Current Affairs Daily Digest – January 23 2020
1. Cabinet approved revised cost estimates for new NITs
Union Cabinet approved to revised cost estimates for the establishment of permanent campuses of new National Institutes of Technology (NITs). It also at a total cost of Rs.4371.90 crore for the period till 2021-2022.
The cabinet also approved the extension of tenure of the Commission constituted under Article 340 of the Constitution, to examine the issue of sub-categorization within Other Backward Classes (OBCs) in the Central List. NIT: NITs were established in the year 2009.
2. National Conclave on Emerging Opportunities in Natural Gas sector held in New Delhi
The national conclave on Emerging Opportunities in the natural gas sector was held on 23 January in New Delhi. It was graced by Minister of Petroleum and Natural Gas Shri Dharmendra Pradhan. The present share of gas in the energy basket of the country is 6.2% and the target is to take it to 15% by 2030. In India, Gujarat has a 26% share of gas-based energy.
3. ECI to host 10th Annual Meeting of FEMBoSA at New Delhi
Election Commission of India (ECI) is to host the 10th Annual Meeting of the Forum of the Election Management Bodies of South Asia (FEMBoSA) and an International Conference on Strengthening Institutional Capacity.
Theme: The theme of the 10th annual meeting of the forum is Strengthening Institutional Capacity.
4. AP passed bills for three capital system in the State
The Andhra Pradesh State Legislative assembly passed the Capital Region Development Authority Repeal Bill 2020 and the Andhra Pradesh Decentralisation and Inclusive Development of all Regions Bill 2020 on 20 January. The bills were aimed to decentralize the state’s capital between Amaravati, Visakhapatnam, and Kurnool.
5. Challa Sreenivasulu Setty as the MD of SBI
The government appointed Challa Sreenivasulu Setty as the Managing Director (MD) of the State Bank of India (SBI) on 20 January 2020. He is appointed for a period of three years. The proposal of the Department of the Financial Services for the appointment of Setty was approved by the Appointments Committee of the Cabinet (ACC). His appointment will be with effect from the date of his taking over the charge of the post or until further orders.
6. Priya Prakash won the 2019 Global Citizen Prize: Cisco Youth Leadership Award
Priya Prakash won the Global Citizen Prize: Cisco Youth Leadership Award for 2019. She is the founder and CEO of India-based HealthSetGo. The award recognizes her school health program that aimed to provided 360-degree healthcare support to children. Priya Prakash: In her childhood, Priya suffered weight-related bullying that eventually affected her mental health.
7. ISRO to send half humanoid Vyommitra as a trial to space ahead of Gaganyaan mission
The Indian Space Agency Indian Space Research Organisation’s (ISRO) unveiled Vyommitra, a prototype of half humanoid. ISRO has decided to send Vyommitra as a trial to space before Gaganyaan which has aimed at sending astronauts to space in an orbital spacecraft. Vyommitra will be sent ahead of the first unmanned mission under Gaganyaan.
8. Wildlife census began in Kalakkadu-Mundanthurai tiger reserve
The annual wildlife census has begun in the Kalakkadu – Mundanthurai tiger sanctuary in Tamil Nadu on 22 January 2020. It will be held until 27 January. The census results will be included in the annual State of Wild Life Population report of the Union Ministry of Forest and Environment. Survey: ♦ The survey will be conducted in the entire 60,000 hectare area of the sanctuary.
9. Subhash Chandra Bose Jayanti is celebrated on 23 January
Subhash Chandra Bose Jayanti is celebrated on 23 January 2020. The day marks the 124th birth anniversary of Bose. Subhash Chandra Bose’s birth anniversary commemorates his contribution to India’s struggle for independence.
Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose: Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose was born in Cuttack, Odisha on 23 January 1897.
10. India-Brazil: BIT to be signed; Cabinet approves agreements on legal assistance, Oil
India and Brazil will sign the Bilateral Investment Treaty during the visit of Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro. The President is visiting India as a Chief Guest of Republic Day celebrations.
The President of Brazil is to visit India between January 24, 2020 and January 27, 2020. The countries will sign 20 agreements during his visit. They will upgrade their Strategic Partnership Action Plan.
11. National Startup Advisory Council setup to boost Startups and Innovations
Union Ministry of Commerce and Industry has setup National Startup Advisory Council. The council will suggest ways to build strong start ups in the country. It is being set up to reduce the time spent on tax compliance to less than one-hour a month and to boost the availability of domestic and global capital. India ranks 136 in World Bank’s “Starting a Business” ranking. The council is being set up to improve India’s rank globally.
12. India joins Reskilling Revolution Initiative at World Economic Forum as a Founding Member
India joined Reskilling Revolution initiative of World Economic Forum. It helps economies to adopt o changes being introduced by Fourth Industrial Revolution. India joined the Reskilling Revolution Initiative launched at the World Economic Forum as founding member. The other founding members include US, UAE, Russia, Pakistan, France and Brazil.
13. Sri Lanka ranks first in the world for breastfeeding
Sri Lanka ranks first among 97 countries globally on breastfeeding rate according to a new survey conducted by the World Breastfeeding Trends Initiative (WBTi) achieving first “Green” nation status in supporting breastfeeding women.
Sri Lanka’s rank is based on its performance on ten indicators of policies and programs the WBTi uses to color- code and rank countries. Sri Lanka has scored 91 out of 100 points and earned a green color code, which implies best level of performance.
