Daily Current Affairs and GK | 17 September 2022

Topic: Reports and Indices/Ranking

1. Union Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw released an annual report on Environment Sustainability 2020-21 in New Delhi.

• The annual report on ‘Environment Sustainability 2020-21’ highlights the steps taken by Railways to promote green and clean energy.
• It highlights the efforts of Indian railways towards net zero emissions, energy conservation measures, alternate fuel, harnessing renewable energy, etc.
• This report mentioned the Indian Railways’ effort towards water conservation, afforestation, green certification of stations, etc.
• The Ministry of Railways has started several initiatives for providing a clean environment like Bio toilets on coaches, segregation of bio-degradable/non-bio-degradable waste, solid waste management etc.
• The Indian Railways is also observing Swachhta Pakhwara from 16th September to 2nd October 2022.
• During the Swachhta Pakhwara, the special focus will be given to the cleanliness of tracks at stations, approach to major stations and elimination of plastic waste in Railway premises.

(Source: News on AIR)

Topic: MoUs/Agreements

2. Centre government signed an agreement with eight armed tribal groups in Assam.

• The Centre and Assam Government signed a tripartite agreement with eight armed tribal groups in Assam to bring them into the mainstream and give them political and economic rights.
• The accord has been signed in the presence of Union Home Minister Amit Shah.
• Birsa Commando Force, Adivasi People's Army, All Adivasi National Liberation Army, Adivasi Cobra Military of Assam, and Santhal Tiger Force tribal groups have signed the Peace Agreement.
• The agreement was signed 10 years after the peace process began.
• The All Adivasi National Liberation Army, Adivasi Cobra Militant of Assam, Birsa Commando Force, Santhal Tiger Force, and Adivasi People's Army signed the ceasefire deal with the government in 2012.
• Union Home Minister Amit Shah said that the government has fulfilled 93 percent of all promises made in various agreements for various regions of the Northeast.
• On 27 January 2022, a total of 246 insurgents from two militant groups returned to the mainstream and laid down their arms.

Topic: State News/ Jharkhand

3. Jharkhand has increased the government job reservations for SC, ST, and others to 77%.

• The Jharkhand government has given its approval to a proposal to provide 77 percent reservation in state government jobs for members of the Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes, Backward Classes, OBCs, and Economically Weaker Sections.
• The OBC reservation has been increased to 27% from the present 14%.
• The state cabinet has approved the Reservation Bill to amend the Jharkhand Reservation of Vacancies in Posts and Services Act, 2001.
• In addition, the Hemant Soren-led UPA government approved a proposal to use 1932 land records to determine local residents.
• The state government will request the Center to include the bill in the Ninth Schedule of the Constitution.
• In the proposed 77% job reservation policy:

Topic: International News

4. India assumed the rotating presidency of SCO to host the SCO summit in 2023.

• On 16 September, the rotational presidency of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization has been handed over to India in Samarkand, Uzbekistan.
• India will chair the group for one year until September 2023.
• The leaders of the member states of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) signed the Samarkand Declaration at a meeting of the Council of Heads of State in Samarkand, Uzbekistan.
• According to the declaration, India will host the next meeting of the SCO Council of Heads of State in 2023.
• In the Samarkand Declaration, member countries noted various global challenges and threats, including the technological and digital divide, continued turbulence in global financial markets, the effects of global climate change, and the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.
• The member states want to develop general principles and approaches to form a unified list of terrorist, separatist and extremist organizations.

(Source: News on AIR)

Topic: Sports

5. Pranav Anand and A R Ilamparthi of India won World Youth Chess Championship titles in Mamaia, Romania.

• Pranav Anand won in the Open under-16 and A R Ilamparthi won the Open under-14 categories at the World Youth Chess Championship.
• Top seed Anand scored nine points in 11 rounds and emerged the clear winner.
• In the under-14 category, A R Ilamparthi earned 9.5 points from 11 rounds.

Topic: Important Days

6. World Patient Safety Day 2022: 17 September

• World Patient Safety Day is observed every year on 17 September with the aim of increasing the global understanding of patient safety.
• The theme of Patient Safety Day 2022 is "Medication without Harm".
• On 29 May 2019, the 72^nd World Health Assembly adopted a resolution to observe 17 September as World Patient Safety Day every year.
• The first World Patient Safety Day was observed on 17 September 2020.
• MoHFW organized a week-long "Rogi Kalyan Saptaah" from September 12th to September 17th in order to raise awareness about patient safety issues among field-level personnel.
• Union Health Secretary released a self-assessment tool, ‘SaQushal- Patient Safety Self-Assessment Tool’ under the existing National Quality Assurance Standards (NQAS).
• These tools have been developed by QPS Division, NHSRC

Topic: State News/Telangana

7. India’s first forestry university will be set up in Telangana.

• The University of Forestry (UOF), Telangana Act 2022 was recently approved in the State Assembly and Council. 
• Only China and Russia have universities that are focused on forests.
• The proposal is to upgrade Forest College and Research Institute (FCRI) Hyderabad into a full-fledged university.
• For the conservation and sustainable management of forest resources, the University of Forestry will focus on producing qualified forestry professionals.
• The Vice Chancellor for the University of Forestry will be chosen by the Chief Minister, K Chandrashekhar Rao.
• Additionally, it is expected that the University of Forestry will play a crucial role in Telangana Ku Haritha Haram.
• Ku Haritha Haram:
  • It is the flagship initiative of the Telangana government. It is a large-scale tree-planting program.
  • It was launched by Telangana CM K Chandrashekhar Rao on 3 July 2015.

Topic: Books and Authors

8. A book titled ‘Muskurate Chand Lamhe aur Kuchh Khamoshiyan’ was released by actor Manoj Bajpayee.

• The book has been authored by Jiwesh Nandan. It offers a bouquet of poems.
• The book was released in presence of Information and Broadcasting Secretary Apurva Chandra at a function in New Delhi.
• Mr. Apurva Chandra said that the book is based on philosophy and humour.
• Jiwesh Nandan is a retired IAS officer of UP cadre. He has also authored a book titled ‘Maha Kumbh: A Spiritual Journey’.

Topic: International News

9. India and Denmark together launched a whitepaper on ‘Urban Wastewater Scenario in India’.

• This whitepaper on ‘Urban Wastewater Scenario in India’ has been launched at the World Water Congress and Exhibition 2022 in Copenhagen.
• Union Jal Shakti Minister Gajendra Singh Shekhawat and Danish Environment Minister Lea Wermelin attended the event.
• This whitepaper is an outcome of the Green Strategic Partnership, which is focused on green hydrogen, renewable energy, and wastewater management between India and Denmark.
• The main aim of the white paper is to record the current status of wastewater treatment in India. It will also pave the path for future treatment structures, co-creation, and collaborations.
• The Danish embassy, in partnership with the Atal Innovation Mission, NITI Aayog, conducted the AIM-ICDK 2.0 water innovation challenge.
• Next Generation Water Action (NGWA) is an international initiative to engage young talents from universities and innovation hubs.
• The government of India has already committed an investment of more than $140 billion by 2024 in the water sector.

(Source: News on AIR)

Topic: State News/ Madhya Pradesh

10. Indore will become the first smart city with ‘Smart Addresses’.

• Indore will be the first city in India to implement a fully digital addressing system.
• The CEO of Indore Smart City signed a memorandum of understanding with the firm Pataa Navigations.
• The Pataa Navigations and the Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO) are working to develop a digital addressing system for India.
• It will help users to find specific geotagged locations. The users of the Pataa App can upload pictures of their residences, landmarks, and other objects.
• The user can use a short code rather than sharing their lengthy and whole address.
• According to the report, India loses roughly 75000 crores every year as a result of the complicated addressing system.
• As per the MoU, the Patta app will be used by all government agencies and emergency services.
• For the digital addressing systems, Pataa Navigation will be integrated with the many government platforms.
• Pataa will also geotag MP Tourism’s tourist destinations and integrate them with websites.

Topic: International News

11. 345 million people in 82 countries are marching toward starvation: UN World Food Program.

• The executive director of the U.N. World Food Program said that the world is facing a global emergency as 345 million people are facing acute food insecurity in 82 countries.
• 70 million people reached closer to starvation, and 50 million are suffering from acute malnutrition.
• The main reasons for this global emergency are rising conflict, the pandemic effect, rising fuel prices, and the war in Ukraine.
• The current food price crisis could develop into a food availability crisis in 2023. Ethiopia, northeastern Nigeria, South Sudan, and Yemen have the risk of famine.
• Food insecurity has increased due to the direct and indirect impact of conflict and violence.
• In Sudan, more than 60% of the population is facing critical or worse levels of food insecurity. 13 million people in northern Ethiopia's, Afar, and Amhara regions need life-saving food.
• Around 4.1 million people are facing high levels of food insecurity in northeast Nigeria.
• World Food Programme (WFP):
  • It is an international humanitarian organization.
  • It saves lives by delivering food in emergency conditions.
  • In 2021, WFP assisted 128.2 million people in over 120 countries and territories.

Topic: Summits/ Conferences/ Meetings

12. 9^th session of Governing Body of International Treaty on Plant Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture to be hosted by India.

• India will host the 9^th session of the Governing Body of the International Treaty on Plant Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture from September 19 to 24.
• During the session, many issues will be discussed, including ways to preserve and maintain the germplasm, biodiversity, and food and agriculture.
• In addition, the meeting will cover the subject of farmers' and breeders' rights.
• Representatives from nearly 262 countries will participate in the seven-day-long event.
• International Treaty on Plant Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture:
  • It was adopted in November 2001.
  • It is a legally binding treaty, which come into force in June 2004.
  • The Governing Body of the Treaty met for the first time in Madrid in June 2006.
  • It aims to establish a global system that provides farmers, plant breeders, and scientists with access to plant genetic resources.

(Source: News on AIR)

Topic: Defence

13. BSF's first female camel-riding squad will be deployed along the India-Pakistan border.

• BSF's first female camel-riding squad is the first of its kind in the world.
• It will be deployed along the India-Pakistan border in Rajasthan and Gujarat.
• BSF's first female camel-riding squad has received intensive training at the Bikaner Regional Headquarters.
• On December 1, this squad will participate for the first time in the BSF Raising Day Parade.
• Border Security Force (BSF):
  • It was founded on 1 December 1965, after the Indo-Pak 1965 war.
  • Its headquarters is located in New Delhi. It works under the Ministry of Home Affairs.
  • It is one of the seven Central Armed Police Forces (CAPF) of India.
  • It is the world's largest border-guarding force.
  • Pankaj Kumar Singh is the current Director-General of the Border Security Force.

(Source: News on AIR)

Topic: Books and Authors

14. Ram Nath Kovind released a book titled 'Ambedkar and Modi: Reformer’s Ideas Performer’s Implementation'.

• The book is about the life, works and achievements of Dr. B.R Ambedkar and it also shows how the development of New India and Dr Ambedkar's ideals are interconnected.
• The author of the book is Bluekraft Digital Foundation. The book has a foreword written by Rajya Sabha MP Ilaiyaraaja.
• In this book, the focus has been laid on infrastructure, education, socioeconomic mobility, gender equality, and self-reliance in twelve chapters.
• The book highlights policies and reforms made by the Modi government in line with Dr Ambedkar’s vision.
• Prabhat Prakashan Pvt. Ltd. has published this book.