Daily Current Affairs and GK | 26 March 2022

Topic: Defense

1. President presented “President's Colour” to INS Valsura.

• On 25th Mar 2022, President of India Ram Nath Kovind presented President’s Colour to INS Valsura.
• The 'Nishan Adhikari' Lt Arun Singh Sambyal received the honour on the behalf of the unit.
• The President’s Colour is the highest award given to a military unit for its exceptional service rendered to the Nation in peace and during the war.
• Dr Rajendra Prasad presented the first “President's Colour” to the Indian Navy on 27 May 1951.
• INS Valsura:
  • INS Valsura unit was commissioned on 15th December 1942 as a torpedo training school.
  • It has now become a premier technical training institution.
  • It helped India in strengthening bilateral ties with countries in the Indian Ocean region.

(Source: PIB)

Topic: MoUs/Agreements

2. Himachal Pradesh government has signed MoU with NIPER, Mohali.

• MoU makes National Institute of Pharmaceutical Education and Research (NIPER), Mohali knowledge partner for Medical Devices Park in Nalagarh area of Solan district.
• Rs 74.95 crore has been sanctioned for development of Park and Rs 30 crores will be soon released by Department of Pharmaceuticals of Government of India.
• Himachal Pradesh State Industrial Development Corporation is the State Implementing Agency for development and execution of medical devices park.
• HP Chief Minister Jai Ram Thakur said that a delegation from South Korea will be visiting Himachal Pradesh in May.
• South Korea is one of the countries having cutting-edge technology in Medical Devices sector.

Topic: New Development

3. Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Hyderabad has developed smart ventilator named ‘Jeevan Lite’.

• Jeevan Lite is a portable, cost-effective, and Internet-of-Things (IoT)-enabled ventilator powered by lithium-ion batteries.
• Telangana Governor Dr Tamilisai Soundararajan launched the Jeevan Lite recently.
• Jeevan Lite is available for commercial use. It can be controlled with the help of a smartphone app.
• It operates uninterrupted in various modes of ventilation for five hours. It is both invasive and non-invasive.
• Ventilator is a machine that helps pump oxygen into body. It provides mechanical ventilation. It moves breathable air into and out of lungs. 

Topic: New Development

4. GRS India designed Oxygen Plus.

• Oxygen Plus is a field-portable smart bag pack emergency oxygen concentrator.
• Oxygen Plus is a suitable product for easy transportation in the hilly terrains of North East.
• It will be manufactured in North Eastern Region. The process of applying for its patent is underway.
• The product is currently being validated as well as its design is being improved.
• GRS India is a start-up recognized by Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade, Government of India. 

Topic: Defence

5. Western Naval Command organized Offshore Security Exercise ‘Prasthan’.

• Under the aegis of Western Naval Command Headquarters, an offshore security exercise called 'Prasthan' was held in the Offshore Development Area (ODA) off Mumbai on March 23, 2022.
• This exercise, which takes place every six months, is a vital element of ensuring offshore security.
• It aims to bring together the efforts of all maritime stakeholders participating in the offshore defence.
• The exercise took place on ONGC's B-193 platform, which is located about 38 nautical miles west of Mumbai.
• Terrorist intrusion, bomb blast, casualty evacuation, search and rescue, oil spill, and mass evacuation were all scenarios that were exercised.
• Previously, on 17 March 22, losing control of an Offshore Support Vessel (OSV) was also exercised.

(Source: PIB)

Topic: MoUs / Agreements

6. IIE signed MoU with the Ministry of Rural Development.

• Under the auspices of the Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship, the Indian Institute of Entrepreneurship (IIE) has signed an MoU with the Ministry of Rural Development.
• The MoU's aim is to promote entrepreneurship at the local level among rural youth.
• Under the agreement, the Start-up Village Entrepreneurship Programme (SVEP), a sub-scheme of the National Rural Livelihoods Mission (NRLM), is tasked with boosting employment opportunities in rural India.    
• The IIE will serve as a National Resource Organization (NRO) for SVEPs and will assist the State Rural Livelihoods Missions (SRLM) in implementing the scheme successfully.
• The major objective of SVEP is to create local resources by training a pool of village-level Community Resource Persons-Enterprise Promotion (CRP-EP) cadres.
• It also aims to strengthen the NRLM and SHG federations' capacity to monitor and direct the CRPEPs' work.
• Indian Institute of Entrepreneurship (IIE):
  • It is based in Guwahati, Assam, and was founded in 1993 as an autonomous organization within the Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship.
  • The main goal of the institute is to provide training, research, and consultancy services to small and micro enterprises (SMEs) with a special emphasis on entrepreneurship development.

(Source: PIB)

Topic: Important Days

7. October 5 will be celebrated as National Dolphin Day from this year.

• In its 67th meeting, Standing Committee of National Board for Wildlife has taken decision of celebration of October 5 as National Dolphin Day.
• October 5 will be celebrated as National Dolphin Day every year to create awareness for conservation of Dolphins.
• Union Minister for Environment, Forest and Climate Change Bhupendra Yadav chaired 67th meeting of Standing Committee of National Board for Wild Life in New Delhi on 25 March 2022.
• In its meeting, Standing Committee also considered 46 proposals for wildlife clearances.
• It recommended four proposals for construction of earthen dams in Haryana for improving irrigation facilities.
• Dolphins are ecological indicators of healthy aquatic ecosystem. They are mammals. Some species of Dolphins exhibit sexual dimorphism (larger males than females).
• National Board for Wildlife:
  • It is a statutory body under the Wildlife Protection Act 1972.
  • It is responsible for the promotion of wildlife conservation and the development of wildlife and forests.
  • It is headed by the Prime Minister of India.

(Source: News on AIR)

Topic: International News

8. A new partnership has been announced between U.S. and EU to reduce dependence on Russian energy.

• The deal has been signed during a three-day visit by US President Joe Biden to Brussels.
• Under the partnership, U.S. and other nations will increase exports of liquified natural gas to Europe by 15 billion cubic meters this year.
• They will try to keep their climate goals on track by powering gas infrastructure with clean energy and cutting methane release.
• Almost 40% of the European Union's natural gas comes from Russia.
• European Union:
  • It is a political and economic union of 27 member states which are mainly located in Europe.
  • It was founded on 1 November 1993. It is headquartered in Brussels, Belgium.
  • European Parliament is a legislative body of the European Union.

Topic: Reports and Indices/Ranking

9. NITI Aayog released 2^nd edition of Export Preparedness Index 2021.

• NITI Aayog has released the Export Preparedness Index (EPI) 2021 in association with the Institute of Competitiveness.
• The index was released by NITI Aayog Vice Chairman, Dr Rajiv Kumar, in the presence of NITI Aayog CEO Amitabh Kant.
• Gujarat has topped NITI Aayog's Export Preparedness Index 2021. Maharashtra and Karnataka are on the second and third position respectively.
• Tamil Nadu and Haryana are on the fourth and fifth position. Union Territory of Jammu & Kashmir is one of the top performers among UTs.
• This edition has shown that most of the ‘Coastal States’ are the best performers.
• Export Preparedness Index is based on four pillars- Policy, Business Ecosystem, Export Ecosystem, and Export Performance and 11 sub pillars.
• Intra and inter-regional differences in export infrastructure, weak trade support and growth orientation across states, and lack of R&D infrastructure to promote complex and unique exports are the main identified challenges for India’s export ecosystem.
• This index will be very useful for the government and policymakers to promote competitive federalism and to increase India’s share in global export.

(Source: News on AIR)

Topic: Appointment

10. Hisashi Takeuchi appointed as MD & CEO of Maruti Suzuki India.

• The Board of Directors of Maruti Suzuki India Limited has appointed Hisashi Takeuchi as the MD and CEO. His appointment will come into effect from 1 April 2022.
• He will take place of Kenichi Ayukawa, who will complete his term on 31^st March 2022. Kenichi Ayukawa will continue to work as a full-time Director.
• Hisashi Takeuchi has good understanding of the Indian as well as international automobile markets.
• Hisashi Takeuchi joined the Suzuki Motor Corporation (SMC) in 1986. He is one of the Board member of Maruti Suzuki since July 2019.
• Recently, the Maruti Suzuki group has announced an investment of ₹10,400 crores in a new EV unit and battery-making facility in its Gujarat unit.
• Maruti Suzuki India Limited:
  • It was founded by the Government of India on 24 January 1981.
  • It was formerly known as Maruti Udyog Limited.
  • Its first car in India was Maruti 800.
  • Its headquarters is located in New Delhi.

Topic: Space and IT

11. NASA discovered 65 new planets outside our solar system.

• With the discovery of 65 new planets, NASA has confirmed that more than 5,000 exoplanets exist beyond our solar system.
• Some planets might have the presence of water, microbes, gases on the surface, or even life.
• Many of these exoplanets have composition and characteristics like planets of our solar system.
• The discovery of exoplanets had begun in 1992. The Nancy Grace Roman Space Telescope is likely to be launched in 2027 to discover new exoplanets.
• The European Space Agency will launch the ARIEL mission in 2029 to observe the exoplanet’s atmosphere.
• 5,000 exoplanets discovered so far includes “super-Earths”, “mini-Neptunes” and planets orbiting two stars.
• Scientists have categorized exoplanets into the following types: Gas giant, Neptunian, super-Earth, and terrestrial.

Topic: Biotechnology and Diseases

12. Dr. Jitendra Singh announced launch of Data-Driven Research to Eradicate TB- “Dare2eraD TB” by Department of Biotechnology.

• On the occasion of World TB Day, Dr. Jitendra Singh said that ‘Dare2eraD TB’ will be the umbrella TB program of the Department of Biotechnology.
• It will comprise key initiatives like Indian Tuberculosis Genomic Surveillance Consortium, Indian TB Knowledge Hub- Webinar Series and Host Directed therapies against TB and developing an evidence-based regimen for treating extra-pulmonary Tuberculosis.
• Whole Genome Sequencing (WGS) is important for analyzing the biological characteristics of Mycobacterium tuberculosis (Mtb).
• Whole Genome Sequencing (WGS) will help in the identification of the origin and drug resistance (DR) profile of the TB strains in the patients.
• Indian TB Knowledge Hub will be a Webinar series beginning from World TB Day.
• Indian Tuberculosis Genomic Surveillance Consortium (InTGS) has been proposed on the lines of the Indian SARS-CoV-2 Genomic Consortia (INSACOG).

(Source: PIB)

Topic: Important Days

13. International Day for the Right to the Truth Concerning Gross Human Rights Violations and for the Dignity of Victims: 24 March

• Every year, International Day for the Right to the Truth Concerning Gross Human Rights Violations and for the Dignity of Victims is observed on 24 March.
• It is observed to pay tribute to Monsignor Óscar Arnulfo Romero, who was murdered on 24 March 1980.
• Monsignor Romero was involved in denouncing violations of the human rights of the vulnerable individuals in El Salvador.
• The UN General Assembly declared 24 March as the International Day for the Right to the Truth concerning Gross Human Rights Violations and for the Dignity of Victims on 21 December 2010.
• The main aim of this day is to promote the importance of the right to truth and justice and to pay tribute to individuals who lost their lives in promoting human rights.

Topic: State News/ Uttar Pradesh

14. Yogi Adityanath took oath as Chief Minister of Uttar Pradesh for second term.

• Keshav Maurya and Brajesh Pathak will serve as the Deputy Chief Ministers in the new government.
• Besides Adityanath, 52 ministers, including 16 Cabinet ministers also took the oath.
• Governor Anandiben Patel administered the oath of office and secrecy at Lucknow's Atal Bihari Vajpayee Ekana Stadium.
• In the recently held election, the BJP-led alliance has won 273 seats of 403 seats.
• After 37 years, it is the first time in Uttar Pradesh that a party has returned to power in successive polls.
• Yogi Adityanath has won the election from the Gorakhpur Urban assembly seat.
• Deputy Chief Minister post is not mentioned in the constitution of India. It is only a ceremonial designation with powers equal to the cabinet Minister.

(Source: News on AIR)