PRAVAHINI (Weekly Periodical - February 2023) Set 1

PREFACE

It gives us great pleasure to release the monthly edition of the PRAVAHINI – Monthly e- Compendium & Weekly e-Periodicals of Current Affairs. The magazine’s members have shown considerable cooperation as well as devotion. We at success mantra.in working tirelessly to create this magazine and bring it to you with a great sense of gratitude.

The February -2023 eBook covers the current events that happened in the month of October. Current Affairs is a crucial component of any competitive exams including CLAT, AILET, DU-LLB, HM, CAT, IAS, PCS, SSC, CUET, Banking, MBA and various other competitive examinations.

Current Affairs play the bigger role in many competitive and government exams. It holds the power of making or breaking your chance of success. Therefore, the candidates should cover the Current Affairs thoroughly and smartly.

The PRAVAHINI February -2023 eBook is divided into different sections keeping in mind the need of various exams. The sections covered namely International, National, Economy, Ecology and Environment, Science & Technology, Legal Affairs, Sports, States News Makers and few others.

We would also be pleased to receive any suggestion that could assist us with the upcoming editions.

Success Mantra (GTB Nagar, Delhi)

Website:www.successmantra.in

Mail Id: [email protected]

TABLE OF CONTENTS

• National Affairs
• International Affairs
• Economic Affairs
• Awards & Honour
• Sports
• Important Days and Dates
• Report and Index
• Science & Technology
• Miscellaneous

 

 

NATIONAL AFFAIRS

SC TO HEAR ADANI-HINDENBURG ROW

 

Advocate Vishal Tiwari recently filed a Public Interest Litigation to the Supreme Court to take up the case of the Adani-Hindenburg row. The apex court has agreed and will hear the case on Feb 10, 2023. Vishal is a practicing lawyer in the SC.

• The PIL requests the Chief Justice of India to handle the case. CJI Chandrachud along with other judges of SC PS Narasimha and JB Pardiwala will take up the case.

 

Hindenburg-Adani row

• The Hindenburg Finance research company based in the US released an investigative report on the Adani group. According to the report, the Adani group is manipulating stocks holding fraudulent shell company operations. Following the report, the stock prices of the company fell. The company lost more than 127 crores of rupees.

 

Why is the SC Stepping in?

• The Hindenburg-Adani row which has been in the news for quite some time now is putting India’s reputation at stake. Before the row, Gautham Adani was the second richest person in the world.

 

 

 

 

WHAT IS AMRIT DHAROHAR SCHEME?

India lost 30% of its wetlands in the past three decades. Of all Mumbai lost the maximum wetlands. 71% of wetlands in Mumbai were lost between 1970 and 2014. 57% lost in Ahmedabad, 56% in Bengaluru, 55% in Hyderabad, 38% in Delhi, and lots more in other major cities.

• The loss of wetlands is mainly due to anthropogenic activities and illegal constructions. To increase the optimal use of wetlands in the cities and to improve their biodiversity the GoI launched the Amrit Dharohar Scheme. The scheme was announced by the Finance Minister during her budget speech.

What is the Amrit Dharohar Scheme?

• The scheme will aim to conserve wetlands by promoting their optimal use
• The scheme is to be implemented in the next three years
• The scheme will increase eco-tourism, and carbon stock, and also will help the local communities in their income generations

Need for the Scheme

• To achieve 2030 sustainable development goals. These goals were adopted by India along with other UN Members in 2015. The SDG aims to provide peace and prosperity. The Amrit Dharohar scheme will help India achieve the SDG goals.

 

NATIONAL DATA GOVERNANCE POLICY

 

Data governance is managing data usage, data security, data availability, and data integrity. During the Union Budget 2023 presentation, the finance minister Smt Nirmala Sitaraman announced that GoI is to launch National Governance Policy.

• The policy will create an Indian Data Management Office. The IDMO will operate under the IT Ministry. The government of India is to launch a policy to increase access to anonymized data in a safe and secure way.

What is National Data Governance Policy?

• The policy will increase the availability of data that are of national importance
• It will increase the awareness of citizens by increasing the availability of open safe and authentic data
• Increase the overall compliance
• Enhance the participation of the public
• Secure data sharing on the internet
• Streamline privacy standards

 

WHAT IS THE PM-PRANAM SCHEME?

Green Growth will be one of the major priorities of the Indian Government during 2023-24. To make India free from pollution and increase the use of electric vehicles and achieve green growth, the Indian Government allocated Rs 5,172 lakh crores for FAME Scheme.  

• Also, launched the PM-PRANAM Scheme. This scheme was launched under the GOBAR Dhan scheme.

 

What is the PM-PRANAM Scheme?

• It stands for PM Programme for Restoration, Awareness, Nourishment, and Amelioration of Mother Earth. Under the scheme, the GoI is planning to promote alternatives to fertilizers. Also, it aims to promote the balanced use of chemicals.
• The main objective of the scheme is to reduce the use of chemical fertilizers.

GOBAR DHAN Scheme

• PM PRANAM was launched under the GOBAR Dhan Scheme. GOBAR DHAN is Galvanizing Organic Bio-Agro Resources Dhan. During the Budget, the finance minister announced that 500 new “waste to wealth” plants are to be established under the GOBAR Dhan scheme.

 

NATIONAL INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY RIGHTS (IPR) POLICY

Since the inception of the National Intellectual Property Rights (IPR) Policy, both the IPR ecosystem in this country has witnessed many changes.

However, it appears that the patent establishment of the country overdrive to prove its patent-friendliness, rather patentee-friendliness.

As per the structural and legislative changes in the IPR, the dissolution of the Intellectual Property Appellate Board (IPAB) took place in 2021 and dedicated IP divisions were established in the Delhi High Court to address the issues.

What is the National IPR Policy?

• The Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT) under the Ministry of Commerce adopted the National Intellectual Property Rights (IPR) Policy in 2016.
• The main goal of the policy is "Creative India; Innovative India". The policy covers all forms of IP, seeks to create synergies between them and other agencies, and sets up an institutional mechanism for implementation and review.
• DPIIT is the nodal department for IPR development in India and the Cell for IPR Promotion & Management (CIPAM) under DPIIT is the single point of reference for implementing the policy.
• India's IPR regime complies with World Trade Organisation's (WTO) agreement on Trade Related Aspects of Intellectual Property (TRIPS).

 

GOVT. OF INDIA ALLOCATED 100 CRORES FOR NAMASTE SCHEME

 

In the Union Budget 2023, the Government of India allocated Rs 100 crores for the NAMASTE scheme. With this, the GoI aims to mechanize septic tank cleaning and sewer cleaning in towns and cities.

The scheme aims to provide an alternate livelihood to sanitation workers. In addition, NAMASTE will strive to bring behavioral changes to them.

 

The objective of the scheme

• To achieve zero fatalities in the sanitation sector
• No sanitation worker will touch or come in direct contact with the fecal matter
• The sanitation workers will be encouraged to form Self Help Groups
• Ensure the workers have access to alternative livelihoods as mechanization may bring loss of jobs to few in the industry

WHAT IS JUDICIAL MAJORITARIANISM?

Many people have raised concerns over Judicial Majoritarianism on the Judgement of the Supreme Court on demonetization and the minority judgment has been hailed for its challenge to the RBI’s (Reserve bank of India) institutional acquiescence to the Central government.

What is Judicial Majoritarianism?

• Numerical majorities are of particular importance to cases which involve a substantial interpretation of constitutional provisions.
• The requirement for a majority consensus flows from Article 145(5) of the Constitution which states that no judgment in such cases can be delivered except with the concurrence of a majority. It also provides for judges to freely deliver dissenting judgments or opinions.
• In important cases, Constitutional Benches, consisting of five or more judges, are set up in consonance with Article 145(3) of the Constitution. Such Benches usually consist of five, seven, nine, 11 or even 13 judges.

WHAT IS FAME-2 SCHEME?

FAME is the Faster Adoption and Manufacturing of Hybrid and Electric Vehicles. It was launched in 2015 to increase the sale of electric vehicles in the country. The scheme was launched under the National Electric Mobility Mission.

During the Union Budget 2023, the GoI allocated Rs 5,172 crores for the fiscal year 2024. This is 78% higher as compared to the 2022 budget.

History of Allocations

• In 2019, Rs 10000 crores were allocated to take the scheme step by step
• In the fiscal year 2020, the allocations were increased to Rs 500 crores
• In 2021, 318 crores were allocated
• In 2022, it was further increased to 500 crores
• In 2023, GoI allocated Rs 2,897 crores

 

WHAT IS PM KUSUM?

The Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE) has extended the deadline to install 30,000 MW solar power capacity in rural India to March 2026 under PM-KUSUM (Pradhan Mantri Kisan Urja Suraksha Evam Uttham Mahabhiyan).

What is PM KUSUM?

• The PM-KUSUM was launched by the MNRE in 2019, in order to endow installation of off-grid solar pumps in rural areas and reduce dependence on grid, in grid-connected areas.

Components:

• 10,000 MW of decentralized ground-mounted grid-connected renewable power plants.
• Installation 20 lakh solar-powered agriculture pumps
• Converting 15 lakh agriculture pumps, already connected to the grid, into solar.

Objective:

• It aims to enable farmers to set up solar power
• Generation capacity on their arid lands and to sell it to the grid.
• It also seeks to increase the income of farmers by allowing them to sell surplus solar power to the grid.

E-COURTS INTEGRATED MISSION MODE PROJECT

The Government of India has launched the e-Courts Integrated Mission Mode Project in the country for computerization of District and subordinate courts with the objective of improving access to justice using technology.

What is e-Courts Integrated Mission Mode Project?

• As part of the National e-Governance Plan, the project has been under implementation since 2007 for Information and Communications Technology (ICT) development of the Indian Judiciary.

 

• The e-Courts project is being implemented in association with the e-Committee of the Supreme Court of India and the Department of Justice.

Phases:

• Phase I: It was implemented during 2011-2015.
• Phase II: It was started in 2015 under which various District & Subordinate courts have been computerized.

 

SOUTH INDIA'S TUMARKURU INDUSTRIAL TOWNSHIP

In 2021, PM Modi launched the Gati Shakti Scheme. The main objective of the scheme is to implement an infrastructure pipeline in the country. Under this, the GoI planned on developing 11 industrial corridors and two defense corridors. Accordingly, PM Modi recently launched the first industrial corridor of the scheme called Tumkur Industrial Township.

About the Tumarkuru Industrial Township

• First industrial corridor in South India
• It will generate employment for more than 88,000 people
• Attract investment of Rs 7,000 crores within five to six years
• Contribute inclusive growth of the country
• Trigger economic growth and prosperity in the region
• Spread over 8,500 acres of land
• Launched in Chennai Bengaluru Industrial Corridor
• In line with the objectives of Atma Nirbhar Bharat
• It will address the issues of multi-modal connectivity

 

FIRST CIVIC BODY TO LAUNCH GREEN BONDS

Indore Municipal Corporation has ranked top in cleanliness survey for six consecutive years, has become the country’s first civic body to launch green bonds, seeking to raise Rs 244 crore for a 60-mw solar plant at its water pumping station.

• The public issues of the green bonds will be open for subscription from February 10-14. The issue will be listed on the National Stock Exchange
• The drinking water department of the city administration spends over Rs 300 crore in annual electricity charges. Its Juladh pumping station, by the Narmada river falling in the Khargone district, is the biggest pumping station for the city.

 

• The balance amount will come from the Centre: Rs 41 crore as viability gap funding and Rs 26 crore or 13 per cent special incentives that the Centre offers to municipalities for launching bonds. The Centre caps this 13 per cent incentive for only up to Rs 200 crore of bond sales.

What is meant by green bonds?

• A green bond is a debt security issued by an organization for the purpose of financing or refinancing projects that contribute positively to the environment and/or climate. A green bond is alternatively known as a climate bond.

 

WHAT IS DOCTRINE OF NECESSITY PRINCIPLE?

The post of Chairman of the Competition Commission of India has been vacant since the retirement of Mr.Ashok Kumar Gupta in October 2022. Also, currently, there are only 2 members in the CCI.

• There are many mergers and acquisitions pending before the commission waiting for its approval. To attend to the pending matter, the Commission is to create a Quorum of three members using the Doctrine of Necessity Principle.

 

What is the Doctrine of Necessity Principle?

• The extra-constitutional actions are generally referred to as the Doctrine of Necessity. Under this, an administrative authority can get power to bring back stability.
• Though certain decisions and approvals need the consideration of the Chairman, the CCI is using the principle to clear the principle.
• It is using the principle to clear out the pending processes. Keeping the mergers and acquisitions waiting for approval slows down the economic growth of the country. Therefore, quick action is required here. And so, the CCI is invoking the Doctrine of Necessity Principle.

 

VISIT INDIA YEAR - 2023 INITIATIVE

Minister of Tourism G. Kishan Reddy launched the Visit India Year – 2023 initiative and unveiled the logo in New Delhi. Minister of Tourism G. Kishan Reddy kicked off the year of grand plans and activities for promoting tourism in the country.

Minister of Tourism G. Kishan Reddy noted that the launch of the Visit India Year 2023 logo is taking place in this important year as India is heading to the G20.

• He also informed that more than one lakh foreign delegates will visit India this year and they will be showcased the entire gamut of India’s culture, including monuments and festivals.
• Reddy added that each foreign delegate of G20 will be a brand ambassador of India’s culture, heritage, and tourist destinations.
• He further stated that his Ministry is coordinating with Indian missions and other stakeholders to have a conducive environment for foreign visitors this year.
• Harnessing the momentum created by the recovery of the global industry, preferential sentiment from global travelers for exploring India, and building upon the success in growing tourism in India over the years–the Tourism Ministry is on a mission to unlock the untapped potential of tourism in India, making India a 365-day destination.

INTERNATIONAL AFFAIRS

 

SEVERE EARTHQUAKE HITS TURKEY - SYRIA

A 7.8 Ritcher earthquake hit Turkey – Syria. More than thousands died. The earthquake is the biggest of the earthquakes recorded so far in the region. Five tremors were felt and more than 60 aftershocks were recorded.

• The epicenter was 23 km east of Nurdagi. It is located in the Gaziantep province. The depth of the epicenter was 24.1 km. The data was provided by the US Geological Survey.

What are aftershocks?

• Aftershocks are readjustment processes. They occur after the earthquake. Sometimes, the aftershocks continue for days or even years. Aftershocks are small earthquakes and have devastating and disastrous effects just like earthquakes.

Why do aftershocks occur?

• Earthquakes are the result of tectonic plate movements. During earthquakes, rocks push and pull and may even split. Such events release enormous amounts of energy. The other nearby rocks cannot withstand this energy and break or even shatter into pieces.

 

UAE-FEDERAL PERSONAL STATUS LAW

 

UAE is a Muslim country conservative about its religion. The laws of the UAE are in sync with its religion. In recent times, due to harsh punishments businessmen are turning away from the country.

• The country is losing its international trade markets. For instance, foreigners have been jailed in the UAE for kissing in public.

• Tourists were imprisoned for years together for using CBD products. With the decline in tourism and trade, the country is bringing in changes in its laws. The new laws are expected to invite skilled and highly qualified people from all over the world.
• The Dirham (currency of UAE) is one of the most stable currencies in the world. The legal measures are expected to boost UAE’s economic growth and appreciate Dirham in the world market.

What legal changes were introduced recently?

• Article 4: Both men and women can file a divorce. Earlier women did not have the power to file a divorce

 

• Article 5: Speaks about civil marriages. Both men and women should have attained the age of 21 years. The condition of being related to each other has been removed.
• Also, the condition of getting assent from the bride’s father has been removed. Marriage should be registered in the court. The mandatory requirement of witness has been removed.

 

WHAT IS THE ICET INITIATIVE?

India’s National Security Advisor held talks with the US counterpart on the first dialogue on Initiative for Critical and Emerging Technologies (iCET) in the US.

• Completing the work on the long-awaited NASA-ISRO Synthetic Aperture Radar (NISAR) earth observation satellite is an excellent example of how the US-India partnership in space can benefit the world.

What is the iCET Initiative?

• The iCET initiative was launched by India and the US in May 2022, and is being run by the National Security Councils of both countries.
• Under iCET, the both countries have identified six areas of cooperation which would include co-development and co-production, that would gradually be expanded to QUAD, then to NATO, followed by Europe and the rest of the world.
• Under iCET, India is ready to share its core technologies with the US and expects Washington to do the same.

 

CHINA-PAKISTAN ECONOMIC CORRIDOR

Pakistan inaugurated a USD 2.7 billion nuclear reactor under China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), providing some relief as the nation grapples with an energy crisis.

• This is a 1,100 megawatts capacity power plant, which will generate some of the nation’s cheapest electricity.

What is the Background?

• Pakistan experienced nationwide power outages recently due to a breakdown in its national grid. The country has struggled with blackouts for years and is facing surging energy costs, low foreign-exchange reserves, and pressure on its government budget.
• Pakistan is in talks with the International Monetary Fund for a bailout in exchange for increased energy tariffs. The country’s foreign-exchange reserves fell to the lowest in nine years, as high fossil fuel costs put pressure on the government’s budget.

 

What is CPEC?

• CPEC is a 3,000-km long route of infrastructure projects connecting China’s northwest Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region and the Gwadar Port in the western province of Balochistan in Pakistan.

 

• It is a bilateral project between Pakistan and China, intended to promote connectivity across Pakistan with a network of highways, railways, and pipelines accompanied by energy, industrial, and other infrastructure development projects.

 

INDIAN DEFENCE FORCES CONDUCTED FIREPOWER EXERCISE

The Indian Defense Forces conducted firepower exercises called the “TRISHAKTI PRAHAR” to synergize the firepower assets and to orchestrate a battle. The exercise is important to keep the forces ready for battle. 

• The exercise was conducted by the Indian Air Force, CAPF, and the Indian Army. It was a firepower exercise.

 

About Trishakti Prahar

• The main objective of Trishakti Prahar was to refresh battling skills
• All the latest defense equipment was used during the exercise. This includes helicopters, infantry combat vehicles, new-generation equipment, mortars, artillery guns, etc. Equipment made as a part of Atma Nirbhar Bharat Abhiyan was also used in the exercise
• Forces moved and rehearsed across the regions of North Bengal
• The Indian Army checks if the troops are in battle preparedness through these exercises

 

PAK FORMER PRESIDENT PERVEZ MUSHARRAF DIES

Pakistan’s former president Pervez Musharraf passed away in Dubai at the age of 79 due to a prolonged illness. Musharraf, who was admitted to a hospital in Dubai, was shifted to the Armed Forces Institute of Cardiology (AFIC) in Rawalpindi earlier.

• Musharraf, who was in Dubai since March 2016, was undergoing treatment for amyloidosis. It is a rare disease that occurs when an abnormal protein, called amyloid, builds up in your organs and interferes with their normal function.
• Musharraf was the tenth president of the South Asian nation after the successful military coup in 1999 and 7th top general from 1998 to 2007.

The Charges Against Musharraf:

• Musharraf was facing treason charges for suspending the Constitution in 2007 over the imposition of an extra-constitutional emergency, a punishable offense for which he was indicted in 2014.

About Musharraf and his timeline:

• Musharraf was born on August 11, 1943, in Delhi and completed his early education at St Patrick’s High School in Karachi. The former president pursued higher education at Forman Christian College in Lahore.

• He assumed power after engineering a successful military takeover of the Pakistani government in 1999.
• In 2002, he won a general election which was widely reported as almost certainly to have been rigged. Notably for India, Musharraf made some strides towards solving the Kashmir question and moving towards peace. In 2006, he said that Pakistan could be willing to give up its claim on Kashmir if India agreed to a self-government plan.

 

• Musharraf, who ruled Pakistan from 1999 to 2008, was declared a fugitive in the Benazir Bhutto murder case and Red Mosque cleric killing case.
• When Nawaz Sharif was elected in 2013, he initiated high treason charges against Musharraf who was convicted and sentenced to death in 2019. His death sentence was eventually struck down by the Lahore high court which had declared the Sharif government’s actions unconstitutional.

 

BRAZIL & US TO JOIN INDIA LED BIOFUEL ALLIANCE

During the G20 meeting, India is to launch the International Biofuel Alliance just like the International Solar Alliance. To this, the USA and Brazil have agreed to back India.

India has been taking the lead in several such emission reduction initiatives. The country allocated 4.3 billion USD during the 2023-24 Budget to accomplish its net-zero targets.

The objective of the Biofuel alliance: To boost the production of Biofuels

Significance of Brazil and the US

• The two countries are the largest biofuel markets in the world. The US ranks number one and Brazil is in second position in Biofuels. They lead in biodiesel and ethanol production. Together they accounted for 84% of the world’s ethanol production and 26% of the world’s biodiesel production.

 

WHAT IS TRILATERAL COOPERATION INITIATIVE?

In recent times, India has been increasing its bilateral trade with the UAE. With CEPA and the Golden Visa program (extension) of UAE, business relations have increased exponentially. On the other hand, India has strong defense relations with France.

• From fighter jets to drones, the Indian military is using French-made goods. Extending the ties further, India is launching a Trilateral Cooperation Initiative with the countries.

 

What is the Trilateral Cooperation Initiative?

• Under the initiative, the countries will work together to design and implement “ENERGY PROJECTS”. The projects will be around energy conservation, climate change and the conservation of biodiversity. The main area of focus is the Indian Ocean Region.
• With India hosting G20 and UAE hosting COP-28, the initiative is a great platform to work together on global issues.

 

• The initiative will bring together agencies and stakeholders working on sustainable projects. Also, the countries get an opportunity to line up their technological, social, and economic policies.

 

INDIA ENERGY WEEK INAUGURATED BY PM MODI

The India Energy Week was inaugurated by PM Modi in Bengaluru, Karnataka. The event is to focus on energy security and India’s energy transition goals.

• This includes net-zero emission target achievement by 2070. The major attraction of the event is the launch of E20 fuel in more than 84 outlets in 11 states and UTs.

The focus of India energy week

• PM Modi will launch solar and conventional energy hybrid cooking systems. It was designed and created by Indian Oil. It is called the Indoor Solar Cooking System.

Launch of 20% ethanol blend petrol, E20

• Launch of “UNBOTTLED” initiative by PM Modi: Aim of the initiative is to phase out single-use plastics
• Indian companies like GAIL, Adnani, HPCL, IOCL, BPCL, ONGC, and Total gas will demonstrate new products and services
• Participation of more than 650 business associates from 50 countries
• GoI plans on achieving 20% ethanol blend biofuels
• Discussions about the oil companies setting up 2G ethanol plants and 3G ethanol plants.

WHAT IS PARIS CLUB?

The Paris Club, an informal group of creditor nations, will provide financial assurances to the International Monetary Fund (IMF) on Sri Lanka’s debt. Sri Lanka needs assurance from the Paris Club and other creditors in order to receive a USD 2.9 billion bailout package from the IMF, following an economic crisis in 2022.

What is the Paris Club?

• The Paris Club is a group of mostly western creditor countries that grew from a 1956 meeting in which Argentina agreed to meet its public creditors in Paris.
• It describes itself as a forum where official creditors meet to solve payment difficulties faced by debtor countries.
• Their objective is to find sustainable debt-relief solutions for countries that are unable to repay their bilateral loans.
• Members: The members are: Australia, Austria, Belgium, Canada, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Ireland, Israel, Japan, Netherlands, Norway, Russia, South Korea, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, the United Kingdom and the United States.

 

• All 22 are members of the group called Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD).

 

ECONOMIC AFFAIRS

 

RBI,SEBI & NSE ACTIONS ON ADANI ROW

After the Hindenburg report, Gautham Adani who was the second richest person in the world slipped to the 21st position according to the Bloomberg Billionaires Index.

• In the last ten days, he lost 108 billion USD. Hindenburg alleged Adani of stock manipulation. With global scrutiny, the stock prices of the company are to fall down further.

RBI actions

• RBI has asked for details from the banks associated with the Adani group. This includes collateral details Mr. Adani and his cousins used to get a loan.

Actions of NSE

• NSE put the Adani group under “Additional Surveillance Mechanism”. It means the stock has seen unusual activity and is not safe to purchase the share. This was introduced in 2018.

SEBI actions

• SEBI is now examining the issue and is preparing a report. It is also looking into the fraudulent dealings made by the Adani Group as mentioned in the Hindenburg report.

AWARDS & HONOUR

GRAMMY AWARD WINNERS ANNOUNCED 2023

• The Grammy Awards are presented by the Recording Academy of the US. The awards are presented to recognize the works of the music industry.

Grammy Award Winners 2023

• Best Song of the Year: “Just Like That”, won by Bonnie Raitt Performed by Raitt
• Best Pop Solo Performance: “Renaissance” won by Beyonce
• Best AMusica Urban Album: “Un Verano Sin Ti” won by Bad bunny
• Best Pop, group performance: “Unholy” won by Kim Petras and Sam Smith
• Best R&B Song: “Cuff it”, “Blu June”, won by Andrews Performed by Beyonce
• Best Pop Vocal Album: “Harry's House”, won by Harry Styles
• Best Country Album: “A Beautiful Time” won by Willie Nelson
• Best Country Song: “Till you can't” won by ben Stennis and Matt Rogers; performed by Cody Johnson
• Best country solo Performance: “Live Forever”, won by Willie Nelson
• Best country group Performance: “Never Wanted to be That Girl”, won by Ashley Mc Bryde and Carly Pearce
• Best Latin Pop album: “Pasieros” won by Boca Livre and Ruben Blades
• Best Global Music Album: “Sakura” won by Masa Takumi
• Best Rap: “The Heart Part 5” won by Kendrick Lamar

 

WORLD'S 1ST LIVING HERITAGE UNIVERSITY

Visva-Bharati University, founded by Rabindranath Tagore in 1921, is set to become the world's first "living Heritage University". The university is expected to receive the heritage tag from UNESCO in April or May 2023.

• Normally a heritage tag is given to a dead monument. For the first time in the world, a living university which is functioning is going to get the heritage tag from UNESCO.

 

What are the Key Points Related to Visva-Bharati University?

• It is located in Shantiniketan, West Bengal, India. When founded in 1921, it was named after Nobel Laureate Rabindranath Tagore until Visva-Bharati Society was registered as an organization in May 1922.
• Rabindranath believed in open-air education and introduced that system at the university, which prevails to date.
• According to UNESCO, in 1922, Visva-Bharati was inaugurated as a Centre for Culture with exploration into the arts, language, humanities, music and these are reflected in diverse institutes that continue in their educational programmes like including Hindi studies, Sino-Asian studies, humanities, fine arts, and music.

IMPORTANT DATES & DAYS

WORLD WETLANDS DAY 2023

Wetlands support a wide range of biodiversity and help to maintain natural cycles. They replenish water resources and protect coastlines. They account for 4.7% of the Indian Geographical area. Today 30% of the Indian wetlands have been lost.

• And 35% of wetlands have been lost at the world level. To create awareness about the importance of wetlands and protect them from degrading, the UN and other international organizations celebrate World Wetlands Day.
• The theme of 2023 World Wetlands Day: It is Time for Wetlands Restoration

 

History of World Wetlands Day

• The proposal for marking World Wetlands Day was made in 1997. However, the resolution was passed in 2021 and the first world wetlands day was celebrated in 2021.

 

WORLD CANCER DAY OBSERVED ON FEBRUARY 4TH

Each year on February 4, World Cancer Day is celebrated worldwide. It is believed to have brought everyone together in the fight against cancer.

World Cancer Day seeks to save millions of lives by educating the public, promoting awareness, and pressuring individuals and governments around the world to take action every year.

• The World Health Organization, on their initiative, established the inaugural Cancer Day in 1933 in Geneva, Switzerland.
• World Cancer Day was established in 2000 during the first World Summit against Cancer.
• “Close The Care Gap” has been the theme for World Cancer Day for the past three years (2022, 2023, and 2024).

 

WORLD PULSES DAY OBSERVED ON FEBRUARY 10TH

The UN and several other international organizations and countries celebrate World Pulses Day on February 10. The main objective of the celebration is to increase awareness of the nutritional benefits of pulses.

• Also, the day aims to promote the environmental benefits of pulses and how pulses can help countries in achieving their sustainable food delivery goals.
• The theme of World Pulses Day 2023: Pulses for a Sustainable future

About World Pulses Day

• The UN passed the resolution of celebrating World Pulses Day in 2013. It is led by the Food and Agriculture Organization. The fact that cultivating pulses provide employment to rural women is also propagated on this day.

 

SCIENCE & TECH

JUPITER BECOMES PLANET WITH MOST MOONS

Jupiter is the biggest planet in the sun’s family. Scientists believed that Saturn had the maximum number of moons. 82 moons have been discovered around Saturn so far. On the other hand, it was believed that Jupiter had 80 moons.

However, the latest discovery revealed Jupiter has 12 more moons. With this, the count of Jupiter’s moons increased to 92. Today Jupiter has the maximum number of moons.

About the new discovery

• The 12 new moons around Jupiter were discovered by the Smithsonian Astrophysical Observatory
• Of the 12 moons discovered, nine are distant
• These nine moons take 550 days to orbit Jupiter.
• Also, the nine moons discovered are relatively small
• These nine moons have retrograde orbits. Meaning their orbiting direction is opposite to that of Jupiter’s rotation. The inner moons of Jupiter have prograde orbits. Meaning, they rotate in the same direction as that of Jupiter.

 

NASA & ISRO SATELLITE: NISAR

NISAR is an earth-observing satellite planned to be launched in 2024. It stands for NASA-ISRO Synthetic Aperture Radar. SAR creates two-dimensional and three-dimensional reconstructions of landscapes.

NISAR is jointly developed by NASA and ISRO. Recently, NISAR left the Jet Propulsion Laboratory of NASA located in California to India.

Objectives of the NISAR

• To map the earth
• Monitor water, agriculture, and forest
• Observe land and ice covers

Why is NISAR in the news?

• NISAR is a three-year mission. A part of the NISAR satellite is developed on US soil. This part payload is now being transported to India’s U R Rao Satellite center in Bengaluru from JPL in California.

 

JOE ACABA SELECTED AS NASA'S CHIEF ASTRONAUT

In December 2022, the deputy chief of NASA Drew Feustel became the chief. However, his services recently ended and he was succeeded by the new chief Joe Acaba.

The chief of NASA manages the resources of the organization, creates assignments, fixes deadlines, designs crew operation concepts, etc.

About Acaba

• Joe Acaba has spent more than 306 days in space. He served as a mission specialist and flight engineer. He has also participated in spacewalks. Also, he supported the first resupply spacecraft launched in 2012, the Dragon of SpaceX.

 

How is the Chief Astronaut of NASA selected?

• He is appointed by the President of the United States. The US Senate advises the President on making the appointment. The president has to get the consent of the senate before making the appointment.

 

QUICK REACTION SURFACE TO AIR MISSILE

Indigenous Quick Reaction Surface to Air Missile (QRSAM) being developed by the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) is set to be tested again in April 2023.

A Medium Range SAM is being developed by the DRDO in collaboration with Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI). The maiden launch of MRSAM Army Version was conducted in December 2020 and its induction is on and is ready for deployment.

What is QRSAM?

• QRSAM is a canister-based system, which means that it is stored and operated from specially designed compartments. In the canister, the inside environment is controlled, thus along with making its transport and storage easier, the shelf life of weapons also improves significantly. The system is capable of detecting and tracking targets on the move and engaging targets with short halts.

 

INDIA'S NUCLEAR POWER CAPACITY

India’s nuclear power capacity experienced a significant increase. By 2021-22, it had risen to 47,112 Million Units.

In 2017, the government gave simultaneous approval for 11 indigenous pressurized heavy water reactors with a total capacity of 7,000 MegaWatts.

What is the Status of India’s Nuclear Energy?

• Nuclear energy is the fifth-largest source of electricity for India which contributes about 3% of the total electricity generation in the country.
• India has over 22 nuclear reactors in 7 power plants across the country which produces 6780 MW of nuclear power.
• In addition, one reactor, Kakrapar Atomic Power Project (KAPP-3) has also been connected to the grid in January- 2021. 18 reactors are Pressurized Heavy Water Reactors (PHWRs) and 4 are Light Water Reactors (LWRs).
• KAPP-3 is India's first 700 MWe unit, and the biggest indigenously developed variant of the PHWR.

 

WHAT IS SMALL SATELLITE LAUNCH VEHICLE (SSLV)

The Indian Space Research Organization successfully launched the Small Satellite Launch Vehicle (SSLV). It was launched from Sriharikota. The SSLV-D2 dropped EOS-07, Azzzadi SAT-2, and Janus-1 satellites. The satellites were dropped at an altitude of 450 km from the earth within 15 minutes of the launch.

About SSLV-D2 launch

• SSLV can carry a payload of up to 500 kg. It is one of the low-cost space crafts of ISRO, can carry more than one satellite, requires very less launch infrastructure, and provides very less turnaround time.
• ES-07: It was developed by ISRO. It weighs 156 kg. It carries a spectrum monitoring payload and humidity sounder. It is an earth observation satellite.
• Janus-1: The satellite was developed by the USA. The weight of the satellite was 10.2 kg. It is a demonstration satellite developed by ANTARIS.
• Azaadi SAT-2: It was developed by SpaceKidz India. Around 750 girl students participated in developing the satellite. The satellite has voice and data transmission equipment, a selfie camera, and also UHF and VHF transponders.
• SSLV-D1: It was a failure as the rocket did not put the satellites in the right orbit. Recently ISRO released the reasons for the failure of the mission in its analysis report.

MISCELLANEOUS

TARGET TO ELIMINATE SICKLE CELL ANAEMIA BY 2047

Sickle Cell Anaemia affects the RBCs in the human body. When a person suffers from the disease his RBCs (usually rod-shaped) deform.

• Their shapes are affected. The primary function of RBC is to carry oxygen to different parts of the body. In a person with sickle cell anemia, the oxygen-carrying capacity of RBCs is affected.
• The disease creates adverse effects if left untreated. During the Union budget 2023, the Government of India launched the Sickle Cell Anaemia Elimination Mission. Under the Mission, the GoI is planning to eliminate the disease by 2047.

Mission to eliminate Sickle Cell Anaemia

• Objective: Eliminate completely by 2047
• Create awareness about the disease
• The mission will screen seven crore people
• People in the age group 0 to 40 years are to be screened
• Tribal areas to be targeted

ARMED FORCES & ADULTERY

 

Recently, the Supreme Court has ruled that armed forces can take action against their officers for adulterous acts, while stating the decriminalization of adultery does not apply to Armed Forces.

In September 2018 Joseph Shine Judgment, the SC struck down Section 497 of the IPC that criminalized adultery, ruling that it was unconstitutional and violated women's right to equality in treating them as inferior to their husbands.

What is the Recent Ruling?

• The SC clarified that in the 2018 judgment, the SC was concerned only with the validity of Section 497 of the IPC and Section 198(2) of the CrPC dealing with adultery, and had “no occasion whatsoever to consider the effect” with respect to the Army, Navy and Air Force Acts.
• Defense personnel of the three wings — the Army, Navy and the Air Force were governed by special legislation, the Army Act, the Navy Act and the Air Force Act.
• These special laws impose restrictions on the fundamental rights of the personnel, who function in peculiar situations requiring utmost discipline.

 

• The three laws are protected by Article 33 of the Constitution, which allow the government to modify the fundamental rights of the armed forces personnel
• The Bench delivered the final Order in the case, clarifying that the Joseph Shine Judgment did not apply to members of the armed forces who are accused of ‘conduct unbecoming’ and dismissed the application.

EARTH LIKELY TO WARM UP 2 DEGREE CELSIUS BY 2050

Recently, a study published titled “contradicted projections from the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC)”, states that the planet is likely to warm up by two degrees Celsius by 2050, even under a low-emission scenario.

The researchers used artificial intelligence called Artificial Neural Networks (ANN) to predict the time for reaching the 1.5 °C and 2°C thresholds.

The world has recorded a 1.1°C rise in temperature compared with the average in 1850-1900.

What are the Key Findings?

• There is a higher likelihood that 2°C will be reached under the low emission scenario compared with the IPCC AR6 (Sixth Assessment Report) synthesis assessment, and may fail to uphold the Paris Agreement.
• The Paris Agreement aims to limit the rise to below 2°C while pursuing efforts to limit the increase to 1.5°C. The IPCC estimated that the 1.5°C threshold could be attained as early as the 2030s under all emission scenarios.

 

LADAKH'S BIODIVERSITY HERITAGE SITE

 

Yaya Tso is a lake in Ladakh and is known as the Bird’s Paradise. The lake is at an altitude of 4,820 kilometers. The lake is a popular breeding site for black-necked cranes. The lake was recently announced as the “Biodiversity Heritage Site”. It is the first biodiversity heritage site of Ladakh.

Who declared?

• Biodiversity Management Committee
• Panchayat of Chumathang Village
• SECURE Himalaya
• Together they declared the lake a Biodiversity Heritage site.

Biodiversity Heritage Sites

• A site shall be notified as BHS by any State

 

• Government under the Biological Diversity Act, 2002. The site should be under its jurisdiction. The BHS are sites with high endemism, domesticated species, and rare and threatened species.
• The project mainly aims to conserve Snow leopards in the region. Also, it addresses threatened livelihood, habitat degradation, and illegal wildlife trade. Funds for the project come from Global Environment Facility.

 

      GOOGLE'S BARD: NEW AI CHATBOT

 

Google will soon unveil its new AI chatbot Bard in response to Microsoft’s ChatGPT.

 

What is Bard?

• Bard is based on the Language Model for Dialogue Application (LaMDA), Google’s own conversational AI chatbot.
• It will give in-depth, conversational and essay-style answers just like ChatGPT does right now. However, the model is currently a “lightweight” version of LaMDA, and the one being “requires significantly less computing power, enabling it to scale to more users.
• Features: It is built on Transformer technology, which is also the backbone of ChatGPT and other AI bots. Transformer technology was pioneered by Google and made open source in 2017.