Daily Current affairs - January 13th to 17th, 2018 for all competitive exams
Army Day is celebrated on 15th January every year in India, in recognition of Field Marshal Kodandera M. Cariappa's (then a Lieutenant General) taking over as the first Commander-in-Chief of the Indian Army from General Sir Francis Butcher, the last British Commander-in-Chief of India, on 15th January 1949.
- The 70th Army Day is being celebrated on January 15, 2018.
- On this day, tributes are paid to the martyred soldiers at the Amar Jawan Jyoti at India Gate, followed by military shows featuring the achievements of the Army.
Israeli PM Netanyahu to inaugurate 3rd edition of geo-political conference Raisina Dialogue
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu inaugurated the third edition of the geo-political conference – Raisina Dialogue in New Delhi.
- Prime Minister Narendra Modi and External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj will also be a part of the inaugural session of the three-day event, which has an impressive lineup of more than 150 speakers and over 550 delegates.
- The theme of the dialogue this year is ‘Managing Disruptive Transitions: Ideas, Institutions and Idioms.’
The Raisina Dialogue is a multilateral conference held annually in New Delhi. Since its inception in 2016, the conference has emerged as India’s flagship conference on geopolitics and geo-economics.
The conference is hosted by the Observer Research Foundation, an independent think tank, in collaboration with the Ministry of External Affairs of India.
The name "Raisina Dialogue" comes from Raisina Hill, an elevation in New Delhi that is home to the Government of India, as well as the Presidential Palace of India, Rashtrapati Bhavan
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Government to launch ‘operation digital board’
The Centre and state governments had resolved to launch “operation digital board” and also to initiate a scheme to identify out of school children from September 2018.
- This was informed by the HRD minister Prakash Javadekar at the end of the first day of the65th Cabinet Advisory Board of Education (CABE) meeting in Delhi.
- Speaking of “operation digital board”, the HRD minister said that it has been 50 to 60 years now since the launch of “operation blackboard.
Government withdraws Haj subsidy for pilgrims
The government withdrew its Haj subsidy for pilgrims, stating that the decision is part of its agenda of empowering minorities without appeasement.
- The subsidy would now be used for the education of minorities, particularly girls.
- The main beneficiary of the Rs.700-crore Haj subsidy was Air India.
Global Initiative on Academic Network (GIAN) Program launched in Noida
The First Global Initiative on Academic Network (GIAN) course on Sustainable Urban planning using remote sensing and Geographic Information System, GIS has been launched at Indian Institute of Technology Kanpur’s outreach center in NOIDA.
- This course is being conducted under the Global Initiative on Academic Network (GIAN) Program of the Ministry of Human Resource Development and actively supported by NITI Aayog and Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs.
- This course aims to give participants state-of-the-art remote sensing and GIS skills which will allow them to rise to the challenge of managing the rapidly changing urban environment of Indian cities.
- Focus will be on issues such as water resource management, water pollution and strategic emplacements for water treatment facilities.
President Ram Nath Kovind visits Maharashtra to inaugurate Economic Democracy Conclave
President Ram Nath Kovind visit Maharashtra and inaugurate the Economic Democracy Conclave’ at Thane.
- The conclave was being organised by Rambhau Mhalgi Prabodhini with an aim to create a platform for young entrepreneurs and self-employed individuals and provide them motivation, networking and mentoring.
MoC organized Rashtriya Sanskriti Mahotsav-2018
To celebrate the idea of unity in diversity, the Ministry of Culture is organising the 7th edition of the Rashtriya Sanskriti Mahotsav.
- The Mahotsav will cover a profusion of art forms from classical and folk, music and dance, theatre to literature and the visual arts and would offer the chance to experience the best in established and emerging virtuosity. A handloom and handicrafts-utsav is part of the proposed event. The gastronomic culture of several partnering states will be showcased through a food festival.
- The Ministry of Culture is organising the event under the Ek Bharat Shreshtha Bharat matrix.
- The event will be held in Karnataka. The State paired with Karnataka is Uttarakhand.
Saksham-2018 campaign launched in New Delhi
‘Saksham 2018’, a vigorous and high intensity one-month long people-centric mega campaign of Petroleum Conservation Research Association (PCRA), Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas has been launched on 16thJanuary in an inaugural function held in Delhi.
- The PCRA Saksham National Essay and Painting competition-2017 has been a big hit amongst the school children with about 40 Lakh students from across schools of all education boards of the country participating in it.
- The quality of the programmes under ‘Saksham’ is going to leave a positive and lasting impressions in the minds of masses and set the stage for providing fresh impetus to the efforts made for fuel conservation in the country.
Country’s First Agri-commodity Options Contracts in Guar Seed
The Union Finance Minister, Shri Arun Jaitley recently launched the country’s First Agri-commodity Options Contracts in Guar Seed.
- NCDEX Agri-Options in Guar Seed aim to provide farmers better engagement in the commodity markets.
INTACH to document heritage sites along Mahanadi river
Indian National Trust for Art and Cultural Heritage (INTACH) launched a programme for documentation of the tangible and intangible heritage sites along both sides of Mahanadi river.
- It will be a road map for the conservation workers, historians, students and researchers. Seven teams of culture enthusiasts will cover nearly 1000 kilometres on both side of the river Mahanadi under the project.
INTACH is an autonomous non-governmental Indian non-profit society that seeks to preserve Indian culture and heritage. It was founded in 1984.
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EC Set up 14- member committee for changes in RPA
The Election Commission (EC) has set up a 14-member committee to suggest changes to Section 126 of the Representation of the People (RP) Act, which prohibits poll campaign in the last 48 hours leading to voting, in the wake of media expansion. The committee, chaired by Deputy Election Commissioner Umesh Sinha, will submit its report within three months.
- Election Commission is of the considered view that due to multifold expansion of digital and electronic media, the extant Model Code of Conduct, Section 126 of the RP Act, 1951, and other related provisions require revisiting to cater to the requirement and challenges of the present and emerging situations.
Model Code of Conduct(MCC):
These are the guidelines issued by the Election Commission of India for conduct of political parties and candidates during elections mainly with respect to speeches, polling day, polling booths, election manifestos, processions and general conduct.
Aim: To ensure free and fair elections
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MoU on North Koel Reservoir Project
A Memorandum of Understanding has been signed between Ministry of Water Resources, River Development and Ganga Rejuvenation, Government of India, State of Bihar and State of Jharkhand for completion of balance works of North Koel reservoir project at an estimated cost of Rs. 1622.27 crore.
- A supplementary Memorandum of Agreement has also been signed between Ministry of Water Resources, River Development and Ganga Rejuvenation, Government of India, National Water Development Agency, NABARD with State Governments of Bihar and Jharkhand for funding of the state share under Long Term Irrigation Fund (LTIF) for North Koel reservoir project.
The project is situated on North Koel river which is a tributary of Sone river finally joining the river Ganga. The North Koel Reservoir is located in the most backward tribal areas in Palamau and Garhwa districts of Jharkhand State.
The construction was originally started in the year 1972 and continued till 1993 when it was stopped by the Forest Department, Govt. of Bihar. Since then, the work on dam is at a standstill.
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IPrism competition launched
IPrism is one of its kind Intellectual Property (IP) Competition for college and university students.
- The Cell for IPR Promotion and Management (CIPAM), Department of Industrial Policy and Promotion (DIPP), in collaboration with ASSOCHAM and ERICSSON India, has launched this competition.
- The competition aims to foster a culture of innovation and creativity in the younger generation. It will provide young creators a unique opportunity to see their creations recognized on a national platform. This competition invites students to submit films on piracy & counterfeiting under two categories of 30 and 60 seconds. Another category in the competition is for a mobile gaming app on IP.
Cell for IPR Promotion and Management (CIPAM) has been created as a professional body under the aegis of DIPP to take forward the implementation of the National IPR Policy that was approved by the Government in May 2016, with the slogan – “Creative India; Innovative India”.
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Delhi’s Teen Murti Chowk renamed after Israeli city Haifa
The iconic Teen Murti Chowk has been renamed after the Israeli City Haifa, a year after the plan was put on hold by the NDMC.
- The announcement comes after the scheduled visit of Israel Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to India.
- The idea of renaming Teen Murti road and chowk after Haifa was proposed in the New Delhi Municipal Council (NDMC) council during Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to Israel last year.
- The Teen Murti Chowk will be renamed as Teen Murti Haifa Chowk, in the centenary year of the Battle for Haifa as a symbol of friendship between the people of India and Israel.
Bihar poorest state in India, Delhi richest: National survey
National Family Health Survey on around 6 lakh households in 2015-16 has revealed that Bihar is India’s poorest state, while Delhi is the richest.
- The survey classifies all households into five wealth quintiles, according to which Bihar has more than half of its households in the bottom quintile, while Delhi has over 60% households in the top quintile.
According to the Union health ministry’s National Family Health Survey-4 (NFHS-4), only 24% of the married women between 15 and 49 years want another child. For men, the corresponding proportion is 27%, down from 49% a decade ago.
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Karnataka Chief Minister launches Mysuru’s Indira Canteens
Mysuru’s first Indira Canteen was launched on the premises of Command Area Development Authority (CADA) office near the Mysuru Palace.
- Chief Minister Siddaramaiah inaugurated the canteen and also savoured the inaugural breakfast – Upma and Kesaribath.
- 11 canteens will be operated across Mysuru city, serving breakfast, lunch and dinner at subsidised costs.
India, and Canada to sign an MoU for cooperation in Science and Technology
India will soon sign a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) for the cooperation in the field of Science and Technology with Canada.
- The MoU will provide a mechanism and help bring scientific cooperation between R&D and academic institutions of the two countries.
- Union Cabinet chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi has approved a MoU with Canada.
Indo-US Joint training exercise Vajra Prahar
‘Vajra Prahar’ is a Indo-US Special Forces joint training exercise conducted alternately in India and the US.
- The upcoming edition of the joint military exercise ‘Vajra Prahar’ will be held at Joint Base Lewis-McChord (JBLM) in Seattle. The exercise will mainly focus on special operations in urban areas.
- The aim of the exercise is to promote military relations between the two countries by enhancing interoperability and mutual exchange of tactics between Special Forces. The objectives of the joint training is to share the best practices between the two armies and to develop joint strategies by sharing expertise of conducting operations in a counter-insurgency and counter-terrorism environment, while capitalising on the rich repository of experiences of each other armies.
Though the exercise began in 2010, there was a gap of three years between 2012 and 2015. The last edition was held in Jodhpur in March 2017. This edition’s Indian Army team is from the Pune-headquartered Southern Command.
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Muhajirs in US launch ‘Free Karachi’ campaign
A group of Muhajirs in the US have launched a ‘Free Karachi’ campaign to highlight the alleged state-sponsored atrocities against their community in
the port city of Pakistan.
- There were slogans like we want Karachi free from the control of Islamabad. We want Karachi to be free from atrocities of the security forces.
- The protesters said they would approach Congressmen, policymakers and even President Donald Trump to raise their issue.
The term ‘Muhajir’ is used to describe the Urdu-speaking immigrants who left India in 1947 and came to Pakistan.
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Sri Lanka lifts ban on women buying, selling alcohol
Sri Lanka has revoked a 38-year ban on buying and selling alcohol by women.
- Minister Mangala Samaraweera signed the notification revoking the ban to restore gender equality and promote tourism.
- The ban had been in force since 1979, the early years of Sri Lanka embracing an open market economy. But many businesses had employed women to sell and serve alcohol and sold alcohol to them in spite of the ban.
Srilanka
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Capital
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Colombo
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Currency
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Srilankan Rupee
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Prime Minister
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Ranil Wickremesinghe
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Turkmenistan bans women from driving
Turkmenistan has banned women from driving in the country.
- President Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov issued the order at the request of Interior Minister Isgender Mulikov who claimed that women drivers were responsible for the majority of car accidents in the country.
- Officials have reportedly started seizing the licences of female drivers and impounding their cars.
Turkmenistan
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Capital
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Asghabat
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Currency
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Turkmenistan Manat
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President
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Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedow
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Iran lifts restrictions on Internet use
The Iranian government has lifted all restrictions on the use of the Internet, including the Telegram message app.
- Protests had spread across Iran after residents of the northeastern city of Mashhad took to the streets on December 28 over unemployment and rising prices.
- 23 people died in clashes between the demonstrators and security forces. The protesters used Telegram and other social networking services. The unrest subsided after the government imposed the controls.
Iran
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Capital
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Tehran
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Currency
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Iranian rial
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President
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Hassan Rouhani
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UK launched 25 Year Environment Plan
UK has launched its long-awaited 25 Year Environment Plan. The Plan sets out comprehensive and long-term approach to protecting and enhancing the environment in England for the next generation.
- The Plan is far-reaching, touching on topics ranging from plastics recycling, biodiversity and habitats to climate change and air pollution.
- The plan promises a consultation on a new independent body to hold government to account post-Brexit, alongside a new set of green principles to underpin policy-making. A new set of metrics will also help assess progress against the 25 Year goals.
UK
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Capital
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London
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Currency
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Pound Sterling
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Prime minister
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Theresa May
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Saudi allows women to visit country without a male companion
Women aged 25 and above will now be allowed to visit Saudi Arabia alone, without being accompanied by a male companion.
- The move is a part of Saudi Arabia’s broader plans to issue tourist visas.
- Saudi’s promotion of tourism is aimed at diversifying its source of revenue generation.
Saudi Arabia
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Capital
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Riyadh
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Currency
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Saudi riyal
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King
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Salman
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Station Explorer for X-ray Timing and Navigation Technology
NASA has invented a new type of autonomous space navigation that could see human-made spacecraft heading into the far reaches of the Solar System, and even farther – by using pulsars as guide stars.
- It’s called Station Explorer for X-ray Timing and Navigation Technology, or SEXTANT (named after an 18th century nautical navigation instrument).
- SEXTANT works like a GPS receiver getting signals from at least three GPS satellites, all of which are equipped with atomic clocks. The receiver measures the time delay from each satellite and converts this into spatial coordinates.
ISRO releases first image taken by Cartosat-2
ISRO released the first image captured by its Cartosat-2 series satellite which was recently launched from the space agency’s spaceport at Sriharikota.
- The image shows a part of Indore with the Holkar Cricket Stadium in the centre.
Uber limits driver hours in Britain to 10
US ride-hailing app Uber said it would cap the number of hours its drivers can work in Britain from next week in a bid to increase safety after heavy criticism of its business practices.
- The new policy means that drivers must take an uninterrupted six-hour break after 10 hours, and will not be able to log on to the app during that time.
- The company had already been messaging drivers who were working too long to switch off its app.
LG unveils robot to deliver meals in hotels, airports
South Korean electronics company LG has unveiled a hospitality robot at CES 2018 designed to deliver food and drinks to travellers in hotels and airport lounges.
- The Serving Robot, which is part of a range of concept robots called CLOi, has a built-in sliding tray for serving.
- It also features a touchscreen which users can tap after receiving their order.
Alibaba-owned DingTalk enterprise messaging app launched in India
Chinese e-commerce giant Alibaba-owned messaging app DingTalk unveiled an English version in India that caters to the small and medium-sized enterprises.
- Available on both Android and iOS operating systems, DingTalk is a communication and collaboration platform designed for enterprises.
- The app also offers features such as smart attendance system and ‘secret chat’.
Telegram to launch its own cryptocurrency to raise $1.2 billion
Messaging app Telegram is developing a blockchain platform to rival world’s second biggest crypto Ethereum and is seeking to raise $1.2 billion through an Initial Coin Offering (ICO).
- Called the ‘Telegram Open Network’ (TON), it is designed to host a new generation of cryptocurrencies and decentralised applications.
- The investors will receive TON tokens called Grams for participating in ICO.
Retail inflation rises to 5.21% in December
Retail inflation crossed the RBI’s comfort level and rose to 5.21 percent in December on rise in prices of food items, egg and vegetables, dashing hopes of interest rate cut in the near future.
- The retail inflation, based on Consumer Price Index (CPI), was 4.88 percent in November. In December 2015, it was 3.41 percent.
The Reserve Bank has been asked by the government to keep inflation at 4 percent, plus or minus 2 percent, and its rise beyond the comfort zone will put pressure on the central bank not cut interest rate (repo rate).
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World Economic Forum manufacturing index
The World Economic Forum (WEF) has released its Global Manufacturing Index.
Japan has topped the list. Japan is followed by South Korea, Germany, Switzerland, China, Czech Republic, the US, Sweden, Austria and Ireland in the top 10.
- Among BRICS nations, Russia is ranked 35th, Brazil 41st and South Africa at 45th place. India is at the 30th position.
This is WEF’s first ‘Readiness for the future of production report’. The report has been developed in collaboration with A T Kearney and calls for new and innovative approaches to public-private collaboration are needed to accelerate transformation.
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India and Malaysia held a 5th Bilateral Technical Meeting in New Delhi
Meeting was on cooperation in the field of Traditional Systems of Medicine between both the countries.
- It was a part of the agreement signed between both countries in 2010.
- Issues discussed between the meetings were establishment of Ayurveda Chair in University of UTAR, Malaysia.
- Professional training in Panchakarma therapy for Malaysian experts in India.
- The evaluation of safety of combination Ayurvedic/ traditional products for clinical trials
- MoU was signed between National Medicinal Plants Board (NMPB), Ministry of AYUSH and Malaysia.
5th World Energy and Environment Conference held in Bahrain
The World Energy and Environment Council is organising the 5th Series World Energy and Environment Conference and Exhibition 2018 at Bahrain. The Conference raises and sets the bar higher for global debate, dialogue, engagement and cooperation.
- Theme: “Shifting to Clean, Renewable Energy in Time of Transition”.
WEEC is a world platform that address serious issues about environment and the challenges to turn to clean, renewable energy. The focus is into the development of energy policy, sustainable strategies, sustainable resource developments and sustainable economic development.
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S.P. Balasubrahmanyam was conferred with the Lifetime Achievement award
Singer S.P. Balasubrahmanyam was conferred the Lifetime Achievement award by Nandi Fine Arts and KAPRI, in association with the Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan at an event titled ‘Violin maestro Kalaimamani L. Vaidyanathan – 75 – a celebration of his life and music’.
- He had sung over 40,000 songs till date, but he was more concerned about the songs that pleased the audience than mere numbers.
- Singer Vani Jayaram, musician V. Rajkumar Bharathi and other eminent personalities took part in the event.
World environment award 2018
The Energy Globe World Award is an international award in the field of environment instituted by the Energy Globe Foundation annually to recognise projects that make careful and economical use of resources and employ alternative energy sources.
- Kalinga Institute of Social Sciences (KISS) has won the 18th Energy Globe World Award -2017 as the one and only organisation from India.
- KISS won the award in ‘Fire’ Category for green initiatives undertaken by this institute that reduces the ecological footprint for large scale cooking.
Racing pioneer and legend Dan Gurney passes away
Dan Gurney, the first driver with victories in each of the Formula One, IndyCar and NASCAR Cup series, died.
- Gurney began racing in 1955 and won in nearly every racing series he attempted. He drove for Ferrari, BRM, Porsche and Brabham in Formula One, then formed his own team.
- He won the Belgian Grand Prix in 1967 in his own car, the first and only time an American won an F1 race in a car of his own design.
Angelique Kerber wins Sydney International title
Angelique Kerber won her first title since the 2016 US Open and extended her winning streak to nine matches with a 6-4, 6-4 win over Ashleigh Barty in the Sydney International final.
- The 2016 Australian Open champion and former No. 1-ranked Kerber won four singles matches at the Hopman Cup in Perth, Western Australia, last week, helping Germany reach the final against Switzerland, and followed up with five wins in Sydney.
Khelo India anthem launched by sports minister Rajyavardhan Rathore
Khelo India School Games 2018, a brainchild of Olympian and sports minister Rajyavardhan Rathore, will take place at multiple venues across Delhi from January 31.
- The Khelo India for which the government has earmarked R1,756 crore over the next five years aims to take sports to all parts of the country.
- The plan is to select 1,000 under-17 children each year for the next five years and provide scholarships of R5 lakh each to train them to become potential winners at the international level.
