Current Affairs JCECE Engineering

India hosts 5th Asia Pacific drosophila research conference in Pune

The 5th edition of the Asia Pacific Drosophila Research Conference (APDRC5) held in Pune, Maharashtra. The conference is being conducted in India for the 1st time. It is organised by the Indian Institute of Science Education and Research (IISER). The aims of the conference are to promote the interaction of Drosophila researchers in the Asia-Pacific region with their peers in the rest of the world. It will bring together scientists from all over the world who use the fruit fly, Drosophila, as a model organism to address basic and applied questions.

Catgeory: Summits

Maharashtra CM to inaugrates “Advantage Maharashtra expo 2020”

Maharashtra Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray will inaugurate “Advantage Maharashtra expo 2020” in Aurangabad. The Exhibition has been organised by the Marathwada Association of Small Scale Industries and Agriculture (MASSIA). This Exhibition showcase the growth of Marathwada industries in technology and innovation and the products produced and exported from the region will be showcased in this exhibition. This exhibition will provide an opportunity for businesses and will serve the platform for small entrepreneurs.

Catgeory: State

16th Pravasi Bhartiya Divas: 9 January

Pravasi Bharatiya Divas (PBD) is celebrated on 9th January every year. This year the 16th edition of Pravasi Bhartiya Divas is celebrated across the country. The day is celebrated every year to mark the contribution of the overseas Indian community in the development of India. It also commemorates the return of Mahatma Gandhi from South Africa to India on 9 January 1915. The Pravasi Bharatiya Divas conventions established in 2003. The celebratory event is organised by the Ministry of External Affairs every year. In this occasion, President of India conferred Pravasi Bharatiya Samman to NRIs or PIOs (Person of Indian Origin) or an organization established by NRIs or PIOs, who have made a significant contribution in supporting, promoting and building India’s links overseas.

Catgeory: Important Days

India listed as 5th biggest Geo-political Risk of 2020

India under Prime Minister Narendra Modi has been listed as the 5th biggest Geo-political Risk of 2020. The listing was done by Eurasia Group in its report. The report states ‘Top 10 Risks’ of the year 2020.

The Top 10 Risks of 2020 are as followed:

1. RIGGED!: WHO GOVERNS THE US?
2. THE GREAT DECOUPLING
3. US/CHINA
4. MNCS NOT TO THE RESCUE
5. INDIA GETS MODI-FIED
6. GEOPOLITICAL EUROPE
7. POLITICS VS. ECONOMICS OF CLIMATE CHANGE
8. SHIA CRESCENDO
9. DISCONTENT IN LATIN AMERICA
10. TURKEY

Catgeory: Ranks & Reports

Nirbhaya funds: IP based video surveillance in railways & Fast Track Courts

The Indian Railways has enhanced security in major railway hubs by installing IP based video surveillance system. The surveillance has been installed in parking areas, entrance and exit platforms, waiting hall and over bridges.

Highlights

The surveillance system is to be installed in 983 stations at a budget of Rs 250 crores. The budget is being allocated from Nirbhaya funds. The surveillance is to be extended to other stations and coaches soon. The project implementation is to begin with south Western Railways.

Nirbhaya Funds

Nirbhaya fund was announced in the Union Budget 2013 by the then Finance minister P Chidambaram. Rs 1,000 crore had been allocated. The Ministry of Women and child Development prepares the scope and application of the fund. Ministry of Finance is responsible for the application of the fund. For a long time, several entities complained that the fund was kept unutilized. Recently, the accused of Nirbhaya case were sentenced with death by the Delhi High Court.

Nirbhaya Fund usage so far

The GoI sanctioned Rs 1000 crores from the fund to implement women help desks in police stations. Also, anti-trafficking units are to be set up in all districts with the funds. A “Safe City Programme” was implemented at a cost of Rs 194.44 crores. SAECK (Sexual Assault Evidence Collection kits) were distributed with Nirbhaya funds. Sakhi centres (One Stop Centres) were set up through Nirbhaya fund under National Mission for Empowerment of women.

1023 Fast track Courts

On January 9, 2020, GoI has begun fast track special courts under Nirbhaya funds. The aim of the courts is to dispose pending cases registered under POCSO act and rape faster. Around 389 courts have been planned where the pendency of cases is more than 100.

Catgeory: National

Railways: First Solar Power and plans to Link J&K with rest of India

On January 9, 2020, Indian Railways announced that it will source 1000 MW of solar power and 200 MW of wind power to zonal railways by 2021-22. Also, Kashmir is to be linked with the rest of India through railway network by December 2021.

Highlights: Solar Power

In order to implement the solar and wind power in Indian Railways, GoI has planned to install 500 MW of solar plants on roof top of Railway buildings to meet non-traction loads. It has also planned to install another 500 MW of land based solar plants whose energy will be used to meet both non-traction and traction load requirements. The South-Central Railways is the first to actively work on solar based projects. In this Zone, so far 8 stations have been provided with solar panels to meet the power requirements of the station.

Highlights: Kashmir

GoI has announced the new date for the completion of 111-km stretch of railway link project between Katra and Banihal in Kashmir. The project aims at linking Kashmir with the rest of India. The project will be completed by December 2021. Konkan Railways is the implementing agency of the project. According to Railways, this is the most challenging infrastructure project in its 150-year long history. The bridge, that is part of the project, across Chenab river will be the highest bridge in the world. It will be 359 metres above the river bed. The link is a part of Udhampur-Srinagar-Baramulla rail link. The project that aims at connecting Udhampur-Srinagar-Baramulla was announced as a national project in 2002.

Catgeory: National

World Bank’s Global Economic Prospect: World Economic Growth projected at 2.5%

On January 9, 2020, the World Bank released its Global Economic Prospect. According to its forecast, the world is expected to grow economically at the rate of 2.5%. This is the lowest prediction since that predicted in 2008-09, 3.1%. By then, the global financial crisis derailed the economy.

Highlights

The report says that investment and trade in the country is expected to recover. However, the downward risks from 2019 are to continue. It also said that the advanced economies are to slip their growth by 1.4% as the manufacturing sector continues to soften. The emerging markets in the developing economies are to witness acceleration in their growth according to the report. However, this is not applicable to all. A third of developing countries are expected to decelerate this year. Predominantly the growing economies are located in South and South East Asia.

South Asia

Growth in South Asia is expected to rise by 5.5% in 2020. The report predicts India’s growth rate at 5%. It is expected that the credit from non-banking companies to expected to weaken. The report also says that India will see a growth rate of 5.5% in the subsequent year. The United States is expected to grow at 1.8% and European Union is projected to slip its growth by 1% in 2020.

Catgeory: Ranks & Reports

World Cup winner Daniele De Rossi from Italy retires from football

Italian Veteran footballer Daniele De Rossi announced his retirement. He won the 2006 world cup title for Italy after defeating France. He has played 117 games for Italy from 2004-17.

Catgeory: Sports

RBI allows to offer 24×7 rupee trading via select banks

The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has enabled select banks in India to offer round-the-clock (24×7) trading in the Indian rupee to allow Indians to safeguard their foreign exchange (Forex) risks at any time. The select banks in India offered Indian customers foreign exchange rates only in inter-bank market hours from 9 am – 5 pm. This decision will also make the offshore currency markets in countries like Dubai & Singapore less attractive for Indian investors.

Catgeory: Economy & Banking

Indian Navy start 1st ‘Maha-Navy Connect 2020’

Indian Navy starts 1st Maha-Navy Connect 2020 Tri-Dimensional Expedition started from Mumbai, Maharashtra. The aim of the expedition is to promote the maritime heritage of India and spread awareness about Coastal Security amongst the coastal communities in Maharashtra. The tri-dimensional expedition consisting of yachting, running and cycling teams of 50 naval personnel. This expedition will cover more than 555kms from Maharashtra’s northernmost fort Arnala to its southernmost Sindhudurg fort.

Catgeory: Defense

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