PREFACE
It gives us great pleasure to release the monthly edition of the PRAVAHINI – Monthly e-Compendium & Weekly e-Periodicals of Current Affairs. The magazine’s members have shown considerable cooperation as well as devotion. We at successmantra.in work tirelessly to create this magazine and bring it to you with a great sense of gratitude.
The PRAVAHINI June-2022 eBook covers the current events that happened in the month of June. Current Affairs is a crucial component of any competitive exams including CLAT, AILET, DU-LLB, HM, CAT, IAS, PCS, SSC, Banking, MBA and various other competitive examinations.
Current Affairs play the bigger role in many competitive and government exams. It holds the power of making or breaking your chance of success. Therefore, the candidates should cover the Current Affairs thoroughly and smartly.
The PRAVAHINI June-2022 eBook is divided into different sections keeping in mind the need of various exams. The sections covered namely International, National, Economy, Ecology and Environment, Science & Technology, Legal Affairs, Sports, States News Makers and few others.
We would also be pleased to receive any suggestion that could assist us with the upcoming editions.
Success Mantra (GTB Nagar, Delhi)
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TABLE OF CONTENTS
National Affairs
International Affairs
Economic Affairs
Appointments
Awards & Honor
Sports
Dates & Days
Report & Indexes
Science & Technology
Miscellaneous
NATIONAL AFFAIRS
PM MODI INAUGURATED RAMP SCHEME
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on June 30, 2022, inaugurated the ‘Raising & Accelerating MSME Performance’ scheme at Vigyan Bhawan in New Delhi.
Along with the Raising & Accelerating MSME Performance Scheme, Prime Minister Narendra Modi also inaugurated the ‘Capacity Building of First-Time MSME Exporters’ scheme and the new features of ‘Prime Minister’s Employment Generation Programme’.
On the occasion, the Prime Minister digitally transferred the assistance to the beneficiaries of PMEGP for 2022-23.
The Raising & Accelerating MSME Performance Scheme (RAMP) aims to scale up the capacity and the coverage of the Medium, Small and Micro Enterprises (MSME) in the states, with an impact on the enhancement of existing MSME schemes.
WHAT IS BHARAT NCAP?
On June 24, 2022, Ministry of Road Transport and Highways (MoRTH) approved the Draft GSR Notification for introducing Bharat NCAP (New Car Assessment Program), in a bid to bring safer cars for India.
About Bharat NCAP
The New Car Assessment Program (NCAP) provides a mechanism, wherein automobiles in India will be accorded ‘Star Ratings’, on the basis of performance in crash tests.
This programme will serve as a consumer-centric platform, and allow customers to use safer cars on the basis of Star-Ratings.
It will promote a healthy competition among original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) across the country, to manufacture safer vehicles.
WHAT IS OPEN NETWORK FOR DIGITAL COMMERCE?
According to the union commerce and industry ministry, seven companies have adopted ONDC protocols and have built their own ONDC-compatible apps.
These apps have been able to complete the cascaded transactions successfully, across the ONDC network during pilot phase.
ONDC Advisory Council Meeting
This was informed by Union Minister Piyush Goyal, during a meeting of ONDC Advisory Council. Meeting was held to review the progress made in the project.
Meeting also discussed plans to roll out the platform for a larger number of traders, geographies, companies and categories of goods in a faster manner.
What is ONDC?
ONDC stands for “open network for digital commerce”. The pilot phase of ONDC was launched by the Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT) of the Ministry of Commerce and Industry, on April 29, 2022. It is a UPI-type protocol.
The protocol was launched in five cities for democratising the fast-growing e-commerce sector, reducing dominance of online retail giants as well as helping small retailers. On ONDC, sellers and buyers would be able to transact irrespective of their attachment with one specific e-commerce portal.
POLICIES TO ENCOURAGE CARBON CAPTURE FACILITIES
India is proposing a number of policies to encourage the establishment of carbon capture facilities by high carbon emission industries like steel, cement, and thermal plants.
Production-linked incentive programmes, viability gap funding, or carbon credits could all be used to offer incentives. The government might issue carbon credits that can be exchanged on carbon exchanges or a PLI programme that would tie incentives to how much carbon is gathered and used.
According to a government official, Niti Aayog, the nation’s policy think-tank, would shortly release a policy prescription for carbon capture and utilisation of carbon dioxide released by industry as part of the aim to reach Net Zero by 2070.
These industries account for 6–10% of all carbon dioxide emissions. Different strategies are being examined to encourage polluting businesses to build carbon capture facilities so that the carbon dioxide they emit can be captured, utilised, and stored for a variety of industrial uses.
While the government will support these industries with research and development to build carbon capture plants, alternatives for financial support are also being looked at.
INDIAN OIL CORPORATION UNVEILED SURYA NUTAN
On June 22, 2022 Indian Oil Corporation (IOC) unveiled its patented indigenous solar cook top called Surya Nutan.
Surya Nutan has been developed by Faridabad R&D centre of the oil refiner (IOC).
The solar cook top will aid in reducing CO2 emissions of India drastically and keep its citizens insulated from high international fossil fuel prices.
Currently, the pilot projects are being held across 60 places like Leh (Ladakh), in order to ascertain several operational and commercial aspects associated with its application.
About SATAT Scheme: SATAT Scheme stands for “Sustainable Alternative Towards Affordable Transportation (SATAT) scheme”. It has four objectives:
To utilise over 62 million metric tonnes of waste generated per year in India
To cut down import dependence
To supplement job creation India.
To reduce vehicular emissions and pollution from burning of organic waste or agricultural waste.
PM MODI INAUGURATED 'VANIJYA BHAWAN'
On June 23, 2022 Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated the new “Vanijya Bhawan”.
While inaugurating the Vanijya Bhawan, he asked the industry and exporters to fix long-term export targets for themselves as well as suggest ways for the government for achieve those goals.
He highlighted the critical role played by exports in the transition of India from developing nation to developed nation.
Where does India stand in global export?
In fiscal year 2020-21, India’s exports were at a total (goods and services) of USD 670 billion. In 2021-22, India’s merchandise exports crossed USD 418 billion as opposed to the target of USD 400 billion.
Considering the success, the government has now increased its export targets and has doubled efforts to achieve them.
NIRYAT Portal
On the occasion, Prime Minister Modi also launched the NIRYAT Portal, which stands for “National Import-Export Record for Yearly Analysis of Trade Portal”.
The portal has been developed as a one-stop platform for stakeholders, where they would get all necessary information related to foreign trade in India.
It will provide real time data to all stakeholders. NIRYAT portal was launched with the aim of facilitating further strengthening of the financial sector of India in line with 3Ts namely Trade, Tourism and Technology.
ONE NATION ONE RATION CARD (ONORC) SCHEME
With the adoption of “One Nation One Ration Card (ONORC) in Assam, this scheme has become operational in entire India. Assam became the 36th state to adopt One Nation One Ration Card food security scheme.
With the addition of Assam, all the 36 states and union territories have now started issuing ration cards which will be applicable across India. This move has made food security portability a reality.
About ONORC Scheme
The ONORC scheme is nationalising ration cards, basically. Under the scheme, ration cards have been nationalised using Aadhaar seeding.
This enables the beneficiary to purchase food grains from any fair price shop across the country. Thus, the scheme assures the claim to food security irrespective of residence of beneficiary. This scheme was launched in August 2019.
D. MURMU AS NDA PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE
Droupadi Murmu, an Odisha-based Santhal, as its nominee for the highest constitutional position, India may ultimately elect its first tribal president.
After the legislative board of the party endorsed what is widely seen as Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s pick for Rashtrapati Bhavan, BJP leader JP Nadda announced Murmu’s candidacy.
If elected, Murmu will become the second woman to hold the office of President following UPA supporter Pratibha Patil (2007–12).
Murmu is the front-runner to succeed incumbent Ramnath Kovind, a Dalit from UP, in Rashtrapati Bhavan after the July 18 elections, as the BJP-led NDA is confident in making up the shortfall with the help of regional players like BJD’s Naveen Patnaik and YSRCP’s Jagan Mohan Reddy — the chief ministers of Odisha and Andhra Pradesh, respectively.
WHAT IS ANTI-DEFECTION LAW IN INDIA?
The tenth schedule was introduced in the constitution by the Rajiv Gandhi government in 1985 through the 52nd constitutional amendment to stop the 'Aaya Ram, Gaya Rama syndrome.
The anti-defection law seeks to prevent political defections that may be prompted by reward of office or other similar consideration.
The law allows a group of MPs/MLAs to defect from a party and merge with another without inviting penalty if it involves the support of two-thirds of MLAs of the party.
The tenth schedule can disqualify the MLAs on the grounds of defection if the number of MPs/ MLAs is less than 2/3.
How does the anti-defection law work?
Under the anti-defection law in India, an MP/ MLA is deemed to be defected if he either voluntarily gives up the membership of his party or disobeys the party directives on a vote.
A member defying the party may be disqualified from the membership of the House. The law does not penalise political parties for encouraging or accepting defecting legislators.
INTERNATIONAL AFFAIRS
PM MODI ATTENDED G7 SUMMIT IN GERMANY
On June 27, 2022 Prime Minister Narendra Modi attended the G7 Summit in Germany and asked the Group of Seven (G7) countries to consider investing in and promoting the emerging market for clean energy technologies in India.
German Chancellor Olaf Scholz invited PM Modi to attend the G7 Summit 2022 as a partner country. Apart from India, Argentina, Indonesia, Senegal and South Africa also took part in the summit, as partner countries.
Impact of Russia-Ukraine War
PM Modi further noted, Russia-Ukraine war has pushed up energy prices worldwide. Main focus of the summit was on obtaining energy since the world has been reeling under a fuel crisis amid the Russia-Ukraine war.
Group of Seven (G7)
G7 is an inter-governmental political forum, comprising Canada, France, Italy, Germany, Japan, the United States and the United Kingdom. Furthermore, the European Union is a ‘non-enumerated member’.
G-7 GLOBAL INFRASTRUCTURE PROGRAMME
The G7 grouping has announced a USD 600 billion global infrastructure programme for poor countries.
This move was aimed at competing with the formidable Belt and Road Initiative of China. During 2022 and 2027, the US government and its allies will shoot for USD 600-billion figure “through federal financing, leveraging private sector investments and grants.
The Partnership was unveiled by US President Joe Biden and G7 allies from Germany, Canada, Japan, Italy, and the European Union.
It is aimed at fulfilling a huge gap left because China uses its economic clout for stretching its diplomatic tentacles across the world.
Target was for the US, for bringing USD 200 billion to the table. Rest of G7 would bring USD 400 billion by 2027.
How is the project different from the BRI initiative?
The proposed G7 funding would depend on private companies largely, as opposed to the state-run Belt and Road Initiative of China. Private companies would be willing to commit massive investments and thus is not guaranteed.
BRI initiative: The Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) was formally known as One Belt One Road initiative.
It is a global infrastructure development strategy, started by China in 2013. Under it, China planned to invest in around 70 countries and international organizations.
This project is the centrepiece of foreign policy of Chinese leader Xi Jinping. As of March 2022, 146 countries have signed up to the BRI.
UNITED NATIONS OCEAN CONFERENCE 2022
The United Nations Ocean Conference 2022 was started from June 27, 2022 and will conclude on July 1, 2022.
Leaders from across the world have arrived in Capital of Portugal, Lisbon, as the world is suffering from the impact of global warming and climate change.
During the conference, world leaders will find an international agreement for protecting the world's ocean.
Host of the conference: The Ocean Conference is being co-hosted by the Governments of Kenya and Portugal.
EU LEADERS GRANTED UKRAINE CANDIDATE STATUS
The European Union leaders granted Ukraine and Moldova candidate status for EU membership during a European Council meeting in Brussels on June 23, 2022.
The EU leaders had gathered in Brussels to formally grant Ukraine candidate status to join the European Union just as Russian forces continue to advance in Eastern Ukraine.
When will Ukraine formally join the EU?
It would take a long time for Ukraine to formally obtain membership of the European Union.
Being granted candidate status is the first official step toward EU membership. As per observers, even with candidate status, it may take years, if not decades, for Ukraine to obtain EU membership.
The Western Balkan countries of Albania, North Macedonia, Montenegro and Serbia have been candidate countries for years or even decades. In fact, Bosnia and Herzegovina had applied for candidacy in 2016 but has still not officially joined the bloc.
EX KHAAN QUEST 2022 MULTINATIONAL EXERCISE
The Multinational Peacekeeping Exercise “Ex Khaan Quest -2022” was concluded on June 20, 2022 at “Peace Support Operations Training Centre” in Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia.
Ex Khaan Quest 2022 was conducted from June 06 to June 20, 2022. It provided a platform for sharing best practices and mutual learning amongst armies from 16 Nations.
The Indian contingent was represented by personnel from “LADAKH SCOUTS”. They participated in the field training and Command Post exercise.
About Ex Khaan Quest 2022
It is a multinational peacekeeping operations exercise. The exercise comprises a United Nations Peacekeeping Mission command post exercise, which is a UN Peacekeeping Operation Mission field training exercise.
PAKISTAN CONTINUES TO REMAIN IN FATF GREY LIST
Pakistan will continue to be on the “Grey List” of countries under increased monitoring of the Financial Action Task Force (FATF), from the global money-laundering and terror-financing watchdog.
Pakistan has been on the grey list of the Paris-based Financial Action Task Force (FATF) since June 2018 for failing to check money laundering, leading to terror financing, and was given a plan of action to complete it by October 2019.
Since then, the country continues to be on that list due to its failure to comply with the FATF mandates. The concluding session of the plenary meeting of the FATF is due and includes Pakistan’s review on the agenda.
Pakistan is now targeting the full completion of the 2021 action plan on anti-money laundering and combating terror financing by the end of January 2023.
FATF Headquarters: Paris, France;
FATF President: Marcus Pleyer;
FATF Purpose: Combat money laundering and terrorism financing;
FATF Founded: 1989.
JAISHANKAR ADDRESSED CHOGM FM PLENARY
On June 23, 2022 External Affairs Minister (EAM) Dr S Jaishankar addressed the “Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM) Foreign Ministers’ plenary”, which was held in Rwanda. The meeting was delayed by two-years, due to covid-19 pandemic.
Theme of CHOGM Plenary: CHOGM Foreign Ministers’ plenary was held in Rwanda, under the theme of “Democracy, Peace and Governance”.
Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM)
It is a biennial summit meeting of de facto leaders of all Commonwealth nations. However, meetings can be attended by the head of state instead of the head of government, particularly among semi-presidential states.
Meetings are held every second year, in a different member state. Meeting is chaired by that respective Prime Minister or President of the Nation. The Prime Commonwealth Chair-in-Office until the next CHOGM.
Head of Commonwealth Nations
Queen Elizabeth II, being the Head of the Commonwealth, attended every meeting starting with Ottawa in 1973 until the 2011 meeting in Perth. Her formal participation started in 1997.
She was represented by the Prince of Wales in the 2013 meeting. In 2015, the Queen attended the summit in Malta and the 2018 summit in London. She was again represented by the Prince of Wales at the 2022 meeting.
J&K WILL HOST THE 2023 MEETINGS OF G20
Jammu and Kashmir will host the 2023 meetings of the G20, an influential group of the world’s major economies.
The J & K government has set up a five-member high-level committee for overall coordination of G20 meetings to be held in the Union Territory.
Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal was appointed as India’s Sherpa for the G20 in September 2021. According to the Ministry of External Affairs, India will hold the G-20 presidency from December 1, 2022, and convene the first G20 leaders’ summit in 2023.
India’s representation at G20 summits has been led by Prime Minister Modi since 2014.
The G20 countries include Argentina, Australia, Brazil, Canada, China, Germany, France, India, Indonesia, Italy, Japan, Mexico, Russia, Saudi Arabia, South Africa, South Korea, Turkey, the United States and the United Kingdom.
'PARTNERS IN THE BLUE PACIFIC' INITIATIVE
The United States and allied countries namely Australia, Japan, New Zealand and the United Kingdom have launched a new initiative called ‘Partners in the Blue Pacific’.
This initiative was launched amid China’s aggressive push of increasing its influence in the Pacific. Under the new initiative, countries will be involved in “effective and efficient cooperation” with small island nations of the region.
About Partners in the Blue Pacific initiative
The Partners in the Blue Pacific Initiative is a five-nation “informal mechanism”, launched for supporting Pacific islands and for boosting economic and diplomatic ties in the region. This initiative was announced on June 24, 2022.
It seeks to enhance “prosperity, resilience, and security” in the Pacific by closer cooperation among the member nations. Member countries would cooperate in areas including climate crisis, transportation, connectivity, health, maritime security & protection, prosperity and education.
Pacific Islands Forum
Members of the new initiative have also declared to “elevate Pacific regionalism”, as well to establish stronger ties with the Pacific Islands Forum. Countries announced that this forum will remain open to cooperate with additional partners.
ECONOMIC AFFAIRS
NITI AAYOG REPORT ON GIG ECONOMY
A report titled “India’s Booming Gig and Platform Economy” was released by NITI Aayog. Suman Bery, vice chairman of NITI Aayog, Amitabh Kant, and Dr K Rajeswara Rao, special secretary, released the report.
The study, which is a first of its kind, offers in-depth viewpoints and suggestions on the gig-platform economy in India.
CEO Amitabh Kant emphasised the industry’s potential to generate jobs in light of India’s growing urbanisation, and widespread access to the internet, digital technology, and cellphones.
The report offers a comprehensive methodical approach to calculating the sector’s current size and potential for employment creation.
About the Report:
According to the research, the gig economy employed 77 lakh (7.7 million) employees in 2020–21. They made up 1.5 percent of India’s total labour force or 2.6 percent of the non-agricultural workforce.
By 2029–2030, there will be 2.35 crore (23.5 million) workers in the gig economy. By 2029–2030, it is anticipated that gig workers will account for 6.7 percent of India’s non-agricultural workforce and 4.1 percent of all income.
Currently, medium-skilled occupations make up approximately 47% of gig labour, high skilled jobs make up about 22%, and low-skilled jobs make up about 31%.
IRAN & ARGENTINA APPLIED TO JOIN BRICS
Iran and Argentina have applied to join the BRICS mechanism, as per the Russian State Media.
The appeal to join the five nations grouping BRICS- Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa has come days after a summit of the five-nation bloc during which the leaders had agreed to continue to discuss the possibility of admitting the new countries to the grouping on the basis of full consultation and consensus.
Iran, which holds the world’s second-largest gas reserves, has applied to join the BRICS group of Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa that Beijing and Moscow have cast as a powerful emerging market alternative to the West.
APPOINTMENTS
SS MUNDRA APPOINTED AS CHAIRMAN OF BSE
S.S. Mundra, a public interest director to lead the world’s largest stock exchange, according to the BSE. Justice Vikramajit Sen will be replaced by Mr. Mundra.
After serving for three years, Mr. Mundra left his position as Reserve Bank of India’s Deputy Governor in July 2017. Before that, he held the positions of Chairman and Managing Director at Bank of Baroda, until he retired in July 2014.
Mr. Mundra has held a number of significant positions over his more than 40-year banking career, including Executive Director of Union Bank of India and Chief Executive of Bank of Baroda (European Operations), among others.
Additionally, he represented the RBI as the G20 Forum’s nominee on the Financial Stability Board and its numerous committees.
PARAMESWARAN IYER AS NEW CEO OF NITI AAYOG
On June 24, 2022, retired IAS officer Parameswaran Iyer was appointed as the new CEO of NITI Aayog, by the Union Government.
Parameshwaran Iyer is a 1981-batch IAS officer from UP cadre. He will replace Amitabh Kant and become the third chief executive officer of the public policy think tank of the government.
Parameshwaran Iyer was born in Srinagar. He went to Doon School in Dehradun. Later, went to St. Stephen’s College in Delhi.
The NITI Aayog: It is the apex public policy think tank of Government of India. It is the nodal agency that catalyses economic development, and fosters cooperative federalism by involving State Governments in the economic policy-making process.
It uses a bottom-up approach. Some of the initiatives by NITI Aayog include-15-year road map, AMRUT, Atal Innovation Mission, Digital India, Indices Measuring Performance of States in Health, Education and Water Management, etc.
It was established in 2015, after replacing the Planning Commission. The planning commission used a top-down model.
AWARDS & HONOURS
FIRST NATIONAL LOGISTICS EXCELLENCE AWARDS
First National Logistics Excellence Awards was hosted by the Government of India in New Delhi. Union minister Piyush Goyal and minister of state for commerce and industry Som Parkash rma presented awards in 12 categories.
National Logistics Excellence Awards are presented with the aim of acknowledging many logistics service providers in India that have been able to display innovation, efficiency and diversity. The first edition comprises 169 entries and 12 categories for awards.
Who won the awards?
Best Cargo Airline & Terminal Operator award was given to FedEx Express Transportation and Supply Chain Services (India)
Best Road Freight Service Provider award was given to DHL Supply Chain India
Best Rail Freight Service Provider award was given to Adani Logistics
Best Shipping & NVOCC service Provider award was given to Maersk India
Best Port Service Provider award was given to DP World
WHAT IS KEMPEGOWDA INTERNATIONAL AWARD?
Former Karnataka chief minister S M Krishna, Infosys founder and IT industry veteran N R Narayana Murthy, and former badminton player Prakash Padukone, have been selected for the ‘Kempegowda International Award’, which has been instituted beginning this year.
Chief Minister Basavaraja Bommai will present the awards to recipients during the grand celebration on the 513th birth anniversary of Kempegowda, the architect of Bengaluru city, on June 27 at Vidhana Soudha.
The award carries a cash prize of Rs 5 lakh along with a plaque. Narayan met Krishna at his residence today on behalf of the government and informed him about the award being bestowed upon him.
The government had constituted a committee headed by Start-up Vision Group head Prashanth Prakash to nominate candidates for the award.
IMPORTANT DAYS AND DATES
INTERNATIONAL DAY OF YOGA
The International Day of Yoga is observed on June 21, every year starting since 2015.
The idea to have an UN-mandated day for celebrating Yoga was put forward by Prime Minister Narendra Modi during his speech at the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) in 2014.
Later, this proposal was backed by 177 nations which led the UN to declare June 21 as “International Day of Yoga”. The day was incepted in UNGA in 2014.
After the initial proposal by PM Modi, the UN adopted a draft resolution, titled “Day of Yoga”, in 2014. Indian delegation convened the consultations.
June 21 was selected as “Yoga Day” because it is the longest day of the year in the Northern Hemisphere. It also shares a special significance in different parts of the world.
Theme of the Day: The International Day of Yoga 2022 is being observed under the theme “Yoga for Humanity”.
INTERNATIONAL DAY TO CELEBRATE SUMMER SOLSTICE
On June 21, 2022, over 6,000 people gathered at Stonehenge in Britain’s Wiltshire to celebrate the summer solstice, which is the longest day of the year in the northern hemisphere.
Summer Solstice
The summer solstice is also known as midsummer or festival solstice. It occurs when one of the poles of Earth has its maximum tilt toward the Sun.
This phenomenon happens twice in a year, once in each Northern hemisphere Southern hemisphere. For the northern hemisphere, summer solstice happens when the sun reaches its highest position in the sky. It is the day with the longest period of daylight.
During the summer solstice, there is continuous daylight within the Arctic circle (for the northern hemisphere) or the Antarctic circle (for southern hemisphere). Earth’s maximum axial tilt towards the Sun is 23.44 degree, on summer solstice.
WORLD MSME DAY OBSERVED ON 27TH JUNE
Recognising the potential of the MSME and their role in strengthening economies, June 27 is celebrated as the Micro-Small and Medium-sized Enterprises Day.
The day is aimed at raising public awareness of the contribution of MSMEs to global economic growth and sustainable development.
MSME or Micro-Small and Medium-sized Enterprises are crucial for the growth of a country as they form the backbone of the economy. They are enterprises that usually employ not more than 250 employees but are responsible for creating more than two-thirds of all jobs globally.
Micro-, Small and Medium-sized Enterprises Day: History
The Micro-Small and Medium-sized Enterprises Day was marked by the United Nations General Assembly in its 74th Plenary on April 6 2017.
The move came after the International Council for Small Business (ICSB) 2016 World Conference Declaration on the urgent need to recognise MSME’s role in global development.
NATIONAL STATISTICS DAY OBSERVED ON JUNE 29TH
The National Statistics Day is observed on June 29, each year. It aims to raise public awareness on the value of statistics in everyday life and the planning & development process.
History of the Day
The National Statistics Day has been observed in India since 2007. It is celebrated to honour exceptional contributions made by Professor Mahanlanobis in statistical research & economic planning.
June 29 also marks the birthday of Professor PC Mahalanobis. Indian Gazette initially published a notification about observing the “National Statistics Day” on June 5, 2007.
Theme of the day: The National Statistics Day 2022 was observed under the theme– “Data for Sustainable Development”.
Who is PC Mahalanobis?
In the post-independent era, Mahalanobis became a significant figure in the field of collecting essential statistical data. It further allowed the government to set policies.
He was a member of the Planning Commission of India during 1955-1967. The Second Five-Year Plan was based on Mahalanobis’s mathematical description of the Indian economy and it later came to be known as the Mahalanobis model.
INTERNATIONAL ASTEROID DAY OBSERVED ON JUNE 30TH
World Asteroid Day (also known as International Asteroid Day) is an annual UN-sanctioned global awareness campaign event observed on June 30, which is the anniversary of the Siberian Tunguska event of 1908.
To provide knowledge to the general public about the importance of asteroids in history, and the role they play in our solar system today. The theme of Asteroid Day 2022 is “small is beautiful.”
International Asteroid Day 2022: History
In December 2016, the UN General Assembly adopted a resolution in order to “observe each year at the international level the anniversary of the Tunguska impact over Siberia, Russian Federation, on 30 June 1908, and to raise public awareness about the asteroid impact hazard.”
The Tunguska event is the most harmful known asteroid-related event on Earth in recent history.
REPORTS & INDEXES
GLOBAL SKILLS REPORT (GSR) 2022 BY COURSERA
The Global Skills Report (GSR) 2022 by Coursera states that India’s proficiency in data science has reduced from 38% in 2021 to 26% in 2022, leading to a 12-rank drop.
In terms of overall skills proficiency, India has slipped 4 places to be ranked 68th globally and 19th in Asia. However, the report reveals that India has improved its technology proficiency levels from 38 percent to 46 percent, improving its position by six spots.
About the report: The report is based on the data collected from over 100 million Coursera users from more than 100 countries who learned a new skill during the past year.
The report benchmarks three of the most in-demand skill areas driving employment in the digital economy – business, technology, and data science.
West Bengal leads the Indian states in terms of skills proficiency with the state showing the highest levels of digital skills proficiency in the country. Andhra Pradesh is among the top three performing states with high proficiency in business and technology skills.
For the second year in a row, Switzerland had the highest-skilled learners followed by Denmark, Indonesia, and Belgium.
INDIA JUMPED TO 104TH IN FIFA RANKINGS
The Indian football team reaped a good harvest of its impressive Asian Cup qualification campaign as it gained two places to jump to 104th in the latest FIFA world rankings released.
The Blue Tigers are placed just below New Zealand (103), who missed out on a 2022 FIFA World Cup spot after losing 0-1 to Costa Rica in the intercontinental play-off earlier this month.
India’s ranking among Asian Football Confederation (AFC) members, however, still remained static at 19th place.
In the overall world rankings: Iran retained the top spot among the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) countries (23).
Brazil remained on top, three months after taking the top spot from Belgium (2nd). Argentina jumped one place to third at the expense of France (4th) who paid the price for four winless games in the UEFA Nations League.
England, Spain, Italy, Netherlands, Portugal and Denmark completes the top-10. The next FIFA world ranking will be out on August 25.
WORLD GOLD COUNCIL REPORT: INDIA RANKED 4TH
According to the World Gold Council Report, India has emerged as the 4th largest recycler in the world and the country has recycled 75 tonnes in 2021.
According to the WGC report titled ‘Gold refining and recycling’, China topped the global gold recycling chart as it recycled 168 tonnes of the yellow metal, followed by Italy in the second position with 80 tonnes and the US in the third rank with 78 tonnes in 2021.
According to the WGC report titled ‘Gold refining and recycling’ from 300 tonnes in 2013, India’s gold refining capacity increased by 1,500 tonnes (500 per cent) in 2021.
The report further noted that the gold refining landscape in the country has changed over the last decade, with the number of formal operations increasing from less than five in 2013 to 33 in 2021.
GLOBAL LIVEABILITY INDEX BY EIU
The annual ranking of the world’s most liveable cities has just been released by the Economist Intelligence Unit (EIU), and 2022’s Global Liveability Index shows some marked differences from the previous year.
The EIU, which is a sister organization to The Economist, ranked 173 cities around the world on a variety of factors, including health care, crime rates, political stability, infrastructure and access to green space.
2022’s Global Liveability Index: The top 10
Vienna, Austria
Copenhagen, Denmark
Zurich, Switzerland
Calgary, Canada
Vancouver, Canada
Geneva, Switzerland
Frankfurt, Germany
Toronto, Canada
Amsterdam, Netherlands
Osaka, Japan and Melbourne, Australia (tie)
SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY
RUSSIA'S ISKANDER-M MISSILE SYSTEM
Russia has announced plans to transfer the “Iskander-M Missile System” to Belarus. This missile system can use ballistic or cruise missiles, in their nuclear and conventional versions.
About Iskander-M missile system
The Iskander-M missile system is codenamed as “SS-26 Stone” by NATO. Russia uses the term Iskander-M to define transporter-erector launch systems as well as short-range ballistic missiles (SRBM) fired by it.
This system can be used to fire ground-launched cruise missiles (GLCMs) viz., SSC-7 and the SSC-8. This system has been exclusively used by the Russian military. It was first launched in 1996, successfully.
North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO)
NATO is an intergovernmental military alliance of 30 member states, including 28 European and 2 North American. It was established after World War II. It implements the North Atlantic Treaty, which was signed on April 4, 1949 in Washington, D.C.
INDIA SUCCESSFULLY TEST-FIRED VL-SRSAM
On June 24, 2022, A vertical-launch, short-range, surface-to-air missile (VL-SRSAM) was successfully test-fired by the Indian Navy.
VL-SRSAM was launched from a warship, off the coast of Chandipur in Odisha. The VL-SRSAM system has been designed for striking at high-speed airborne targets at 40 km to 50 km range and at an altitude of 15km.
VL-SRSAM is a quick reaction surface-to-air-missile. It has been indigenously designed and developed for the Indian Navy, by DRDO.
Who has developed the missile?
The VL-SRSAM missile has been developed by the Defence Research and Development Laboratory (DRDL) in coordination with the Research Centre Imarat (RCI) besides the Research & Development Establishment (Engineers), based at Pune.
GSAT-24: COMMUNICATION SATELLITE BY ISRO
NewSpace India Limited (NSIL) launched GSAT-24, following the space reforms leasing the entire satellite’s capacity to Direct-to-Home (DTH) service provider Tata Play.
This was the company’s first “demand-driven” communication satellite mission.
The satellite, developed by the Indian Space Research Organization for NSIL, was successfully launched into geostationary orbit from Kourou in French Guiana by the Ariane 5 rocket (South America).
GSAT-24 is a 4180 kg 24-Ku band communication satellite that provides pan-India coverage for DTH application requirements.
The commercial arm of ISRO, NSIL was established in March 2019 and is a Central Public Sector Enterprise (CPSE) under the Department of Space (DOS).
CHINA LAUNCHED 3 NEW REMOTE SENSING SATELLITES
Three new remote sensing satellites were successfully launched by China from the Xichang Satellite Launch Centre in the Sichuan Province in southwest China.
The satellites will primarily be utilised for scientific research, land resource assessments, agricultural production estimation, and disaster prevention and mitigation.
The Long March series carrier rockets’ 424th mission was this one. Three Yaogan-35 satellites were launched by China on November 6.
The China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation’s Long March carrier rocket family, which accounts for around 96.4%.
IRAN LAUNCHED SOLID FUELLED ROCKET 'ZULJANAH'
Iran recently launched a solid-fuelled rocket named “Zuljanah” into space.
Zuljanah is a 25.5-meter-long, Iranian Satellite Launch Vehicle. It is capable of carrying a payload or satellite of 220 kilogram, into an orbit situated 500 kilometres above the Earth.
This satellite will gather data in low-earth orbit as well as promote Iran’s space industry.
This rocket has been named for Imam Hussein’s horse, who was the grandson of the Prophet Muhammad.
NASA LAUNCHED CAPSTONE SPACECRAFT TO MOON
The NASA researchers successfully launched CAPSTONE spacecraft to the moon from New Zealand. The launch took place on Rocket Lab’s Electron rocket.
Mission CAPSTONE stands for Cislunar Autonomous Positioning System Technology Operations and Navigation Experiment.
With a price tag just shy of $30 million, NASA hopes the mission will verify that a specific type of moon orbit is suitable for the lunar Gateway space station that the agency aims to launch later this decade.
About the CAPSTONE: CAPSTONE is a microwave oven-sized spacecraft with the aim to study a specific type of moon orbit that will be suitable for the lunar Gateway space station that NASA aims to launch later this decade.
The Lunar Gateway space station will be a small space station for astronauts in orbits where they can stop before and after going to the moon’s surface.
NASA administrator: Bill Nelson.
Headquarters of NASA: Washington D.C., United States.
NASA Founded: 1 October 1958
MISCELLANEOUS
PERMANENT REPRESENTATIVE OF INDIA TO UN
Ruchira Kamboj has been appointed as the next Permanent Representative of India to the United Nations. She is currently Indian ambassador to Bhutan. Ruchira Kamboj will succeed T S Tirumurti.
She has been Indian High Commissioner in South Africa, Permanent Representative of India to UNESCO in Paris, and Chief of Protocol in New Delhi.
In December 2014, she was a part of G-4 team, which worked on the reform and expansion of the United Nations Security Council.
She has been India’s Chief of Protocol, from 2011-2014. She is the first and only woman diplomat till date in Indian government to held this position.
Permanent Representative of India to United Nations
The Permanent Representative of India to the UN is the foremost diplomatic representative of India to the United Nations. He is the head of Permanent Mission of India to the UN in New York City.
Currently, T. S. Tirumurti is the Permanent Representative of India. He was appointed in May 2020.
HAMAD INT. AIRPORT ADJUDGED AS BEST AIRPORT
Qatar’s Hamad International Airport has been named the World’s Best Airport for the second year running. The announcement took place at the Skytrax 2022 World Airport Awards, held at Passenger Terminal EXPO in Paris, France.
Other major winners include:
Kempegowda International Airport, Bengaluru (BLR Airport) was named the finest regional airport in India and South Asia.
Singapore Changi Airport (World’s Best Airport Staff Service and World’s Best Airport Dining).
Istanbul Airport (World’s Best Airport Shopping and Most Family-Friendly Airport).
Tokyo Haneda Airport won awards as the World’s Cleanest Airport, the World’s Best Domestic Airport, the Best Airport in Asia, and the Best Airport PRM & Accessible Facilities.
UNESCO'S WORLD NETWORK OF BIOSPHERE RESERVES
Khuvsgul Lake National Park of Mongolia has been added to the World Network of Biosphere Reserve of UNESCO.
Khuvsgul Lake is located in the northern Mongolian province of Khuvsgul near the Russian border, holding nearly 70 percent of Mongolia’s freshwater, or 0.4 per cent of the world’s total.
About Khuvsgul Lake: The Khuvsgul Lake is located in northern Mongolian province of Khuvsgul, near the Russian border. It holds 70 percent of the freshwater of Mongolia or accounts for 0.4 percent of the world's total.
It is the largest fresh water lake of Mongolia, by volume. In terms of area, it is the second largest lake in Mongolia.
The lake is located about 200 km west of Lake Baikal. It is nicknamed as “Younger sister” of two “sister lakes' '. It freezes over completely in winter.
INDIA'S 1ST AIRPORT TO RUN ON HYDRO & SOLAR POWER
Delhi Airport or Indira Gandhi International Airport has become the first airport in the country to run entirely on hydro and solar power from this month in a major step toward achieving the ambitious goal of becoming a Net Zero Carbon Emission Airport by 2030.
Delhi International Airport Limited (DIAL), a GMR Infrastructure Limited-led consortium, which manages and operates the Delhi Airport, has signed a long-term power purchase agreement (PPA) with a Himachal Pradesh-based hydropower producing company for the supply of hydroelectricity for the airport until 2036.
Approximately 6 percent of the airport’s electricity requirement is met from the onsite solar power plants while as much as 94 percent of the total demand is now being met through renewable energy use from the hydropower plant since June 1, thus ending its dependency on non-renewable power.
DISCOVERY OF NEW SPYWARE 'HERMIT'
A cloud-based security company, Lookout, recently discovered a new spyware called “Hermit”.
As per TechCrunch report, Lookout’s security researchers have informed that national governments have used the android version of Hermit spyware in “targeted attacks”, with victims in Kazakhstan, Italy and Italy.”
About Hermit spyware
Hermit is a commercial spyware and it is known to be used by governments with victims in northern Syria, Kazakhstan and Italy.
It was first detected in Kazakhstan, in April 2022, after the government violently suppressed protests against its policies. It was also deployed in north-eastern Kurdish region of Syria and by Italian authorities for an anti-corruption investigation.
