister, Mr Rajnath Singh, gave Prabhakaran). this award to TN Transport Minister Mr Senior journalist Maalan alias V M.R. Vijayabaskar. Narayanan, poet Krishangini alias Brinda As per official data, in the year 2018, TN Nagarajan, MarabinMainthanMuthaiah, witnessed a 32% drop in the deaths due S Mohammed Yusuf, KJ Masthan Ali, to road accidents when compared to the Siva Murugesan, N Kadikachalam, previous year. In the years 2016 and 2017, Murugudurai and A Mathivanan have the state of TN grabbed many eyeballs as been chosen for the best translator award it topped India’s statewide accident chart. for 2019. Chithirai Thirunaal awards for 2019 Thiruvalluvar awards for 2020 and Tiruvalluvar award for 2020 While N Nithyananda Bharathi has been Former union minister Gingee N chosen for Thiruvalluvar award for Ramachandran, senior journalist Maalan 2020, the following have been selected and poet Krishangini are among those for Thiruvalluvar Thirunaal awards chosen for awards instituted by Tamil for 2019: Gingee N Ramachandran Nadu government for 2019. (ThanthaiPeriyar award), Ambedkar The awards will be presented by Chief award (K Arjunan), Perarignar Anna Minister Edappadi K Palaniswami at a award (G Samarasam), Kamarajar award function in Chennai. (MS Mathivanan), MahakaviBharathiyar The awards carry ` 1 lakh, a citation award (P Sivaraji), Bharathidasan award and a shawl. For the organisation which (T Thenisai Chellappa), Thiru Vi Ka award receives Thamizh Thaai award, ` 5 lakh, a (S Sundararajan) and KAP Viswanatham citation and a shawl will be given. award (Manimekalai Kannan). The personalities who have been chosen for Chithirai Thirunaal awards Puri, Odisha recieves Swachhata for 2019 are: ThamizhThaai award Darpan Awards 2019 (Chicago Tamil Sangam), Kabilar Puri, Odisha has been awarded for its award (Poet Vetrialagan), UVeSa initiatives for plastic waste management award (V Mahadevan), Kambar award with the Swachhata Darpan Awards 2019. ( Saraswathi Ramanathan), SollinSelvar The award ceremony was held during award (Poet Kavidasan), Umaru Pulavar
12 Vetrii IAS Study Circle Vetrii's Current Affairs, January - 2020 Awards & Honours
the Open Defecation Free Sustainability e-governance award of excellence-2019 Workshop held in New Delhi. for their project - Leveraging TS-Genco The workshop was organised by the Business Process using SAP File Life- Department of Drinking Water and cycle Management and Analytics. Sanitation (DDWS) and Ministry of Jal Shakti. Deepika Padukone receives Crystal The Puri District of Odisha has been Award at Davos awarded for successfully managing Padukone was given the award for the plastic wastes in the district with her leadership in raising mental health its effective policies by engaging the awareness. people of the town through awareness Deepika Padukone receives Crystal programmes, hence keeping the town’s Award at Davos, talks about depression. environment pollution free. ‘cVIGIL’ and ‘Voter Helpline app’ won Sindhi writer Vasdev Mohi to be e-Governance Award of Excellence conferred with 29th Saraswati Samman 2019 in Bhubaneswar, Odisha Sindhi (Indo Aryan Award of Excellence for the year 2019 language) Writer was given by Computer Society of India Vasdev Mohi has (CSI) and Special Interest Group on been selected for the e-Governance (CSI SIG e-Gov) at Kalinga Saraswati Samman Institute of Industrial Technology in 2019, a literary Bhubaneswar, Odisha. recognition given The two innovative Information and annually by the K K Communication Technology (ICT) (Krishna Kumar) Birla Foundation. The applications developed by Election literary award is given for his short stories Commission of India (ECI), ‘cVIGIL’ collection- ‘Chequebook’. and ‘Voter Helpline App’ has won the The short story talks about the sufferings e-Governance award. of the marginalized sections in the society. The work was selected by a committee President confers Bal Shakti Puraskar headed by former secretary general of the on 49 Loksabha, Subash C Kashyap Ishaan Sharma, who saved a Russian tourist Telangana-Genco and SAP bags CSI from two robbers, award Omkar Singh, who The Telangana State Power Generation holds the world record Corporation (TS-Genco) and SAP (India) for the youngest have jointly bagged the Computer Society theoretical author, and of India (CSI) special interest group Gauri Mishra,
Vetrii IAS Study Circle 13 Awards & Honours Vetrii's Current Affairs, January - 2020 youngest pianist in India, were among Change Award-2019’ for social welfare those who were given the Bal Shakti (Aspirational Districts) by Former Puraskar 2020 by President Ram Nath President Pranab Mukherjee at a function Kovind at the Rashtrapati Bhavan. in New Delhi. Forty-nine children in the age group of Award Contribution: The award is five to 18 won the award in the fields contributed to Hemant for his work of innovation, social service, scholastic, in the Barhait and Dumka assembly sports, art and culture and bravery. The constituencies in the state. award carries a medal, a cash prize of `1 lakh, a certificate and a citation. TNAU V-C gets Harit Ratna Award N Kumar, Vice- Sparsh Ganga initiative’ wins Chancellor of Tamil Champions of Change Award Nadu Agricultural Environmentalist and social activist University, has been Arushi Nishank was honoured with the conferred ‘Harit Ratna Champions of Change Award 2019 for Award 2019’ by the All her initiative towards cleaning and saving India Agricultural river Ganga, the Sparsh Ganga initiative. Students Association for The second edition of the Champions dissemination of `30-crore of Change Award was held at Vigyan entrepreneurship project in agri-business Bhawan (January 20). and for motivating students to the The award is given under the agriculture sector in the State. transformation of Aspirational District The award was conferred at the 5th Program announced by Prime Minister National Youth Convention at Indira Narendra Modi in January last year. Gandhi Krishi Vishwavidyalaya in The program identifies the progress Raipur. of 115 ‘aspirational’ districts whose development is being monitored by NITI Kerala Media Academy award for Aayog. N.Ram Other recipients of the award were N. Ram, chairman of The actor Shilpa Shetty and her husband Raj Hindu Group Publishing Kundra for Swachh Bharat Abhiyan), Private Limited, has been actor Suresh Oberoi for Culture and Lok selected as the outstanding Sabha MP Geeta Koda for Aspirational. mediaperson in a national award instituted award Former President Pranab Mukherjee carrying a cash prize of `1 Confers ‘Champions of Change 2019’ lakh, citation and sculpture was Award announced as part of the academy’s 40th Jharkhand CM (Chief Minister) Hemant anniversary celebration. Soren was conferred with ‘Champions of 14 Vetrii IAS Study Circle Vetrii's Current Affairs, January - 2020 Awards & Honours Former IPS Officer bags disaster being recognised for his services to the mitigation award game. Arun Jaitley and, Sushma Suvaraj The Disaster Mitigation and Management were also awarded with Padma Vibushan Centre in Uttarakhand and former Posthumously. IPS officer K.M. Singh have been Padma awardees from Tamil Nadu, selected for the Subhash Chandra Bose Puducherry Aapda Prabandhan Puraskar for their contribution in the field of disaster Social worker Krishnammal Jagannathan, management. industrialist Venu Srinivasan and While the Disaster Mitigation and littérateur Manoj Das have been chosen Management Centre in Uttarakhand, for the Padma Bhushan awards from an organisation working in the field of Tamil Nadu and Puducherry. natural calamity relief, has been selected in the institution category and will be given a certificate and a cash prize of `51 lakh. The award is announced every year on January 23, the birth anniversary of Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose. As many as 330 nominations were received this year and the final decision was taken by the Prime Carnatic vocalists C.Lalitha and C.Saroja, Minister. artist Manohar Devadoss, social worker Padma honours for Mary Kom, Sindhu S. Ramakrishnan, nagaswaram vidwans Kalee Shabi Mahaboob and Sheik Boxing ace Mahaboob Subani and IIT-Madras Mary Kom has professor Pradeep Thalappil from Tamil been bestowed Nadu, and artist V.K. Munusamy from with Padma Puducherry are the recipients of the Vibhushan Padma Shri awards. while Krishnammal Jagannathan, 94, heads badminton the Land for Tillers’ Freedom (LAFTI), icon P.V. an NGO working for the upliftment Sindhu has of women belonging to the Scheduled been honoured Castes and their families, particularly in with Padma the Thanjavur region. Bhushan ahead of the 71st Republic Day. Ms. Jagannathan had worked extensively The list, released by the Government also in areas like Kilvenmani following includes six Padma Shri Award winners the massacre in 1968, when 44 people with veteran hockey star M.P.Ganesh belonging to the SC community were
Vetrii IAS Study Circle 15 Awards & Honours Vetrii's Current Affairs, January - 2020 burnt by henchmen from an intermediate Tamil Nadu governor Banwarilal caste. Purohit hosts ‘at home’ reception The Police Department received the Gallantry medal for downed pilots first prize, Department of Agriculture Squadron Leaders Siddharth Vashisht and Horticulture received second and Ninad Mandavgane, pilots of prize followed by Department of Rural an Indian Air Force Mi-17 helicopter Development and Panchayat Raj. accidentally shot down in Budgam were Governor Banwarilal Purohit hosted the posthumously selected for the Vayu Sena Republic Day reception ‘at home’ in the Medal (Gallantry) on the eve of Republic Raj Bhavan. Day by President Ram Nath Kovind. The President approved nine Shaurya Good Samaritans awarded Anna Chakras, of which four were posthumous. Medal for Gallantry Six Shaurya Chakras were to Army Five men, whose daring act saved personnel, while three were to security a woman from being abducted in forces personnel under the Home Tiruvalluvar district last December, were Ministry. among those who were awarded the These include nine Shaurya Chakras, 28 Anna Medal for Gallantry, 2020, on the Param Vishisht Seva Medals (PVSM), occasion of Republic Day in Chennai. four Uttam Yudh Seva Medals (UYSM), The award includes a cheque for `1 lakh, 53 Ati Vishisht Seva Medals (AVSM), 10 a medal worth `5,000 and a certificate. Yudh Seva Medals (YSM), 123 Vishisht Seva Medals (VSM), 111 Sena Medals Sena Medal (Gallantry), five Nao Sena Medals Captain A. Ranjith Kumar, a native of (Gallantry), four Vayu Sena Medals Tamil Nadu who has been selected for (Gallantry), 40 Sena Medals (devotion to the Army’s Sena Medal (Gallantry) this duty), eight Nao Sena Medals (devotion year for his key role in an operation in the to duty) and 14 Vayu Sena Medals Kashmir Valley. (devotion to duty). Election Commission of India (ECI) Arvind Krishna awarded Mahakavi award for The Hindu Tamil Kanhaiyalal Sethia Award Election Commission of India (ECI) Renowned poet and literary critic Arvind awarded National Media Award for Krishna Mehrotra was awarded 5th print to “The Hindu Tamil” as part of edition of the Mahakavi Sethia Award the poll panel’s national awards for voter for poetry during JLF 2020. The award is awareness and education campaign in given in memory of Rajasthani and Hindi 2019 on the occasion of the 10th National poet Kanhaiyalal Sethia and carries a cash Voters Day held at New Delhi. prize of Rs. 1 Lakh.
16 Vetrii IAS Study Circle Vetrii's Current Affairs, January - 2020 Awards & Honours Michelle Obama is now a Grammy Assam and Jal Shakti Mission wins winner the best tableaux awards for the Obama was nominated Republic Day Parade 2020 in the Best Spoken Word Album category for the audio recording of her bestselling memoir, “Becoming,” and she beat out the competition, which included director John Waters and Beastie Boys’ icons Adam Defence Minister Rajnath Singh “Ad-Rock” Horovitz and Michael “Mike distributed the awards for best tableaux D” Diamond. which was conducted on January 26, 2020 in Republic Day event. Billie Eilish sweeps Grammys with 5 There were a total of 22 tableaux awards including 16 from various states and The 62nd annual union territories and remaining 6 from Grammy Awards various ministries and departments. anointed a new star in Best Tableaux Awards (States and Un- Billie Eilish. ion territories): Ms.Eilish, an Assam’s tableaux displayed with the 18-year-old auteur theme ‘Land of Unique Craftsmanship with a moody and and Culture’, had showcased the Xattriya idiosyncratic aesthetic, won five awards, including the four most tradition in the form of Bhortal Nritya prestigious and competitive prizes – was chosen as the best tableaux. album, record and song of the year, and The second position was tied between best new artist. She was the first artist to Odisha which depicted Lord Lingaraja’s sweep the top awards since Christopher Rukuna Rath Yatra, and Uttar Pradesh Cross in 1981. which showcased the culture of Sarva Dharma Samabhav. Cancer Institute alumnus feted for Best Tableaux Awards (Ministry) Padma award National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) V.Shanta, chairman, Cancer Institute, has won best tableaux for Ministry for congratulated Ravi Kannan, an alumnus showcasing the cutting-edge technology of Cancer Institute, who has been and instruments used by the force to carry awarded the Padma Shri. out daring rescue operations in flood-hit and disaster hit areas.
Vetrii IAS Study Circle 17 India and its neighbours Vetrii's Current Affairs, January - 2020 Best Tableaux Awards (Departments) South Asia’s 1st and 119th e-passport Jal Shakti Mission won best tableaux in the world among departments for government’s Prime Minister (PM) of Bangladesh, new initiative, ‘Jal Jeevan Mission’, Sheikh Hasina Wazed have launched which aims at providing functional tap e-passport in Dhaka, Bangladesh as connection to every rural household by Mujib Century year gift to the country. 2024. Bangladesh is the first country in South Central Public Works Department won Asia and 119th country in the world to the second place for the theme “Kashmir have e-passport facility. Malaysia is the se Kanyakumari”. first country in the world to launch this facility in 1998. Sanjna kapoor gets French honour ‘Knight of the Order of Arts and 13th edition of International Children’s Letters’ Film Festival inaugurated at Dhaka, Sanjna Kapoor (52), an Indian theatre Bangladesh personality and former British film The 13th edition of International Children’s actress of Indian and British descent, was Film Festival was inaugurated in Dhaka, awarded the French honor prestigious Bangladesh. The theme of International French honour of ‘Chevalier dans lOrdre Children’s Film Festival 2020 is ‘Under des Arts et des Lettres (Knight of the Order The World’. The week long festival will of Arts and Letters) for her outstanding be concluded on January 31, 2020. contribution to the field of theater. Key Points: It is organized by the Children’s Film Society, Bangladesh. It is the 1.10 India and its neighbours biggest film festival of Southeast Asian country and only international President Kovind lays foundation festival celebrated since 2008. stone of Lakshadweep’s 1st super specialty hospital at Kavaratti Nepal is the 1st South Asian Nation to The President of India, Shri Ram Nath offer to mediate between India and Kovind, who was on a first ever 2-day Pakistan State Visit to the Union Territory of Nepal became the first South Asian Lakshadweep, has laid the foundation nation,which has offered to “mediate” stone for Lakshadweep’s 1st Super between India and Pakistan over Kashmir Specialty Hospital at Kavaratti. and cross-border terrorism as the 2020 SAARC (South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation) Summit to be held in Islamabad, has been Postponed since 2016.
18 Vetrii IAS Study Circle Vetrii's Current Affairs, January - 2020 Appointments – Who is who Lt.Gen.S.K.Saini to be Vice-Chief of 1.11 Appointments – Who is who? Army Staff Lt.Gen.S.K.saini, currently Newly appointed deputy governor the Southern Army Commander, will be the to look after RBI’s monetary policy next Vice-chief of Army division Staff. He will assume charge Newly appointed RBI on January 25, defence Deputy Governor sources said here. Michael Debabrata Patra will look after the key Nripendra Misra to head Nehru monetary policy Memorial Musem department along with As part of a full revamp seven other units, the of the Nehru Memorial central bank said after reshuffling Museum and Library’s portfolios of deputy governors. executive council,
Besides the governor, the Reserve Bank Nripendra Misra, former of India (RBI) has four deputy governors Principal Secretary to the looking after different departments. Prime Minister, has been appointed as the new Mikhail Mishustin becomes the next chairperson. This comes at a time when prime minister of Russia the institution is finalising plans to set up The Russian lawmakers have approved a Museum of Prime Ministers. Russian President Vladimir Putin’s proposed candidate Mikhail Anil Khanna nominated as Life Vladimirovich Mishustin, President of Asian Tennis Federation the head of the Federal (ATF) Tax Service, as the next Senior Sports prime minister of the Administrator Anil country. He replaced Khanna was unanimously Dmitri Anatolyevich appointed as Life Medvedev who resigned President of Asian Tennis from his post. Federation (ATF) during the meeting of its Board of Directors in Melbourne, Australia. He is also named as the Chairman of the ATF Finance Committee.
Vetrii IAS Study Circle 19 Appointments – Who is who Vetrii's Current Affairs, January - 2020 Gita Sabharwal of India appointed the ‘Chapchar Kut’, the biggest and UN Resident Coordinator in Thailand most important festival of the Mizos, on Gita Sabharwal of March 6, 2020. The two- days festival is India was appointed celebrated under the theme “Promotion as the UN(United of Mizos’ culture and moral code”. Nations) Resident Tripura Renames Baramura Hills as Coordinator (RC) of ‘Hatai Kutul’ on ‘Kokborok Day’ Thailand by United Nations Secretary- The Tripura government has renamed General Antonio Baramura Hills in Kokborok language Guterres. on ‘Kokborok Day’, thereby fulfilling the long-standing demand of Kokborok About UN Resident Coordinator: speaking people that prominent places of The UN Resident Coordinator is the the state be renamed in the local language. highest ranking representative of the UN The state government, through an development system at country level and emergency cabinet decision, has renamed representatives of UN Secretary-General. the Baramura Hills as “Hatai Kutul” to 2030 Agenda: UN Resident Coordinator mark “Kokborok Day” held every year has the responsibility to guide UN on January 19. country teams and coordinate the support from other countries for smooth Discosvery of 18th – century ‘plot stones’ implementation of 2030 Agenda. near Uthiramerur in Kanchipuran 1.12 Cultural Panorama district Near the Uthiramerur, two 18th -century Mizoram sets to celebrate ‘Chapchar ‘plot stones’ have been discovered. Kut’ festival on March 6, 2020 Edamichi Village is located on the road from Salavakkam village to UthiramerurCircle. These are thought to be 18th century plot stones. It has been customary for his wife to set herself on fire with a heroic death in battle to protect her ethnic group or her hometown. The name of the conspiracy at that time was the “conspiracy”. To commemorate Government of Mizoram along with the couple who embraced the heroic the organizing committee under death, it was the practice of the day to the chairmanship of Chief Minister carve their images in stone and worship Zoramthanga has decided to celebrate them. These stones are called ‘plot stones’.
20 Vetrii IAS Study Circle Vetrii's Current Affairs, January - 2020 Cultural Panorama Magh Bihu festival celebrated in 13th Jaipur Literature Festival began Assam in Jaipur, Rajasthan Magh Bihu, an auspicious harvest festival The 13th edition of the Zee is being celebrated in Assam. Magh Bihu Jaipur Literature Festival falls in the local month of ‘Magh’ during (JLF) began at Diggi Palace mid-january. It is also called ‘Bhogali Hotel in Jaipur, Rajasthan on Bihu’ or ‘Maghor Bihu’ as it is celebrated January 23, 2020 and will be with community feasts after the annual conducted till January 27, harvest takes place. 2020. The 5-day long festival was inaugurated by Chief Minister of Rajasthan Shri Ashok Gehlot.
Toda festival Modhweth celebrated The Todas’ most important festival of the year, known as Modhweth, was celebrated at the MuthanaduMund, near The night before ‘Magh Bihu’ is called Thalaikundah, in the Nilgiris. ‘Uruka’ meaning the night of feasts. The Moonpo temple is unique in that it is The villagers make bamboo huts called one of the last of the Toda temples with a ‘Bhelghor’ or community kitchen where similar design left in the Nilgiris. they begin with the preparations for the festival. Vasant Panchmi 2020 Vasant Panchami is celebrated in Bihar. According to scholars, this year, the coincidence of Sarvartha Siddhi has been made on Vasant Panchami, after 175 years.
Vetrii IAS Study Circle 21 Latest Court Verdicts Vetrii's Current Affairs, January - 2020 POLITICAL 2. SCIENCE
2.1 Latest Court Verdicts African Cheetahs to prowl Indian forests SC affrims 3% quota for disabled in The Supreme Court lifted its seven-year PSUs stay on a proposal to introduce African A three-judge Bench of the Supreme cheetahs from Namibia into the Indian Court has granted relief to persons with habitat on an experimental basis. disabilities across the country by allowing The plan was to revive the Indian cheetah reservation in promotion in all groups for population. those employed in public sector jobs. In May 2012, the top court had stalled the The Bench led by Justice Rohinton plan to initiate the foreign cheetahs into F.Nariman confirmed that 3% reservation the Palpur Kuno sanctuary in Madhya should be given to disabled persons both Pradesh fearing they may come into in direct recruitment and in promotions. conflict with a parallel and a much- Included under The Persons with delayed project to reintroduce lions into Disabilities (Equal Opportunities, the same sanctuary. Protection of Rights and Full Participation) A Bench led by Chief Justice Sharad A. Act, 1995”, were eligible for reservation Bobde was nudged by the National Tiger in promotion. Conservation Authority (NTCA) to take the plunge and go ahead with its plans to bring the African cat to India.
22 Vetrii IAS Study Circle Vetrii's Current Affairs, January - 2020 Govt – Welfare oriented Govt schemes, their utility 2.2 Govt – Welfare oriented The scheme for revival of stressed power discoms was launched in November Govt schemes, their utility 2015. The Ujwal Discom Assurance Yojana’s (UDAY) prime objectives were financial turnaround and operational Govt to provide ` 15 lakh under improvement of the discoms along with Rashtriya Arogaya Nidhi scheme the reduction of cost of generation of The govt has released the National draft power development of renewable energy policy on Rare Disease in which financial efficiency and conservation. support of Rs.15 lakh will be provided The scheme may come up as a revised under the Rashtriya Arogaya Nidhi version of UDAY -- UDAY 2.0 -- which scheme for one-time treatment of rare would provide another lease of life to diseases. ailing power discoms by extending Beneficiaries: The scheme benefit is financial support in the form of loans and limited to people below Poverty Line grants (BPL) and also 40% of the population eligible as per Ayushman Bharat-Pradhan Cabinet nod for raising gestation Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (AB-PMJAY) peirod for abortion to 24 weeks norms for treatment in government The Union Cabinet approved the Medical tertiary hospitals only. Termination of Pregnancy (Amendment) National Policy for Treatment of Rare Bill, 2020, to amend the Medical Diseases (NPTRD): Termination of Pregnancy Act, 1971. Previously the health ministry formulated The proposed amendment seeks to the National Policy for Treatment of enhance the upper gestation limit from Rare Diseases (NPTRD) in July, 2017. 20 to 24 weeks for special categories When this policy was introduced, there of women that will be defined in the prevailed lack of clarity regarding the amendments to the Medical Termination cost effectiveness, share of expenditure of Pregnancy Rules and will include between centre and states etc. Hence the ‘vulnerable women including survivors policy was decided to be reframed & the of rape, victims of incest and other ministry constituted an expert committee vulnerable women (like differently-abled in November 2018 to review it. women, minors). The Medical Termination of Pregnancy New Policy to Revive Power Discoms (Amendment) Bill, 2020 is for expanding The new scheme would include elements access of women to safe and legal of the current UDAY scheme and would abortion services on therapeutic, eugenic, provide assistance for reduction of humanitarian or social grounds. discoms’ losses.
Vetrii IAS Study Circle 23 Latest Inventions on Science & Technology Vetrii's Current Affairs, January - 2020
Some of that dust eventually hitched a 2.3 Latest Inventions on ride to Earth on an asteroid that produced Science & Technology the Murchison meteorite, a massive, 220- lb. (100 kilograms) rock that fell on Sept. Rare variety of H9N2 virus has been 28, 1969, near Murchison, Victoria, in reported in a 17-month-old boy of Australia. Maharashtra New analysis of dozens of presolar grains India’s first case of Avian influenza or from the Murchison meteorite revealed a Bird flu caused by a rare variety of H9N2 range of ages, from about 4 million years virus has been reported in a 17-month- older than our sun - which formed 4.6 old boy of Maharashtra. billion years ago - up to 3 billion years The infection is caused by a rare variety older than our sun, researchers reported of H9N2 virus, which is a subtype of the in a new study. influenza A virus that leads to human influenza as well as bird flu. GSAT-30 gives India a Communication The viruses are found in wild birds and boost are endemic in poultry in some countries. The nation’s latest communication The report was revealed in the December satellite,GSAT-30, was launched into 2019 issue of the Emerging Infectious space from the Guiana Space Centre in Diseases journal of the US Centers for Kourou at 2.35 a.m. IST. Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), The 3,357-kg satellite will replace INSAT- by scientists of the National Institute of 4A, which was launched in 2005 and Virology (NIV), Pune. marks the first mission of the year for Indian Space Research Organisation 7-billion-year-old stardust is the (ISRO). oldest material ever found on Earth The high-power satellite is equipped Scientists with12 normal C band and 12 Ku band recently transponders, identified the ISRO opted for a foreign launch as the oldest material GSAT-30 is much heavier than the 2,000- on Earth: kg lifting capacity of its geostationary stardust that’s 7 launch vehicle GSLV-MkII. billion years old, While the newer and more powerful tucked away in a massive, rocky meteorite GSLV-MkIII can lift up to 4,000kg, the that struck our planet half a century ago. space agency plans to save the two or This ancient interstellar dust, made of three upcoming MkIIIs for its first human pre-solar grains (dust grains that predate space flight Gaganyaan of 2022 and two our sun), was belched into the universe preceding crew-less trials. by dying stars during the final stages of The first Indian crew-less test flight is their lives. planned for later the year. 24 Vetrii IAS Study Circle Vetrii's Current Affairs, January - 2020 Policy on Environment and Ecology 3. GEOGRAPHY
3.1 Policy on Environment and Ecology
GoI launches ‘Seismic Hazard Tamirabharani basin and thousands Microzonation’ to minimize of local birds started breeding in their earthquake disasters regular nests. The Ministry of Earth Science has launched Haboob Seismic Hazard Microzonation project in major cities of India. The project aims to A huge dust storm rolled through Dubbo reduce hazards of seismic activities by and Parkes in New South Wales on putting in adequate measures Sunday afternoon The cloud was described as a ‘haboob’ What is Seismic Microzonation? dust cloud, which often form after a It is the process of dividing earth quake thunderstorm prone areas based on certain factors. The Bureau of Meteorology also recorded The factors include geological and wind gusts of 107km/h at 7.41pm local geophysical characteristics of site s. time in Dubbo. They are ground shaking, landslide, liquefaction susceptibility, rock fall Corona virus outbreak hazard and flooding caused due to earth With China reporting an outbreak of a quakes. Based on the division, mitigation novel corona virus, the Directorate of measures are prepared. Hence, it is a Public Health and Preventive Medicine preventive method to minimise the has instructed doctors to look out for losses. symptoms of influenza-like illnesses, The factors in the microzonation method regardless of patient travel history to the are estimated based on response from affected country. soil layers. Tamil Nadu already has in place a Waterbird census from January 24 screening mechanism for influenza-like illnesses, and doctors have been told The 10th edition of Tamirabharani water to stay alert, look out for symptoms of bird count in select water bodies in respiratory infections, fever and cough Tirunelveli, Tenkasi and Thoothukudi and ask for the travel history of patients. districts will be conducted between Corona viruses are species of virus January 24 and 26 this year. belonging to the subfamily Coronavirinae As usual, thousands of migratory birds in the family Coronaviridae, in the order have arrived at irrigation tanks in the Nidovirales.
Vetrii IAS Study Circle 25 Policy on Environment and Ecology Vetrii's Current Affairs, January - 2020 WEF to conserve 1 trillion trees by Corona viruses are enveloped viruses 2030 to combat climate change with a positive-sense single-stranded through 1t.org RNA genome and with a nucleocapsid of helical symmetry. The World Economic Forum (WEF) and its partners have launched 1t.org which New snake eel species discovered in is a multi stakeholder effort to support Odisha efforts to grow, restore and conserve 1 A new snake eel species residing in the trillion trees around the world in order to Bay of Bengal has been discovered and restore the biodiversity and help combat documented this month (January) by climate change. the Estuarine Biology Regional Centre 1t.org’s aims and efforts to be taken: (EBRC) of the Zoological Survey of India Project aim: 1t.org project aims to unite (ZSI) at Gopalpur-on-sea in Odisha. all the countries’ govts, non-govt. This new marine species has been named organisations, businesses & individuals Ophichthus kailashchandrai to honour in to restore nature in a mass scale. the vast contributions of Dr. Kailash Carbon locking: Locking up the carbon Chandra, Director of ZSI, to Indian in the world’s forests, grasslands, and animal taxonomy. wetlands can provide 1/3rd of emission Ophichthus kailashchandrai is the eighth reductions needed to meet the Paris species of the Ophichthus genus found Agreement targets by 2030. on the Indian coast. It is the fifth new species discovered by the Gopalpur ZSI A bid to restore coral reefs in Gulf of in the last two years. Kutch using biorocks New species The Zoological Survey of India (ZSI), with In 2019, two new species of marine help from Gujarat’s forest department, eel, Gymnothorax and amanensesis is attempting for the first time a process and Gymnothorax smithi were been to restore coral reefs using biorock or discovered by this ZSI centre. mineral accretion technology. A biorock structure was installed one nautical mile off the Mithapur coast in the Gulf of Kachchh on January 19. Biorock is the name given to the substance formed by electro accumulation of minerals dissolved in seawater on steel structures that are lowered onto the sea bed and are connected to a power source, in this case solar panels that float on the surface.
26 Vetrii IAS Study Circle Vetrii's Current Affairs, January - 2020 Policy on Environment and Ecology
10 more wetlands in India declared The other Ramsar sites are in Rajasthan, as Ramsar sites Kerala, Odisha, Madhya Pradesh, India has added 10 more wetlands to sites Himachal Pradesh, Assam, West Bengal, protected by the Ramsar Convention, Jammu and Kashmir, Andhra Pradesh, Union Environment Minister Prakash Manipur, Gujarat, Tamil Nadu and Javadekar announced. Tripura.
The 10 new ones are Nandur With this, a total of 37 sites in the Madhameshwar, a first for Maharashtra; country have been recognised under the Keshopur-Miani, Beas Conservation international treaty. Wetlands declared Reserve and Nangal in Punjab; and as Ramsar sites are protected under strict Nawabganj, Parvati Agra, Saman, guidelines. Samaspur, Sandi and Sarsai Nawar in Uttar Pradesh.
Vetrii IAS Study Circle 27 New Economic Policy & Govt. Sector Vetrii's Current Affairs, January - 2020
4. ECONOMICS 4.1 New Economic Policy & Govt. Sector
World Gold Council report: RBI ranks were launched in this report. As per the 6th in buying gold abroad Index, India ranked in the 76th position The World Gold Council (WGC) recently with a score of 42.7while Denmark released its report, “World Gold Outlook topped the list. 2020”. The report says that gold has Rank Country performed the best since 2010 in 2019. 76 India In 2019, the gold trade in USD has 1 Denmark increased by 18.4% as compared to 2010. 2 Norway Highlights: India 3 Finland According to the WGC, RBI (Reserve Bank 4 Sweden of India) currently holds 625.2 tonnes of gold. This is 6.6% of the country’s foreign 5 Iceland exchange. With this, India ranks sixth in IMF lower India’s growth forecast to the world among other central banks. 4.8% WEF’s 1st Global Social Mobility Index The International Monetary Fund (IMF) 2020: India ranks 76th & Denmark lowered India’s economic growth tops the list estimate for the current fiscal to 4.8% The World Economic Forum (WEF) and listed the country’s much lowerthan- released 1st edition of a report titled expected GDP numbers as the single “The Global Social Mobility Report biggest drag on its global growth forecast 2020: Equality, Opportunity and a New for two years. Economic Imperative”. The global social In October, the IMF had pegged India’s mobility index (GSMI) of 82 countries economic growth at 6.1% for 2019. Compared to the October World Economic Outlook (WEO) forecast, the estimate for
28 Vetrii IAS Study Circle Vetrii's Current Affairs, January - 2020 New Economic Policy & Govt. Sector 2019 and the projection for 2020 represent Background: 0.1 percentage point reduction for each In the recent times, RBI central board year while that for 2021 is 0.2 percentage meetings have been controversial, point lower. especially considering that then governor Urjit Patel had resigned for the reason of st For the 1 time, RBI Releases Minutes alleged difference of opinions on policy of board meeting matters with the central government. For the 1st time, India central bank, the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has released the minutes of the 579th meeting of Central Board of Directors (BoD) held in Chandigarh on October 11, 2019 as part of the central bank’s transparency initiative.
Vetrii IAS Study Circle 29 Latest Inventions on Science & Technology Vetrii's Current Affairs, January - 2020 5. SCIENCE
5.1 Latest Inventions on Science & Technology
India’s 1st Sukhoi-30 squadron to be provided with technical assistance stationed in Thanjavur, TN: IAF chief and resources by the Foundation for RKS Bhadauria Innovative New Diagnostics (FIND) to As per the Chief of the Indian Air Force help commercialise Truenat. ICMR had (IAF), Air Chief Marshal Rakesh Kumar assessed and validated the diagnostic Singh (RKS) Bhadauria,the induction tool. ceremony of a Sukhoi-30 MKIs (Su- “APNA UREA-Sona Ugle” brand of 30 MKI) squadron in the southern HURL launched-To increase Urea skies will take place in the presence of Production Union Defence Minister Rajnath Singh at Thanjavur in Tamil Nadu (TN) on The APNA UREA-Sona Ugle brand of January 20,2020. HURL (Hindustan Urvarak & Rasayan The range of this will be in the Indian Limited) was launched by the Union Ocean region (IOR) up to Suez Canal. Minister of Chemicals and Fertilizers Shri D V Sadananda Gowda. TB diagnostic test developed in India Recent developments in Urea has high accuracy, says WHO Production The World Health Organization (WHO) In order to make India self-sufficient in had mentioned that the India - made Urea, the Union Government approved Truenat MTB, a molecular diagnostic revival of three Urea plants located in test for pulmonary and extrapulmonary Sindri, Gorakhpur and Barauni. The other TB and rifampicin-resistant TB, has high two major fertilizer plants at Talcher and accuracy. Ramagundam are also to be reopened. Truenat MTB has “high diagnostic What is HURL? accuracy as initial test to diagnose TB HURL is a joint venture of Indian and to sequentially detect rifampicin Maharatna companies namely IOCL resistance”. (Indian Oil Corporation Limited), NTPC It will be used as an initial test thus (National Thermal Power Corporation) replacing sputum smear microscopy. and Coal India Limited. The objective Truenat is developed by the Goa-based of HURL is to make India self-reliant in Molbio Diagnostics. The company was Urea.
30 Vetrii IAS Study Circle Vetrii's Current Affairs, January - 2020 Latest Inventions on Science & Technology Submarine-launched ballistic missile end of 2020 or early 2021 to study how tested she and later real astronauts respond to India successfully living outside earth in controlled zero- test-fired the 3,500- gravity conditions. km range Xenobots: World’s first living, self- submarine- healing robots launched ballistic missile, K-4, official Scientists of University of Vermont and sources confirmed. Tufts University have created the world’s The test was carried first living and self-healing robots out by the Defence Xenobots, using stem cells from frogs. It Research and is named after the African clawed frog, Development Organsiation (DRDO) from Xenopus laevis from which they take a submerged pontoon off the their stem cells. Visakhapatnam coast around noon. Key Points: INS Arihant, the first and only operational The machines used are less than a SSBN, is armed with K-15 Sagarika millimeter (0.04 inches) wide which are missiles with a range of 750 km. small enough to travel inside human bodies. They can walk and swim, survive Vyom Mitra, first Indian ‘woman’ to for weeks without food, and work ride to space together in groups. “Young woman” Xenobots could be used to clean up named Vyom Mitra radioactive waste, collect micro plastics in will ride to space in the the oceans, carry medicine inside human first test flight of the bodies, or even travel into our arteries to human space mission, scrape out plaque. Gaganyaan. The ISRO unveiled its Wuhan coronavirus may have been first ‘woman’ astronaut transmitted to people from snakes to an international gathering here on A new coronavirus originating in Wuhan, Wednesday. China, that has claimed 17 lives may have Two trial flights without crew will take been transmitted to people from snakes, place with a humanoid — the first around according to a genetic analysis. The December 2020 and the second around snakes may have caught the virus from July 2021. Vyom Mitra is the result of a bats in the food market in which both year-long toil of the ISRO Inertial Systems animals were sold. Unit, Thiruvananthapuram. The source of the infection is suspected The ISRO will send the human-resembling to be a food market in Wuhan that was model in a space capsule around the visited by several of those first infected
Vetrii IAS Study Circle 31 Latest Inventions on Science & Technology Vetrii's Current Affairs, January - 2020
with the virus. The market is known ‘Ultrasonic gripper’ robots move to sell live wild and farmed animals, things without touching them including marmots, birds, rabbits, bats and snakes.
First ‘industry-made’ PSLV in 2022 The first Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle (PSLV) fully built by the industry will be rolled out in 2022. The PSLV will be manufactured by the Scientists have designed a robotic gripper industry as a whole product, The ISRO that uses sound waves to move small and has announced plans to outsource the fragile objects, without touching them. PSLV to the industry so that it can focus The prototype robot developed by on other research areas and important the researchers from ETH Zurich in missions. Switzerland comprises of two semi- The first developmental flight of the spheres, and resembles a pair of Small Satellite Launch Vehicle (SSLV) is headphones. expected in April. This mission will be The spheres are connected to a circuit carried out from Sriharikota. board carrying microchips. A small The process of acquiring 2,300 acres at sphere hovers between the two semi- Kulasekharapattanam in southern Tamil spheres, held up by ultrasound waves. Nadu for establishing a launch facility for “This phenomenon is known as acoustic the SSLV is in progress. levitation. Pakistan successfully launched Reliance launches new road project ballistic missile “Ghaznavi” to counter pushback against plastics The successful training launch of nuclear- Reliance Industries, India’s largest capable surface-to-surface ballistic petchem player, is launching a project to missile (SSBM) ‘Ghaznavi’ was held use plastics in road construction, amid in Islamabad, Pakistan. The Ghaznavi growing concerns over pollution in the missile strike targets upto a range of 290 country of 1.3 billion whose major cities km (kilometers). are often plagued with smog and litter. In November 2019, Pakistan had carried India, which uses about 14 million tonnes out a successful training launch of of plastic annually, lacks an organized ballistic missile Shaheen-I which was also system for management of plastic waste, an SSBM. leading to widespread littering. Prime Minister Narendra Modi is urging India to end consumption of single-use plastics by 2022.
32 Vetrii IAS Study Circle Vetrii's Current Affairs, January - 2020 Mass Media & Communication New mission launched by NASA & 5.2 Mass Media & Communication ESA to take first pics of Sun’s poles NASA (National Aeronautics & Space High School Portal ‘Aspire’ to be Administration) and ESA (European launched Space Agency) jointly will launch a new The Minister for School Education Dr. spacecraft- “The Solar Orbiter Spacecraft” Prabhuram Chowdhary will launch to take first pictures of Sun’s north and portal ‘Aspire’. The Portal has been south poles. The spacecraft will be prepared with the help of UNICEF for the launched from Cape Canaveral, United students of class 9th to 12th of the govt States on Feb 7,2020 on a United Launch schools. Alliance (ULA) Atlas V Rocket. The ‘Aspire’ is in fact a future opportunity Mission portal. Information pertaining to college The solar orbiter mission has 7 year fee, subjects, admission procedure etc. of lifetime and reach 24 degrees above the all the colleges of national and state level sun’s equator increasing to 33 degrees can be obtained from this portal. with additional 3 years extended mission operations. The spacecraft will pass within Amit Shah to launch POLNET 2.0 26 million miles (42 million kilometers) of Police communication services in the the sun which is the nearest approach. country are set for a major revamp with Union Home Minister Amit Shah ISRO Technology Park expected to launch an upgraded POLNET Aim to provide thrust to space science 2.0, armed with a robust multi-media across the country, the Indian Space facility. Research Organisation (ISRO) has The Directorate of Coordination Police announced a list of new projects Wireless (DCPW) that operates the including an incubation centre in Trichy, POLNET or the police network services Tamil Nadu and a space research facility in the country has created a new and in Kanyakumari. enhanced communication platform It features sophisticated telescopes, from for police and security forces to better India’s first launched satellite, to rocket to communicate during law and order existing satellites. problems and disasters including linkup Currently, Kolkata has such a from remote border and coastal areas. sophisticated facility. The DCPW was set up in 1946 and it Steps have been taken to make this center was placed under the Ministry of Home of Kanyakumari an important regional Affairs in 1950 with the primary mandate center. of coordination between state and central police and security agencies for radio communication and frequency allocation.
Vetrii IAS Study Circle 33 Mass Media & Communication Vetrii's Current Affairs, January - 2020
CM Bhupesh baghel launches Now the CUB customers can converse employment-oriented mobile app with the chat–bot ‘Ask Lakshmi’ of the ‘Rojgar Sangi’ in Raipur app in Tamil, English, Hindi / Telugu The Chief Minister (CM) of Chhattisgarh, language for their general banking Bhupesh Baghel has launched a queries including transactions like employment-oriented mobile app, Balance enquiry, mini statement, fund ‘RojgarSangi’ developed by state-run transfer over voice/text instructions. Chhattisgarh State Skill Development App aims to academically empower Authority (CSSDA) at the ceremony of visually impaired students youth fest 2020 held at Science College premises in Raipur, Chhattisgarh. The Swalekhan (self-writing) app is a tech offering conceptualised by the city- Nitin Gadkari’s 5-yr roadmap based Niwant Andh Mukta Vikasalaya, an NGO that works for the betterment Union Minister Nitin Jairam Gadkari of the visually impaired individuals, in his second innings has lined up big and developed by Josh Software, a Pune- plans - from infusing Rs 15 lakh crore in based IT services company specialising highways to propelling GDP growth by in providing global tech solutions, in globalising khadi and MSME products. conjunction with Tekvision, a leading After taking charge of Road Transport accessibility service provider whose and Highways and Micro, Small, and workforce comprises a significant number Medium Enterprises (MSME) ministries, of visually impaired technocrats. Gadkari told PTI that the mission is to further propel the country’s economic Dr Jitendra Singh launched ISRO’s growth through concerted efforts, be it in Bhuvan Panchayat V 3.0 Web portal highways or MSME. Dr. Jitendra Singh, Ministry of Atomic The focus will be rural areas, and forming Energy and Space launched the Bhuvan clusters of potters, people dependent Panchayat Version V 3.0 web portal in on leather industries and giving them Antariksh Bhavan Bengaluru, Karnataka assistance with new technology aimed at to support Gram Panchayat Development promoting export of these products. planning in the country. The Minister released the technical st In a 1 , City Union Bank launches documents related to SISDP (Space Based multilingual voice based ‘All-In-One’ Information Support for Decentralised app Planning Update) - Update Project. For the 1st time India, the City Union About Bhuvan Panchayat V 3.0 web Bank (CUB) Limited , one of the leading portal: Indian banks in India, has launched The web portal has been developed by multilingual voice enabled mobile National Remote Sensing Center (NRSC), banking application. Hyderabad, Telangana.
34 Vetrii IAS Study Circle Vetrii's Current Affairs, January - 2020 Latest Discoveries in Health Science 5.3 Latest Discoveries in Health Science
First case confirmed in India The first case of Coronavirus has also been confirmed in India. A student returned to Kerala from Wuhan found infected with the Coronavirus. According to the statement released by the health ministry on January 30, 2020, the first positive case of Novel Coronavirus has been confirmed in Kerala. What is Coronavirus? Novel Coronavirus (COV) belongs to a family of viruses whose infection can cause problems ranging from cough to breathlessness. This virus has never been seen before. The virus infection started in December 2019 in Wuhan, China. According to WHO, fever, cough, shortness of breath is its common symptoms. There is no vaccine has been made to stop the virus so far.
Vetrii IAS Study Circle 35 National – Diary of Event Vetrii's Current Affairs, January - 2020 6. NATIONAL – DIARY OF EVENT
Indian Heritage in Digital Space Arunachal pradesh becomes the 1st exhibition in New Delhi state in India to initiate IUCN’s red- Union Minister of State for Culture and listing of orchids Tourism (IC) Shri Prahalad Singh Patel Arunachal Pradesh (AR)has became launched the first International Heritage the 1st State in India to initiate the Symposium and Exhibition (IHSE). The International Union for Conservation exhibition will be held until February of Nature (IUCN)’s ‘red listing’ of 15, 2020 on “Indian Heritage in Digital orchids at the state level after it has Space “ and first international heritage inked a Memorandum of Understanding symposium will be held for two days in (MoU) with the International Union the National Museum in New Delhi. for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) in The project aims to create digital Itanagar, AR. installations using 3D laser scan data, IUCN’s Red List of Threatened Species is AR, holographic projections and 3D an important indicator of the health of the fabrication, to provide interactive and world’s biodiversity. This list is serving immersive experiences showcasing as a powerful tool to inform and catalyze the glory of Hampi and five Indian action for biodiversity conservation and monuments namely KashiVishwanath policy change. The IUCN has estimated Temple, Varanasi; TajMahal, Agra; Sun that these are complications for protecting Temple,Konark; Ramachandra Temple, natural resources. Hampi ; and RaniKiVav, Patan. rd Installation of ‘ViRaasat’ which consists 23 National Youth Festival 2020 of a scaled down 3D printed replica held in Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh using laser-scanning, 3D modelling The 23rd edition of the National Youth and rendering, 3D printing, computer Festival (NYF) 2020 was held at Indira vision and spatial AR provides a mixed Pratishthan, Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh reality experience to visitors in selected from January 12-16, 2020. It was jointly monument. organised by the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports (MYAS) and State Government of Uttar Pradesh. The theme of the 2020 NYF was “Fit
36 Vetrii IAS Study Circle Vetrii's Current Affairs, January - 2020 National – Diary of Event Youth, Fit India” Inauguration: It was Historic Bru-Reang Refugee inaugurated by Chief Minister of Uttar agreement signed-34,000 displaced Pradesh Shri Yogi Adityanath and to settle in Tripura. Minister of State (MoS- independent Government of India, Bru-Reang charge) for Youth Affairs & Sports, representatives, Government of Tripura Shri KirenRijiju on 12th January that and Mizoram signed an agreement in marked the birth anniversary of Swami New Delhi to end the refugee crisis of Vivekananda, Indian-Hindu monk. Bru-Reang community. Under the agreement, around 34,000 Bru “Globalizing Indian Thought”, an Refugees are to settle in Tripura. The International Conclave held at Centre will offer their rehabilitation helps Kozhikode with an allocated budget of 6000 crores. The International Conclave on The land is to be provided by the Tripura “Globalizing Indian Thought” was held Government. The Centre will provide aid in IIM, Kozhikode of Rs 1.5 lakhs to build their houses. The conclave aimed at revealing India’s Due to ethnic tension in 1997, around thoughts in becoming one of top three 5,000 families of 30,000 Bru-Reang tribes economies of the world. were forced out of Mizoram to seek India is stepping towards the goal of shelter in Tripura. becoming a 5 trillion Dollar economy by In 2010, GoI began its efforts to 2025. This will make India one of the top permanently rehabilitate them as they three economies in the world after US constantly demanded to settle in Tripura. and China In 2018, GoI signed an agreement with the State Governments of Tripura and GoI launches Saksham, a mega Mizoram in order to help the families and campaign on fuel conservation increase the aid substantially. The Petroleum Conservation Research Association (PCRA) operating under Indian Railway’s first Waste to Energy Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas Plant uses “Poly Crack” Technology will launch fuel conservation campaign. The East Coast Railways commissioned The campaign will create awareness the first waste-to-energy plant of among public about fuel conservation. Railways sector of India. It is the fourth PCRA has been conducting Saksham such plant in the country. The plant has campaigns in different parts of the been set up at a cost of Rs 1.79 crores with country. Polycrack technology. In collaboration with NCERT, PCRA has Poly Crack Technology prepared a comic book on the theme, In Polycrack Technology, waste is “Fuel Conservation”. processed and reformed in 24 hours. The
Vetrii IAS Study Circle 37 National – Diary of Event Vetrii's Current Affairs, January - 2020
only drawback is that it requires larger Key Points: area. The State Govt. is expected to incur The major benefit of the method is that it an expense of Rs.6.4 crore for the does not require pre-segregation. pilot ‘Shiv Bhojan’ thali project that will run for 3 months & will expand India’s first Super Fab Lab inaugurated the number of such canteen based on in Kerala feedback. India’s first Super Fab Lab was inaugurated in Kerala. The laboratory GoI new Target: Indian Railways to is to function in collaboration with run 100% on electricity by 2024 Massachusetts Institute of Technology The Union Minister Piyush Goyal (MIT), USA. It is the only laboratory that announced that Indian Railways will run is being installed outside US. 100% on electricity by 2024. In such case, Vigyan Ashram Indian Railways will be the first Railways Vigyan Ashram was the first Fab Lab to to run 100% on electricity. be opened in India. It was established in Also, the Indian Railways has planned to 2002. Also, it was the first fab lab to be make the network zero-emission network opened outside USA (MIT). by 2030. Fab Fi Fab GoI signs “Historic Accord”, Bodo Fi is the wireless network that is currently Agreement being operated in Afghanistan, US and Kenya. It provides high speed internet The Government of India signed the from a central provider. historic agreement with the nine factions of the National Democratic Front of Shiv Sena-led Maharashtra govt Bodoland (NDFB). According to the launched ‘Shiv Bhojan’ scheme agreement, the Bodoland Territorial The Shiv Sena party led Maharashtra Area District will hold special rights for Government (govt) launched ‘Shiv the locals. However, the outsiders will Bhojan’ scheme, with the aim of have to obtain “permit” to work in the providing meal to the poor for Rs.10 on territory. the occasion of the 71st Republic Day. The Bodo Accord- Bodoland Territorial Area district guardian Minister Aslam Shaikh District inaugurated the “Shiv Bhojan Thali” The accord signed is the third agreement canteen at the civic-run Nair Hospital, signed in 27 years. The first was signed Mumbai, Maharashtra. with All Bodo Students Union in 1993 Goal of the scheme: and the second was signed with the Bodo Liberation Tigers in 2003. The To provide affordable & quality food to third agreement led to the formation of all, irrespective of caste, creed, religion and financial status.
38 Vetrii IAS Study Circle Vetrii's Current Affairs, January - 2020 National – Diary of Event
Bodoland Territorial Council under the Citizenship Amendment Act(CAA), sixth Schedule of the Constitution. The prior to three states have scrapped BTC now administrates 4 districts in controversial CAA law which are Kerala, Assam namely Chirang, Kokrajhar, Baska Rajasthan and Punjab. and Udalguri. These areas are called the Bodoland Territorial Area Districts. Indian Red Cross Society celebrates centenary year India’s first underwater Metro: To To commemorate the centenary year of begin in March 2022 in Kolkata IRCS, the Governor released a special The first underwater Metro is being postal cover in the presence of M. Sampath, constructed in Hooghly river. The project chief post-master general, Tamil Nadu is awaiting clearance of 2.8 million USD circle, while Indian Oil Corporation Ltd from the Indian Railways. donated two ambulances to be used in Highlights Tambaram and Thiruparankundram in The Hooghly Metro is one of the oldest Madurai. Metro in the country. It was started in 1984. The new under water tunnel will World’s largest meditation centre carry 20% of city’s population and will opened in Hyderabad, Telangana cross the river in less than a minute. The World’s largest meditation centre Currently it takes 20 minutes in the ferry was inaugurated at Kanha Shanti Vanam to cross the river and an hour to cross the in Hyderabad, Telangana to mark the Howrah bridge. 75th anniversary of the formation of Shri Ram Chandra Mission (SRCM) Government of India has decided to and Heartfulness Institute. It can sell 100 per cent stake of Air India accommodate 1 lakh practitioners at a Civil Aviation Minister of India and time. Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs in Key Points: India Hardeep Singh Puri has expressed The meditation center is built in 30 acres the Indian Government’s decision to sell with a central hall and eight peripheral its 100 per cent stake of Air India (AI). It halls. includes its 100 per cent stake in low-cost To celebrate the 75th anniversary, airline Air India Express and 50 per cent special sessions will be addressed shareholding in joint venture AISATS by President Ram Nath Kovind on Airport Services Private Limited. February 2, 2020 and social activist West Bengal becomes fourth state to Anna Hazare on February 8, 2020. scrap CAA resolution West Bengal became the fourth state to pass a resolution against the contentious
Vetrii IAS Study Circle 39 National – Diary of Event Vetrii's Current Affairs, January - 2020
Government to release the report of Andhra Pradesh Assembly passes 100 Smarts Cities in June 2020 resolution to abolish Legislative Council The Government of India (GoI) is to release The Andhra Pradesh Legislative the report card of 100 selected smart cities Assembly unanimously passed a in June, 2020 as the Smart Cities Mission resolution on January 27, 2020 to abolish completes its five year. This report will be the state legislative council. The state released in three categories, namely ease cabinet had approved the resolution of living index, municipal performance earlier in the day. The proposal will now index and climatic index. be sent to the centre for further action. Key Points: The one-line resolution to abolish the Prime Minister has launched the Smart state council was passed in the assembly Cities Mission with the mission to develop by Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Jagan 100 Smart Cities across the country. Mohan Reddy. The resolution was passed Ease of Living index: Under this index 35 with 133 members voting in favour of it. percent weightage will be given “to quality This was announced by assembly speaker of life”, 20 percent to “sustainability”, 20 Tammineni Seetharam. percent to “economic viability” and 30 States have abolished the legislative percent to “citizen participation”. council Municipal Performance index: Under this After Assam, West Bengal had abolished index 30 percent weightage will be given its legislative council in 1969 and Punjab for “services”, 20 percent for “finance”, 15 abolished it in 1970. The state legislative percent for “technology”, 15 percent for council of Andhra Pradesh was also “planning”, 20 percent for “governance”. abolished previously in 1985 and was Climatic index: Under this index cities will revived again in 2006. be ranked for promoting environment Article related issues. Notwithstanding anything in article 168, Parliament may by law provide for Country’s 1st and biggest ‘walk- the abolition of the Legislative Council through’ aviary inaugurated of a State having such a Council or for Chief Minister of Maharashtra Uddhav the creation of such a Council in a State Thackeray inaugurated the country’s first having no such Council, if the Legislative and biggest ‘walk-through’ aviary in Assembly of the State passes a resolution Veermata Jijabai Bhosale Udyan and Zoo to that effect by a majority of the total also known as Byculla Zoo in Mumbai, membership of the Assembly and by a Maharashtra. majority of not less than two-thirds of the The aviary is spread over in 18,234 sq ft, members of the Assembly present and is 44 feet tall and consists of 100 species of voting. Indian and exotic birds.
40 Vetrii IAS Study Circle Vetrii's Current Affairs, January - 2020 National – Diary of Event 6 more routes identified for high- The rankings focus on progress in Health speed corridors and nutrition, education, agriculture and India’s bullet train project between water resources, financial inclusion& skill Mumbai and Ahmedabad, the country’s development and Basic infrastructure. first high-speed corridor, will be Top 3 states in Aspirational Districts completed by December 2023. ranking: Trains can run at a maximum speed of State District Score over 300 km/hr on a high-speed corridor, (December-2019) while on a semi-high speed corridor, the maximum speed can go beyond 160km/ Uttar Chandauli 57.6 hr. Pradesh In a briefing ahead of the Union Budget, Odisha Balangir 53.9 Yadav said the six corridors include the Andhra Y.S.R. 65.2 Delhi-Noida-Agra-Lucknow-Varanasi Pradesh (865 km)and the Delhi-Jaipur-Udaipur- Ahmedabad (886km) sections. Delhi airport gets a new women-only Other corridors are: Mumbai-Nashik- cab service Nagpur (753 km), Mumbai-Pune- ‘Women with Wheels’ cab service was Hyderabad (711 km), Chennai- started at Indira Gandhi International Bangalore-Mysore (435 km) and the Airport (IGIA), New Delhi. The service Delhi-Chandigarh-Ludhiana-Jalandhar- was initiated by ‘Sakha cabs’ for the Amritsar (459 km) sections. safety of women. India’s bullet train project between Mumbai and Ahmedabad, the country’s World Sustainable Development first high-speed corridor, will be Summit organized by TERI first time completed by December 2023. in New Delhi The World Sustainable Summit is an NITI Aayog’s Aspirational district annual event organized by The Energy ranking : Chandauli of UP tops in and Resources Institute (TERI). It is being December 2019 organized since 2001. NITI Aayog (National Institution for Highlights Transforming India), a policy think The event is to be held between January tank of the Government of India (GoI), 29, 2020 and January 31, 2020. This year, released the ranking of Aspirational the event is being held at New Delhi. The Districts of the country for the month of theme of the event is Theme: ‘Towards December 2019. 2030: Making the Decade Count’. The ranking is based on the progress made in 5 development areas in 112 aspirational districts across India in December 2019.
Vetrii IAS Study Circle 41 National – Diary of Event Vetrii's Current Affairs, January - 2020
Bengaluru Has World’s Worst Traffic, This is the first time in India that an entire 4 Indian Cities In Top 10 train is being sent to the gateway port India has topped the TomTom Traffic (JNPT) for export. Index 2019 with 4 of its cities amongst the The bananas are being exported under 10 most congested cities globally. the brand name ‘Happy Bananas’. Bengaluru (71%), Mumbai (65%), Pune Farmers from Putlur region in Anantapur (59%) and New Delhi (56%) ranks 1st, and Pulivendula in Kadapa district are 4th, 5th and 8th respectively. exporting ‘Green Cavendish’ bananas to The other global cities featured amongst many international markets. the top 10 include Manila from the Video contest for farmer’s stories Philippines, Bogota from Colombia, opens Moscow from Russia; Lima from Peru, Istanbul from Turkey, and Jakarta from Tractors and Farm Equipment Ltd. (TAFE) Indonesia. has launched “100 Farmers. 100 Stories” New Delhi takes the 8th spot this year — a nationwide “Photo and Video Story with 56% congestion level (extra travel Contest”, dedicated to farmers as part of time stuck in traffic).On an average, its “Be a #FarmDost” initiative. Delhiites driving during peak hours The contest is open till February 29 and spend an extra 190 hours, i.e., 7 days, 22 allows participants to register and post hours in traffic each year. their entries directly on the FarmDost The city’s heaviest congestion (81%) was website: farmdost.com. recorded on October 23, 2019, while its World of Leather Comes to Chennai lowest congestion (6%) was recorded on with Goddies & Opportunities March 21, 2019. The TomTom Traffic Index 2019 indicates As leather and leather goods producer, that the congestion level in Delhi has India has a strong presence on the global reduced by 2% compared to TomTom arena. It accounts for 13% of world Traffic Index 2018. production of leather. In footwear sector, India is second A.P. flags off country’s first ‘fruit largest producer after China, with annual train’ production in 2018 of 2.58 billion pairs. A ‘fruit train’, said to be the first of its On consumption side also, India is the kind in the country, was flagged off from second largest with a use up of 2.60 Tadipatri Railway Station in Anantapur billion pairs. district carrying a load of 980 metric In leather garment sector, India is second tonnes of locally grown bananas to the largest exporter, next only to Italy, with Jawaharlal Nehru Port in Mumbai, from a global market share of about 17% where the consignment will be exported accounting for 8.23% share of country’s to Iran. total export in 2018-19. India is fifth
42 Vetrii IAS Study Circle Vetrii's Current Affairs, January - 2020 National – Diary of Event largest exporter in leather goods & Merger Plan of RSTV and LSTV in final accessories sector. stages
The export of footwear, leather and The merger of Rajya Sabha Television leather products from India reached a (RSTV) and Lok Sabha Television (LSTV) value of US$ 5.69 billion during 2018-19. is in the final stages, with a six member committee expected to submit a report Rajnath Singh flags off 51st K-9 Vajra by to Upper House Chairman Venkaiah at L&T gun making facility. Naidu and Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla. Defence Minister Rajnath Singh flagged The final decision will be taken by them. st off the 51 K-9 Vajra-T gun at the Larsen There has been an overwhelming and Toubro Armored Systems Complex demand that the live transmission of the at Hazira, Surat. proceedings of the two Houses should The L&T officials showed the minister the not be disrupted. different manoeuvres of the K-9 Vajra-T, The committee consists of Prasar Bharati a tracked self-propelled howitzer. Chairman Surya Prakash, Additional The gun weighs 50 tonnes and can fire Secretary to the RS Secretariat A. Rao, 47kg bombs at 43-kilometre distant the Lok Sabha Secretariat’s Ganpati targets. L&T had in 2017 won the Rs Bhatt, Financial Adviser to RSTV Shikha 4,500-crore contract from the Ministry of Darbari, and CEOs of RSTV and LSTV Defence to supply 100 units of K9 Vajra-T Manoj Kumar Pandey and Aashish Joshi 155 mm/52 calibre tracked self-propelled respectively. gun systems to the Indian Army under LSTV was launched in 2006 by Speaker the Centre’s ‘Make in India’ initiative. Somnath Chatterjee.
National Information Centre sets up ELECRAMA-Indian Electrical Industry Centre of Block Chain Technology in Showcase inaugurated Bengaluru The ELECRAMA 2020 was held in The National Informatics Centre (NIC) Noida. The event showcases innovations will set up block chain technology centre and achievements of Indian Electrical in Bengaluru. Industry. The centre aims to provide Block Chain Significance as service to all the stake holders who are The “ELECRAMA” platform is organized interested in shared experiences, learning by Indian Electrical and Electronics and resources. Manufacturers’ Association (IEEMA). National Informatics Centre has always It is supported by other ministries such been the premier technology advisor and as ministry of renewable energy, power, also a pioneer in introducing technologies MSME (Micro Small and Medium such as National Knowledge Network, Enterprises). NICNET, etc.
Vetrii IAS Study Circle 43 National – Diary of Event Vetrii's Current Affairs, January - 2020
Industrial Meet of ‘Wings India’- 1,350 MPs for a joint Parliament session Asia’s largest Civil Aviation Event will be the center piece of the Central held at Bengaluru Vista redevelopment plan that has a The Industrial meet of the Asia’s largest deadline of 2024. Civil Aviation was held in Bengaluru. The shape of the present circular building The Civil Aviation event is to be held at designed by architects Edwin Lutyens Begumpet airport, Hyderabad in March and Herbert Baker in 1912-13, was based 2020. The theme of the event will be on the Chausath Yogini temple, one of Theme: Flying for All. the oldest heritage sites in India. According to presentations made by Targets set for aviation sector the Ahmedabad-based HCP Design, the India aims to become the third largest new triangular Parliament building will aviation market globally by 2024 come up next to the existing complex, the The number of Indian carriers is to be Indira Gandhi National Centre of Arts increased to 1,100 by 2027 will be relocated with some of the new The freight traffic at the airports of India government buildings coming up where is to cross 11.4 MT by 2032. it is located, and the National Archives Sanskrit to replace Urdu on railway will be remodelled. signboards in Uttarakhand Bahadurpur and Kheri Viran to Names of railway stations written in Urdu become India’s first model sports on platform signboards in Uttarakhand villages will now be written in Sanskrit. Two villages namely Bahadurpur and As per rules of the Railway Manual Kheri Veran of Uttar Pradesh (UP) appropriate change should have been has set to become India’s first ‘Model made on these signboards in 2010 after Sports villages’ as part of the Institute Sanskrit was made the second official of Management Technology (IMT) language of the state. Ghaziabad, UP under the ‘Adarsh Khel Sanskrit was made the second official Gram’ program, IMT in association with language of Uttarakhand in 2010 during NGO(Non Governmental Organization)‘ the chief ministership of Ramesh Sports: A Way of Life’. Pokhriyal Nishank, who is now Union AIM: To evolve sports culture and HRD Minister. increase sports literacy in the country. New Parliament complex may seat Key Points: 1,350 members Under this program all the verandahs, courtyards will be developed as primary A new Lok Sabha central hall big enough sports ground management and IMT to house 900 Members of Parliament will provide Olympic related sports (MPs), and flexible enough to house up to equipment.
44 Vetrii IAS Study Circle Vetrii's Current Affairs, January - 2020 National – Diary of Event
One hour everyday from 4-5:00 pm will Usage of census monitoring & be the designated time to play sports. management portal as a single source for The main objective is to teach the Olympic all officers involved in Census activities games in these villages and various to provide multi language support. Arjuna Awardees would meet these kids Background: to motivate them to participate in the The census has been conducted in games. India since 1872 without outbreak. It is conducted every 10 years. 2021 is not Govt to collect data including families only the 16th census but also 8th after headed by transgenders for census independence. The Census Act, 1948 and 2021 the Census Rules, 1990 provide the legal According to the Ministry of Home affairs framework in conducting the Census. (MHA), the central government, for the 1st time, will collect data on households UGC to Set Up National Academic headed by a transgender and members Credit Bank living in the family for census 2021. The University Grants Commission Previously, the choice of the head of the (UGC) will soon set up the National household was gender – male or female. Academic Credit Bank (NAC-Bank) Key Points: with an aim to help students plan their The census officer, while making a learning objectives and graduate with a list of houses to be held from April 1 – degree before the stipulated period. The September 30, 2020 will ask for specific system of academic credit bank is already information based on 31 questions from prevalent in many foreign countries. each household during the census 2021. The National Academic Credit Bank will Now three options will be given under the enable non-science students (arts and head “sex of the head of the household”- commerce stream) to take up courses male, female and transgender. in the science stream after completing a In addition, the government gather data bridge course/ programme. on ‘ownership status of the census house’ Through this initiative, students can plan – whether it is owned / rented. their academic/ learning objectives and The census reference date will be March 1, pursue courses as per their wishes and 2021 but due to snowfall it will be October requirement. UGC has also released a 1, 2020 in Jammu and Kashmir (J&K), concept note on NAC-Bank on www.ugc. Himachal Pradesh and Uttarakhand. ac.in. The commission has also invited the New initiative in Census 2021: views and suggestions from all Higher The census 2021 will be done through a Education Institutes (HEIs) including mobile phone application, deviating from teachers, students, education personnel, the traditional pen and paper. on the NAC-Bank latest by December 20, 2019.
Vetrii IAS Study Circle 45 National – Diary of Event Vetrii's Current Affairs, January - 2020
Gujarat leads in water efficiency 2020. The event was organised by Food survey under National hydrology and Agribusiness Committee of Indian project Institute of Management Ahmedabad (IIMA). According to the rankings of ‘Central and state governmental water departments Govt sets up National Startup based on their efficiency targets for Advisory Council 2019’ released by Ministry of Jal Shakti, The government stated that it has set up Gujarat ranked the best for parameters on a National Startup Advisory Council to efficiency targets , while National Capital advise the Centre on measures needed Territory of Delhi remains in the worst- to build a strong ecosystem for nurturing performing state category. innovation and start-ups in the country. Departments wise ranking: The Survey The Council will suggest measures to of India (SoI) received top spot among foster a culture of innovation among the 7 central government departments students and others. reviewed . It was followed by National Institute of UP Govt launches Mukhyamantri Hydrology (NIH) and the Central Water Krishak Durghatna Kalyan Yojana Commission. Central Pollution Control Uttar Pradesh Government has launched Board (CPCB) pushed to the last in the Mukhyamantri Krishak Durghatna year 2019 ranking. Kalyan Yojana which will provide State wise ranking: However, Delhi financial assistance to family of farmers improved its position by 6 places to who die or become handicapped while get 35th rank in 2019 as against bottom working in fields. Government has also 41 in 2018. Tamil Nadu (TN) ranked decided to implement Mukhyamantri best among the states that significantly Paryatan Samvardhan Yojana to boost improved its ranking. It stood at 13th spot tourism in state. in 2019 as compared to 33 in 2018. Under the ‘Mukhyamantri Krishak Rajasthan has been ranked 3rd in the Durghatna Kalyan Yojana, if a farmer country this time, while in the April- or any member of his family dies while May 2018 rankings, Rajasthan was working in a field then they will be given ranked 16th. In the rankings released in financial assistance of five lakh rupees. December-2019 For the first time, the scheme will also include the Bataidars, who work in the st 1 of Krishi Manthan 2020 begins in field of other persons and share the crop Ahmedabad, Gujarat after it is harvested. The 1st edition of the Krishi Manthan 2020 The scheme will cover farmers and their which is a Food, Agri-business and Rural family members in the age group of 18-70 Development Summit of Asia was held in years and will be implemented from 14th Ahmedabad, Gujarat from January 16-17, September 2019.
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India drops 10 ranks in Democracy Carbon Disclosure Project: India Index ranks 5th The latest The Carbon Disclosure Project, an annual edition of report on carbon reduction activities of the different countries and their firms was Democracy released by a non-profit organization Index spells Global Reporting Initiative. According gloom for to the report, the countries were ranked India. The based on their corporate responsibilities world’s of carbon reduction. In order to assess the biggest role played by them, their science-based democracy targets were weighed. slipped 10 places in the India’s first e-waste clinic opens in 2019 global ranking to 51st place. Bhopal The survey published attributes the The first e-waste clinic of the country primary cause of “the democratic has been recently opened in Bhopal. This regression” to “an erosion of civil liberties clinic will segregate and process e-waste in the country”. from household and commercial units. India’s overall score fell from 7.23 to 6.9, The clinic will process all types of on a scale of 0-10, within a year (2018- e-Waste materials like computers, 2019) — the country’s lowest since 2006. mobile, chargers, etc. The clinic will run A year of democratic setbacks and a campaign ‘junk to jugaad’ for those popular protest, was done by The e-waste materials which will not be Economist Intelligence Unit — the possible to process. research and analysis division of The The e-waste clinic has been prepared in Economist Group. a junk low floor bus. Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) and Bhopal st Uttarakhand is the 1 state in the Municipal Corporation (BMC) are country to implement agricultural providing technical support to this clinic. leasing policy Uttarakhand has become the first state in Jharkhand’ Jharia is the most polluted India which has made a policy to lease Indian city & Lunglei, Mizoram least agricultural land. After the approval of polluted: Greenpeace India report Rashtrapati Bhavan, the state government 2018 has issued the order. The Greenpeace India report for 2018 was released based on the National Ambient Air Quality Monitoring Programme
Vetrii IAS Study Circle 47 National – Diary of Event Vetrii's Current Affairs, January - 2020 (NAMP). Jharia in Jharkhand which is India participates at United Nations known for Coal-belching is the most AIDS Programme at World Economic polluted Indian city with 322 µg/m3 Forum (micrograms per cubic meter) of PM10 India participated at the United Nations (Particulate matter) pollutants in 2018, AIDS (UNAIDS) programme at the World according to the report analysis of 287 Economic Forum (WEF). The theme of cities across the country. Out of 287 cities the programme was Theme: Access for 231 cities were severely polluted. all: Leveraging Innovations, Investments Dhanbad in Jharkhand which is known and Partnerships for Health. for its rich coal reserves and industries, UNAIDS Programme is the second-most polluted Indian City The main objective of the programme is with 264 un/m3 of PM10 pollutants. to coordinate global action on the AIDS By taking marginal improvement in disease and alleviate its impact. It was reducing air pollution, Delhi had jumped established in 1994. to the 10th position in the analysis . It was at the 8th position in the last report. MP Government makes reading of
Lunglei in Mizoram is the least polluted Preamble compulsory in Schools followed by Meghalaya’s Dowki. MP Government has also decided to Gujarat secures top spot the SKOCH make reading of Preamble of Constitution State of Governance 2019 ranking compulsory in Schools. According to the ‘SKOCH State of Maharashtra to launch Sovereignty of Governance 2019’ report, Gujarat Constitution Programme gained the top spot on the back of better Prior to Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra performance in Health, Education, Power Government had also announced that and e-Governance segments. Gujarat, it will make reading of preamble to which was ranked 5th in 2018 replaces constitution compulsory in all primary 2018 leader West Bengal. and secondary schools, starting from The projects undertaken by the states, January 26. have performed the best in terms of The initiative is being launched as rankings across 22 different parameters part of the Sovereignty of Constitution have been listed as STARS. Programme which is being launched in public interest. Top 3 Star states include: Rank State Name Project ‘Vigyan Samagam’, India’s 1st global 1 Gujarat 104 projects Mega Science Exhibition 2 Maharashtra 50 projects The Union Minister of State Independent 3 West Bengal 20 projects Charge (I/C) MInistry of Development Of North Eastern Region, Minister of State (Mos) Prime Minister’s Office
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(PMO), Personnel, Public Grievances and Achievement of Srinagar: Srinagar Pension, Minister of State for Department receives 45th Rank in Cleanest cities in of Atomic Energy and Space, Dr. Jitendra the country. Singh inaugurated India’s first global Mega Science Exhibition “Vigyan Top cities to help poor performers Samagam” at National Science Centre, Finding some of the 100 cities selected for New Delhi. The exhibition will be held the Smart Cities Mission lagging behind from January 21, 2020 to March 20, 2020. in implementation of projects, the Union The exhibition was Organised by Housing and Urban Affairs Ministry Department of Science and Technology has decided to pair up 20 of the best (DST) and the National Council of Science performers with 20 of the worst in order Museums (NCSM) under the Department to improve their performance. of Atomic Energy (DAE). The aim was that the top performing cities would inspire and help those lagging st India’s 1 War Memorial for Animals behind to improve their work. to be set up in Meerut, UP Among the top cities in the latest The govt has announced to set up internal rankings are Nagpur, Tiruppur, country’s 1st war memorial for service Ranchi, Bhopal, Surat, Kanpur, Indore, animals such as dogs, horses, mules in Visakhapatnam, Vellore, Vadodara, Meerut, Uttar Pradesh (UP). This war Nashik, Agra, Varanasi, Davanagere, memorial will come at army’s specialised Kota, Pune and Udaipur. breeding, rearing training centre for animals in the Remount and Veterinary Corps (RVC) Centre and College in Meerut.
Srinagar declared Open Defecation Free Mayor of Srinagar Junai Azim Mattu announced that the Srinagar has joined the list of ‘Open Defecation Free (ODF)’ cities. Swachata certificate: Srinagar, Jammu & Kashmir received its Swachata certificate from Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs (MoHUA), Central Government and joins the list of cities that are now ‘OPEN DEFECATION FREE’.
Vetrii IAS Study Circle 49 International Affairs Vetrii's Current Affairs, January - 2020 7. INTERNATIONAL AFFAIRS
1ST Session of India-Norway Dialogue 3rd Climate Innovations Exchange: on Trade & Investment Alongside the World Future Energy The first Session of India-Norway Summit, 3rd edition of the Climate Dialogue on Trade & Investment (DTI) Innovations Exchange, ‘CLIX’ for was convened in New Delhi. short and the Future Sustainability The session was based on the Terms of Summit was also held in Abu Dhabi. Reference (ToR) signed between India The event showcased innovative ideas and Norway in New Delhi, during the related to energy, food, agriculture and visit of Prime Minister of Norway. sustainability in space. This was the first mee ting after the The Berlin Conference on Libya signing of DTI. The first Session was preceded by an The Conclusions of the Berlin Conference industry interaction on 15th January, 2020 on Libya that have just been released provide such a wide remit to please with the representatives from Indian all participating parties allowing for industry, where discussions were held on broad and different interpretations various areas of mutual interest likeblue and providing no real new solutions or economy, shipping & maritime, ICT, mechanisms to break the impasse that renewable energy, fisheries and MSME. has dogged the Libyan crisis since the 2015 Skhirat Libyan Political Agreement. th 10 World Future Energy Summit The conclusions build upon the Paris, 2020 held in Abu dhabi, UAE; CLIX Palermo and Abu Dhabi processes and sustainability summit held conclusions as well as the 2015 Skhirat Recently the 10th edition of World Future Libyan Political Agreement and all Energy Summit (WFES) 2020 hosted by relevant UN and UN Security Council Masdar renewable energy company, resolutions. This includes UNSMIL’s was held at Abu Dhabi National Gassan Salame current ”Three-Point- Exhibition Centre in Abu Dhabi, United Plan” for Libya. Arab Emirates(UAE) from January 13- 16, 2020. The theme for the year 2020 was “Rethinking Global Consumption, Production, and Investment”.
50 Vetrii IAS Study Circle Vetrii's Current Affairs, January - 2020 International Affairs UAE has been declared ‘reciprocating India slips two places on global territory’ by India under section 44A corruption perception index of CPC, 1908 India’s ranking in the Corruption The Central Government has declared Perceptions Index (CPI-2019) has slipped the United Arab Emirates (UAE) to be a from 78 to 80 compared to the previous “reciprocating territory” under Section year, said Transparency International 44A of Civil Procedure Code (CPC), 1908. questioning the “unfair and opaque The order was issued by the Ministry of political financing” in the country. Its Law and Justice. score of 41 out of 100 remains the same. Key Points: By this the order passed by the superior Courts of UAE can now be enforced in India as if they had been passed by the local courts in India. Section 44A provides the law on the subject of execution of decrees of Courts in India by foreign Courts and vice versa. The other countries “reciprocating territories” are: United Kingdom, Singapore, The report has revealed that a majority Bangladesh, Malaysia, Trinidad & of countries are showing little to no Tobago, New Zealand, the Cook Islands improvement in tackling corruption. (including Niue) and the Trust Territories The 2019 CPI draws on 13 surveys and of Western Samoa, Hong Kong, Papua expert assessments to measure public New Guinea, Fiji, Aden are the some of sector corruption in 180 countries and the countries which have reciprocating territories, giving each a score from zero territories. (highly corrupt) to 100 (very clean).
st 60th Tiruvalluvar statue in Cambodia India Opens 1 Mahatma Gandhi on behalf of the World Tamil Convention Centre in Niger Association India’s Minister of External Affairs (MEA) Shri Subrahmanyam Jaishankar and The 60th Tiruvalluvar Statue will Nigerian President Mahamadou Issoufau be installed in Cambodia on April inaugurated the first convention centre 2020 on behalf of the VGP World in Africa namely “Mahatma Gandhi Tamil Association. To establish the convention centre” (MGICC) established Thiruvalluvar statue in the Cultural at the state of Niger in Western Africa by Office premises in Cambodia from 1st to India to honour the memory of 150th Birth 6th of April. A group of about 50 Tamil Anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi.This writers, headed by Dr. VG Santhosam, is the 1st centre established in Africa by will be attending the ceremony. India under grant assistance.
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Ganga-Volga Dialogue held with TN CM unveils Direct CTO scheme for Russia to enhance Connectivity green category industries
The Ganga-Volga Dialogue was held Tamil Nadu government announced between India and Russia in New Delhi. a new initiative, ‘Direct CTO’, to The dialogue focused in providing enable companies operating under interface between the civilizations of the ‘green category industries’ receive countries. faster clearances from government to Highlights commence operations. The dialogue prioritized people-to- The move would largely benefit micro, people contact. According to Russia, small and medium enterprises planning the dialogue acted as a good platform to set up operations in the state, to mark for its policy of “Greater Eurasia”. 125 years of trade body Confederation of Theme: Connectivity Indian Industry (CII). The pollution index of any industrial India, France to partner on museums sector is a number from 0 to 100 and the India and France will work together in increasing value of PI refers to the degree the field of museums, cultural spaces of pollution load from the industries. and research, and a joint working group ‘Red’ category industries are those which will be established for this purpose, the have a pollution index score of 60 and Ministry of Culture. above, ‘orange’ category is with 41 to 59, ‘green’ category industrial sectors are of China is the world’s 2nd -biggest 21 to 40 and ‘white’ category industries weapons producer are from 0 to 20. As per the report by the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI) has suggested that China is the world’s second largest producer of munitions behind the United States and ahead of Russia. The data which covered the period from 2015 to 2017.
52 Vetrii IAS Study Circle Vetrii's Current Affairs, January - 2020 Tamilnadu Affairs 8. TAMILNADU AFFAIRS
Amma Youth Sports Scheme launched vegetables, fisheries, dairy, poultry and The scheme will be implemented in meat by encouraging private investment all 12,524 gram panchayats and 528 and are expected to generate substantial panchayat unions. employment in rural areas.
The Amma Youth Sports Scheme The Mega Food Parks would be announced by Chief Minister Edappadi established in Theni, Virudhunagar, K.Palaniswami in the Assembly in July, Tuticorin, Erode, Cuddalore, Salem, last year has made strides in Jolarpet, Dindigul, Tirunelveli, Tiruvannamalai Sholingur, Arni and Cheyyar. and Krishnagiri districts. The scheme was launched by Minister for Govt to try intra-state portability of Commercial Taxes and Registration, K.C. ration cards on pilot basis Veeramani and Labour Welfare Minister Nilofer Kafeel in Mandalawadi village of According to the GO, ration cardholders the Jolarpet block. can purchase food grain from any ration List of Sports under Amma Youth shops in the state. Initially, the scheme Sport Program are Kabaddi, Football, would be tested in Tirunelveli and Volleyball, Cricket. Thoothukudi districts on a pilot basis and once it is successful the scheme would be Tamil Nadu government to set up extended to the entire state. mega food parks across state To facilitate smooth flow of intra-state The Tamil Nadu government would soon portability in the state, 20 percentage of set up mega food parks that would lead to additional allotment has to be made in creation of jobs in rural areas of the state, addition to the excess entitlement Deputy Chief Minister O Panneerselvam. The Central government is ambitiously In addition to the proposed Mega pursuing ‘One Nation One Ration Card’ food parks, an ‘Ultra Mega Food Park’ despite the Opposition parties criticising would also be set up on a 450-acre land them. Even the state government has at Pelakuppam village in Villupuram accepted to implement the scheme and it district. is likely to come into force in June. The mega food parks would evolve as hubs for food processing in fruits and
Vetrii IAS Study Circle 53 Tamilnadu Affairs Vetrii's Current Affairs, January - 2020 Mega Mohiniyattamevent in Thrissur DLF to invest Rs 5,000 crore to ‘Ekatmakam’, a mega Mohiniyattam develop 6.8 million sq ft IT park in event, will be held at Thekkinkadu Chennai Maidan in Thrissur. The event, in which Singapore’s sovereign fund GIC, is 6,000 dancers will take part, is organized planning to invest Rs 5,000 crore to with an aim to enter the Guinness World develop a 6.8 million sq ft information Records. technology park in Chennai, making the south India city its second largest market Eco-farms across Tamil Nadu set to after Gurugram. be new tourist hotspots The project, DLF Downtown Taramani spread over 27 acre is a joint venture An eco-park at Courtallam, a giant with Tamilnadu Industrial Development orchard at Karumandurai near Salem, a Corporation (TIDCO). a farm in Thandikudi in Kodaikanal, a farm at Devala in the Nilgiris and one in Kallar near Mettupalayam, developed by the horticulture department.
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