Daily Current Affairs and GK | 3 June 2022

Topic: Infrastructure and Energy

1. India’s coal import declines to 209 MT in 2021-22.

• According to the latest government data, overall coal production has increased by 61 MT during the financial year 2021-22.
• The coal production has increased from 716 MT in 2020-21 to 777 MT in 2021-22.
• Coal imports had reached a peak of 248 MT in 2019-20. After that, Coal import has declined to 215 MT in 2020-21 and 209 MT in 2021-22.
• The main reason for the decline in coal imports is the decrease in imports by the power sector.
• The power sector imported 27 MT in 2021-22, which is almost 40% less than the previous fiscal. 
• The demand for coal has increased from 956 MT in 2019-20 to 1,027 MT in 2021-22.
• The total thermal power generation has increased to 1,115 Billion Units in 2021-22 from 1,032 Billion Units in 2020-21.
• Coking Coal import has registered a growth of 11.65 per cent during 2021-22. Coal imported by the non-regulated sector has increased by 5.23 per cent.

(Source: News on AIR)

Topic: Personality in News

2. INA veteran Anjalai Ponnusamy passed away.

• Indian National Army (INA) veteran Anjalai Ponnusamy passed away at the age of 102 in Malaysia.
• During the Second World War, Anjalai had joined the Rani of Jhansi Regiment, the women’s unit of the INA. She fought for India’s freedom from the British.
• She will be remembered for her bravery, determination and dauntlessness.
• Indian National Army (INA):
  • It is also known as Azad Hid Fauj.
  • It was formed by Indian nationalists in 1942.
  • It was initially formed under the leadership of Mohan Singh.
  • It was revived by Subhas Chandra Bose in 1943 to fight for the freedom of India.
  • The women’s unit of the Indian National Army was led by Lakshmi Sahgal.

Topic: MoUs / Agreements

3. India signed three MoUs with Senegal for cultural exchange, cooperation in youth affairs, and a visa-free regime for officials.

• The MoUs were signed in Dakar, Senegal's capital, following delegation-level talks between Vice President M Venkaiah Naidu and President Macky Sall.
• India assured Senegal of continuing its commitment to support socio-economic development through bilateral, regional, and international frameworks.
• This is the first high-level Indian visit to Senegal, and it is taking place at a time when the two countries are celebrating 60 years of their diplomatic ties.
• Both sides signed three MoU, which are:
  • The first MoU is related to a visa-free regime for holders of diplomatic and official passports, which will promote bilateral cooperation by allowing officials and diplomats to travel freely between the two nations.
  • The second agreement is related to the renewal of the Cultural Exchange Program (CEP) for the period 2022-26.
  • The third MoU aims to enhance bilateral cooperation in youth affairs.
• Senegal: It is a West African country bordered on the north by Mauritania, the east by Mali, the southeast by Guinea, and the southwest by Guinea-Bissau. Its currency is the West African CFA franc (XOF)

(Source: News on Air)

Topic: State news/Punjab

4. Punjab government launched e-stamping and eliminates all physical stamp papers of all denominations.

• The Punjab government has discontinued physical stamp papers in order to improve efficiency and prevent evasion of state revenue
• Now stamp papers of any denomination will be available in the form of e-stamp (computerised print-out) at stamp vendors or state-approved banks.
• Earlier, e-stamping was only available for values above 20,000 rupees and now it's available for all denominations starting at one rupee.
• The Punjab Government's decision will save at least 35 crore rupees a year, which was spent on printing stamp papers.
• On e-stamps ranging from Rs 1 to Rs 19,999, the Punjab government would pay a 2% commission to stamp vendors.
• In addition, the department has launched five new e-services, including Loan/Hypothecation Agreement, Agreement of Pledge, Affidavit & Declaration, Demand Promissory Note, and Indemnity Bond.
• This service has been launched with the assistance of the Union government's National e-Governance Services Ltd (NeSL).

Topic: MoUs/Agreements

5. C-DOT signed an agreement with VVDN Technologies and WiSig Networks to develop 5G Open RAN.

• The Centre for Development of Telematics (C-DOT), WiSig Networks Private Limited, and VVDN Technologies Private Limited have signed a collaboration agreement in the field of Open RAN-based Radio Networks for 5G solutions.
• This collaboration aims to leverage Indian R&D and industry's expertise and skills to design, develop, and produce cost-effective 5G products and solutions.
• Centre for Development of Telematics(C-DOT):
  • It is the R&D centre of the Department of Telecommunications under the Ministry of Communications of the Government of India.
  • C-DOT has developed several cutting-edge telecom technologies, including 4G solutions, and is actively working on 5G.
  • It was founded in August 1984. It is headquartered in Delhi.
• WiSig Networks Private Limited:
  • It is an emerging company involved in the business of developing, marketing, and offering various communications solutions including 5G Mobile Communication Products and Solutions.
  • It was founded in 2016. It is headquartered in Hyderabad.
• VVDN Technologies Private Limited:
  • It is a leading product engineering and manufacturing company with expertise in 5G, networking and Wi-Fi, IoT, and cloud storage services.

(Source: News on Air)

Topic: Summits/ Conferences/ Meetings

6. India and Sweden hosted the Industry Transition Dialogue in Stockholm as a part of their LeadIT joint initiative.

• The Leadership for Industry Transition (LeadIT) initiative focuses on areas that are key stakeholders in global climate action and require specific interventions.
• This high-level dialogue has contributed to the United Nations conference 'Stockholm+50: a healthy planet for the prosperity of all –our responsibility, our opportunity’.
• The conference took place on 2 and 3 June 2022 and also set the agenda for COP27.
• The conference began with remarks from India's Union Minister of Environment, Forests, and Climate Change, Shri Bhupender Yadav, and Sweden's Minister of Climate and the Environment, Ms. Annika Strandhäll.
• The first United Nations Conference on the Human Environment was held in 1972, and it put environmental issues to the forefront of world concerns.
• Japan and South Africa are the latest members of the initiative which has increased the total members of LeadIT to 37.
• Sweden:
  • Sweden is a Scandinavian nation with thousands of coastal islands and inland lakes.
  • Its capital is Stockholm and the currency is Swedish Krona.
  • It is the largest country in Northern Europe.

Topic: International News

7. India and Israel adopted a vision statement on defence cooperation.

• India-Israel Vision on Defence Cooperation will further defence cooperation between the two countries.
• Defence Minister Rajnath Singh held a bilateral meeting with his Israeli counterpart Benjamin Gantz in New Delhi.
• Two Ministers also exchanged a Letter of Intent on enhancing cooperation in the field of Futuristic Defence Technologies.
• This year marks the 30th Anniversary of the official establishment of India-Israel diplomatic relations.
• Israel:
  • It is a Middle Eastern country located on the Mediterranean Sea.
  • Its capital is Jerusalem and the currency is the Israeli shekel.
  • Naftali Bennett is the current Prime Minister of the country. Isaac Herzog is the current President of Israel.

(Source: News on AIR)

Topic: Personality in News

8. Pandit Bhajan Sopori passed away on 02 June 2022.

• He was a famous Santoor maestro. He was the former Director of Music at All India Radio.
• He also made a major contribution to Hindustani classical music.
• Along with Pandit Shiv Kumar Sharma, Bhajan Sopori is also credited with making the Kashmiri musical instrument Santoor recognized worldwide.
• Indian Santoor is generally made from walnut wood. It has 25 bridges and 100 strings (each bridge has 4 strings).
• Pandit Bhajan Sopori belonged to the Sufiana Gharana of Indian classical music. He hailed from Sopore in Kashmir Valley.

(Source: News on AIR)

Topic: Reports and Indices/Ranking

9. Times Higher Education (THE) released the latest edition of Asia University Rankings.

• The 2022 edition of the Asia University Rankings comprises 616 universities from 31 countries. 71 institutions from India took part in the ranking.
• The Indian Institute of Science (IISc), Bangalore has got 42nd position, it is the only institute in the top-50 from India.
• The JSS Academy of Higher Education and Research has got 65th place, it is followed by the Indian Institute of Technology Ropar (68th Rank) and IIT Indore (87th rank).
• This year 17 Indian universities have made a place in the top 200, last year the number was 18.
• Japan is the most-represented country with 118 institutions.
• Tsinghua and Peking universities of China are on first and second place in the ranking.
• According to this Index, Asia is one of the best places for higher education, research and innovation.

Topic: State News/ Andhra Pradesh

10. Andhra CM Jagan Mohan Reddy Launched an App to curb corruption.

• Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Jagan Mohan launched the app named '14400'.
• It will help people in registering corruption-related complaints against the officials in the state.
• It has been developed by the Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) for curbing corruption.
• The evidence can be sent in audio, video, and photo format. It gives the facility to attach evidence with the complaint.
• After the Complaint is lodged, ACB authorities will take the appropriate action based on the contents of the Complaint.

Topic: Defence

11. INS Nishank and INS Akshay will be decommissioned on 3^rd June.

• Indian naval ships INS Nishank and INS Akshay will be decommissioned in the naval dockyard of Mumbai.
• It will be decommissioned after 32 years of service. Chief of the Naval Staff, Admiral R Hari Kumar will be the chief guest of the ceremony.
• The pennant marks the commissioning of the ship. The pennant will be hauled down before the decommissioning.
• INS Nishank is the Veer Class Missile Corvette. It was part of the Killer Squadron, which is known for its heroic action in the 1971 India-Pakistan War.
• INS Akshay is part of the 23^rd Patrol Vessel Squadron. It is an Abhay class corvette ship.

(Source: News on AIR)

Topic: National Appointments

12. S L Thaosen appointed as new Director-General of Sashastra Seema Bal.

• Zulfiquar Hasan has been appointed as the new Director-General of the Bureau of Civil Aviation Security (BCAS).
• He was serving as the special director-general of the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) in Delhi.
• S L Thaosen was working as special director-general in the Border Security Force (BSF).
• Bureau of Civil Aviation Security works under the Ministry of Home affairs. It is responsible for civil aviation security in India.
• The Director-General of the Bureau of Civil Aviation Security is responsible for the development, implementation and maintenance of the National Civil Aviation Security Programme.
• Sashastra Seema Bal (SSB):
  • It is one of the Central Armed Police Force under the control of the Ministry of Home Affairs.
  • It was formed in 1963.
  • Headquarters: New Delhi
  • Its motto is “Service, Security and Brotherhood.”

Topic: Indian Economy

13. India's textiles export reached its peak at $44.4 billion.

• India's textile and apparel exports reached $44.4 billion in FY 2021-22, which is the highest in any fiscal year so far.
• Export of handicrafts has increased by 41% as compared to FY21.
• The highest number of garments and apparel were exported from India to the US (27%). It was followed by the European Union (18%), Bangladesh (12%) and the United Arab Emirates (6%).
• The export of cotton textiles was worth $17.2 billion. Its share in total export was 39%.
• The export of cotton registered a growth of 54% in 2021-22 as compared to the previous fiscal.
• Export of ready-made garments was USD 16 billion with 36 percent share in the total export.
• Export of Man-made textiles was USD 6.3 billion with a 14% share in the total export.

Topic: Important Days

14. World Bicycle Day: 3 June

• Every year World Bicycle Day is observed all around the world on 3 June.
• It is observed to encourage and motivate people to adopt Cycling in their daily lives for physical fitness.
• In 2018, the United Nations adopted 3 June as World Bicycle Day.
• On the occasion of World Bicycle Day, Cycle Rallies will be organized across the country.
• Union Minister Anurag Thakur will launch a nationwide programme of cycle rallies from Major Dhyan Chand Stadium, Delhi.