Daily Current Affairs and GK | 1 January 2021

Topic: Government schemes and Initiatives

1. Government launched Global Pravasi Rishta portal & App to connect with Indian diaspora.

• The Ministry of External Affairs has launched the Global Pravasi Rishta portal and mobile App to connect with 3.12 crores Indian diaspora spread across the world.
• It will help in developing a three-way communication between the Indian missions, External Affairs Ministry, and the Indian diaspora.
• The App will be used by the Indian Diaspora and the portal will be used by the missions.
• It will be a formal channel of communication during an emergency for the Indian diaspora.
• It will also be available for NRIs, OCIs and PIOs communities across the world.
• Indian Diaspora:
  • India has the largest diaspora population in the world.
  • Around 17 million people of Indian origin are spread across 146 countries.
  • The United Arab Emirates is the top destination for Indian migrants.

(Source: News on AIR)

Topic: Defence

2. General Manoj Mukund Naravane received Guard of Honour from South Korea.

• Indian Army Chief Mukund Naravane received a Guard of Honour at Gyeryong, Army Headquarters of South Korea.
• Indian Army chief and his counterpart discussed issues related to Defence and security.
• He also visited the Demilitarized Zone between North Korea and South Korea.
• Both countries are special strategic partners since 2015.
• Demilitarized Zone: It is a buffer zone between North and South Korea since the Korean war of 1950.
• South Korea:
  • It is a country in East Asia.
  • It shares its land border with North Korea.
  • Capital: Seoul
  • President: Moon Jae-in
  • Prime Minister: Chung Sye-kyun

(Source: News on AIR)

Topic: Government Schemes and Initiatives

3. PM Modi laid foundation stone for Light House Projects (LHPs) under GHTC-India.

• PM Modi has laid the foundation stone for Light House Projects (LHPs) under GHTC-India.
• LHPs are being constructed under the Global Housing Technology Challenge (GHTC)-India. Each LHP comprises one thousand homes. LHPs will provide ready to live houses within twelve months.
• The foundation stone for LHPs has been laid at six sites in six states. LHPs demonstrate a variety of technologies given below next. The locations and technologies of LHPs are given below.

• Global Housing Technology Challenge (GHTC)-India:
  • It was launched by Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs in February 2019.
  • It aims to introduce best technologies to construct houses in a shorter amount of time and at cheaper cost. It has three components as given below.
    • Biennial Expo-cum Conference: It is called Construction Technology India (CTI). First CTI (CT-2019) was held in March 2019. Second CTI (CTI 2021) will be held in 2021.
    • Identifying Proven Demonstrable Technologies worldwide to construct Light House Projects (LHPs)
    • Affordable Sustainable Housing Accelerators (ASHA)- India to promote Potential Future Technologies (domestic). 

Topic: Government Schemes and Initiatives

4. PM Modi releases NAVARITIH (New, Affordable, Validated, Research Innovation Technologies for Indian Housing).

• PM Modi has released NAVARITIH (New, Affordable, Validated, Research Innovation Technologies for Indian Housing).
• NAVARITIH is a certificate course on innovative construction technologies. PM has also released a compendium of 54 innovative housing construction technologies.
• Furthermore, PM Modi will announce annual awards for excellence in implementation of Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana - Urban (PMAY-U) Mission.
• He will also announce winners under Affordable Sustainable Housing Accelerators (ASHA) – India today.
• Affordable Sustainable Housing Accelerators (ASHA)- India:
  • It is one of the three components of Global Housing Technology Challenge (GHTC)-India.
  • Its aim is to promote domestic research and entrepreneurship through incubation and acceleration support.
  • Five ASHA-India Centers have been established under ASHA-India initiative. Out of these, four are located at IITs in Bombay, Kharagpur, Madras and Roorkee.
  • Fifth ASHA-India Center is at CSIR-North East Institute of Science and Technology (CSIR-NEIST), Jorhat, Assam.

(Source: GHTC-India)

Topic: Defence 

5. DRDO and Indian Navy conducted the first trial of SAHAYAK-NG

• Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) along with the Indian Navy conducted a trial of 'SAHAYAK-NG' from an IL-38SD aircraft at Goa.
• 'SAHAYAK-NG' is India’s first indigenously developed air-droppable container. It is developed by two laboratories of DRDO and a private company Avantel.
• The trial will help in increasing the logistics capabilities of the Indian Navy.
• 'SAHAYAK-NG':
  • It is a GPS enabled container.
  • It can carry up to a payload of 50 kg.
  • It is an advanced version of the SAHAYAK Mk I air-droppable container.

(Source: News on AIR)

Topic: Infrastructure and Energy

6. South runway of Kempegowda International Airport (KIA) has been upgraded to CAT III B compliant.

• Kempegowda International Airport (KIA) of Banglore has become the first airport in South India to have a CAT IIIB compliant runway.
• It is only the sixth airport in India to have this facility.
• Now even in low visibility and inclement weather runway can be used for the movement of aircraft. This runway can even operate in a low visibility range of 50 meters to 125 meters.
• To make operation smooth during low visibility, the runway has been equipped with the advanced instrument landing system, airfield ground lights, meteorological equipment, automatic weather observation station, and other navigational devices.
• Kempegowda International Airport:
  • It is an international airport located in Bangalore.
  • It is operated by Bengaluru International Airport Limited (BIAL).
  • It is the first fully solar-powered airport in Karnataka.
  • It is the third busiest airport in India.

(Source: News on AIR)

Topic: Agriculture

7. India started export of Moringa powder.

• India has commenced the export of Moringa powder in view of global demand.
• The first consignment has been sent to the United States.
• Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority (APEDA) is facilitating the infrastructure for this export.
• It will help in increasing the income of farmers.
• Moringa powder:
  • It is a nutritional supplement.
  • It is a rich source of Vitamin C.
  • It has been also used as medicine for some diseases.
• APEDA:
  • It is a government organization established in 1985.
  • It is responsible for the promotion of the export of agro products.
  • Its head office is in Delhi. It has five regional offices.
  • It comes under the Ministry of Commerce and Industry.

(Source: News on AIR)

Topic: Government Schemes and Initiatives

8. A total of 1.83 crore accounts have been opened under the Sukanya Samriddhi scheme.

• A total of 1.83 crore Sukanya Samriddhi Accounts have been opened in the name of girl-child.
• The total amount deposited in these accounts is ₹ 58,222 Crore.
• Sukanya Samriddhi Yojana:
  • It was launched in 2015.
  • It is a small saving scheme by the Government for the Girl child.
  • It was launched under the initiative of Beti Bachao Beti Padhao.
  • The Sukanya Samriddhi Account can be opened with a minimum deposit of Rs 250. It can be opened at any time from the birth of a girl child till she attains the age of 10 years.
  • The account remains operative for 21 years from the date of opening of the account or till the marriage of the girl child after attaining 18 years of age.
  • It facilitates proper education and marriage expenses of girl children.

(Source: News on AIR)

Topic: Defence

9. Contract for procurement of ten Lynx U2 Fire Control systems signed between Defence Ministry and Bharat Electronics Limited.

• Contract for procurement of ten Lynx U2 Fire Control systems has been signed between Defence Ministry and Bharat Electronics Limited.
• Lynx system has been designed and developed in India for frontline warships of Indian Navy. It is a Naval Gun Fire Control System.
• Bharat Electronics Limited has designed and developed this system including the Tracking Radar, Servo and Weapon Control Modules.
• Bharat Electronics Limited:
  • It is a Navratna Public Sector Undertaking.
  • It is one of the nine PSUs under Defence Ministry.
  • It was formed in 1954. It is headquartered in Bengaluru.

Topic: Appointments

10. Law and Justice Ministry issued notification about appointment of four judges as Chief Justices of different High Courts.

• Law and Justice Ministry has issued notification about appointment of four judges as Chief Justices of different High Courts.
• These judges have been elevated as Chief Justices of Odisha, Telangana, Madras and Jammu and Kashmir High Courts.
• President has appointed Dr. Justice S. Muralidhar as Chief Justice of Odisha High Court and Kumari Justice Hima Kohli as Chief Justice of Telangana.
• Justice Pankaj Mithal has been appointed by the President as Chief Justice of Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh High Court.
• As per the notification, Justice Sanjib Banerjee has been appointed by President as Chief Justice of Madras.
• The elevation of these judges was recommended by Supreme Court Collegium, earlier this month.
• Additionally, some judges of High Courts have been transferred. Article 222 allows transfer of High Court Judges from one High Court to another.
• Constitution empowers President to appoint Chief Justice of High Court (HC) after consultation with Chief Justice of India and governor of the state/ states (in case of a common HC for two or more states) concerned.

Topic: India and its neighbourhood

11. Fourth Meeting of the India-Sri Lanka Joint Working Group on Fisheries held virtually.

• Fourth Meeting of the India-Sri Lanka Joint Working Group (JWG) on Fisheries has been held virtually on 30 December 2020.
• The issues related to fishermen and fishing boats were discussed during the meeting of Joint Working Group.
• The status of cooperation between Navy and Coast Guard of India and Sri Lanka was also discussed. Two sides also discussed schedule for the fifth meeting of the JWG.
• Secretary in Department of Fisheries in Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying led Indian delegation and highlighted initiatives under Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana and other schemes to reduce fishing pressure in Palk Bay area.
• Sri Lankan President was on state visit to India in November 2019. First meeting of India-Sri Lanka JWG was held in 2016. Second and Third JWG meetings were held in 2017.
• Palk Bay:
  • It is a semi-enclosed water body. It opens into Bay of the Bengal trough one opening. It is located on Southeast coast of India.
  • It opens into Gulf of Mannar through two narrow openings. Adams Bridge separates it from Gulf of Mannar.

(Source: News on AIR)

Topic: State News/ Gujarat

12. The foundation stone of AIIMS at Rajkot, Gujarat laid by PM Modi.

• The foundation stone of All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) at Rajkot, Gujarat has been laid by PM Modi.
• The AIIMS at Rajkot, Gujarat is likely to be completed by mid of 2022 at the cost of Rs 1,195 crore.
• He said that Rs 30,000 crore was saved due to Ayushman Bharat Yojana. PM mentioned that Davai bhi, kadaai bhi should be the mantra for 2021.
• In September 2020, setting up of new AIIMS at Darbhanga, Bihar was approved by Union Cabinet. 
• All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS):
  • First AIIMS (AIIMS, New Delhi) was set up in 1956. Apart from AIIMS at New Delhi, six AIIMS were set up under phase-I.  
  • In the five years starting from 2015, fifteen new AIIMS were given approval under Phase-II, IV, V, VI and VII of Pradhan Mantri Swasthya Suraksha Yojana (PMSSY) scheme.

(Source: News on AIR)