National News
1. Crocodile population rises In Bhitarkanika National Park
The number of crocodiles in Bhitarkanika National Park in Odisha Kendrapara district has increased as per the findings of the latest headcount of the reptiles.At least 1,757 salt-water crocodiles including albino species were counted this year along the water-bodies of Mahanadi deltaic region while the census figure recorded last year stood at 1,742, said Divisional Forest Officer, Rajnagar Mangrove (wildlife) Forest Division, BikashRanjan Das.
Though the estuarine crocodiles are also found in West Bengals Sundarbans and Andaman Islands, the density of croc population is more in Bhitarkanika.The latest census figure of these animals has come out with an encouraging trend of rise in the number of estuarine crocodiles.Four giant male crocodiles measuring more than 20-feet long were sighted by enumerators. This included a 21-foot long crocodile that finds a pride of place in the Guinness book of record as the world's largest living crocodile.The breakup of crocodiles sighted is Hatchlings-620, Yearlings-325, juveniles-288, sub-adults-185, adults-339, said the census report.The region is criss-crossed by innumerable water inlets, creeks and nullahs all forming the part of the Bhitarkanika river system.The enumerators extensively covered vulnerable riverside villages where reports of man-croc conflict had reached a flashpoint in recent past. However, the sighting of these reptiles was few and far.Four decades ago when the Government of India and UNDP thought of saving crocodiles, there were hardly three to four nests detected in the area while the population of salt-water crocodiles in Bhitarkanika area was estimated to be 95, including 34 adults. Now, the population has swollen to 1,757.Since 1977, salt-water crocodile eggs have also been collected locally, and young crocodiles have been released in the creeks and the estuaries.
2. Meghalaya Assembly ratifies bill to extend reservation to SC, ST
The Meghalaya Assembly ratified a bill to extend reservation to Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes in the LokSabha and state assemblies for another 10 years.The Assembly ratified the Constitution (126th) Amendment Bill, 2019 after members of the House unanimously passed a resolution brought by the state government.The bill relates to extension of quota for Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes in LokSabha and State Assemblies.
3. Home Minister Amit Shah digitally launches project VISHWAS and CYBER AASHVAST
Union Home Minister Amit shah digitally launched project VISHWAS and CYBER AASHVAST at Mahatma Mandir in Gandhinagar.Vishwas is acronym for Video Integration and State Wide Advanced Security. First of its kind project in the country, VISHWAS is a major e-governance initiative.
The project aims at improving Law and Order Management, Proactive traffic management and control, Crime detection through video analytics and Post incident Investigation and video forensics.To make cyberspace safe, Gujarat Police has brought the cyber-security solution to common man through Cyber AASHVAST Project, which is a helpline for cyber crime victims.
4. Chhattisgarh CM launched ‘RojgarSangi’, a mobile app to connect trained candidates with jobs
Chhattisgarh CM BhupeshBaghel launched ‘RojgarSangi’, a mobile app to help skilled and trained candidates find jobs.The app was developed with the help of National Informatics Centre which will benefit 7 lakh students who were trained under the 705 courses offered by CSSDA. The information of trained youths from more than 400 courses have been incorporated in the app.
The app was developed with the help of the National Informatics Centre to help skilled and trained candidates find jobs.. When someone in your geographical region searches for a specific service that matches yours, we notify you.
5. Kerala govt challenges Citizenship Act in SC
Kerala became the first state to move the Supreme Court challenging the Citizenship (Amendment) Act, 2019, which was notified on 10 January.The plea, filed under Article 131 of the Constitution on disputes between the Centre and states, said the Act violates the right to equality under Article 14 of the Constitution of India, right to life under Article 21, and freedom to practise religion under Article 25.The petition was filed by advocate G. Prakash, the standing counsel for the Kerala government.
The Kerala government in its petition has also sought directions to declare the Passport (Entry to India) Amendment Rules, 2015, and Foreigners (Amendment) Order, 2015, to be “ultra vires the Constitution of India and to be void".The petitioner has claimed that the amendments to the passport rules and the foreign order results in classifications based on religion and that the classification is “apparently and manifestly discriminatory, arbitrary, unreasonable and having no rational nexus with the object sought to be achieved".
Article 131 vests the Supreme Court with original jurisdiction over any dispute arising between the states or between the centre and state. The article gives the Supreme Court the power to take up such cases straight instead of going through a lower court or reviewing a lower court’s judgement.Article 131 can be invoked by a state whenever there is a difference of opinion between the centre and state on the question of interpretation of the Constitution, which will affect the exercise of government powers that are attributes of a state.
6. Maharashtra CM launches first girder of India’s longest sea-bridge
Marking a significant milestone, Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray launched the first girder for the country’s longest sea-bridge, the Mumbai Trans Harbour Link (MTHL)in Sewri.
The girder weighing 1,000 tonnes was set off by a 1,400-tonnes ‘launching girder’ and mark the erection of the first span in the civilian works of the MTHL.The MTHL, the second road link cutting through the Arabian Sea in the island city’s eastern coast, will connect the mainland with Sewri and Chirle respectively.It is expected to be completed by 2022 and slash the travel time between Mumbai and Navi Mumbai from existing 100-odd minutes to barely 30 minutes.
The total bridge will be 22 kms long of which 16.5 kms will run in the sea, with interchanges on both sides, making it the longest sea-bridge in India, and second after the Rajiv Gandhi BandraWorli Sea Link, which is now being extended up to Andheri.The MTHL will be connected to the new international airport coming up in Navi Mumbai, the Jawaharlal Nehru Port Trust, the country’s first expressway, the Mumbai-Pune Expressway, Mumbai-Goa Highway and provide faster access to north Maharashtra and southern India.
Conceived over 45 years ago, the project was finally cleared by former Chief Minister PrithvirajChavan in 2012 and after securing all clearances, Prime Minister NarendraModi had laid the foundation stone for the MTHL in December 2016.
7. Minister Dr. Chowdhary to launch High School Portal ‘Aspire’
The Minister for School Education Dr. Prabhuram Choudhary launched portal ‘Aspire’ that has been prepared with the help of UNICEF for the students of class 9th to 12th of the government schools.The ‘Aspire’ is in fact a future opportunity portal. Information pertaining to college fee, subjects, admission procedure etc. of all the colleges of national and state level can be obtained from this portal. Students by self login on this portal can gather information as regards subjects of their own interest.
8. Govt releases Rare Disease Policy draft, proposes to give Rs 15 lakh help
The government will provide a financial support of up to Rs 15 lakh under its Rashtriya Arogya Nidhi scheme for one-time treatment of rare diseases, according to the much awaited draft Rare Diseases Policy.
Under the draft National Policy for Rare Diseases released, beneficiaries would not be limited to Below Poverty Line families, but will also cover 40 percent of the population eligible as per norms of the Ayushman Bharat-PradhanMantri Jan ArogyaYojana for their treatment in government tertiary hospitals only.
Rare diseases are severe and chronic illnesses and often life-threatening. Patients suffering from rare diseases, especially Lysosomal Storage Disorders (LSDs), often lead a very incapacitating life.There are about 50 LSDs out of which only five have approved treatment options available in India. The Ministry of Health had formulated a National Policy for Treatment of Rare Diseases (NPTRD) in July, 2017.Rare diseases categorised under Group 1, such as Lysosomal Storage Disorders (LSDs), immune deficiency disorders, chronic granulomatous disease, osteopetrosis, Fabry's disease and liver or kidney transplant, will be funded under the scheme.
The policy cited "resource constraints" to provide financial assistance to rare diseases like Gaucher's disease, Spinal Muscular Atrophy, Hurler Syndrome and Wolman disease that require lifelong treatment.
9. Organic Turmeric to Weed Out Marijuana in Malkangiri
Recently, the Malkangiri district administration, Odisha has initiated a project to divert the region’s tribals from illegal marijuana cultivation by promoting organic turmeric as a profitable cash crop.Organic turmeric will weed out the marijuana cultivation in remote areas of SwabhimanAnchal in Malkangiri.This move comes after a survey, conducted in 2019 by the Malkangiri district administration.
It revealed that almost all tribal families grow turmeric for their consumption but not for commercial purposes.
The district has a suitable climate and geographical conditions so organic turmeric can become the tool of economic development for poor tribals as well as a cash crop alternative of marijuana.
It is estimated that each acre of organic turmeric can provide ₹70,000 to 80,000 income to the farmers.
The project has been implemented by the Horticulture and Agriculture Departments. Interested farmers have been registered for scientific training.
10. Arunachal to start red-listing of orchids
Arunachal Pradesh has become the first state in the country to initiate the International Union for Conservation of Nature’s (IUCN) ‘red listing’ at the state level. The IUCN’s Red List of Threatened Species is a critical indicator of the health of the world’s biodiversity. A powerful tool to inform and catalyze action for biodiversity conservation and policy change, it is critical in protecting the natural resources. The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species, is the world’s most comprehensive inventory of the global conservation status of plant and animal species.
11. Postal Ballot now for PwDs and super Senior Citizens too
Person with disabilities(PwDs) and people over 80 years of age can now cast their vote in Delhi Assembly Election through postal ballot.For the first time, Delhi Metro, Northern Railway Employees and media persons covering polling can also use postal ballot facility to cast their votes.Till now, voting through postal ballot was available to armed forces and those assigned in poll duties. Employees of essential service can fill the form 12(D) and submit it to avail the postal ballot facility.
12. Centre asks states to set up monitoring centres for vehicle tracking system
After observing little progress on setting up monitoring centres by states for implementation of vehicle tracking system, the Centre has stepped in to ensure effective implementation of the project under the Nirbhaya Framework with an assistance of Rs 332 crore.
In a letter to Principal Secretaries and Transport Commissioners of states and Union territories, Ministry of Road Transport and Highways has asked them to apply for the assistance by February 15.The ministry earlier had mandated vehicle location tracking (VLT) device and emergency buttons be fitted in all public service vehicle w e f from April 1, 2018, which was re-examined and it was decided to give exemption to all public service vehicles that were registered till December 31, 2018 (old vehicles) from these requirements till the time as notified by state/UT governments.All public service vehicles registered on or after January 1, 2019 must be fitted with VLT device and emergency buttons.However, little progress was observed on state''s parts, the communication said, adding under the project now 37 states / UTs have been divided into four categories, and the Centre would provide 60 per cent assistance for states, which do not fall in difficult terrain, while 90 per cent to states under difficult terrains and 100 per cent in case of UTs.
The total project will cost about Rs 463.90 crore out of which central assistance will be to the tune of Rs 332.24 crore.The objective of the project is to improve safety of women and children in public service vehicles through the implementation of CMVR (Central Motor Vehicles Rules) 125H.
Accordingly, all the specified public service vehicles will be equipped with VLT devices with multiple emergency buttons for requesting emergency response.It added that the states and UTs will set up monitoring centres for watch out alerts and emergency buttons etc.
Nirbhaya Framework was issued for steps for safety of women in the wake of the December 2012 Nirbhaya case, in which six people had gang-raped a 23-year-old physiotherapy intern in a moving bus, which had sparked a countrywide protest.
13. CM Vijay Rupani launches 7th Economic Census process in Gujarat
Gujarat Chief Minister Vijay Rupani has launched the 7th Economic Census process in the state.
The Economic Census process is being carried out by the Union Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation with the help of Common Service Centres.
Nearly 40 thousand enumerators will use mobile applications for the first time to gather information under the guidance of 6,500 supervisors.
They will personally visit door to door for basic information like members of the family, their economic activity, whether it is shop, office or factory. It will continue till 30th June 2020. The entire data will be compiled by 30th September 2020.
14. Govt inks pact, 34,000 Bru-Reang refugees to settle in Tripura
Ending the 23-year-old Bru-Reang refugee crisis, central government signed an agreement with Tripura, Mizoram and representatives from the community in New Delhi.The NarendraModi-led government will dole out a package of Rs 600 crore to Tripura for the rehabilitation and all round development of these tribes who had fled Mizoram to settle in the state because of ethnic tension.
The agreement, which was presided over by Shah, has been reached after detailed discussions with the state governments of Mizoram and Tripura and the representatives of Bru tribes.
These people would now get all the rights that normal residents of these states get and they would now be able to enjoy the benefits of social welfare schemes of central and State governments.
Under the new arrangement, each of the displaced families would be given 40x30 sq.ft residential plots, fixed deposit of Rs 4 lakhs, Rs 5,000 cash aid a month for two years, free ration for two years and Rs 1.5 lakhs aid to build their house.The government of Tripura would provide land to these people under this agreement.Nearly 5,000 families, comprising about 30,000 Bru-Reang Tribes, fled Mizoram following an ethnic tension and took shelter in Tripura in 1997.The government was assisting the two states for rehabilitating the refugees. By 2014, 1,622 families returned to Mizoram in different batches.
15. NDFB calls truce, signs pact with Centre & Assam
National Democratic Front of Bodoland, a banned insurgent group fighting for a sovereign land for Bodo people, has signed a tripartite agreement with the central and Assam govts to suspend operations. As per the truce, the NDFB faction led by B Saoraigwra will give up violence and join peace talks with the government. Founded as Boro Security Force on Oct 3, 1986 under Daimary, the separatist outfit renamed itself as NDFB on Nov 25, 1994.
16. Aadhaar must to get government compensation for victims of terror
The Centre has made Aadhaar mandatory for civilian victims of terror, Naxal and communal violence who want to claim financial assistance. Government officials said Aadhaar will simplify the procedure of availing benefit of such schemes.Any eligible beneficiary desirous of receiving benefit under the scheme, who do not possess the Aadhaar number or, has not yet enrolled for Aadhaar, shall have to apply for Aadhaar enrolment. Till Aadhaar is assigned, benefit under the scheme shall be given if the beneficiary produces the Aadhaar enrolment identification slip and any other valid government ID.In order to provide convenient and hassle-free benefit to the beneficiary under the scheme, the ministry through the implementing agency or other means shall make all the required arrangements to ensure that wide publicity through media is given to the beneficiary to make them aware of the requirement of Aadhaar under the scheme. The home ministry said the notification comes into effect in all states and UTs except Assam and Meghalaya.
17. HURL launches ‘Apna Urea - SonaUgle’ brand
Union Minister for Chemicals and Fertilizers, DV SadanandaGowda launched the ‘Apna Urea - SonaUgle’ brand of Hindustan Urvarak & Rasayan Limited (HURL).
HURL is a joint venture company promoted by the three Maharatna companies; Coal India (CIL), National Thermal Power Corporation (NTPC) and Indian Oil Corporation Limited (IOCL) as the lead promoters with Fertilizer Corporation of India (FCIL) and Hindustan Fertilizer Corporation (HFCL) as other two partners.With the objective of making the country self-reliant in urea, the Government had approved in 2016 the revival of three sick urea plants located at Gorakhpur, Sindri and Barauni. The task of the revival of these three units has been undertaken by HURL. India is importing 70-80 LMT fertiliser every year. After the commissioning of these five units, the total production of urea will increase by 63.5 Lakh Metric TonnePer Annum (LMTPA).
The commissioning of the HURL’s three units in the states of Uttar Pradesh, Bihar and Jharkhand will open forward and backward linkages for business activity in the eastern part of India. It will be instrumental in opening new avenues for generation of income and employment in the eastern part of our country.The other two urea units being revived are Ramagundam unit by Ramagundam Fertilizers & Chemicals Limited (RFCL), a joint venture of National Fertilizers Limited (NFL), Engineers India (EIL) and Fertilizer Corporation of India (FCIL), and Talcher unit by Talcher Fertilizers Limited (TFL), a joint venture of Rashtriya Chemicals & Fertilizers (RCF), CIL, GAIL& FCIL.
India’s average urea import is to the tune 63.12 LMT while the average total production of urea in the country is around 241 LMT and the total consumption is 305.48 LMT approximately. The gap is fulfilled through imports.
18. World's tallest statue 'Statue of Unity' included in '8 Wonders of SCO' list
The 182-meter tall Statue of Unity in Gujarat has been included in the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation's '8 Wonders of SCO' list.
The 'Statue of Unity', the world's tallest statue, is a monumental tribute to SardarVallabhbhai Patel, independent India's first home minister as well as deputy prime minister.The statue was inaugurated in October 2018 by Prime Minister NarendraModi on the occasion of Patel's 143rd birth anniversary.
19. WHO includes an Indian diagnostic test in its global TB programme
In a significant development, WHO Global Tuberculosis Programme has included an Indian molecular assay as initial test for detecting the disease and for identifying resistant strains of the TB bacteria.The assay named TrueNet has been included in the rapid communication document on Molecular Assays released by WHO’s Global TB Programme. It is a new molecular test that diagnosed TB as well as tests for resistance to the drug rifampicin in about 90 minutes. The development is a fruition of efforts on the part of Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) to promote indigenous technologies for diagnosis of TB and multidrug and extensively drug resistant TB (MDR/ XDR TB).
The TrueNat assay kit is highly cost effective as compared to the globally accepted GeneXpert test and can be used in peripheral centres without an air-conditioned laboratory. It also runs on battery, which can be solar powered.
Economy, Business and DefenceNews
1. In naval landmark, Tejas lands on aircraft carrier INS Vikramaditya
In a major landmark for indigenous Indian aviation, the naval version of the Tejas light combat aircraft (LCA) landed for the first time on an aircraft carrier, INS Vikramaditya.This takes India into a select group of nations — the US, UK, Russia, France, and China — that have developed aircraft capable of landing and taking off from the severely constrained confines of an aircraft carrier deck, which is barely 200 metres long. During World War II, Japan too had developed carrier-capable fighters, but has not done so thereafter.The single-engine LCA Navy Mark I that landed will not be inducted into naval service, being short on power and, therefore, fuel and weapons carriage capacity. The navy is waiting for a twin-engine LCA Navy Mark 2, with the engine power to get airborne with more fuel and weapons, which will provide greater punch and a longer operating range. The current Mark 1 is a test bed for developing the aviation systems that will go into the Mark 2.
The ADA refers to the Mark 2 version as the Twin Engine Deck Based Fighter (TED-BF). The ADA says it is targeting the first flight by 2025-26 and induction into service by 2031, when it will start to replace the Russian-origin MiG-29K/KUB fighters that currently fly off INS Vikramaditya.
With the current LCA Navy Mark 1’s single General Electric (GE) F-404 engine replaced by two, more powerful, GE F-414 engines, the TED-BF will be a bigger and more heavily armed fighter.
The MiG-29 will also fly off INS Vikrant, India’s first indigenous aircraft carrier that is due to be commissioned in 2021. In addition, the navy is pursuing the procurement of 57 medium fighters to equip the Vikrant, and a second indigenous aircraft carrier called INS Vishal, which is currently on the drawing board.
2. Isro's communication satellite GSAT-30 to launch on Jan 17 from French territory Ariane
India would launch a communication satellite GSAT-30 onboard Ariane-5 launch vehicle (VA 251) from French Guiana on January 17. It is a 3,357-kg satellite and is slated to blast off from the Ariane Launch Complex at Kourou, a French territory located along the northeastern coast of South America.GSAT-30 will be a replacement to INSAT-4A spacecraft services with enhanced coverage.The satellite provides Indian mainland and islands coverage in Ku-band and extended coverage in C-band covering Gulf countries, a large number of Asian countries and Australia.
With a mission life of 15 years, GSAT-30 is an operational communication satellite for DTH, television uplink and VSAT services.
3. CCI to probe Amazon, Flipkart for deep discounts, preferred sellers model
Ahead of Amazon founder and CEO Jeff Bezos’ visit, the Competition Commission of India (CCI) has ordered investigation against Amazon and Walmart-owned Flipkart on complaints of deep discounting practices and tie-ups with preferred sellers. The CCI has directed the DG office to complete the probe within 60 days.
4. Fuel conservation mega campaign of PCRA Saksham 2020 launched
'Saksham', an annual one-month long fuel conservation mega campaign of Petroleum Conservation Research Association (PCRA) under the aegis of Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas, was launched by Dr. M.M Kutty, Secretary, Ministry of Petroleum& Natural Gas in a function held in Delhi.
'Saksham' a flagship program of PCRA and Oil PSUs under the guidance of the Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas is an initiative for adding value to the various efforts being made in the country for saving fuel.
5. Bharti AXA General gets Irdai nod for two products under regulatory sandbox framework
Private non-life insurer Bharti AXA General Insurance has received nod from the Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority of India (Irdai) for its two products under the regulatory sandbox framework.The two proposed products, usage-based motor insurance in the non-life insurance category and short-term health insurance in the health segment, have been shortlisted by the regulator for its sandbox framework. IRDAI has selected only 33 out of 173 applications under health, non-life and distribution segments for the regulatory sandbox, which allows insurers and technology companies to collaboratively experiment with new products along with unique customer propositions on a live audience under the supervision of the regulator.
6. Hallmarking of gold jewellery mandatory now
It has now become mandatory for all jewellers to hallmark gold jewellery. The Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution issued a notification on January 14 stating that it will give one year's time to jewellers and retailers to register themselves with the Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) and clear their old stock. The purpose of making hallmarking mandatory for Gold Jewelry and Artefacts is to ensure that consumers are not cheated while buying gold ornaments and get the purity as marked on the ornaments, they are better informed about the purity of Gold which will now be in only 3 caratage i.e. 14, 18 and 22 and corruption is removed."
BIS, a government body, certifies the purity of gold and this process of certifying the purity of gold is called hallmarking. There are four components that one should look for on the hallmarked gold jewellery to ensure the purity of gold:
- BIS Mark;
- Purity in Karat and fineness;
- Assaying and Hallmarking Centre's identification mark/number;
- Jeweller's Identification mark/number
7. Defence Minister Rajnath Singh flags off 51st K9 VAJRA-T gun from L&T complex in Gujarat
Defence Minister Rajnath Singh flagged off 51st K9 VAJRA-T Gun from Larsen & Toubro (L&T) Armoured System Complex at Hazira in Gujarat.
Rajnath Singh termed K9 VAJRA-T Gun as the best example of 'Make in India' in defence.
L&T Defence is currently executing the K9 VAJRA-T Tracked, Self-Propelled Howitzer Guns programme - the contract awarded to the company by the Ministry of Defence (MoD) through global competitive bidding.
8. Beware of juice jacking – A new way to steal your data.
The power/data cable that we see in public charging stations, provides unauthorized access to attackers during the charging process; leveraging illegitimate access to get our personal information taken away. This is known as Juice Jacking – a type of cyber attack which originates from USB charging ports installed at public places such as airports, cafes, bus stands, etc. Once the device is plugged-in and connection is established, it either installs malware or secretly copies sensitive data from a smartphone, tablet, or any other computer device.
State Bank of India (SBI) issued a warning to its customers about this deadly mobile malware. The two most common harm that juice jacking can do are Data theft and Malware installation.
9. Winged Raider: Indian Army’s largest airborne exercise-500 troops participate
The Indian Army recently carried out its biggest Airborne Exercise in the North Eastern Theatre which involved large number of the Special Forces troops and all kind of air transport platforms of the Air Force.More than 500 soldiers of Special Forces troops parachuted from C 130 Hercules, C 17 Globemaster and Dhruv helicopters during day and night. The Exercise was code-named ‘Winged Raider’ signifying the multi dimensional nature of the exercise. Exercise Winged Raider demonstrated the operational readiness of our Paratroopers and Air Warriors to undertake airborne missions.
10. World Bank and Government of India Sign $88 million loan agreement for the implementation of Assam Inland Water Transport Project
The Government of India, the Government of Assam and the World Bank signed a loan agreement of $88 million to help modernize Assam’s passenger ferry sector that runs on its rivers including the mighty Brahmaputra. The Assam Inland Water Transport Project (AIWTP) will help Assam improve the passenger ferry infrastructure and its services and strengthen the capacity of the institutions running the inland water transport. Technically better designed terminals and energy-efficient vessels (both new and retrofitted) will make the ferry services more sustainable with least disruption to nature.
The project will support the Government of Assam’s efforts to corporatise its own ferry activities. The Assam Shipping Company (ASC) will operate the government ferries and the Assam Ports Company (APC) will provide terminals and terminal services on a common-user basis to both public and private ferry operators.Inland Water Transport is also a more sustainable mode of transport. It provides low-carbon and low-cost options when compared to the cost of constructing and maintaining flood-resilient roads and bridges across the long stretches of the Brahmaputra river.Loan of $88 million from the International Bank for Reconstruction and Development (IBRD) has a final maturity of 14.5 years including a grace period of five years.
11. CPCB issues fresh guidelines for setting up new petrol pumps
The Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) has recently issued guidelines to establish petrol pumps. These instructions have been issued because of the poor impact of petrol pumps on the environment. The Central Pollution Control Board has issued new guidelines keeping in view the directives of the National Green Tribunal.According to these guidelines, any petrol pump can’t be established in 50 meters radius of a school, hospital or residential area. CPCB also asked the concerned authorities to issue challans if violations of rules are found. All these oil companies have been directed to install the Vapor Recovery System (VRS) at all those stations where about 300-kilo liters of oil is sold every month.The State Pollution Regulatory Board will impose an environmental penalty equal to the price of VRS in case of non-installation of VRS.
12. SC rejects telcos' plea for new schedule for AGR payments, slams DoT
In a major setback for the telecom companies, the Supreme Court rejected the plea seeking a new schedule of AGR payments. Coming down heavily on the Department of Telecommunications (DoT) for not taking coercive action against telcos for failing to repay, the apex court ordered contempt proceedings against BhartiAirtel and Vodafone Idea.
13. Microsoft launches Edge browser on Windows and macOS
Microsoft has officially announced the launch of the first "stable" version of its new Edge Chromium browser for both the Mac and Windows platforms.Microsoft is initially targeting Edge at enterprise users of Windows and macOS, but consumers will be able to manually download and install it.
14. India’s communication satellite GSAT-30 launched successfully
India’s latest communication satellite GSAT-30 was successfully launched from the Spaceport in French Guiana during the early hours today.The launch vehicle Ariane 5 VA-251 lifted off from Kourou Launch Base, French Guiana carrying India’s GSAT-30 and EUTELSAT KONNECT for Eutelsat, as scheduled. With a lift-off mass of 3357 kg, GSAT-30 will provide continuity to operational services on some of the in-orbit satellites. GSAT-30 derives its heritage from ISRO’s earlier INSAT/GSAT satellite series and replaces INSAT-4A in orbit.
15. NITI Aayog and UT of Ladakh sign MoU to promote development in Ladakh
NITI Aayog and Union Territory of Ladakh sign MoU for Development of Infrastructure Projects in Ladakh. It was signed between NITI Aayog Senior Adviser DrYogeshSuri and Adviser to the Lieutenant Governor of LadakhUmangNarula. The agreement was executed in the presence of NITI Aayog CEO Amitabh Kant.Under this agreement, NITI Aayog will be supporting the UT’s administration through its key initiative ‘Development Support Services to States for Infrastructure Projects (D3S-i)’. In an important initiative to promote the development of key infrastructure sectors in the newly constituted Union Territory of Ladakh.
NITI Aayog will identify high-impact projects, It will expedite project implementation, addressing structural-level issues and creating unique models of development for the Union Territory of Ladakh.
The main purpose of D3S-i projects is creating PPP (Public Private Partnership) projects. In 2018, phase I of the project was completed. In phase I, 10 projects were selected from 400 projects that were submitted by the states. In phase II, which was completed in the year 2018-19, the selected projects entered the transaction stage.
16. All S-400 missiles to be delivered to India by 2025: Russian deputy chief of mission
Russian Deputy Chief of Mission Roman Babushkin said all S-400 air defence missile systems will be delivered to India by 2025.The production of S-400 missiles to be delivered to India has started.External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar will visit Russia on March 22 and March 23 to attend a meeting of the Russia-Indian-China trilateral. The S-400, an upgraded version of the S-300, had previously only been available to the Russian defence forces.It is manufactured by Almaz-Antey and has been in service in Russia since 2007.
17. NIC sets up ‘Centre of Excellence in Blockchain Technology’ in Bengaluru
The National Informatics Centre(NIC) will set up a block chain technology centre in Bengaluru. The Centre aims to provide BlockChain as a service to all the stakeholders who are interested in shared experiences, learning and resources.
It will also share its block chain-based proof of concepts with selected government entities.
The centre will also act to help different wings of the government understand the potential of the technology.
18. Naredco launches e-commerce portal HousingForAll.com
The National Real Estate Development Council (Naredco) announced the launch of India’s first e-commerce housing portal ‘HousingForAll.Com’, to give a boost to the ‘Housing for all’ and ‘Digital India’ initiatives.
The e-commerce housing portal -- which was launched by DurgaShanker Mishra, Secretary, Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs (MoHUA) -- will host a 45-day all-India online home-buying festival for ready-to-move-in homes, with around 1,000 projects to be listed.
19. Sahyog-Kaijin-India-Japan joint exercise for Coast Guards
On January 16, 2020, India and Japan took part in a joint exercise called “Sahyog-Kaijin”. The exercise was held between the coastal guards of the counties at Chennai port.
The Japanese ship Ehigo and 4 ships of Indian Coast Guard participated in the exercise. The coast guards conducted the scenario of capture of a hijack
The Japanese and Indian coast guards conducted a joint drill in waters off Chennai, southern India.The 18th such exercise between the two nations comes at a time when China is expanding its maritime presence in waters near India. Members of the coast guards trained on how to deal with fires as well as an attempted occupation of a ship by pirates
People in News
1. Tsai Ing-wen wins landslide in Taiwan presidential election
Tsai Ing-wen has secured a second term in office in Taiwan after winning the presidential election with 57.1 percent of the votes. She was ahead of her main rival Han Kuo-yu who bagged 5.52 million votes (38.6 percent) and James Soong of the conservative People First Party with 600,000 votes (4.26 percent).
2. SayyidHaitham bin Tariq al Said took over as Sultan of Oman
SayyidHaitham bin Tariq al Said has taken over as Sultan of Oman. He will succeed Sultan Qaboos bin Said who passed away recently. The Sultan is the prime decision-maker in Oman and also holds the portfolio of Prime Minister, supreme commander of the armed forces, minister of foreign affairs, minister of finance and minister of defence.
Sultan Qaboos bin Said was a charismatic and visionary leader who transformed Oman into a modern and prosperous nation. He has been ruling Oman since 1970.
3. Government appoints Michael Patra as RBI Deputy Governor
The government has appointed Michael Patra as the Deputy Governor of the Reserve Bank of India (RBI). Patra, who is already a member of the Monetary Policy Committee (MPC), will replace Viral Acharya, who left the post in July 2019. He will be the fourth Deputy Governor of the central bank.Patra is also the executive director of the Monetary Policy Department. He is expected to take over the monetary policy portfolio, which was previously managed by Acharya, according to media reports.
At the last MPC meet, Patra had, along with the other members, voted for a pause in RBI's key interest rates. He was earlier widely considered an "inflation-hawk".
4. Captain Tania Shergill, first woman army officer to become parade adjutant for Republic Day; will also lead all-men contingent on Army Day
Captain Tania Shergill, an officer with Army's Corps of Signals, will be the first woman parade adjutant for the Republic Day parade. A parade adjutant is responsible for the parade.
Commissioned in March, 2017, from the Officer Training Academy, Chennai, Shergill is an electronics and communications graduate.
Shergill, a fourth generation woman army officer will break a glass ceiling when she becomes the first female to lead an all-men contingent at the Army Day Parade to be held on 15 January.In 2019 during Republic Day parade, Captain Bhavana Kasturi was the first woman officer to lead an all-men contingent.
5. IPS officer A P Maheshwari appointed CRPF DG
IPS officer AnandPrakashMaheshwari took over as the new director general of the CRPF, the world's largest paramilitary force with about 3.25 lakh personnel.The 1984-batch officer of Uttar Pradesh cadre took charge from ITBP Director General S SDeswal, who was holding the charge in an additional capacity.
The Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) is categorised as the lead internal security force of the country along with the primary task to conduct anti-Naxal operations and to undertake counter-terrorist operations in Jammu and Kashmir.
6. Indian advocate Harish Salve appointed as Queen's Counsel
Senior Indian Advocate Harish Salve has been appointed as the Queen's Counsel (QC) for the courts of England and Wales. The title of the Queen's Counsel is conferred upon those who have demonstrated particular skill and expertise in the legal field.
The Queen's Counsel (QC) refers to a group of senior lawyers, appointed from different Commonwealth countries during the reign of a female sovereign. During the reign of a male sovereign, the group is known as the King's Counsel (KC).
The special counsel enjoys the privilege of sitting within the Bar of court and wearing silk gowns of a special design. The special silk robes are the reason why the appointments to the Queen’s counsel are often called "taking silk" or as the silk appointments.
A lawyer is required to serve as a barrister or a Scottish advocate for at least 10 years in order to be appointed to the special counsel.
In January 2019, Indian advocate DipenSabharwal was appointed as the Queen’s Counsel.
7. Gujarat-cadre officer ManojShashidhar appointed CBI Joint Director
Senior IPS officer ManojShashidhar was appointed as Joint Director in the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI).Shashidhar, a 1994-batch IPS officer of the Gujarat cadre, has been appointed for a period of five years.He is currently serving in his cadre state of Gujarat.
International News
1. ‘Virtual human’ NEONs — how do they work
Among the most-discussed new concepts at the annual Consumer Electronics Show (CES) in Las Vegas this year was NEON. The first project of Samsung’s Star Labs, NEONs are being called the world’s first artificial humans. They look and behave like real humans, and could one day develop memories and emotions — though from behind a 4K display. Star Labs is headed by India-born scientist PranavMistry who underlines that what was showcased at CES was the product of just four months’ work. Star Labs is Samsung Technology & Advanced Research Labs (not to be confused with the fictional labs of DC Comics), an independent project funded by the Korean tech giant.
NEONs are computationally created virtual humans — the word derives from NEO (new) + humaN. There are two core technologies behind the virtual humans. First, there is the proprietary CORE R3 technology that drives the “reality, real time and responsiveness” behind NEONs. The company claims CORE R3 “leapfrogs in the domains of Behavioral Neural Networks, Evolutionary Generative Intelligence and Computational Reality”, and is “extensively trained” on how humans look, behave and interact.But in the end, it is like a rendition engine, converting the mathematical models to look like actual humans. At the moment the latency for response is less than a few milliseconds. CORE R3 can also connect to other domain-specific and value-added services like language kits.
The next stage will be SPECTRA, which will complement CORE R3 with the “spectrum of intelligence, learning, emotions and memory”. But SPECTRA is still in development, and is not expected before NEONWORLD 2020 later this year.
Virtual Assistants now learn from all the data they are plugged into. NEONs will be limited to what they know and learn. Their leaning could potentially be limited to the person they are catering to, and maybe her friends — but not the entire Internet. They will not be an interface for you to request a song, rather they will be a friend to speak to and share experiences with, says Star Labs.
2. Tibet passes law to make ‘ethnic unity’ mandatory.
The People’s Congress of Tibet passed a law that makes ethnic unity in the region mandatory, reflecting the significant role that the autonomous Himalayan region plays in its economic and social development. These regulations will come into effect from May 1 and are meant to “strengthen ethnic unity”.The law makes it clear that Tibet has been an inalienable part of China since ancient times and that it is the common responsibility of the people of all ethnic groups to safeguard national reunification and take a clear stand against separatism.There are more than 40 ethnic minorities in the region, which account for 95 per cent of Tibet’s population of over three million.
Like Tibet, Xinjiang is another region of China that houses multiple ethnic minorities. A similar legislation was passed there four years ago and in recent times, China has faced criticism for detaining at least a million Uighur and other Muslims, along with some ethnic Kazakhs and Uzbeks in “re-education camps” in Xinjiang, a region that has been claimed by China since 1949.
3. World's oceans were the warmest in 2019: Study
The world's oceans were the warmest in 2019 than any other time in the recorded human history -- especially between the surface and a depth of 2,000 metres, an international team of 14 scientists from 11 institutes has revealed, with a warning that global ocean temperature is not only increasing but speeding up.The past 10 years were the warmest on record for global ocean temperatures, with the past five years holding the highest record, said the authors in the study published in the journal Advances in Atmospheric Sciences -- with a call to action for humans to reverse climate change.2019 broke the previous records set in prior years for global warming, and the effects are already appearing in the form of more extreme weather, rising sea levels and harm to ocean animals.
According to the study, the 2019 ocean temperature is about 0.075 degrees Celsius above the 1981-2010 average. To reach this temperature, the ocean would have taken in 228,000,000,000,000,000,000,000 (228 Sextillion) Joules of heat.The Hiroshima atom-bomb exploded with an energy of about 63,000,000,000,000 Joules. The amount of heat we have put in the world''s oceans in the past 25 years equals to 3.6 billion Hiroshima atom-bomb explosions. Global ocean warming has caused marine heat waves in the Tasman Sea and other regions.
4. Taal volcano erupts in the Philippines
The Taal volcano erupted Sunday on the Philippine island of Luzon, spewing ash up to 9 miles in the air and forcing large-scale evacuations.The eruption has left behind a desolate landscape of destroyed houses and snapped trees covered in a thick layer of heavy ash.
Volcanologists warn that further eruptions are possible.
5. China operationalized world’s largest telescope-FAST
China operationalized the world's largest radio telescope in southwest China’s Guiyang city, the capital of Guizhou province. The FAST telescope was launched after three years of trial operation.
The Five-hundred-meter Aperture Spherical radio Telescope (FAST) telescope is with a diameter of half-a-kilometer. It is dubbed as China Sky Eye.
The device is expected to make major scientific discoveries.FAST is 2.5 times as sensitive as the second-largest telescope in the world.
It is capable of receiving a maximum of 38 gigabytes (GB) of information per second.
The receiving area of the telescope is around 30 football fields.
The cost of the telescope is around the US $170 million.
The telescope includes a 5 km radius as the core zone, 5 km to 10 km radius as the intermediate zone and a peripheral zone that covers 10 km to 30 km in radius.
6. Brazil to open new Antarctic research base
Brazil will open a new research base in Antarctica this week, eight years after a fire destroyed its original scientific outpost.The government invested nearly $100 million in the reconstruction of the ComandanteFerraz Antarctic Station, a 48,500-square-foot complex on King George Island, the largest in the South Shetland archipelago.
The base has been built on the site of the previous facility, which was largely razed in a 2012 fire caused by a fuel leak. Two Brazilian soldiers were killed in the blaze.
Scientific research continued in a temporary installation.Since it was established in 1984, the base has been used for research into meteorology, biology, chemistry and medicine.
The new center -- built by Chinese state-owned company CEIEC -- consists of 17 laboratories and accommodation for 64 people.About 30 countries, all members of the 1959 Antarctic Treaty, operate research bases in Antarctica. The pact aims to reduce the likelihood of confrontations over territorial disputes there.
Brazil joined the treaty in 1975.
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7. 3 African Nations Reach Preliminary Deal in Nile Dam Dispute
Officials from Egypt, Ethiopia and Sudan say they have reached a preliminary agreement aimed at clearing the way for the filling and operation of a $5 billion dam project on the Nile River. The project, called the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam, is around 70% complete and promises to provide much-needed electricity for Ethiopia’s more than 100 million people. However, Egyptian officials are concerned that filing the reservoir behind the dam too quickly could significantly reduce the amount of Nile water available to Egypt.
8. Russian Duma approves Putin pick, Mikhail Mishustin, as new Prime Minister
Russian assembly or the Duma approved Mikhail V. Mishustin as the new Prime Minister, a little-known technocrat picked by President Vladimir Putin, a day after the Cabinet resigned as part of an unexpected Kremlin shake-up.
Putin proposes major changes to the Russian Constitution that would spread political power more evenly, away from the president to the Parliament, the State Council and other government institutions.Analysts viewed the potential restructuring of Russia's political system, which surprised the country's political elite, as an effort by the President to ensure that he remains in power post-2024, even after his term ended.
Putin offered Mishustin to become the Prime Minister after Dmitri A. Medvedev, an ally of the former, resigned from the post saying that it would clear the way for the proposed constitutional changes. Putin appointed Medvedev deputy chairman of the country's Security Council, which advises the president.
9. Proposal for China Myanmar Economic Corridor
China’s President Xi Jinping will be visiting Myanmar to mark the 70th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and Myanmar.President’s visit will focus on the three pillars of the China Myanmar Economic Corridor (CMEC)— the Kyaukpyu Special Economic Zone, the China-Myanmar Border Economic Cooperation Zone and the New Yangon City. CMEC is a branch of the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) in the Indian Ocean.
The CMEC to the Bay of Bengal is the replica of the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) that connects Beijing’s western province of Xinjiang to Karachi and Gwadar on the Arabian Sea.
Historical Background of CMEC
The East India Company and the British Raj were eager to develop connectivity into Yunnan through Burma to promote trade between India and western China.
In the late 19th century, the Indian Railways surveyed the route for a railway line from the Arakan coast (Myanmar) to Yunnan (China), but could not implement it.Thus, China will be implementing the vision of the East India Company.
Sports News
1. India finish 2019 as number one shooting nation in world
On the back of its sparkling show through 2019, India finished the year as the top shooting nation in the world, leapfrogging Olympic heavyweights China and the USA.In terms of overall medals, the tally stood at 21 gold, six silver and three bronze as India topped all the Rifle-Pistol World Cups and Finals in an unforgettable year.
India leads the standings with 30 medals overall, China is second with 11 gold, 15 silver and 18 bronze for a total of 44 podium finishes.The USA is placed third with 15 medals (six gold six silver and three bronze).
2. BCCI Awards: JaspritBumrah wins Polly Umrigar Award
JaspritBumrah bagged the Polly Umrigar Award, the highest award of Indian Cricket, on January 12, 2020. He received this award for the best international cricketer (2018-19) at the BCCI Annual Awards event. Bumrah made his Test debut against South Africa in 2019.
PoonamYadav was given the Best International Cricketer (Female) Award at the same function. It is the top award from the BCCI in the women's category. JaspritBumrah was also given the DilipSardesai Award. The Polly Umrigar Trophy is given to the best male international cricketer by the BCCI.
Shefali Verma was honored with the Outstanding International Debut Award in Women's Cricket. Shafali scored 222 runs in nine T20 matches last year. Apart from that, she was also honored with JagmohanDalmiya Award for Outstanding Performance in Junior Domestic Cricket in the 2018-19 season. She has scored a total of 1923 runs in 46 domestic matches, including seven centuries and five half-centuries including one-dayers and T20s.
3. Kohli named captain of ICC’s ODI and Test teams of the year
Indian skipper and batting mainstay ViratKohli was named captain of the International Cricket Council’s (ICC) ODI and Test teams of the year, capping off a memorable season for the world No.1.Apart from Kohli, there were four other Indians who were picked in ICC’s Test and ODI Teams of the Year.
ICC TEAMS OF THE YEAR 2019:
ODI Team of the Year (in batting order): Rohit Sharma, Shai Hope, ViratKohli (captain), Babar Azam, Kane Williamson, Ben Stokes, Jos Buttler (wicketkeeper), Mitchell Starc, Trent Boult, Mohammed Shami, KuldeepYadav
Test Team of the Year (in batting order): MayankAgarwal, Tom Latham, MarnusLabuschagne, ViratKohli (captain), Steve Smith, Ben Stokes, BJ Watling (wicketkeeper), Pat Cummins, Mitchell Starc, Neil Wagner, Nathan Lyon.
4. KuldeepYadav becomes fastest Indian spinner to take 100 wickets
KuldeepYadav became the fastest Indian spinner to claim 100 wickets in ODI cricket during the second match against Australia. The left-arm wrist-spinner reached the milestone in his 58th match when he got rid of Alex Carey for 18 in the 38th over of the Australian run chase.
The 25-year-old Kuldeep last year became the first Indian cricketer to claim two hat-tricks in international cricket when he pulled off the feat during the 2nd ODI against the West Indies.
5. ICC U19 Cricket World Cup launches in South Africa
Cricket’s brightest young talents are counting down the days until they take on the world’s best after the ICC U19 Cricket World Cup 2020 officially launched in South Africa.Sixteen nations from five continents are set to contest the 13th edition of the tournament starting on 17 January, with South Africa playing host for the first time since 1998.
Awards
1. Puri, Odisha receives Swachhata Darpan Awards 2019
Puri, Odisha has been awarded for its initiatives for plastic waste management with the SwachhataDarpan Awards 2019. The award ceremony was held during the Open Defecation Free Sustainability Workshop held in New Delhi. The workshop was organised by the Department of Drinking Water and Sanitation (DDWS) and Ministry of Jal Shakti.The Puri District of Odisha has been awarded for successfully managing the plastic wastes in the district with its effective policies by engaging the people of the town through awareness programmes, hence keeping the town’s environment pollution free.The SwachhataDarpan Award 2019 was presented by Indian Bollywood actor Aamir Khan to Puri Municipality Additional Executive Officer Saroj Kumar Swain. The award is annually given to an outstanding work of an Indian citizen published during the last 10 years in any of the languages mentioned in Schedule 8 of the constitution.
2. KiranMazumdar-Shaw fourth Indian to receive highest Australian civilian honour
Australia has conferred its highest civilian honour, the Order of Australia honour, on Biocon founder KiranMazumdar-Shaw for her contribution towards advancing the country's relationship with India.
An alumnus of Federation University Australia, Mazumdar-Shaw is the founder of Biocon, one of India's largest bio-pharmaceutical companies.She contributes immensely to promoting women in STEM through the joint research programmes developed between Biocon and Deakin University, Australia, as part of her deep and long-standing commitment to gender equality.Mazumdar-Shaw - an Australian Global Alumni Ambassador - is also recognised for her sustained and significant contribution to industry academia collaboration between Australia and India.
Mazumdar-Shaw is the fourth Indian citizen to be awarded Australia's highest civilian honour. This follows the confirmation of superstar batsman Sachin Tendulkar in 2012, Former Attorney General of India Soli JehangirSorabjee in 2006, and Mother Teresa of Kolkata (Agnes GonxhaBojaxhiu) in 1982.
Days and Events
1. World Future Energy Summit to begin today in Abu Dhabi
The World Future Energy Summit will begin today in Abu Dhabi. 33,500 participants from 170 countries and 800 specialist exhibitors are expected to attend the four-day annual event.
The theme for this year's summit is "Rethinking Global Consumption, Production, and Investment." World Future Energy Summit is the Middle East’s largest future energy and sustainability event.Held annually at Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre, the 2020 edition includes exhibition and forum programmes across five main pillars: energy, solar, water, waste and smart cities, hosting an unrivalled gathering of top-level government and business leaders.
2. 'ParshuramMela' begins at ParshuramKund in Arunachal Pradesh on the eve on MakarSankranti
The famous ParshuramKundMela began in Arunachal Pradesh on the eve of MakarSankranti. Devotees from across the country and Nepal visit the sacred place to take a holy dip in the Kund on the occasion of MakarSankranti every year. According to Lohit District Administration under which the ParshuramKund falls, more than 12,000 pilgrims have already visited the Mela this year. Last year, more than 40,000 pilgrims had visited the Mela.
ParshuramKund, which is situated at the lower reaches of LohitRiver is of great significance for the Hindus. ParshuramKund is within the Kamlang Reserve Forest area in Lohit District of Arunachal Pradesh. The Kund is surrounded by dense forest of Rudraksha trees, the fruit of which is considered sacred to Hindu ascetics as well as common devotees.
The Puranic story mentioned in the KalikaPurana, the SrimadBhagavat and the Mahabharata say that Bhagwan Parshuram beheads his mother and eventually performs a penance. After his penance, he atone for his sin by taking a bath in the nearby Brahma Kund. Every year thousands of Hindu devotees throng the Mela and take a holy dip in the sacred Kund on the occasion of MakarSankranti.
The annual Mela is celebrated near ParshuramKund, which is at a distance of nearly 3 miles from the north-eastern portion of Tezu, which is the district headquarters of the district of Lohit in Arunachal Pradesh. On Sankranti, a ParshuramMela is held near this place in January every year, which is attended by innumerable saints and devotees from across the nation. Despite cold conditions, the Mela has seen an increase in the number of pilgrims every year.
3. Fifth Science Film festival kick-starts in Goa
The fifth edition of Science Film Festival of India, SCI-FFI 2020, was kick-started in Goa's capital city Panaji.The four-day-long festival was inaugurated by Chief Minister, Dr. Pramod Sawant.
Besides, Goa Government and Government of India, the event is being supported by Satyajit Ray Film and Television Institute and National Institute of Science Communication and Information Resources (NISCAR).
4. 1st ever Food Processing Summit hosted by Ladakh
Union Territory Ladakh is hosting the 1st-ever Food Processing Summit to attract investors to the region. This summit is organized by the Ministry of Commerce and Industry and the Ministry of Food Processing Industries, the UT Administration of Ladakh.
Ladakh has vast scope for investment in food Processing Industries in horticulture products like Apricot, SeabuckThorn, Apple and agricultural produce like buckwheat and barley. The event is aimed at encouraging the entrepreneurs to begin a StartUp to tap the potential in the Food Processing Industries in Ladakh.
5. First edition of KrishiManthan begins in Ahmedabad
The 1st edition of KrishiManthan– the largest Food, Agri-business and Rural Development Summit of Asia begins in Ahmedabad, Gujarat. This summit is organized by Indian Institute of Management Ahmedabad. It is an exclusive platform for industry, academia, and policymakers to share ideas, knowledge, and expertise to create solutions. More than 1,500 delegates including students and academicians are participating in the event organized by the Food and Agribusiness Committee of IIMA.
6. Conference on Census 2021 held in New Delhi
A Conference of the Chief Secretaries and Administrator State and Union Territories on Census 2021 and updating of the National Population Register, NPR was held in New Delhi. The data collected in the Census helps us in framing policies for the welfare of the people of the country. Minister of State for Home NityanandRai also inaugurated the Official Mascot for Census 2021.
7. Indian Army Day 2020- 15 January
India celebrated its 72nd Army Day on January 15, 2020. This day is celebrated every year on this day because Field Marshal KM Cariappa took command of the Indian Army from General Francis Butcher on the same day in 1949.General Butcher served from January 1, 1948, to January 15, 1949, at the top post of the army. General Robert McGregor MacDonald Lochart was Army Chief from August 15, 1947, to December 31, 1947, before Butcher.
