Daily Current Affairs and GK | 29 September 2022

Topic: Government Scheme and Initiative

1. IEC has campaigned on fortified rice in five states in tribal areas.

• Department of Food and Public Distribution (DFPD) and State governments have organized workshops and seminars in the tribal belts and districts where people are vulnerable to Thalassemia and Sickle Cell Anemia.
• It has been organized to popularise and create awareness about the benefit of Fortified Rice, especially in Tribal Areas of the country.
• State governments of Gujarat, Maharashtra, Chhattisgarh, Madhya Pradesh, Jharkhand, Telangana, Rajasthan, and Kerala are included in workshops and seminars.
• State Governments organized the workshop in association with DFPD, Development Partners and FCI.
• Fortification is the process of adding Fortified Rice Kernel (FRK) containing micronutrients (Iron, Folic Acid, Vitamin B12) as prescribed by FSSAI to normal rice (custom milled rice) in the ratio of 1:100 (Mixing 1 Kg of FRK with 100 Kg custom milled rice).
• Fortified rice is almost identical to traditional rice in aroma, taste, and texture.
• This process is done in rice mills while separating the rice from the husk.
• The rice fortification ecosystem for the production and supply of fortified rice has been enhanced significantly.
• In the country, there are more than 9000 rice mills that have developed infrastructure for blending to produce nutritious rice.
• Their total monthly manufacturing capacity is about 60 LMT, more than four times of the previous year.

Topic: Defence

2. A Swedish defense firm planned to manufacture the Carl-Gustaf M4 weapon in India.

• On 27 September, Swedish defense firm “Saab” announced plans to establish a manufacturing plant in India for the Carl-Gustaf M4 shoulder-fired weapon system.
• The company plans to promote indigenous defense manufacturing under the 'Make in India' initiative of the government.
• The production is expected to begin in 2024 at the new facility.
• A new company, Saab FFV India, will manufacture the latest rocket launchers in India for the Indian Armed Forces, along with components for users of the weapon system around the world.
• The facility will be the company's first Carl-Gustaf M4 weapon system manufacturing facility outside of Sweden.
• The Indian Army has been using the Carl-Gustaf weapon system since 1976.
• The M4 weapon system has a maximum shooting range of 1,500 meters and can fire a variety of ammunition, including anti-armor and illuminating rounds.

Topic: Art and Culture

3. Sittanavasal in Tamil Nadu is considered to be one of the oldest habitats of Jains.

• Just before the Christian era, a small village in Tamil Nadu's Pudukottai district was a major Jain influence centre for 1,000 years.
• The name Sittanavasal is used synonymously for the village and the hill that houses the Arivara Kovil (temple of Arihats - Jains who conquered their senses).
• According to historians, Sittanavasal is considered one of the district's oldest inhabited areas and an important hub of Jain influence.
• This is the only place in Tamil Nadu where the Pandya paintings can be seen.
• The artwork on the ceiling of the sanctum and the Ardha mandapam of Arivar Kovil is an early example of post-Ajanta cave paintings of the 4^th to 6^th centuries.
• Sittanavasal is more valuable as its paintings will be gone in the next 50 years.

Topic: Environment and Ecology

4. International trade of Iprodione and Terbufos recommended for “Prior Informed Consent”.

• International trade of two new hazardous pesticides - Iprodione and Terbufos- has been recommended under the Rotterdam Convention through a “prior informed consent” process.
• The PIC process is a mechanism to formally receive and disseminate the decisions of countries importing hazardous chemicals.
• The Chemical Review Committee made its recommendations at the 18^th meeting of the Chemical Review Committee (CRC-18) of the Rotterdam Convention held in Rome on 22 September 2022.
• These two insecticides were recommended for listing in Annex III of the Rotterdam Convention at the 17th meeting of the Chemical Review Committee (CRC 17).
• The chemicals Iprodione and Terbufos are harmful to humans and aquatic animals.
• Iprodione is a fungicide. It is used on vines, fruits, trees and vegetables. It is classified as harmful to reproduction and carcinogenic.
• Terbufos is a soil insecticide. It is commonly used in sorghum, maize, sugar beet and potato plants. It has also been found dangerous to aquatic organisms.
• The use of these chemicals was permitted in India by the 2015 Anupam Verma Committee report.
• India is one of the largest exporters of Terbufos.
• Rotterdam Convention:
  • The Rotterdam Convention on Prior Informed Consent is a legally binding convention that entered into force on 24 February 2004.
  • It was adopted at the Rotterdam Convention on 10 September 1998.
  • India joined the Convention on 24 May 2006.
  • The Convention seeks to promote shared responsibility and cooperative efforts between States Parties in the international trade of certain hazardous chemicals to protect them from potential harm to human health and the environment.

Topic: National Appointments

5. Retired Lieutenant General Anil Chauhan appointed by government as the next Chief of Defense Staff (CDS).

• He will also serve as Secretary of the Military Department from the date of assuming the charge.
• In his career spanning nearly forty years, Lieutenant General Anil Chauhan has served in various positions in the Army.
• He also has extensive experience in counter-insurgency operations in Jammu and Kashmir and the Northeast.
• The post of Chief of Army Staff was vacant after General Bipin Rawat's death in a helicopter crash on December 8 last year.
• Lt. General Anil Chauhan (Retired) received the Param Vishisht Seva Medal, Uttam Yudh Seva Medal, Ati Vishisht Seva Medal, Sena Medal, and Vishisht Seva Medal for his distinguished and illustrious service in the Army.

(Source: News on AIR)

Topic: Defence

6. Indian army to induct kamikaze drone and more "Winterised Howitzer" on Chinese front.

• The Indian Army will soon induct 'loitering munitions’ amid the continuing military confrontation with China in eastern Ladakh.
• Indian Army will deploy more Winterised Howitzer and advance rockets backed by drones along Chinese border.
• Precision-strike loitering munitions, smaller and cheaper explosive-armed kamikaze drones, will be delivered under an emergency procurement deal signed with an Israeli-Indian private joint company last year.
• Additionally, the Army is procuring indigenous developed advanced loitering weapon systems with improved strike capability.
• During the 29-month standoff with China, the Army has also deployed huge artillery guns along the 3,488-km Line of Actual Control, from eastern Ladakh to Arunachal Pradesh.
• These include the old Bofors and 105mm field guns, as well as the "upgunned" Dhanush and Sharang cannons, M-777 ultra-light howitzers, and K-9 Vajra self-propelled tracked guns.

Topic: MoUs/ Agreements

7. Indian fertilizer companies and Canadian company Canpotex signed an MoU.

• On September 27, 2022, pharmaceutical companies of India- Coromandel International, Chambal Fertilizers, and Indian Potash Limited signed an MoU with Canpotex, Canada.
• It is an important step towards ensuring sustainable fertilizer availability to the farming community.
• The long term MoUs have been signed between the companies for the supply of MOP (Murate of Potash) to Indian farmers.
• The MoU will reduce supply and price fluctuations and ensure long-term stable supply of potash fertilizers to India.
• Under the MoU, Canadian company Canpotex will supply up to 15 LMT of potash every year to Indian fertilizer companies for a period of three years.
• Canada's Canpotex is one of the largest suppliers of potash to the world. The company exports about 130 LMT of potash every year.
• Potash:
  • Potash is a source of potassium and is directly used as MOP.
  • Apart from this, it is also used as a combination of 'N' and 'P' nutrients in NPK fertilizers.
  • India meets 100% of its potash requirement through imports.
  • The country imports about 40 LMT of MOP every year.

Topic: Geography

8. Cuban authorities declared an emergency in six areas due to Hurricane Ian.

• Hurricane Ian has made landfall in western Cuba as a Category three hurricane, with wind speeds reaching 205 kph.
• Hurricane Ian is expected to strengthen on its way to Florida, where the governor has warned of a potential "major disaster."
• Hurricane:
  • Hurricanes are large, swirling storms. They produce winds of 119 kilometers per hour (74 mph) or higher.
  • Hurricanes form over warm ocean waters.
  • When a hurricane reaches land, it pushes ocean water ashore. This is called a storm surge.
  • Heavy rain and storm surge from a hurricane can cause flooding.
  • There are five types or categories of hurricanes. The scale of categories is called the Saffir-Simpson Hurricane Scale.
  • The categories are based on wind speed:
    • Category 1: Winds 119-153 km/hr (74-95 mph)
    • Category 2: Winds 154-177 km/hr (96-110 mph)
    • Category 3: Winds 178-208 km/hr (111-129 mph)
    • Category 4: Winds 209-251 km/hr (130-156 mph)
    • Category 5: Winds more than 252 km/hr (157 mph)

Topic: Environment and Ecology

9. Tigers will be reintroduced in the Madhav National Park (MNP) after almost 60 years.

• Tigers will be reintroduced in the Madhav National Park of Madhya Pradesh.
• The tiger will be brought from Panna, Bandhavgarh and Satpura National Parks.
• Five tigers will be relocated from three state national parks with the approval of the National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA).
• In the first stage, three tigers – one male and two females will be brought to Madhav National Park in Shivpuri.
• It will boost tourism in the state and boost the conservation of tigers in the state. Since 1960, there have been no tigers in Madhav National Park.
• Madhav National Park:
  • It is located in the Shivpuri District of Madhya Pradesh.
  • It was named after Madho Rao Scindia in 1959. It has dry deciduous & dry thorn forests.
  • It is spread over an area of 354 sq. km.
  • It was declared a national park in 1958.

Topic: Government Schemes and Initiatives

10. Cabinet approved the extension of PM Garib Kalyan Anna Yojana till December 2022.

• Under Prime Minister Garib Kalyan Anna Yojana (PMGKAY), free ration is provided to the poor people.
• The government has taken this decision in view of the upcoming festive season.
• Approximately 80 crore people have benefited from the scheme since its launch.
• PM Garib Kalyan Anna Yojana:
  • It was launched in March 2020 for all beneficiaries of the National Food Security Act.
  • Under the program, each family member receives a free ration that includes 5 kg of wheat or rice and 1 kg of pulses each month.

Topic: National News

11. Cabinet approves 4% increase in DA.

• Union Cabinet approved a 4% hike in dearness allowance (DA) for central government employees and pensioners.
• Cabinet has also approved the redevelopment of three railway stations: Delhi, Mumbai, and Ahmedabad.
• The redevelopment project of the railway station will generate nearly 35000 jobs. It will give a boost to the local economy through investment and additional business opportunities.
• The government has approved Rs 10,000 crore for the redevelopment of these railway stations.

Topic: International News

12. Quad countries signed the Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief (HADR) partnership guidelines.

• The Foreign Ministers of the Quad countries signed the Guidelines for the ‘Quad Partnership on Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief (HADR) in the Indo-Pacific’.
• It is the first time that the foreign ministers of the Quad nations have met at the UNGA.
• The signing of these guidelines will enhance cooperation among Quad Countries.
• The Partnership guidelines have been designed to respond to the vulnerabilities of the Indo-Pacific region.
• It will also act as a framework for Quad Partners to coordinate their disaster response operations in the region.
• The guidelines will augment capacity and capability, interoperability, and operational synergy to perform HADR operations.
• QUAD:
  • It was established in 2007.
  • It has originated from the 2004 ad hoc Tsunami Core Group for international response efforts after the Tsunami. 
  • Australia, India, Japan, and the United States are members of this forum.

Topic: International News

13. 'Fridays for Future' activists lodge protests against climate change worldwide.

• Under the ‘Fridays for Future movement’, thousands of people protested against climate change.
• The people demanded action to tackle the climate change crisis. Around 2.8 lakh people from more than 270 cities across Germany participated in the demonstration.
• About 200 people in South Korea and 5,000 people in Italy took part in similar demonstrations. Similar demonstrations were held in 450 locations worldwide.
• The protests began just weeks before the start of the UN climate summit.
• Climate protesters are calling for action to stop global warming and to expand the use of renewable energy.

Topic: Personality in News

14. PM Modi pays tribute to Bhagat Singh on his 115^th birth anniversary.

• Prime Minister Narendra Modi also announced that Chandigarh Airport will be renamed Shaheed Bhagat Singh Airport.
• Bhagat Singh is remembered for his supreme sacrifice for the nation.
• Bhagat Singh:
  • He was born in 1907 in Lyallpur District (now in Pakistan).
  • He was a socialist revolutionary and Indian freedom fighter.
  • He became a member of the Hindustan Republican Association in 1924.
  • He changed the name of the Hindustan Republican Association to the Hindustan Socialist Republic Association (HSRA)
  • Bhagat Singh founded Naujawan Bharat Sabha in 1926.
  • In April 1929, Bhagat Singh and Batukeshwar Dutt threw bombs inside Central Legislative Assembly. They were hanged on March 23, 1931.