Daily Current Affairs and GK | 6 September 2022

Topic: Summits/ Conferences/ Meetings

1. NITI Aayog and BMZ launch NITI-BMZ Dialogue on Development Cooperation.

• NITI Aayog and the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ) dialogue will enhance cooperation between India and Germany.
• The NITI-BMZ Dialogue was focused on five key areas of cooperation: Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), climate action, energy transition, emerging technologies and agro-ecology.
• The NITI-BMZ Dialogue will help India and Germany to realise their potential in embedding climate action in the Sustainable Development Goals.  
• Both sides highlighted the need to deepen engagement in the Cooperation on Agroecology and Natural Resources, strengthening research in different agro-climatic regions for natural farming practices, standardization and certification of natural farming products, etc.
• NITI and BMZ reaffirmed their commitment to collaborating towards strengthening SDG localization at the city level and scaling-up SDG implementation in the context of climate change at the state level.
• German Minister Schulze announced additional funding of EUR 3.5 million for implementing SDGs and climate action at the state level in India.

(Source: News on AIR)

Topic: International Appointment

2. Liz Truss will take oath as 56th Prime Minister of the United Kingdom.

• Liz Truss will succeed Boris Johnson, who will tender his resignation to Queen Elizabeth II.
• Liz Truss with 57 per cent of the vote defeated Rishi Sunak.
• Liz Truss will be the third female Prime Minister of the United Kingdom. The other female prime ministers were Margaret Thatcher and Theresa May.
• Liz Truss has been elected as leader of the Conservative Party by her fellow party members.
• Reshaping the economy, inflation and energy crisis will be the main challenges for Liz Truss.
• During her campaign, she had promised a "bold" programme of tax cuts for the growth of the economy.
• United Kingdom:
  • It is a group of England, Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland nations.
  • It is located in northwestern Europe.
  • Its capital is London, and the currency is the pound sterling.
  • It has a parliamentary democracy under a constitutional monarchy.
  • The Prime Minister of the United Kingdom is the head of government.
  • The British political system is a two-party system.

(Source: News on AIR)

Topic: National News

3. Government to rename Rajpath as Kartavya Path.

• The iconic Rajpath from Rashtrapati Bhavan to India Gate will be renamed as Kartavya Path (Path of Duty).
• This proposal has been prepared by the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs.
• A NDMC special meeting has been called to discuss the renaming of Rajpath.
• Rajpath was known as Kingsway during British rule. It is the place where the Republic Day parade takes place every year on 26 January.
• On 8th September, the Prime Minister is likely to inaugurate the revamped Central Vista Avenue. It will be open to the public after a 20-month gap.
• This is the first project that has been completed under the Central Vista redevelopment plan.
• Central Vista Project: This is an ambitious redevelopment project of the government. Under this, a new Parliament and a common secretariat will be constructed.

Topic: Sports

4. "Mahadevikkadu Kattil Thekkethil" of the Pallathuruthy Boat Club won the Nehru Trophy for the third time.

• The 68th edition of the Nehru Trophy won by Pallathuruthy Boat Club. It was a boat race held on Punnamada lake in the Alappuzha district of Kerala.
• 'Nadubhagam' of Kumarakam of the NCDC Boat Club won the title of runner-up while the ‘Veeyapuram Chundan’ by Punnamada boat club won the third prize.
• Under nine categories, 77 boats, including 20 snake boats, participated in the race.
• The boat from Pallathuruthy Boat Club won the race after covering 1.15 km in 4.30.77 minutes.
• This is Pallathuruthi's hat-trick title win in the Nehru Trophy with Santhosh Chacko as the captain of this boat.

(Source: News on Air)

Topic: Corporates/Companies

5. India's UAV ecosystem will get up to $40 million from the largest drone fund in the world.

• One of the world's largest VCs dedicated to fostering the unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) ecosystem, the $170 million Drone Fund (DF) based in Japan planned to invest up to $40 million in Indian startups working in the sector.
• It has partnered with the Aerodyne India group, a major drone manufacturer, to invest in the latter's manufacturing facilities and select other local firms.
• Soki Ohmae, DF co-founder and managing partner, made a joint venture partnership with Arjun Aggarwal, MD of Aerodyne India, to promote make-in India.
• Currently, Aerodyne has a manufacturing facility in Tamil Nadu and is planning to open at least two more shortly.

Topic: State news/ Uttar Pradesh

6. 'Jail Ka Khana' in Uttar Pradesh's Farrukhabad got a 5-star FSSAI rating.

• The Food Safety Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) has given the Fatehgarh Central jail in Uttar Pradesh's Farrukhabad district a five-star certification for the quality of food it serves inmates.
• A third-party audit, selected by the FSSAI, awarded the jail a five-star 'Eat Right Certificate'.
• ‘Eat Right Certificate' is a recognition of the quality and hygiene of the food, which means that quality food items are being prepared for the prisoners in the prison.
• According to the FSSAI's 'Eat Right' certificate, 1,100 prisoners were provided nutritious and hygienic meals.
• It is the first jail in Uttar Pradesh to get this certificate.

Topic: State News/ Chhattisgarh

7. Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel inaugurated three new districts within two days.

• On 2 September, Bhupesh Baghel inaugurated Mohla-Manpur-Ambagarh Chowki as the state's 29th district.
• It has been formed out of the Rajnandgaon district, which had a large area, and people used to take about a day to reach the headquarters (170 km).
• On September 3, the districts of Sarangarh-Bilaigarh and Khairagarh-Chhuikhadan-Gandai were also inaugurated as the 30th and 31st districts of the state.
• With this, the state now has a total of 31 districts.
• In addition, he announced 46 different development programs totalling 540 crore rupees for the newly established district of Sarangarh-Bilaigarh.    
• Bhupesh Baghel also inaugurated a 50-seat hostel for tribal girls built by the Tribal Development Department in Sarangarh at a cost of Rs 1 crore 52 thousand 97 hundred.
• Chhattisgarh:
  • The state is ranked 9th in terms of area in the country. It has 31 districts.
  • Capital of Chhattisgarh: Raipur
  • Governor of Chhattisgarh: Anusuiya Uikey
  • Chief Minister of Chhattisgarh: Bhupesh Baghel
  • Folk dances of Chhattisgarh: Saila Dance, Karma, Sua Nacha, Panthi Dance, Raut Nacha, etc.

Topic: Government Schemes and Initiatives

8. New research fellowship and research grant schemes were launched by the University Grants Commission.

• The commission has announced Five schemes, including 3 grants and 2 fellowship schemes.
• These schemes include:
  • Savitribai Jyotirao Phule fellowship for single girl child
  • Dr. Radhakrishnan UGC post-doctoral fellowship
  • Superannuated Faculty Members Fellowship
  • Research Grant for In-Service Faculty Members
  • Dr D S Kothari Research Grant for Newly Recruited Faculty Members
• 'Fellowship for Superannuation Faculty Members' scheme has been launched to provide research opportunities for retired teachers.
• This fellowship has a total of 100 available slots, and candidates will get Rs 50,000 per month and Rs 50,000 per year as a contingency.
• The objective of 'Research Grants for in-service Faculty Members' is to provide research opportunities to regularly appointed faculty members.
• 10 lakhs will be given to 200 selected candidates for a period of two years.
• Dr. DS Kothari Research Grant has been announced for newly recruited faculty members and for regularly appointed faculty members.
• 10 lakhs will be provided to 132 selected candidates for a period of two years.
• The objective of the 'Dr. Radhakrishnan UGC Post-Doctoral Fellowship' is to provide the opportunity to pursue advanced study and research in Engineering, Sciences, Technology, Humanities, Social Sciences, and languages given by Indian universities and organizations.
• There are reportedly 900 seats in this fellowship and 30 percent of them are reserved for women candidates.

Topic: State News/ Uttar Pradesh

9. Bharataul located in the Bareilly district became the first village in UP where every house gets RO water.

• Five ROs have been installed so far in the village and each is connected to a water tank.
• It is a model gram panchayat and is focusing on becoming a women’s self-reliant village.
• Bhartaul village has won many awards, including the Central Government’s Pandit Deen Dayal Uapdhyaya Panchayat Sashaktikaran award and Chief Minister Panchayat Encouragement Award.
• There are a total of 850 houses in the village out of which 350 are owned by Armymen. The total population of the village is around 7,000.
• The village has a door-to-door garbage collection and separation system, and CCTVs are installed across the village with a control room.
• In this village, each house has its own toilet, and 275 streets have pucca roads.

Topic: Government Schemes and Initiatives

10. Government will develop and upgrade 14,500 schools under PM-SHRI Yojana.

• On the occasion of Teacher's Day, Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced that 14,500 schools will be developed and upgraded as PM-SHRI schools under the Pradhan Mantri Schools For Rising India (PM-SHRI) Yojana.
• PM-SHRI schools will impart education through a modern, transformational and holistic method.
• These schools will become model schools and will incorporate the spirit of the National Policy on Education (NEP) 2020.
• In the PM-SHRI schools, emphasis will be given to the discovery- oriented and learning-centric way of teaching.
• These schools will be equipped with modern infrastructure including the latest technology, smart classrooms, and sports.
• PM-SHRI schools will further benefit lakhs of students across India. These schools aim to create individuals equipped with 21st-century skills.
• These schools will set the standard for high-quality education in an equitable, inclusive, and joyful school environment in their respective regions.

Topic: International News

11. Zaporizhzhia nuclear plant lost link from main power line: IAEA

• As per the IAEA, the Zaporizhzhia nuclear plant has lost its link from the main power line.
• The fourth 750 kV power line that was in use at the Zaporizhzhia nuclear plant was shut down. Earlier, three other power lines were shut down due to the conflict.
• A 330/750 kV reserve line is now providing energy to the grid, and it could also provide power to the Zaporizhzhia nuclear plant.
• As per Ukraine's state nuclear company, only one of six reactors is now in operation.
• Zaporizhzhia is the largest nuclear plant in Europe. It is located in Enerhodar, Ukraine. It was built by the Soviet Union.
• At present, the plant is under Russian control, but it is operated by Ukrainian staff.
• International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA):
  • IAEA is the world's centre for cooperation in the nuclear field.
  • It is known as the world’s “Atoms for Peace and Development” organization within the UN.
  • It was created on 29 July 1957 as an autonomous organisation.
  • Its headquarters is located in Vienna, Austria.
  • Member states: 175 (As of August 2022)
  • Director General: Rafael Mariano Grossi
  • North Korea which joined the IAEA in 1974, withdrew its membership of the IAEA in 1994.

Topic: Summits/ Conferences/ Meetings

12. First edition of “World Health Summit for Pride of Homoeopathy” held in Dubai.

• The first “World Health Summit for Pride of Homoeopathy” was held on 29 August.
• It was held under the theme of “Diseases caused by climate change and global warming”.
• The main aim of the summit is to promote a homoeopathic system of medicine, drugs, and practices around the world.
• The summit has been organized by Burnett Homoeopathy Pvt Limited.
• The summit featured participation from many of the best and most prominent doctors in the world and from India.
• One of the biggest threats to health in the world is climate change, and homoeopathy can be extremely effective in treating diseases brought on by global warming and climate change.
• The side effects of homoeopathy are negligible as compared to other systems of medicine.
• Samuel Hahnemann is known as the “Father of Homeopathy”. This year, World Homeopathy Awareness Week was celebrated from the 10th -16th of April.

Topic: Sports

13. German cyclists stood first in the men’s and women’s categories of the Leh Cycling World Cup.

• Twenty international, 55 national, and local cyclists participated in the Leh Edition of the UCI MTB Eliminator World Cup.
• The first-ever MTB Eliminator World Cup in Leh was organized by Ladakh Police in collaboration with the Administration of Union Territory of Ladakh and the Cycling Association of India.
• The track was five hundred meters long and had artificial obstacles and sharp turns in the knockout laps.
• In the world cup qualifier, the top five cyclists in the men's and women's categories made it to the podium.
• Cycling:
  • Cycling is part of the Olympic Games since 1896.
  • Julian Alaphilippe, Wout van Aert, Ronaldo Singh Laitonjam, Thibaut Pinot, Vincenzo Nibali, and Geraint Thomas are some renowned cyclists in the world.
  • Attack, Berm, Black Line, Blocking, Gear Ratio, Bonk, Chain Suck, and Pathlete are some common terminology related to Cycling.
  • UCI Mountain Bike World Cup is a mountain bike racing series by the Union Cycliste Internationale.
  • Tour de France, UCI Road World Championships, World Road Championships, and Commonwealth Games Cycling are important Cycling tournaments.
  • Noida Cycling Club is one of the oldest cycling communities in India.

(Source: News on AIR)

Topic: State News/ Meghalaya

14. Meghalaya government launched the 'Rural Backyard Piggery Scheme' for the welfare of farmers.

• Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma launched the 'Rural Backyard Piggery Scheme' under the National Livestock Mission in Ri-Bhoi district.
• Under Phase 1 of the scheme, four high-yielding improved varieties of pigs will be given to 6000 families.
• The 'Rural Backyard Piggery Scheme' will be funded by the Central Government and state government.
• Four piglets (3 female and 1 male) will be distributed to farmers to promote pig breeding. The scheme will also help in providing a regular source of income to farmers.
• The state government is implementing the 'Meghalaya Piggery Mission'. The government is providing loans with 0% interest as part of this mission to set up pig breeding centres.
• National Livestock Mission:
  • It was launched in 2014-15 by the Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare.
  • It was launched for the sustainable development of the livestock sector.