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  • W.B.C.S Current Affairs 25 December 2018 to 31 December 2018.
    Posted on January 26th, 2019 in Current Affairs
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    W.B.C.S Current Affairs 25 December 2018 to 31 December 2018.

    The Importance of Current Affairs in W.B.C.S examinations is immense.Success inW.B.C.S  Prelims and W.B.C.S Mains Exam is mainly subjected to how well an aspirant is aware of the important current affairs. Preparation of current affairs for W.B.C.S is the key to unlock the exam.1) The first South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC) Agri Cooperative Business Forum was held in Kathmandu, capital of Nepal The theme of this forum was ‘Organizing and Strengthening Family Farmers’ Cooperatives to attain the Sustainable-Development-Goals-1 and 2 in South Asia’. SAARC Agri Cooperative Business Forum: It was co-organized by Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) of United Nations and Asian Farmers’ Association with the support from International Fund for Agricultural Development. It provided platform to bring together representatives both from government and non-governmental entities from member states of SAARC as well as from regional and international organizations. South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC): SAARC is regional intergovernmental organization and geopolitical union of nations in South Asia. Its member states include Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Nepal, Maldives, Pakistan and Sri Lanka. It comprises 3% of world’s area, 21% of world’s population and 3.8% of global economy as of 2015. It was established in Dhaka, Bangladesh on 8 December 1985. Its secretariat is based in Kathmandu, Nepal. It promotes development of economic and regional integration. It also maintains permanent diplomatic relations at United Nations as an observer.Continue Reading W.B.C.S Current Affairs 25 December 2018 to 31 December 2018.

    2) Union Government has signed $375 million loan agreement with Asian Development Bank (ADB) for Madhya Pradesh Irrigation Efficiency Improvement Project. The project will contribute to double farming incomes in Madhya Pradesh by expanding irrigation networks and system efficiency. Madhya Pradesh Irrigation Efficiency Improvement Project: It will develop 125,000 hectares of new, highly efficient and climate resilient irrigation networks. It will also improve water use efficiency in more than 400 villages and benefit over 800,000 people in the state. It will also support institutional innovations through introduction of design-build-operate contracting approach. It will also help farmers to adopt micro-irrigated agriculture including high-value crops. The ADB funds will be used to develop a large-scale pressurized and automated irrigation system for boosting irrigation efficiency. It focuses on two large irrigation systems: Kundalia irrigation project: It will develop 125,000 ha of new and highly efficient and climate resilient irrigation networks. The work that will be undertaken includes building two large pumping stations pumping water to distribution chambers where water will be distributed through a network of buried pipes to farm outlets. Sanjay Sarovar Irrigation Project: Under it comprehensive modernization feasibility study will be prepared and other preparatory work for soundly designed project. Asian Development Bank (ADB): ADB is a regional development bank based out of Asia. It aims to promote social and economic development in Asia by achieving a prosperous, inclusive, resilient, and sustainable Asia and the Pacific, while sustaining its efforts to eradicate extreme poverty. It was established in December 1966. It is headquartered at Ortigas Centre in Manila, Philippines. ADB’s main objective is to assist its members and partners, by providing loans, technical assistance, grants, and equity investments to promote social and economic development. It has total 67 members, of which 48 are from within Asia and the Pacific and 19 outside. ADB has been modelled closely on the lines World Bank. It has similar weighted voting system where votes are distributed in proportion with members’ capital subscriptions.

    3) Union Ministry of Human Resource Development (HRD) has third edition of Smart India Hackathon 2019 (SIH-2019). Smart India Hackathon is world’s biggest open innovation model which aims to provide students with platform to solve some of pressing problems faced by people in their daily lives. It also seeks to inculcate culture of product innovation and mindset of problem-solving among young children. Key Highlights: SIH-2019 is expected to witness participation from over one lakh students from around 3000 institutions across the country. It will provide students opportunity to work on challenges faced by public sector organisations and union ministries. For the first time, SIH-2019 in the series of such events will also include problem statements from private sector and non-governmental organisations (NGOs). Similar to its prequel editions, SIH- 2019 will have two sub-editions viz. software edition which will be 36-hour software product development competition and hardware edition which will be five days long hardware product development competition. SIH-2019 will also see students from IITs, IISc, NITs, AICTE and UGC approved institutions compete to creatively solve problems and offer technical solutions. It will provide platform for both students who will get chance to create world class solutions for some of world’s top organisations and these top organisations will also get chance to meet brightest young minds and brand themselves from hiring perspective. Benefits of SIH: Provide opportunity to brand your organization nationally. Provide recognition and visibility to organizations across all technical institutions in India. Young techies from all over the country will get platform to offer out-of-the-box solutions to solve problems. Serve as world’s biggest Open Innovation Movement.Provide opportunity to work with some of the best talent in the country. Technology students across India can compete to creatively solve problems and offer technical solutions. Harness expertise of lakhs of students from IISc, IITs, NITs and AICTE/UGC approved institutions. Background: The earlier two editions of Smart India Hackathon (SIH) had turned out to be a huge success. SIH 2017 had seen problem statements coming from 29 union ministries of India. Among the top ideas, 20 projects were mentored and creatively developed and they will be now handed over to concerned ministries for actual deployment. SIH 2018 has seen participation of 27 union ministries and 17 state governments. It also had introduced a special Hardware edition for first time.

    4) Governor of Assam has extended application of Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act, 1958 (AFSPA) in the entire state for six more months with immediate effect. For this, it used powers conferred under Section 3 of the Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act, 1958 declaring entire state as ‘Disturbed Area’ upto 6 months or unless withdrawn earlier. Reason for extension: This decision was taken as precautionary measure to maintain law and order during ongoing National Register of Citizens (NRC) update process during the ongoing National Register of Citizens (NRC) update process. The final draft NRC is likely to be published by end of 2018. In September 2017, Union Home Ministry had delegated to Assam and Manipur Governors power to impose or withdraw AFSPA. Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act (AFSPA): AFSPA was enacted in 1958 to bring ‘disturbed’ areas declared under it under control. It empowers both state and central government to declare areas as ‘disturbed’ due to differences or disputes between members of different religious, racial, language or regional groups or castes or communities. Declaration of Disturbed area: The section (3) of the Act empowers governor of State/UT to issue an official notification in Gazette of India, following which Centre has authority to send in armed forces for civilian aid. Once declared ‘disturbed’, the region has to maintain status quo for a minimum of three months. Special powers to armed forces: The Act gives special powers to army and state and central police forces to shoot to kill, search houses and destroy any property used by insurgents in disturbed areas. It also provides army personnel with safeguards against malicious, vindictive and frivolous prosecution. Note: At present, the AFSA has been enforced in 6 states viz. Assam, Nagaland, Arunachal Pradesh (only the Tirap, Changlang and Longding districts plus 20-km belt bordering Assam), Manipur (except Imphal municipal area), Meghalaya (confined to 20-km belt bordering Assam) and Jammu and Kashmir.

    5) Global IT giant IBM has partnered with Indian IT companies for its ‘Call for Code’ initiative that aims to build global solutions for disaster management. Indian IT companies that will partner with IBM for Call for Code initiative include Persistent Systems, Invest India, Wipro, Capgemini and NASSCOM. Call for Code initiative: IBM’s Call for Code initiative aims to bring startup, academic and enterprise developers together to respond to and recover from natural disasters. The initiative seeks to solve one of the most pressing societal issues of preventing, responding to and recovering from natural disasters. For this, IBM provide access to its cloud, data, Artificial Intelligence and blockchain technologies, along with training and code to developers. Through this initative, IBM and David Clark Cause are joining forces to benefit their charitable partners such as United Nations Human Rights and American Red Cross. Since its inception in May 2018, over 35 organizations and over 20 IBM clients have participated in this initiative.

    6) Asian Development Bank (ADB) has approved financing package of $245 million to implement project for providing safe, sustainable drinking water service to million people in three districts of West Bengal affected by arsenic, fluoride, and salinity. The project will provide continuous potable water through metered connections to about 390,000 individual households in three districts of North 24 Parganas, Bankura and Purba Medinipur. This project will play pivotal role in reducing burden of disease from arsenic and fluoride while preserving groundwater and enhancing climate resilience. Key Facts: Through this project, potable water will be provided through bulk water systems, consisting of intakes, water treatment plants and transmission mains that will be connected to grid with existing and new systems in these three districts. The project will use high-technology based smart water management system to efficiently manage services. It will be first of its kind technology to be used for large scale rural water schemes in India. The total cost of project is $349 million, for which ADB will provide loan of $240 million and grant of $3 million will be provided from Japan Fund for Poverty Reduction financed by Government of Japan. The West Bengal government will provide $106 million in funding. The project is due for completion in June 2024. This project will play important role in capacity building of institutions and stakeholders involved in delivering drinking water services. Background: High arsenic and fluoride levels in drinking water are serious threat to public health in India. About 85% of water in India’s rural areas comes from groundwater and around 27 million people are at risk from arsenic and fluoride contamination. West Bengal is by far worst affected state in high arsenic and fluoride levels in drinking water in India. Arsenic in drinking water can lead to range of serious health problems including cancer, while high exposure to fluoride can cause dental or skeletal fluorosis and bone diseases.Continue Reading W.B.C.S Current Affairs 25 December 2018 to 31 December 2018.

    7) Indian athlete Swapna Barman (21) won gold medal in women’s Heptathlon Athletics event at 18th edition of Asian Games held in Jakarta-Palembang in Indonesia. She accumulated total of 6026 points to finish on top of podium in the final of the event. With this, she became first Indian to win gold medal in heptathlete event in Asian Games. Qingling Wang from China won silver medal with a point tally of 5954 and Yuki Yamasaki of Japan won bronze medal with a score of 5873 points. Heptathlon : It is seven-event contest which covers range of track and field events and is spread over two days. The first day comprises 100m hurdles, high jump, shot put and 200m, while day two has long jump, javelin and 800m. Swapna Barman: She hails from Jalpaiguri, West Bengal. Her father works as van rickshaw puller and her mother works as labourer in tea estate. She is supported by GoSports Foundation through Rahul Dravid Athlete Mentorship Programme. She has six toes on each of her foot. Medals won- Gold medal: 2017 Bhubaneswar Asian Championships. Gold medal: 2017 New Delhi Federation cup.

    8) Russia is going to conduct Vostok-2018 (East-2018) military exercise in central and eastern Russian military districts from September 11 to 15, 2018. It will be biggest war games ever conducted by Russia since Zapad-81 (West-81) exercise conducted by erstwhile Soviet Union in 1981 which had seen involvement about 100,000 to 150,000 troops. Vostok-2018: Vostok-2018 will involve participation of units from Russian Army, Air Force and Navy. More than 300,000 troops, 36,000 tanks, armoured personnel carriers, armoured infantry vehicles, over 1,000 military aircraft, two naval fleets and all its airborne units will participate in this military exercise. China and Mongolia will also participate in Vostok 2018. Comment: Vostok-2018 exercise is being conducted in response to aggressive and unfriendly attitudes towards Russia by NATO and West countries. Tensions between Moscow and NATO had been running high since Russian annexation of Crimea from Ukraine in early 2014 and Russia backed uprising in eastern Ukraine, alleged meddling in US presidential elections of 2016 and nerve agent attack on ex-spy Sergei Skripal and his daughter Yulia in UK in March 2018, which have resulted in sharp escalations. NATO has also stepped up deployment of forces in East Europe and Russia has increased its naval presence in Mediterranean Sea off Syria. Moreover, involvement of China will be also significant and also improve Chinese-Russian military relations, as well as to prevent Chinese concern about military exercises near their border.

    9) Arunachal Pradesh Legislative assembly has passed Arunachal Pradesh Re-Organisation of Districts (Amendment) Bill, 2018 for the creation of three new districts, Pakke-Kesang, Lepa Rada and Shi Yomi in the state. The bill was passed by voice vote. These new districts were created keeping in view growing demands of people, bring administration to their door-steps and for all-round equal development in all parts of the state. With addition of these three new districts, state will have total 25 districts from earlier 22 districts. Key Facts: Pakke-Kessang district: It will be carved out of East Kameng district with five administrative units namely Pakke-Kessangn, Seijosa, Pijiriang, Passa Valley and Dissingn Passo with district headquarters at Lemmi. Lepa Rada district: It will be created by bifurcating Lower Siang district with headquarters at Basar. It will have four administrative units Tirbin, Basar, Daring and Sago. Shi-Yomi district: It will be created by bifurcating West Siang district with its headquarters at Tato. It will have four administrative units namely Mechuka, Tato, Pidi and Manigong.

    10) India’s Arpinder Singh (25) won gold medal in Men’s Triple Jump event at 2018 Jakarta-Palembang Asian Games. He lodged best jump of 16.77m in third attempt to win gold medal. Ruslan Kurbanov of Uzbekistan won silver medal with best jump of 16.62m while Shuo Cao of China was third with an effort of 16.56m. With this, Arpinder Singh became first Indian in 48 years to win gold in men’s triple jump at the Asian Games. India’s last Asian Games gold medal in men’s triple jump had come in 1970 from Mohinder Singh Gill. Arpinder Singh: He hails from Punjab. He had last won medal in a multi-sporting event in 2014 when he had won bronze medal at the Glasgow Commonwealth Games. He had finished fifth in 2014 Incheon Asian Games. Medals won. Bronze medal: 2013 Pune Asian Championships. Bronze medal: 2014 Glasgow Commonwealth Games. Gold medal: 2017 Ashgabat Asian Indoor and Martial Arts Games.

    11) Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO) unveiled details of its first indigenous human space mission dubbed as Gaganyaan to be launched in 2022. The mission was announced by Prime Minister Narendra Modi during his 72nd Independence Day speech. Under it, three Indian astronauts (Gaganyatris) will be taken to space on board Gaganyaan spacecraft by 2022. This will be the first human space mission to be indigenously developed by ISRO. If successful, India will become fourth nation in the world to send astronaut into space after US, Russia and China. Former Indian Air Force (IAF) Rakesh Sharma was first Indian to travel to space. He was part of the Soviet Union’s Soyuz T-11 expedition, launched on April 2, 1984, of the Intercosmos programme. Objectives of Gaganyaan Mission: Enhance of science and technology levels in the country, serve as national project involving several institutes, academia and industry, improve of industrial growth, inspire youth, develop technology for social benefits and improve international collaboration. Key Features of Mission: The entire cost of Gaganyaan mission will be less than Rs 10,000 crore. It will be totally indigenous, very cost-effective mission by Indian standards which is not viable from international standards. Prior to actual launch of this manned mission by 2022, ISRO will launch two unmanned Gaganyaan missions (first in 30 months’ time and then 36 months). Launch Phase: GSLV Mk-III launch vehicle will be used to launch Gaganyaan as it has necessary payload capability for this mission. The spacecraft will comprise of crew module and service module that constitute orbital. It weighs approximately 7 tonnes and will be placed in low earth orbit (LEO) of 300-400 km. Crew module’s size will be 3.7 meters and of service module will be 7 meters. Orbital Phase: The mission will send three-member crew to space for period of five to seven days. The launch vehicle will take off from spaceport of Sriharikota, Andhra Pradesh and it will reach desired orbit in 16 minutes. The crew will be selected by Indian Air Force (IAF) and ISRO jointly after which they will undergo training for two-three years. It will conduct microgravity experiment during the mission. Re-entry phase: The velocity of whole module will be reduced and will be turned in opposite direction so that it can start to come down. When it will reach distance of 120 km from Earth’s surface, service module will be removed and separated out. The module carrying crew alone will come back to earth, this will take about 36 minutes to reach Earth. ISRO is planning to land crew module in Arabian Sea, closer to Gujarat coast or in Bay of Bengal or even on land from where the crew will be recovered. Execution time: The mission may be executed six months before India completes its 75th Independence Day in 2022. It is expected to be completed before 2022. Support technology developed by ISRO for Gaganyaan Mission: So far, ISRO has developed some critical technologies required manned space mission like re-entry mission capability, crew escape system, crew module configuration, thermal protection system, deceleration and floatation system and sub-systems of life support system. Some of these technologies have been demonstrated successfully through Space Capsule Recovery Experiment (SRE-2007), Crew module Atmospheric Reentry Experiment (CARE-2014) and Pad Abort Test (2018). These technologies will enable ISRO in accomplishing programme objectives in short span of 4 years.

    12) Union Government has constituted new 21-member advisory panel on science, technology and innovation called Prime Minister’s Science, Technology and Innovation Advisory Council (PM-STIAC). It will be headed by Principal Scientific Advisor to government K Vijay Raghavan. It will replace earlier Scientific Advisory Committee to Prime Minister and to Cabinet. PM-STIAC: The council will advise PM on science, technology, as well as innovation. It will also coordinate implementation of PMs scientific vision. It will actively aid in formulation and timely implementation of major science and technology missions and evolve interdisciplinary technology development programmes. It will also advise government on developing ‘Clusters of Excellence’ in science including city-based R&D clusters. It will work to bring together all science and technology partners from academia and institutes to industries near such centres or cities. Composition of PM-STIAC: It has nine members, including Chairperson. Apart from nine members, it will also have twelve special invitees — eleven ex officio secretaries 10 central ministries, related to science, technology, energy and education, are special invitees to the panel. Members of PM-STIAC are including Dr VK Saraswat (member of NITI Aayog and former director general of Defence Research and Development Organisation), Dr AS Kiran Kumar (former chairman of Indian Space Research Organisation), Maj Gen Madhuri Kanitkar (dean of Armed Forces Medical College, Pune), Manjul Bhargava (professor at Princeton University and a Fields medal winner), Subhash Kak (professor at Oklahoma State University), Baba Kalyani (managing director of Bharat Forge), AS Kiran Kumar (former ISRO chief) and Ajay Sood (Professor at Indian Institute of Science, Bengaluru).

    13) Union Ministry of Health and Family Welfare issued advisory to all states and Union Territories to not allow manufacture, sale and advertisement of e-cigarettes and other Electronic Nicotine Delivery Systems (ENDS). It also has issued warning that use e-cigarettes and other ENDS devices pose great health risk to public at large, especially to children and pregnant women. Punjab, Karnataka, Kerala, Mizoram, Jammu and Kashmir, Uttar Pradesh and Bihar already have prohibited manufacture, import, sale and distribution of e-cigarettes and ENDS. e-cigarettes and ENDS: ENDS are devices that heat solution to create aerosol, which also frequently contains flavours, usually dissolved into propylene glycolor and glycerin. e-cigarettes (electronic cigarettes) are most common prototype of ENDS. These devices do not burn or use tobacco leaves but instead vaporise solution, which user then inhales. The main constituents of solution are nicotine, propylene glycol (with or without glycerol and flavouring agents). Health Ministry Advisory: According to World Health Organisation (WHO) report on Global Tobacco Epidemic 2017, 30 countries like Mauritius, Australia, Singapore, South Korea, Sri Lanka, Thailand, Brazil, Mexico, Uruguay, Bahrain, Iran, Saudi Arabia and UAE have already banned ENDS. ENDS including e-cigarettes, heat-not-burn devices, vape, etc. are great health risk to public at large, especially to children, adolescents, pregnant women and women of reproductive age. ENDS are not approved as NRTs (nicotine-replacement therapies) under Drugs and Cosmetics Act and rules made thereunder. ENDS solutions and emissions contain other chemicals, some of them considered to be toxicants. They contain nicotine, addictive component of tobacco products. In addition they contain metals, including lead, chromium and nickel and chemicals like formaldehyde with concentrations equal to or greater than traditional cigarettes. Use of ENDS may affect development of foetus during pregnancy. It may contribute to cardiovascular disease to people who use ENDS. Moreover, nicotine may function as ‘tumour promoter’ and seems to be involved in biology of malignant diseases. Foetal and adolescent nicotine exposure have long-term consequences for brain development, potentially leading to learning and anxiety disorders.

    14) Union Ministry of Health and Family Welfare issued advisory to all states and Union Territories to not allow manufacture, sale and advertisement of e-cigarettes and other Electronic Nicotine Delivery Systems (ENDS). It also has issued warning that use e-cigarettes and other ENDS devices pose great health risk to public at large, especially to children and pregnant women. Punjab, Karnataka, Kerala, Mizoram, Jammu and Kashmir, Uttar Pradesh and Bihar already have prohibited manufacture, import, sale and distribution of e-cigarettes and ENDS. e-cigarettes and ENDS: ENDS are devices that heat solution to create aerosol, which also frequently contains flavours, usually dissolved into propylene glycolor and glycerin. e-cigarettes (electronic cigarettes) are most common prototype of ENDS. These devices do not burn or use tobacco leaves but instead vaporise solution, which user then inhales. The main constituents of solution are nicotine, propylene glycol (with or without glycerol and flavouring agents). Health Ministry Advisory: According to World Health Organisation (WHO) report on Global Tobacco Epidemic 2017, 30 countries like Mauritius, Australia, Singapore, South Korea, Sri Lanka, Thailand, Brazil, Mexico, Uruguay, Bahrain, Iran, Saudi Arabia and UAE have already banned ENDS. ENDS including e-cigarettes, heat-not-burn devices, vape, etc. are great health risk to public at large, especially to children, adolescents, pregnant women and women of reproductive age. ENDS are not approved as NRTs (nicotine-replacement therapies) under Drugs and Cosmetics Act and rules made thereunder. ENDS solutions and emissions contain other chemicals, some of them considered to be toxicants. They contain nicotine, addictive component of tobacco products. In addition they contain metals, including lead, chromium and nickel and chemicals like formaldehyde with concentrations equal to or greater than traditional cigarettes. Use of ENDS may affect development of foetus during pregnancy. It may contribute to cardiovascular disease to people who use ENDS. Moreover, nicotine may function as ‘tumour promoter’ and seems to be involved in biology of malignant diseases. Foetal and adolescent nicotine exposure have long-term consequences for brain development, potentially leading to learning and anxiety disorders.

    15) Union Government and European Union (EU) have collaborated for research programme named Horizon 2020 to develop Next Generation Influenza Vaccine to protect citizens across the globe. For this research programme, India’s Department of Biotechnology (DBT) and EU have committed Euro 15 million (Rs. 240 crore). Horizon 2020 research project: Under this project, cost-effective and affordable influenza vaccine will be developed. It aims at advancing the efficacy, safety, duration of immunity, and reactivity against an increased breadth of influenza strains. Rs. 240 crore fund has been earmarked for research and innovation actions under this project. The vaccine will be developed by EU-India consortia by bringing together multi-disciplinary stakeholders who represent any part of chain from lab to market. It will comprise minimum of three applicants from Europe (three different EU member states) or countries associated to EU programme Horizon 20202 and minimum three applicants from India. Other countries are also free to join this EU-India consortia. Significance: The outcome of this project is expected to contribute to achievement of Sustainable Development Goal 3 (SDG-3) to ensure health and well-being for all. It will help international community to better prepare in the event of an influenza pandemic. It will also give boost India’s National Health Mission.

    16) Indian development economist and environment expert Satya S. Tripathi was appointed as has been appointed assistant secretary general of United Nations and will head New York office of UN Environment Programme (UNEP). He was appointed by UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres. Satya Tripathi: Tripathi holds commerce and law bachelors degrees and masters in law from Berhampur University in Odisha. He has rich experience of over 35 years with UN and has worked at UN since 1998 in Europe, Asia and Africa on strategic assignments in sustainable development, human rights, democratic governance and legal affairs. Since 2017, he has been senior adviser to UNEP on 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. He also had served as UN Recovery Coordinator for $7 billion post-tsunami and post-conflict recovery efforts in Aceh and Nias in Indonesia. He also had chaired Committees on Laws and Treaties for the UN-mediated Cyprus unification talks in 2004. He also has served as director and executive head of UN Office for Reducing Emissions from Deforestation and Forest Degradation in Developing Countries (REDD)+ Coordination in Indonesia. Note: Satya Tripathi is possibly third-highest ranking Indian in UN bureaucracy at present after Atul Khare, an under-secretary general who heads department of operations and Nikhil Seth who is assistant secretary general and had headed Geneva-based UN Institute for Training and Research in 2015.

    17) Search engine giant Google has unveiled Project Navlekha to make online content relevant for more Indian users especially in local languages. It was unveiled along with host of upgrades of Google’s other products at fourth ‘Google for India’ event held in New Delhi. India is important market for Google as it is second largest population of internet users in the world. At present, amount of online content in Indian languages is only 1% of what is available in English. Project Navlekha: Navlekha is word derived from Sanskrit meaning “a new way to write.” This project aims to bring 135,000 local language publishers online by making web hosting smooth and simple. It will allow local publishers who do not have websites to make their offline content fit for online publishing in less than a minute. It also comprises tool that uses Artificial Intelligence (AI) to allow publishers to simply scan documents or PDFs and create instant web pages on the platform. No expert digital knowledge is required in the process. Under Navlekha project, Google will help these publishers to receive training and support and a branded page domain for the first three years.Continue Reading W.B.C.S Current Affairs 25 December 2018 to 31 December 2018.

    18) Search engine giant Google has unveiled Project Navlekha to make online content relevant for more Indian users especially in local languages. It was unveiled along with host of upgrades of Google’s other products at fourth ‘Google for India’ event held in New Delhi. India is important market for Google as it is second largest population of internet users in the world. At present, amount of online content in Indian languages is only 1% of what is available in English. Project Navlekha: Navlekha is word derived from Sanskrit meaning “a new way to write.” This project aims to bring 135,000 local language publishers online by making web hosting smooth and simple. It will allow local publishers who do not have websites to make their offline content fit for online publishing in less than a minute. It also comprises tool that uses Artificial Intelligence (AI) to allow publishers to simply scan documents or PDFs and create instant web pages on the platform. No expert digital knowledge is required in the process. Under Navlekha project, Google will help these publishers to receive training and support and a branded page domain for the first three years.

    19) Union Government (Finance Ministry) has inked $220 million Loan Agreement with World Bank to scale-up Inida’s Energy Efficiency Program. It also signed $80 million guarantee agreement with World Bank. The loan will be provided to EESL by World Bank through its lending arm International Bank for Reconstruction and Development (IBRD). It has maturity of 19 years and 5-year grace period. The $80 million IBRD guarantee will partially cover re-payment risks to commercial lenders or investors to enable EESL to raise funds for its program. Energy Efficiency Program (EEP): It will be implemented by Energy Efficiency Services Limited (EESL). It will help to scale-up deployment of energy saving measures in residential and public sectors, strengthen EESL’s institutional capacity and enhance its access to commercial financing. Under it, EESL will deploy 219 million LED bulbs and tube lights, 5.8 million ceiling fans, and 7.2 million street lights, which will be supplied by private sector manufacturers and suppliers. Key Components of Program: Create sustainable markets for LED lights and energy efficient ceiling fans. Facilitate well-structured and scalable investments in public street lighting. Develop sustainable business models for emerging market segments such as super-efficient air conditioning and agricultural water pumping systems. Strengthen institutional capacity of EESL. Increase private sector participation in energy efficiency, including through private sector energy service companies. Significance: The World Bank investments under this program are expected to avoid lifetime greenhouse gas emissions of 170 million tons of CO2. It will also contribute to avoiding an estimated 10 GW of additional generation capacity. This will help to achieve 50% of National Mission for Enhanced Energy Efficiency target of 19.6 GW indicated in India’s Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) under 2015 Paris Agreement (India has committed to reduce carbon emissions by 33-35% by 2030 under NDC). Thus, help India to move further towards a more resource-efficient growth path. It will help tackle financing, awareness, technical and capacity barriers faced by new energy efficiency programs and also support Unnat Jyoti by Affordable LEDs for All (UJALA) program of Central Government.

    20) The fourth edition of Asian electoral stakeholders forum (AESF-IV) was held Colombo, Sri Lanka to discuss the state of elections and democracy in the region. This was for first time AESF was held in South Asia. It was jointly organised by Election Commission of Sri Lanka and Asian network for free elections (ANFREL). AESF-IV: The theme of AESF-IV was ‘Advancing Election Transparency and Integrity: Promoting and Defending Democracy Together‘. It was attended by more than 250 delegates from 45 countries. India was represented by Chief Electoral Officer of Maharashtra Ashwini Kumar and NGO. It covered wide array of crucial election issues like current state of democracy in Asia, common electoral challenges in the region, and various good practices employed to make elections better. It culminated with endorsement of landmark document, urging election stakeholders from within Asia and beyond to promote and defend democracy in the region. Asian electoral stakeholders forum (AESF): ASEF is the largest gathering of election management bodies (EMBs) and civil society organizations (CSOs) in Asia. It is being held in order to secure the broad establishment of democracy and security when holding elections within the region. It provides opportunity for Asian election commissions, election observers, non-government organizations (NGOs) and interstate bodies to gather and discuss state of elections and democracy in the region. It also provides platform for institutionalizing capacity building efforts to pave the way for more meaningful and credible election through cooperation among stakeholders. Previous AESF gatherings were instrumental in setting benchmarks and guidelines on conducting truly democratic elections which respect internationally recognized human rights and election principles and norms. The first AESF was held in Thailand in 2012 and had endorsed Bangkok Declaration on Free and Fair Elections. The second AESF was held in Dili, Timor Leste in 2015 and had established Dili Indicators of Democratic Elections. The third AESF was held in 2016 in Bali, Indonesia which had framed Bali Commitment: Eight Keys to Electoral Integrity.

    21) India’s first first-ever environment friendly biofuel powered flight between Dehradun and Delhi was propelled by blend of oil from jatropha seeds and aviation turbine fuel. The 43-minute flight was operated by SpiceJet’s Bombardier Q-400 aircraft, with 20 officials and five crew members on board. Key Facts: This plane had carried blend of 25% of bio jet fuel (derived from jatropha seeds) and 75% of aviation turbine fuel (ATF) in one of the two engines of plane, while other carried only ATF. This flight was technological demonstration that bio jet fuel can be used in flights. International standards permit a blend rate of up to 50% biofuel with ATF. The blend of bio jet fuel and ATF has potential to reduce fuel costs by 15-20%. Significance: Bio jet fuel is greenhouse gas (GHG) neutral, carbon neutral, reduces air pollution. Capping its blending with aviation turbine fuel will help to bring down import bill on crude oil. Moreover, commercialization of aviation biofuel promises large-scale employment avenues both in formal and informal sector, The use of bio jet fuel will help in reducing greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions by about 15% and sulfur oxides (SOx) emissions by over 99%. It is expected to provide indigenous jet fuel supply security. Its usage also offers superior engine performance and reduced maintenance cost for the airline operators. Jatropha: Jatropha is drought-resistant perennial plant that can grow in marginal or poor soil. It is grows relatively quickly and lives, produces seeds for 50 years. It is found to be growing in many parts of the country, especially in rugged terrain and can survive with minimum inputs and easy to propagate. It seeds has oil content of 37% which be combusted as fuel without being refined. It burns with clear smoke-free flame. It has been tested successfully as fuel for simple diesel engine. Its oil also acts as insecticide. Moreover, by-products of its seeds like press cake is good organic fertilizer. Jatropha also has medicinal properties and is used for diseases like cancer, piles, snakebite, paralysis, dropsy etc. Aviation biofuel derived from Jatropha seeds: It was indigenously developed by Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) lab based in Dehradun along with Indian Institute of Petroleum (IIP). Its experiment was started in 200 and took nearly eight years to make its use practical.

    22) Punjab Legislative Assembly has unanimously passed Indian Penal Code (Punjab Amendment) Bill, 2018 and Code of Criminal Procedure (Punjab Amendment) Bill, 2018 to make sacrilege of all religious texts punishable with life imprisonment. This comes week after State Cabinet chaired by Chief Minister Arminder Singh approved the amendments. Besides, Justice (retired) Ranjit Singh Commission report on incidents of desecration of religious texts was also tabled in the assembly. Key Highlights: These Bills amends Indian Penal Code (IPC) and Code of Criminal Procedure (CrPC) to add necessary provisions. IPC (Punjab Amendment) Bill, 2018 inserts section 295AA to IPC which says that whoever causes injury, damage or sacrilege to holy religious texts with intention to hurt religious feelings of people, will be punished with imprisonment for life. The main objective of making sacrilege of religious texts punishable offence with life imprisonment is to preserve communal harmony in the society. Background: Previously Punjab assembly in 2016, when the previous SAD-BJP government was in power, had also passed Indian Penal Code (Punjab Amendment) Bill, 2016 and Code of Criminal Procedure (Punjab Amendment) Bill, 2016. The amendments at that time were approved to seek life imprisonment for desecration of Guru Granth Sahib, holy book of Sikhs which is considered as a living guru in Sikhism. President had refused to grant assent after Centre had raised objections to these Bills. Centre had raised objection, saying punishment of life imprisonment could not be limited to desecration of holy book of just one religion and should instead be for all religions. Both of these earlier bills now stand withdrawn with passage of new Bills.

    23) Central Government along with Government of Rajasthan has signed $250 million Development Policy Loan (DPL) agreement with World Bank for Electricity Distribution Sector Reforms in Rajasthan. The loan will be provided by World Bank’s lending arm International Bank for Reconstruction and Development (IBRD). It has maturity of 21 years and 3-year grace period. Electricity Distribution Sector Reforms Program: The loan proceeds will support Rajasthan Government in improving performance of its electricity distribution sector under State’s 24×7 Power for All program. This loan was second in the series of two operations planned for comprehensive turnaround of Rajasthan’s electricity distribution sector. The first loan was closed in March 2017. Key areas of reforms program- Strengthen Governance in Distribution Sector in state by establishing Annual Performance MoUs between DISCOMs and the State Government. Put in place Performance Management System. Provide incentives to employees for improving performance. Financial Restructuring and recovery in Sector by transferring considerable amounts of DISCOMs debt to State. Bring in more discipline in revenue requirements of DISCOMs. Take initiatives in reducing the costs of energy procurement. Improve operational performance of DISCOMs through initiatives like publishing feeder level energy audits and increased usage of IT among others. Significance: This program is aligned to Broader Reform Program developed by Central Government and adopted by Rajasthan Government to improve performance of DISCOMs in the State. This will contribute to state’s fiscal sustainability and achieve objective of 24×7 Power for All initiative, which aspires to provide continuous, reliable power supply to all households in Rajasthan by 2019. It will also help to deepen Institutional and Operational Reforms that were launched in late 2015 centered around Central Government’s Ujwal DISCOM Assurance Yojna (UDAY), for which Rajasthan had joined in 2016. It also supports Rajasthan State Electricity Distribution Management Responsibility (RSEDMR) Act, which aims to reform the Governance of DISCOMs and bring greater public accountability in their functioning. The improved financial health of DISCOMS through these initiatives will help to free-up state’s resources for spending on social sectors, allowing for businesses to grow and jobs to be created.Continue Reading W.B.C.S Current Affairs 25 December 2018 to 31 December 2018.

    24) The third edition of Indian Ocean Conference was held in Hanoi, capital city of Vietnam from 27-28 August 2018. It was inaugurated by External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj and her Vietnamese counterpart Pham Binh Min, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs of Vietnam. Key Facts: The third edition of the Conference was organised by India Foundation in association with Diplomatic Academy of Vietnam, S Rajaratnam School of International Studies (RSIS), Sri Lanka and Bangladesh Institute of International and Strategic Studies. Its theme was “Building Regional Architectures”. Tt will see participation from around 35 countries and have speakers from 25 countries. Indian Ocean Conference: It has been initiated by Delhi based think tank India Foundation along with its partners from Singapore, Sri Lanka and Bangladesh. It is annual conference that aims to bring together Heads of States/Governments, Ministers, thought leaders, scholars, diplomats, bureaucrats and practitioners from across the region on a single platform. So far, two successful editions of conference were hosted in 2016 and 2017 in Singapore and Sri Lanka respectively. Both Conferences were supported by Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) of India and had seen participation from over 35 countries.

    25) The Bombay Natural History Society (BNHS), one of India’s premier avian research institutes, will start operating its first regional centre or avifauna observatory on the campus of Wetland Research and Training Centre near Chilika Lake (Asia’s largest brackish water lagoon), Odisha. Key Facts: The avifauna observatory will carry out research on avian disease by collecting samples and monitor Nalabana Bird Sanctuary. It will be engaged in identifying air route of foreign birds flocking Chilika lake during winter, sample collection, training related to bird census, publishing bird migration atlas books, examining various diseases among the birds and review condition of Nalabana bird sanctuary along with counting birds. Bombay Natural History Society (BHNS): BNHS is one of the largest non-governmental organisations in India engaged in conservation and biodiversity research. It was founded on 15 September 1883 and headquartered at Hornbill House, Mumbai. It supports many research efforts through grants and publishes Journal of Bombay Natural History Society. Department of Science and Technology has designated as ‘Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation’. Chilika Lake: It is largest coastal lagoon or brackish water lake in India and Asia and second largest lagoon in the world (after The New Caledonian barrier reef in New Caledonia). It is located at mouth of Daya River, flowing into Bay of Bengal. It is spread over Puri, Khurda and Ganjam districts of Odisha on east coast of India, covering an area of over 1,100 km sq. It hosts nearly one million birds with 97 species being intercontinental migratory in nature during the winter season. It is largest wintering ground for migratory waterfowl found anywhere on Indian sub-continent. It is one of hotspot of biodiversity in country and some rare, vulnerable and endangered species listed in IUCN Red List of threatened animals. It was first waterbody in Indian to be designated as wetland of international importance under the Ramsar Convention in 1981. It was put under Montreux Record (record for such sites where there has been or likely to be adverse ecological change due to manmade activities), but was later removed from it due to conservation efforts.

    26) The third edition of Indian Ocean Conference was held in Hanoi, capital city of Vietnam from 27-28 August 2018. It was inaugurated by External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj and her Vietnamese counterpart Pham Binh Min, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs of Vietnam. Key Facts: The third edition of the Conference was organised by India Foundation in association with Diplomatic Academy of Vietnam, S Rajaratnam School of International Studies (RSIS), Sri Lanka and Bangladesh Institute of International and Strategic Studies. Its theme was “Building Regional Architectures”. Tt will see participation from around 35 countries and have speakers from 25 countries. Indian Ocean Conference: It has been initiated by Delhi based think tank India Foundation along with its partners from Singapore, Sri Lanka and Bangladesh. It is annual conference that aims to bring together Heads of States/Governments, Ministers, thought leaders, scholars, diplomats, bureaucrats and practitioners from across the region on a single platform. So far, two successful editions of conference were hosted in 2016 and 2017 in Singapore and Sri Lanka respectively. Both Conferences were supported by Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) of India and had seen participation from over 35 countries.

    27) The Bombay Natural History Society (BNHS), one of India’s premier avian research institutes, will start operating its first regional centre or avifauna observatory on the campus of Wetland Research and Training Centre near Chilika Lake (Asia’s largest brackish water lagoon), Odisha. Key Facts: The avifauna observatory will carry out research on avian disease by collecting samples and monitor Nalabana Bird Sanctuary. It will be engaged in identifying air route of foreign birds flocking Chilika lake during winter, sample collection, training related to bird census, publishing bird migration atlas books, examining various diseases among the birds and review condition of Nalabana bird sanctuary along with counting birds. Bombay Natural History Society (BHNS): BNHS is one of the largest non-governmental organisations in India engaged in conservation and biodiversity research. It was founded on 15 September 1883 and headquartered at Hornbill House, Mumbai. It supports many research efforts through grants and publishes Journal of Bombay Natural History Society. Department of Science and Technology has designated as ‘Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation’. Chilika Lake: It is largest coastal lagoon or brackish water lake in India and Asia and second largest lagoon in the world (after The New Caledonian barrier reef in New Caledonia). It is located at mouth of Daya River, flowing into Bay of Bengal. It is spread over Puri, Khurda and Ganjam districts of Odisha on east coast of India, covering an area of over 1,100 km sq. It hosts nearly one million birds with 97 species being intercontinental migratory in nature during the winter season. It is largest wintering ground for migratory waterfowl found anywhere on Indian sub-continent. It is one of hotspot of biodiversity in country and some rare, vulnerable and endangered species listed in IUCN Red List of threatened animals. It was first waterbody in Indian to be designated as wetland of international importance under the Ramsar Convention in 1981. It was put under Montreux Record (record for such sites where there has been or likely to be adverse ecological change due to manmade activities), but was later removed from it due to conservation efforts.

    28) The third edition of Indian Ocean Conference was held in Hanoi, capital city of Vietnam from 27-28 August 2018. It was inaugurated by External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj and her Vietnamese counterpart Pham Binh Min, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs of Vietnam. Key Facts: The third edition of the Conference was organised by India Foundation in association with Diplomatic Academy of Vietnam, S Rajaratnam School of International Studies (RSIS), Sri Lanka and Bangladesh Institute of International and Strategic Studies. Its theme was “Building Regional Architectures”. Tt will see participation from around 35 countries and have speakers from 25 countries. Indian Ocean Conference: It has been initiated by Delhi based think tank India Foundation along with its partners from Singapore, Sri Lanka and Bangladesh. It is annual conference that aims to bring together Heads of States/Governments, Ministers, thought leaders, scholars, diplomats, bureaucrats and practitioners from across the region on a single platform. So far, two successful editions of conference were hosted in 2016 and 2017 in Singapore and Sri Lanka respectively. Both Conferences were supported by Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) of India and had seen participation from over 35 countries.

    29) The Bombay Natural History Society (BNHS), one of India’s premier avian research institutes, will start operating its first regional centre or avifauna observatory on the campus of Wetland Research and Training Centre near Chilika Lake (Asia’s largest brackish water lagoon), Odisha. Key Facts: The avifauna observatory will carry out research on avian disease by collecting samples and monitor Nalabana Bird Sanctuary. It will be engaged in identifying air route of foreign birds flocking Chilika lake during winter, sample collection, training related to bird census, publishing bird migration atlas books, examining various diseases among the birds and review condition of Nalabana bird sanctuary along with counting birds. Bombay Natural History Society (BHNS): BNHS is one of the largest non-governmental organisations in India engaged in conservation and biodiversity research. It was founded on 15 September 1883 and headquartered at Hornbill House, Mumbai. It supports many research efforts through grants and publishes Journal of Bombay Natural History Society. Department of Science and Technology has designated as ‘Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation’. Chilika Lake: It is largest coastal lagoon or brackish water lake in India and Asia and second largest lagoon in the world (after The New Caledonian barrier reef in New Caledonia). It is located at mouth of Daya River, flowing into Bay of Bengal. It is spread over Puri, Khurda and Ganjam districts of Odisha on east coast of India, covering an area of over 1,100 km sq. It hosts nearly one million birds with 97 species being intercontinental migratory in nature during the winter season. It is largest wintering ground for migratory waterfowl found anywhere on Indian sub-continent. It is one of hotspot of biodiversity in country and some rare, vulnerable and endangered species listed in IUCN Red List of threatened animals. It was first waterbody in Indian to be designated as wetland of international importance under the Ramsar Convention in 1981. It was put under Montreux Record (record for such sites where there has been or likely to be adverse ecological change due to manmade activities), but was later removed from it due to conservation efforts.

    30) Defence Acquisition Council (DAC) chaired by Defence Minister Nirmala Sitharaman has approved procurement of 111 utility helicopters for Indian Navy at cost of over Rs 21,000 crore. DAC is Union Defence Ministry’s highest decision making body on capital procurement of Indian Armed Forces (Army, Navy and Air Force). Key Facts: The procurement of 111 utility helicopters will be first project under Defence Ministry’s prestigious Strategic Partnership (SP) Model that aims at providing significant fillip to Government’s ‘Make in India’ programme. Several aviation majors including Airbus (Eurpore), Kamov (Russia) and Bell (US) have offered their bids for this project in addition to state owned Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL). Indian Navy will shortlist helicopter it wants after extensive evaluation process which will be followed by contract where most of these helicopters will need to be built in the country in conjunction with local partners. The contract when finalised will result in vibrant and wide-spread Defence industrial eco-system in Indian Aviation Sector with private industry and MSMEs as major stakeholders. Strategic Partnership (SP) Model: It envisages indigenous manufacturing of major defence platforms by Indian Strategic Partner, who will collaborate with foreign OEMs (original equipment manufacutures), acquire niche technologies and set up production facilities in country. The model has long-term vision of promoting India as manufacturing hub for defence equipment. It will help in enhancing self-sufficiency and establishing an industrial and R&D ecosystem, capable of meeting future requirements of Indian Armed Forces.

    31) The Appointments Committee of Cabinet (ACC) has appointed distinguished missile scientist Dr. G Satheesh Reddy was appointed as Secretary of Department of Defence R&D (DDR&D) and Chairman of Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO). Prior to this appointment he was scientific adviser to defence minister and director general, Missiles & Strategic Systems (DG MSS). Union Government in May 2015 had bifurcated post of scientific adviser to defence minister-cum-DRDO chief, which was held by one person till then. Dr. G Satheesh Reddy: He is well known for his significant contributions to indigenous design, development, deployment of diversified missiles and strategic systems, guided weapons, avionics technologies and for sustained efforts in advancement of aerospace technologies & industries in India. He hails from Nellore in Andhra Pradesh. He had graduated in electronics and communication engineering from JNTU, Anantapur, and received his MS & Ph.D from JNTU, Hyderabad. He joined Defence Research and Development Laboratory (DRDL), Hyderabad in 1986. Subsequently he had joined Research Centre Imarat (RCI), which is brain child of scientist and late president Dr APJ Abdul Kalam, after its formation. He was elevated as Distinguished Scientist in September 2014 and was appointed as scientific adviser to defence minister in May 2015. In this role, he had significantly contributed to formulation of many national policies and was pivotal in evolving roadmap for self-sufficiency in missiles. As DG of Missiles and Strategic Systems (DG, MSS), he had spearheaded Abdul Kalam Missile Complex Laboratories – ASL, DRDL and RCI, ITR, TBRL and other technical facilities. He also had led design and development of wide range of tactical and strategic missile systems to attain complete self-sufficiency in missiles and initiated many projects to equip armed forces with state-of-the-art weapons and technologies. He also had played important role in invigorating Ballistic Missile Defence (BMD) programme and developed mission critical technologies for long range Agni-5 missile. As director, RCI, he had led many programmes, projects and steered development of indigenous RF and IIR Seekers.

    32) Madhya Pradesh forest department has written to National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA) to revive its Cheetah Reintroduction Project to reintroduce Cheetahs in Nauradehi sanctuary located in Sagar district of state. The ambitious project was conceived in 2009 but had hit roadblock for want of funds. Key Facts: Cheetah, fastest land animal was declared extinct in India in 1952. India’s last spotted Asiatic cheetah (Acinonyx jubatus venaticus) had died in Chhattisgarh in 1947. This species was hunted into extinction by British colonial officers and Indian royalty. According to earlier action plan, around 20 cheetahs were to be translocated to Nauradehi from Namibia in Africa. Namibia Cheetah Conservation Fund had then showed its willingness to donate felines to India However, State was not ready to finance plan contending that it was the Centre’s project. Background: In 2011, NTCA, a statutory body under Union Environment Ministry had committed Rs.50 crore to State for this project. Dehradun based Wildlife Institute of India (WII) also had prepared Rs. 260 crore Cheetah Re-introduction Project in 2012. It was estimated that Rs. 25 crore to Rs. 30 crore will be needed to build enclosure with huge boundary walls in area of 150 sq km for introduction and protection of Cheetahs in Nauradehi before releasing them in wild. Nauradehi sanctuary was found to be most suitable area for reintroduction of Cheetahs as its forests are not very dense to restrict fast movement of Cheetahs and also has abundant prey.

    33) The G20 Digital Economy Ministerial Meeting was held in Salta, Argentina from 23 to 24 August, 2018. It took place as part of Sherpa Track for 2018 G20 Leaders’ Summit, which is to be hosted by Argentina by end of 2018. The theme of the meeting was ‘Building consensus for fair and sustainable development‘. Its three key issues for the agenda were future of work, infrastructure for development, and sustainable food future. It concluded with adaptation of declaration that reflects G20’s commitment towards promoting policies and actions that catalyze digital transformations. Key Facts: The meeting was attended by 33 heads of delegation- ministers, senior officials and representatives from invited countries and international organizations like EU, UNCTAD, ITU etc. India was represented by Union Minister for Electronics and IT & Law and Justice Ravi Shankar Prasad. The participating delegates deliberated upon efforts to create conditions that help governments, private sector and civil society maximize benefits and confront challenges posed by technological progress. The other focus areas which were also deliberated included digital inclusion in particular gender divide, digital government, digital infrastructure and measuring digital economy. Participating G20 member nations agreed to promote policies that will contribute to bridging all forms of digital divide with special attention to digital gender divide. They also agreed to promote digital government and digital infrastructure, strengthen digital skills of workforce, deepen analysis towards digital economy measurement and to share experiences and lesson learned. G20: Group of Twenty (G20) is premier forum for international economic cooperation and decision-making. It is a forum for governments and central bank governors from 20 major economies to focus on economic issues and other important development challenges. The G20 comprises of total 19 countries plus European Union (EU), representing 85% of global GDP, 80% of international trade, 65% of world’s population. Its members include Australia, Argentina, Brazil, Canada, China, India, France, Germany, Indonesia, Italy, Japan, South Korea, Mexico, Saudi Arabia, Russia, Turkey, South Africa, UK, US and EU. It was started in 1999 as meeting of Finance Ministers and Central Bank Governors in the aftermath of the South-east Asian (Tiger economies) financial crisis. It was established for studying, reviewing, and promoting high-level discussion of policy issues pertaining to the promotion of international financial stability. In 2008, the first G20 Leaders’ Summit was held in Washington DC, US. Prior to this, it was merely forum for meeting of Finance Ministers and Central Bank Governors. The group has played key role in responding to the global financial crisis.

    34) Defence Acquisition Council (DAC) has approved procurement of 14 Vertically Launched Short Range Missile Systems. Of these, 10 systems will be indigenously developed and remaining four will be imported. These missile systems will help boost self-defence capability of ships against anti-ship missiles. DAC is Union Defence Ministry’s highest decision making body on capital procurement of Indian Armed Forces (Army, Navy and Air Force). It is chaired by Defence Minister. Vertically Launched Missile Systems (VLS): VLS is advanced system for holding and firing missiles on mobile naval platforms, such as surface ships and submarines. Each vertical launch system consists of number of cells, which can hold one or more missiles ready for firing. Typically, each cell can hold number of different types of missiles, allowing ship flexibility to load best set for any given mission.

    35) Defence Acquisition Council (DAC) has approved procurement 24 anti-submarine capable multi role helicopters to enhance capability of Indian Navy at sea. This approval will allow Government to sign contract US based aviation giant Lockheed Martin for purchasing 24 MH-60R helicopters for Indian Navy. This contract will be direct government-to-government (G2G) deal with United States worth approximately $1.8 billion. MH-60R helicopters (or Seahawk multi-mission helicopters)are anti-submarine helicopters. Buying them will replace British-built Sea King helicopters, many of which are more than three-decades-old. Background: Multi role helicopters are integral part of frontline warships like aircraft carriers, destroyers, frigates and corvettes. Availability of MRH with Indian Navy will help to plug existing capability gap. For years, Indian Navy has argued that its warships lack any modern anti-submarine helicopters with existing Sea King fleet now being obsolete. At present less than 10 Sea King helicopters are operational and their absence has forced Indian Navy to sail its warships without support of these helicopters. Frontline destroyers of Indian Navy have hangars which can house two helicopters of this class but frequently put to sea without any integral helicopter support.

    36) Shot-putter Tejinder Pal Singh Toor (24) won Gold medal in men’s shot put final at 2018 Jakarta-Palembang Asian GamesAsian Games held in Indonesia. He finished first in men’s shot put final and set new record at 20.75 m in his fifth attempt. It was India’s first Gold medal in Athletics event in this edition of Asian Games. Tejinder Pal Singh Toor: He hails from Punjab (Khosa Pando village in Moga district) and is son of farmer. He holds outdoor national record of 20.75m in shot put throw. He had won silver medal at 2017 Asian Athletics Championships held in Bhubaneswar, Odisha in shot put with throw of 19.77m, missing out on gold medal by 0.03 m. He had finished eighth infinal of 2018 Commonwealth Games with throw of 19.42m.

    37) Indian tennis pair of Rohan Bopanna and Divij Sharan won gold medal in Men’s Doubles tennis at 2018 Asian Games. In the final match, they defeated Kazakhstan’s Aleksandar Bublik and Denis Yevseyv pair by 6-3, 6-4 score in a match that lasted 52 minutes. Earlier in semi-final, Rohan Bopanna and Sharan had won against Japan’s Kaito Uesugi and Sho Shimabukoro by 4-6, 6-3, 10-8 score in three-set match which lasted for 72 minutes. 2018 Asian Games: It is 18th edition of Asian Games hosted by Indonesia. It was held from August 18 to September 2, 2018 in two cities – Jakarta (capital of Indonesia) and Palembang (capital of Indonesia’s province of South Sumatra). It is second time Indonesia hosting Asian Games. For first, it was held in Jakarta in 1962. Mascots: Trio of Bhin Bhin (bird of paradise), Kaka (one horned rhino) and Atung (deer) are mascots of 2018 Asian Games. These three mascots represent east, west and centre of country and they have dress traditional to each locality.Continue Reading W.B.C.S Current Affairs 25 December 2018 to 31 December 2018.

    38) Indian tennis pair of Rohan Bopanna and Divij Sharan won gold medal in Men’s Doubles tennis at 2018 Asian Games. In the final match, they defeated Kazakhstan’s Aleksandar Bublik and Denis Yevseyv pair by 6-3, 6-4 score in a match that lasted 52 minutes. Earlier in semi-final, Rohan Bopanna and Sharan had won against Japan’s Kaito Uesugi and Sho Shimabukoro by 4-6, 6-3, 10-8 score in three-set match which lasted for 72 minutes. 2018 Asian Games: It is 18th edition of Asian Games hosted by Indonesia. It was held from August 18 to September 2, 2018 in two cities – Jakarta (capital of Indonesia) and Palembang (capital of Indonesia’s province of South Sumatra). It is second time Indonesia hosting Asian Games. For first, it was held in Jakarta in 1962. Mascots: Trio of Bhin Bhin (bird of paradise), Kaka (one horned rhino) and Atung (deer) are mascots of 2018 Asian Games. These three mascots represent east, west and centre of country and they have dress traditional to each locality.

    39) Unique Identification Authority of India (UIDAI) has announced new measure to make facial recognition mandatory for every authentication that requires Aadhaar. The facial recognition will come as additional feature along withregular authentication process that includes identification of an individual based on fingerprints or eye scans. Key Facts: This new measure for using facial recognition is being implemented following official circulars issued by UIDAI to Authentication Service Agencies, Authentication User Agencies and certified biometric device providers. It is being used to provide additional security layer and also make Aadhaar process more inclusive. This process will be rolled out in phased manner and it will be initially mandated for providers of SIM cards of telecom service providers (TSPs). The telecom operators have been directed that at least 10% of their total monthly authentication transactions should be performed using facial recognition from September 15, 2018. Significance: The most common services that require Aadhaar authentication include issuance of mobile SIM cards, banks verification, public distribution system (PDS) and office attendance at government offices. There have been numerous instances where people have been excluded from Aadhaar authentication as their fingerprints were worn out due to old age or because of being involved in manual labour or agriculture. The use of facial recognition will help include such people in Aadhaar authentication process. Unique Identification Authority of India (UIDAI): UIDAI is nodal statutory organization behind Aadhaar, a 12 digit unique number. It was granted statutory status by Aadhaar (Targeted Delivery of Financial and Other Subsidies, Benefits and Services) Act, 2016. Aadhaar is 10 digit number is linked with an individual’s demographic and biometric information, which serves as an authentication tool throughout India. Using Aadhaar, Union and State Governments are trying to link many of their major development and subsidy schemes to reduce leakages and duplication.

    40) Unique Identification Authority of India (UIDAI) has announced new measure to make facial recognition mandatory for every authentication that requires Aadhaar. The facial recognition will come as additional feature along withregular authentication process that includes identification of an individual based on fingerprints or eye scans. Key Facts: This new measure for using facial recognition is being implemented following official circulars issued by UIDAI to Authentication Service Agencies, Authentication User Agencies and certified biometric device providers. It is being used to provide additional security layer and also make Aadhaar process more inclusive. This process will be rolled out in phased manner and it will be initially mandated for providers of SIM cards of telecom service providers (TSPs). The telecom operators have been directed that at least 10% of their total monthly authentication transactions should be performed using facial recognition from September 15, 2018. Significance: The most common services that require Aadhaar authentication include issuance of mobile SIM cards, banks verification, public distribution system (PDS) and office attendance at government offices. There have been numerous instances where people have been excluded from Aadhaar authentication as their fingerprints were worn out due to old age or because of being involved in manual labour or agriculture. The use of facial recognition will help include such people in Aadhaar authentication process. Unique Identification Authority of India (UIDAI): UIDAI is nodal statutory organization behind Aadhaar, a 12 digit unique number. It was granted statutory status by Aadhaar (Targeted Delivery of Financial and Other Subsidies, Benefits and Services) Act, 2016. Aadhaar is 10 digit number is linked with an individual’s demographic and biometric information, which serves as an authentication tool throughout India. Using Aadhaar, Union and State Governments are trying to link many of their major development and subsidy schemes to reduce leakages and duplication.

    41) Indian Institute of Technology-Hyderabad (IIT-H) has launched “Fabless Chip Design Incubator (FabCI)”, an exclusive incubator to boost chip design. It is first of its kind in India that will focus on creating an ecosystem for start-ups in chip design. Fabless Chip Design Incubator (FabCI): FabCI is funded by Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeITY) along with technology partners Cadence Design Systems and Mentor Graphics both are leading providers of Electronic Design Automation (EDA) software, hardware and IP. I FabCI’s purpose is to incubate at least 50 ‘Make-in-India’ chip design companies that can compete globally and generate Intellectual Property Rights (IPRs). It will provide bouquet of offerings including free software tools with leading technology partners in Electronic Design Automation (EDA), characterization facility for testing chips and equipment for performing DC and RF characterization. It will also offer virtual support to non-Hyderabad start-ups which can join FabCI and leverage the offerings and participate remotely.

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