Weekly Ca {PART-1} (1ST - 10th FEBRUARY)
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 successmantra.in work tirelessly to create this magazine and bring it to you with a great sense of gratitude.
The PRAVAHINI February-2022 eBook covers the current events that happened in the month of February. Current Affairs is a crucial component of any competitive exams including CLAT, AILET, DU-LLB, HM, CAT, IAS, PCS, SSC, 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-2022 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
1. National Affairs
2. International Affairs
3. Economic Affairs
4. Appointments
5. Awards And Honors
6. Important Dates & Sports
7. Reports And Indexes
8. Science & Technology
9. Miscellaneous
NATIONAL AFFAIRS
CONTROVERSY OVER HIJAB & FREEDOM OF RELIGION
Recently, six students were banned from entering a college in Karnataka’s Udupi district for wearing a hijab (a head covering worn in public by some Muslim women).
The issue throws up legal questions on reading the freedom of religion and whether the right to wear a hijab is constitutionally protected.
How is Religious Freedom protected under the Constitution?
Article 25(1) of the Constitution guarantees the “freedom of conscience and the right freely to profess, practise and propagate religion”.
It is a right that guarantees a negative liberty — which means that the state shall ensure that there is no interference or obstacle to exercise this freedom.
However, like all fundamental rights, the state can restrict the right for grounds of public order, decency, morality, health and other state interests.
The implications of this are:
• Freedom of conscience: Inner freedom of an individual to mould his relation with God or Creatures in whatever way he desires.
• Right to Profess: Declaration of one’s religious beliefs and faith openly and freely.
• Right to Practice: Performance of religious worship, rituals, ceremonies and exhibition of beliefs and ideas.
• Right to Propagate: Transmission and dissemination of one’s religious beliefs to others or exposition of the tenets of one’s religion.
How have courts ruled so far on the issue of a hijab?
While this has been put to courts on several occasions, two set of rulings of the Kerala High Court, particularly on the right of Muslim women to dress according to the tenets of Islam, throw up conflicting answers.
In 2015, at least two petitions were filed before the Kerala High Court challenging the prescription of dress code for All India Pre-Medical Entrance which prescribed wearing “light clothes with half sleeves not having big buttons, brooch/badge, flower, etc. with Salwar/Trouser” and “slippers and not shoes”.
Admitting the argument of the Central Board of School Education (CBSE) that the rule was only to ensure that candidates would not use unfair methods by concealing objects within clothes, the Kerala HC directed the CBSE to put in place additional measures for checking students who “intend to wear a dress according to their religious custom, but contrary to the dress code”.
In Amna Bint Basheer v Central Board of Secondary Education (2016), the Kerala HC examined the issue more closely.
The Court held that the practice of wearing a hijab constitutes an essential religious practice but did not quash the CBSE rule. The court once again allowed for the “additional measures” and safeguards put in place in 2015.
However, on the issue of a uniform prescribed by a school, another Bench ruled differently in Fatima Tasneem v State of Kerala (2018).
A single Bench of the Kerala HC held that collective rights of an institution would be given primacy over individual rights of the petitioner.
HARYANA PASSED ANTI-CONVERSION BILL
The bill is being brought in the state of Haryana to prevent unlawful religious conversions. Haryana is a BJP ruled state. The other BJP ruled states that brought in the bill were UP, HP, MP and Karnataka.
Several “Love Jihad” incidents were reported in the state. Love Jihad is a term used in the country to address Muslim men forcing Hindu girls to convert to Islam. These men do this by marrying them.
According to several Hindutva leaders, it is a strategy used by the Muslim world to eradicate Hinduism. There are pseudo social organisations that use this strategy to convert vulnerable sections of the society.
This phrase is not found in central government laws or state government laws. However, it is commonly used in politics.
It aims to prohibit religious conversions through undue influence, misrepresentation, allurement, coercion or other fraudulent means. The bill includes greater punishments for conversions in women, scheduled caste and scheduled tribe.
If any of the marriages were performed by concealing the religion, the marriage shall be declared void or null under the bill. The designated authority will make enquiries.
The Right to freedom of religion cannot be extended to interpret collective right to convert. Because it belongs to the person converting. Still there are mass conversions happening in the country.
The people converting are mostly the vulnerable sections. Such people are offered allurements for conversion. In some place, the men marry the girls concealing their identity. They reveal that they follow Islam after getting married. Also, they force their wives to get converted.
PM MODI TO UNVEIL 'STATUE OF EQUALITY'
On February 5, 2022, Prime Minister Narendra Modi will visit Hyderabad to kickstart the 50th anniversary celebrations of “International Crops Research Institute for the Semi-Arid Tropics (ICRISAT)”.
He will dedicate a 216-feet tall “statue of equality” to the nation, on this occasion. ‘Statue of equality’ commemorates the 11th century bhakti saint Sri Ramanujacharya.
The saint promoted the idea of equality across all the aspects of living, including caste, creed and faith. Inauguration of the statue is part of ongoing 12-day celebrations of his 1000th birth anniversary.
About Statue of Equality
The statue is made of ‘panchaloha’, which is a combination of five metals namely, gold, silver, copper, zinc and brass. It is one of the tallest metallic statues in sitting position worldwide. It is mounted on a 54-feet high base building named ‘Bhadra Vedi’.
About ICRISAT: ICRISAT is an international organisation, involved in conducting agricultural research for development in Asia and sub-Saharan Africa.
The organisation helps farmers by providing them with improved crop varieties and hybrids. It also helps smallholder farmers in drylands to fight against climate change.
Who was Sri Ramanujacharya?
Ramanujacharya was a Hindu theologian, Indian philosopher, social reformer, and an important exponent of the Sri Vaishnavism tradition.
His philosophical foundations for devotionalism influenced the Bhakti movement. He worked for upliftment of people with the spirit of every human being equal regardless of caste, creed, gender, race and nationality.
30TH NATIONAL COMMISSION FOR WOMEN FOUNDATION DAY
Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi addressed 30th National Commission for Women Foundation Day programme on January 31, 2022, via video conference.
The event was organised to celebrate the achievements of women in different fields. The theme of the programme was ‘She The Change Maker’.
The Prime Minister remarked that today, in changing India, the role of women is continuously expanding.
Therefore, he said, the expansion of the role of the National Commission for Women is also the need of the hour.
All the women’s commissions of the country will also have to increase their scope and give a new direction to the women of their states.
National Commission for Women (NCW):
The National Commission for Women (NCW) is the statutory body of the Government of India. NCW was set up on 31 January 1992 under the National Commission for Women Act, 1990.
Its basic objective is to advise the government on all policy matters affecting women. The incumbent Chairperson of NCW is Rekha Sharma since 30 November 2018. Its first head was Jayanti Patnaik.
DILUTION OF LOKAYUKTA POWERS IN KERALA
Recently, the Kerala government has proposed to amend the Kerala Lokayukta Act, 1999 with an ordinance, a move that has drawn criticism from the opposition.
The proposed ordinance envisages limiting the powers of the anti-corruption watchdog.
What are the Proposed Changes?
The Kerala cabinet has recommended to the Governor that he promulgates the ordinance. The proposal sought to give the government powers to “either accept or reject the verdict of the Lokayukta, after giving an opportunity of being heard”.
By this ordinance, the quasi-judicial institution will turn into a toothless advisory body, whose orders will no longer be binding on the government.
What is the Concept of Lokpal and Lokayuktas?
The Lokpal and Lokayukta Act, 2013 provided for the establishment of Lokpal for the Union and Lokayukta for States.
These institutions are statutory bodies without any constitutional status.
They perform the function of an "ombudsman” and inquire into allegations of corruption against certain public functionaries and for related matters.
The Lokpal and Lokayuktas Act, 2013 provides for establishing a Lokpal headed by a Chairperson, who is or has been a Chief Justice of India, or is or has been a judge of the Supreme Court, or an eminent person who fulfills eligibility criteria as specified.
Of its other members, not exceeding eight, 50% are to be judicial members, provided that not less than 50% belong to the SCs, STs, OBCs, minorities, or are women.
The Lokpal was appointed in March 2019 and it started functioning in March 2020 when its rules were framed. The Lokpal is at present headed by former Supreme Court Justice Pinaki Chandra Ghose.
The Lokpal has jurisdiction to inquire into allegations of corruption against anyone who is or has been Prime Minister, or a Minister in the Union government, or a Member of Parliament, as well as officials of the Union government under Groups A, B, C and D.
POWER MINISTRY LAUNCHED POWERTHON-2022
Union Minister of Power, R K Singh has launched Powerthon-2022, a hackathon competition to find technology-driven solutions to solve the complex problems in power distribution and to ensure quality and reliable power supply.
The competition will bring together qualified mentors with TSPs, innovators, and other participants to create teams for efficient electricity networks.
He also encouraged technologists to come forward not only with solutions to existing problems but also with other problem statements and ideas for reliable power supply.
In this hackathon Technology Solution Providers (TSPs), start-ups, educational institutions, research institutes, equipment manufacturers, state power utilities and other state and central power sector entities, shall be briefed on the current challenges/ problem statements faced across the power distribution sector and invited to showcase their technology-driven solutions to solve the complex problems.
The hackathon will task participants to find innovative solutions based on advanced emerging technologies like artificial intelligence, machine learning, blockchain and the Internet of Things on nine themes that have been identified after various discussions with 14 discoms across nine states.
UNION GOVT. BANNED IMPORT OF DRONES
On February 9, 2022, the Union government put a ban on the import of drones other than for security, research and defence purposes.
Government banned drone imports with the aim of promoting ‘Made in India’ drones. However, there will be no ban on import of drone parts.
Government has taken several steps for boosting domestic manufacturing of drones and drone components. For instance,
Government announced a Rs 120-crore Production Linked Incentive (PLI) scheme.
Government also prohibited Import policy for drones in Completely Built Up or Semi Knocked Down or Completely Knocked Down form, with exceptions provided for R&D, defence and security purposes. Import of drones for R&D, defence and security purposes will require government clearances.
New Drone Rules, 2021 were released. It reduced fees and compliances required to be paid to operate drones.
NABARD LAUNCHED 'JIVA PROGRAMME'
National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development (NABARD) has launched the ‘JIVA programme’ to promote natural farming under its existing watershed and wadi programmes in 11 states.
To effectively implement the principles of agroecology long-term sustainability and transform the pre-existing social and natural capital towards efficient farming.
JIVA is an agroecology-based programme, an amalgamation of several projects under the watershed programme of NABARD and will be implemented in 11 states covering five agro ecological zones, which are in ecologically fragile and rain-fed areas.
INTERNATIONAL AFFAIRS
PAKISTAN AGREEMENT WITH CHINA FOR CPEC
On February 4, 2022, Pakistan signed a new agreement with China to start the second phase of the USD 60 billion China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC).
On the occasion, Prime Minister Imran Khan praised the controversial projects, stating that it has strategic significance for Pakistan and China. It will also deliver tangible benefits to the people.
The Prime Minister arrived in China on a four-day visit to attend the opening ceremony of the 2020 Beijing Winter Olympics.
He held a virtual meeting with He Lifeng, Chairman of China’s National Development & Reform Commission (NDRC) and held discussion on expansion of Chinese investments in Pakistan.
Framework Agreement on Industrial Cooperation
On the occasion, Framework Agreement on Industrial Cooperation was also signed with the aim of:
• Attracting Foreign Direct Investment (FDI)
• Promote industrialisation and development of economic zones, and
• Initiating, planning, executing and monitoring projects in public as well as private sector.
China–Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC)
CPEC is a collection of infrastructure projects, which are under construction throughout Pakistan. It started in 2013. This project was originally valued at USD 47 billion.
Its value has increased to worth USD 62 billion as of 2020. CPEC project focuses on rapidly upgrading Pakistan’s required infrastructure and strengthening its economy by constructing modern transportation networks, special economic zones and numerous energy projects.
It is a 3,000-km long route of infrastructure projects, to connect China’s northwest Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region to Gwadar Port in western province of Balochistan in Pakistan.
INDIAN STANCE ON UKRAINE AT UNSC
Recently, India remained absent from the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) vote on Ukraine.
This move of India is widely read as a play to balance its ties with Moscow and Washington. It was a procedural vote on whether to discuss the situation in Eastern Europe.
In Eastern Europe, Russia accuses NATO of attempting to expand its membership. On the other hand, the U.S. and other NATO countries accuse Russia of amassing troops for invading Ukraine.
Russia-Ukraine issue at UNSC
The United States had asked for an open meeting at the UNSC, on Russian military build-up at the Ukrainian border.
But Russia sought a vote on the decision to go ahead with the open meeting. According to UNSC working methods, 9 votes were required to go ahead for the meeting. 10 countries voted in favour of an open meeting on Ukraine.
The Russia-Ukraine conflict: It is a major security crisis in Eurasian region, having the potential to escalate into a much broader conflict.
The conflict might lead to further deterioration of Russia’s relations with Europe and the US. The conflict also has far-reaching consequences on the larger dynamic of Asian geopolitics.
Why did the conflict start?
Ukraine was a part of Russia, before becoming a Soviet republic. Russia and Ukraine share hundreds of years of cultural, familial and linguistic links.
With the disintegration of the USSR in 1991, Ukraine gained independence. Since then, Ukraine has been trying to shed Russian legacy and improve its relationship with the West. The shared heritage has been exploited for electoral and military purposes.
In 2014, Russia annexed Crimea. It was the first time a European country annexed territory from another country since World War II. After the Crimean annexation, Russia and Ukraine signed ceasefire agreements at Minsk.
Apart from that, Russia also started a separatist movement in Donbas region of Ukraine, which is home to ethnically Russian people.
35TH AFRICAN UNION SUMMIT HELD AT ADDIS ABABA
The 35th African Union summit was held at Addis Ababa in Ethiopia. Security and pandemic got top priority at the summit.
The countries discussed the unavailability of COVID vaccines to several African countries. Lately, the African Union has faced institutional failures due to insurgencies and coups. This fact was widely agreed upon by many of the members.
All the six recent military coups were discussed. The summit announced that only 11% of Africans are fully vaccinated.
Palestine wanted the African Union to withdraw the observer status of Israel.
Strengthening Resilience in Nutrition and Food Security on the African continent is the Theme For 2022.
Strengthening agro-food systems, health, and social protection systems to accelerate human, economic, and social capital development
Tigray crisis
The Ethiopian Prime Minister Abhiy Ahmed addressed the summit. He announced the end of the conflict with Tigrayan rebels.
The Tigray People Liberation Front was a party. It had been a neighborhood of the coalition government that ended the military dictatorship in 1991.
The TPLF leader became the president of Ethiopia in 1991. Later in 1995, he became the primary PM of Ethiopia.
The Horn of Africa houses Ethiopia, Djibouti, Somalia, and Eritrea. The interior political crisis of Ethiopia affects other African countries also.
INDIA'S DIPLOMATIC BOYCOTT OF BEIJING OLYMPICS
The Ministry of External Affairs officially announced the diplomatic boycott of Beijing winter Olympics of India. Doordarshan will not telecast the opening and closing ceremonies of Beijing Winter Olympics.
India will not send its envoy to the opening and closing ceremony of Beijing Winter Olympics. However, India will send an athlete to attend the ceremonies.
Earlier, India had supported the Beijing Olympics. India also supported China for conducting the winter Olympics during the BRICS summit. India is withdrawing its support now for Chinese annoying actions.
Why is India boycotting the Olympics?
China has chosen the army officer Qi Fabao as the torch bearer. Qi Fabao was involved in the Galwan valley clashes between India and China in 2020.
It was one of the bloodiest encounters between the two countries. India is of the view that by choosing Qi Fabao as the torch bearer, China is politicising the Olympics.
World countries like the USA and other European countries are boycotting the China Winter Olympics.
They are boycotting over China’s poor human rights record. US is against forced sterilisation campaign and mass detention camps organized against Uyghurs and other Muslim minorities in China.
ECONOMIC AFFAIRS
WHAT IS 'VIBRANT VILLAGE PROGRAMME'?
Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman announced in her budget speech that, government is set to work on improving connectivity across northern border under the Vibrant Villages Programme.
The Minister did not provide details on this programme. However, as per reports the Vibrant Villages programme will be launched to improve infrastructure in villages along India’s border with China. Infrastructure will be improved in states like Uttarakhand, Himachal Pradesh, and Arunachal Pradesh.
Under the programme, residential and tourist centres will be constructed. It will also provide for improvement in road connectivity and development of decentralized renewable energy sources.
Apart from that, direct access of Doordarshan and education related channels will be provided. Support will be provided for livelihood.
The announcement to launch the Vibrant Villages Programme is significant in light of China's increasing presence along the Himalayan frontier with India. China is actively constructing dual-use infrastructure.
It has sparked concerns among government, strategic circles and security forces, and strategic circles. China has undertaken large-scale construction since 2017, along the border. It is building border villages in Tibet in a bid to strengthen their presence along the frontier.
NIRMALA SITHARAMAN LAUNCHED 'RAMP PROGRAMME'
The finance minister, Nirmala Sitaraman, declared during the Union Budget 2022-23 that the RAMP program would be implemented at a cost of Rs 6,000 crores.
RAMP is a post-COVID recovery and resilience program. Its goal is to improve the situation of India's SMEs. The initiative will be implemented for a period of five years.
The COVID pandemic and lockdown had a significant impact on MSMEs. MSMEs have easier access to capital as a result of this.
MSMEs' productivity will rise as a result of the program. It will also improve the competitiveness of MSMEs. The MSME sector will be revitalized as a result. In India, 40% of SMEs do not have access to capital.
Small and medium-sized businesses (MSMEs) constitute the backbone of the Indian economy. They account for 40 percent of the country's exports and 30 percent of its GDP.
The micro, small, and medium-sized businesses (MSMEs) are at the heart of the economic recovery. The most pressing need at the time is to ensure that the cash injected into the economy reaches MSMEs.
Benefits: It will resolve the liquidity problems. Currently, lenders are concerned about borrowers' ability to repay their loans.
The flow of credit into the MSME sector is being restricted and reduced as a result of this. The scheme will reduce the risk of non-bank financial institutions and banks lending.
APPOINTMENTS
RAVI MITTAL APPOINTED AS CHAIRMAN OF IBBI
The former secretary, Department of Sports, Ravi Mittal has been appointed as the Chairman of Insolvency and Bankruptcy Board of India (IBBI), as per the notification issued by the Ministry of Corporate Affairs.
He is a 1986 batch IAS officer from Bihar cadre. He will serve as the Chairman of IBBI for a term of five years or till he attains 65 years of age, whichever is early.
About the IBBI: The Insolvency and Bankruptcy Board of India is the regulator for overseeing insolvency proceedings and entities like Insolvency Professional Agencies, Insolvency Professionals and Information Utilities in India.
• Insolvency and Bankruptcy Board of India Headquarters: New Delhi.
• Insolvency and Bankruptcy Board of India Founded: 1 October 2016.
AWARDS & HONOURS
HOYSALA TEMPLES NOMINATED FOR WORLD HERITAGE SITES
For the years 2022-2023, the Hoysala Temples of Belur, Halebid, and Somnath Pura in Karnataka will be nominated for the World Heritage List by India.
The 'Sacred Ensembles of the Hoysala' have been on UNESCO's Tentative List since April 15, 2014.
The temples bear witness to India's rich cultural and historical legacy. Vishal V Sharma, India's Permanent Representative to UNESCO, filed a nomination for the Hoysala Temples.
Lazare Eloundou, UNESCO Director of World Heritage, received the nomination. After the dossier has been submitted, it will be subjected to technical review.
The site will be evaluated in September or October 2022, and the dossier will be considered in July or August 2023.
The Hoysala temples are Archaeological Survey of India-protected structures.
Hoysala Sacred Temples In Belur:
Lord Vishnu is honored at the Chennakeshava temple. It was in the heart of an old walled town on the Yagachi River's banks.
It was built in 1117 AD and took 103 years to complete. Around 118 stone inscriptions from the 11th to the 18th centuries have been discovered on the site.
Hoysala Sacred Temples in Halebid:
The Hoysaleswara temple at Halebid was constructed in 1121 CE during the reign of Hoysala King Vishnuvardhana Hoysaleshwara.
It's a Shiva-themed piece. Merchants and affluent inhabitants of Dwarasamudra funded and erected it. More than 240 wall sculptures run along the temple's outer wall, and they are well-known.
TABLEAU OF UTTAR PRADESH PICKED AS BEST TABLEAU
The tableau of Uttar Pradesh has been picked as the best tableau among the 12 States/UTs which participated in the Republic Day parade on January 26, 2022.
The theme of the tableau of Uttar Pradesh was ‘One District One Product and Kashi Vishwanath Dham’. A total of 12 states and union territories had participated in the Republic Day parade on January 26.
The second place went to Karnataka for its tableau based on ‘cradle of traditional handicrafts’ while the third position went to Meghalaya for its tableau based on ‘Meghalaya’s 50 years of Statehood and its tribute to women-led cooperative societies & SHGs’.
Other winners of Republic Day parade 2022:
• Best marching contingent among three Services: Indian Navy
• Best marching contingent among CAPF/other auxiliary forces: Central Industrial Security Force (CISF)
• The tableaux of the ministry of education and the ministry of civil aviation have been declared as joint winners in the category of central ministries and departments.
The theme of the tableau of the ministry of education and the ministry of skill development and entrepreneurship was ‘National Education Policy. The tableau of the ministry of civil aviation was based on the theme ‘Ude Desh Ka Aam Nagrik’.
Popular Choice Awards
The popular choice category award was introduced for the first time in 2022, wherein the general public was invited to vote for the best marching contingents and best tableaux through the MyGov platform. The online poll was conducted between January 25-31, 2022.
List of winners:
• Best state/UTs Tableau: Maharashtra (Theme ‘Biodiversity and State Bio-symbols of Maharashtra’.);
• Best marching contingent among three Services: Indian Air Force;
• Best marching contingent among CAPF/other auxiliary forces: Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF);
• Central Ministry: Ministry of Communication/Department of Posts.
N. GADKARI AWARDED WITH MADHAVRAO LIMAYE AWARD
Union Minister of Road Transport and Highways, Nitin Gadkari will be facilitated for the first time with the 18th late Madhavrao Limaye award in the category of Karyakram Khaasdar (Efficient Member of Parliament) for the year 2020-21.
This award will be facilitated by Nashik Public Library, Sarvajanik Vachanalay. Earlier, the award was given to Karyaksham Aamdaar, an efficient Member of Legislative Assembly (MLA) from Maharashtra.
The Sarvajanik Vachanalay annually selects one of the members of Vidhan Parishad (Lok Sabha), Vidhan Sabha (Rajya Sabha) for the Efficient MLA or Member of Parliament (MP) Award.
The award has been instituted in the memory of Limaye by his daughter Dr. Shobha Nerlikar. The award consists of Rs 50,000 in cash and a memento.
SPORTS
WINTER OLYMPICS HOST CHINA WELCOMES 'YEAR OF TIGER'
China is celebrating the Spring Festival; it’s the most important annual festival as it entered the Lunar new “Year of the Tiger”. Last year was celebrated as the Lunar Year of the Ox .
According to the Chinese Zodiac calendar, the Year of the Ox has ended and the Year of the Tiger has begun from February 1, 2022, and will end on January 21, 2023.
In Chinese culture, the tiger symbolizes bravery, vigor and strength and it is believed that it can lift people from adversity and usher in final auspiciousness and peace.
Each year is named after one of 12 signs of the Chinese zodiac in a repeating cycle. This year, Spring Festival celebrations coincide with the Beijing Winter Olympics.
APPROVAL TO INCLUSION OF NEW GAMES IN 2028 OLYMPICS
The International Olympic Committee (IOC) has approved a proposal to include Surfing, Skateboarding and Sport Climbing for the 2028 Summer Olympics Games that will be organized in Los Angeles, United States.
The 2028 Summer Olympics are officially known as the Games of the XXXIV Olympiad, or Los Angeles 2028 is a forthcoming event scheduled to take place from July 21 – August 6, 2028, in Los Angeles, California, US.
The 2024 Summer Olympics Games will be organized in Paris, France. With this Paris becomes only the second city to host 3 Summer Olympic games.
Surfing, Skateboarding and Sport Climbing had made their Olympic debut in Tokyo Olympics 2021 and will also be included in the “additional” list for Paris in 2024.
Boxing, weightlifting and modern pentathlon also have the chance to be included in upcoming Olympics games.
• International Olympic Committee Headquarters: Lausanne, Switzerland.
• International Olympic Committee President: Thomas Bach.
• International Olympic Committee Founded: 23 June 1894, Paris, France.
AHMEDABAD IPL TEAM TO BE KNOWN AS GUJARAT TITANS
Gujarat Titans is the official name of the new Ahmedabad franchise owned by CVC Capital as Hardik Pandya is all set to lead the franchise in the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2022.
The naming of the Ahmedabad franchise comes days after Lucknow, owned by RPSG Group, announced its official name as Lucknow SuperGiants. The Lucknow team will be led by KL Rahul.
Debuting in the 15th season of the IPL, the Gujarat Titans will pay tribute to the state’s rich cricketing legacy, which has seen it produce countless Indian international cricket legends over the years.
The franchise is inspired by the opportunity to represent and build on this deep cricketing heritage, as well as build on its future success on the pitch.
Gujarat Titans drafted Hardik Pandya as their captain for Rs 15 crore and Afghanistan leg-spinner Rashid Khan for Rs 15 crore. They also got young India opener, Shubman Gill, for Rs 8 crore.
The Titans will head into the mega auction with a budget of Rs 52 crore. The Gujarat Titans brought on board former England cricketer Vikram Solanki as the Director of Cricket.
Ashish Nehra will be the head coach of the franchise while former World Cup-winning coach and South Africa opener Gary Kirsten will be the Head of Cricket Operations and the batting coach for IPL 2022.
WORLD'S THIRD LARGEST CRICKET STADIUM
The foundation stone for the world's third-largest cricket stadium was laid by Sourav Ganguly.
The foundation stone for the world's third-largest cricket stadium was set in Jaipur by Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot and BCCI President Sourav Ganguly.
The International Cricket Venue in Jaipur will be India's second-largest and the world's third-largest cricket stadium.
The Rajasthan Cricket Academy (RCA) will construct the new international stadium on 100 acres of land in Jaipur, near the Jaipur-Delhi bypass. A total of 75,000 people will be able to sit in the stadium.
With a capacity of 132,000 spectators, Narendra Modi Stadium (formerly Motera Stadium) in Ahmedabad is now the world's largest stadium.
The Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG) in Australia is the second-largest stadium, with a capacity of 1,00,024 spectators.
IMPORTANT DAYS AND DATES
WORLD WETLANDS DAY OBSERVED ON FEBRUARY 2ND
World Wetlands Day is observed every year on February 2 all over the world. 2022 marks 51 years of the Convention on Wetlands.
The international theme for World Wetlands Day 2022 is ‘Wetlands Action for People and Nature’. The day aims to raise awareness about the crucial role played by wetlands for people and our planet.
Why is it celebrated annually on the 2nd of February?
The day is celebrated to mark the date of the adoption of the Convention on Wetlands on February 2, 1971, in the Iranian city of Ramsar on the shores of the Caspian Sea. World Wetlands Day was first celebrated in 1997.
Defining Wetlands: Wetlands are a habitat for a dense variety of plant and animal species and also rich with the biodiversity which is declining according to the researcher’s estimates.
These are the land areas that are saturated or flooded with water either perennially or seasonally.
Types of wetlands:
• Coastal wetlands: mangroves, estuaries, saltwater marshes, lagoons etc.
• Inland wetlands: marshes, fens, lakes, swamps, rivers, floodplains and ponds.
• Human-made wetlands: Fish ponds, saltpans, and rice paddies.
WORLD CANCER DAY OBSERVED ON 4TH FEBRUARY
World Cancer Day is observed every year globally on 4th February by the Union for International Cancer Control.
By raising worldwide awareness, improving education and catalysing personal, collective and government action, we are all working together to reimagine a world where millions of preventable cancer deaths are saved and access to life-saving cancer treatment and care is equitable for all – no matter who you are or where you live.
So this year’s World Cancer Day’s theme, “Close the Care Gap”, is all about raising awareness of this equity gap that affects almost everyone, in high as well as low- and middle-income countries, and is costing lives.
History of the day: The day came into existence on February 4, 2000, during the World Cancer Conference for the New Millennium in Paris, France.
Every year since then, people across the world observe World Cancer Day with a different theme to improve the quality of lives of cancer patients and to continue spreading awareness on cancer, its prevention and treatment.
INDIAN COAST GUARD (ICG)'S 46TH RAISING DAY
On 1st February 2022, Indian Coast Guard (ICG) celebrated its 46th Raising Day.
ICG was established in August 1978 by the Coast Guard Act, 1978 as an independent armed force of India.
As the fourth largest Coast Guard in the world, it has played a significant role in securing the Indian coasts and enforcing regulations in the maritime zones of India.
It is an Armed Force, Search and Rescue and Maritime Law Enforcement agency under the Ministry of Defence. It is headquartered in New Delhi.
The concept of forming ICG came into being after the 1971 war. The blueprint for a multidimensional Coast Guard was conceived by the visionary Rustamji Committee.
For effective command and control, the Maritime Zones of India are divided into five Coast Guard Regions, namely, North-West, West, East, North-East and Andaman & Nicobar, with the respective Regional Headquarters located at Gandhinagar, Mumbai, Chennai, Kolkata and Port Blair.
WORLD UNANI DAY OBSERVED ON FEBRUARY 11TH
World Unani Day is observed on February 11 every year to mark the birth anniversary of “Hakim Ajmal Khan”, an eminent Indian Unani physician.
The first Unani Day was celebrated in 2017 at the Central Research Institute of Unani Medicine (CRIUM), Hyderabad.
The main objective is to spread awareness and action about healthcare delivery through the Unani system of medicine worldwide through its preventive and curative philosophy.
What is the Unani system of medicine?
The Unani system of medicine has a long and impressive record in India. It was introduced in India by the Arabs and Persians sometime around the eleventh century.
It has the largest number of Unani educational, research and health care institutions.The Unani system of medicine originated in Greece. Its foundation was laid by Hippocrates.
About Hakim Ajmal Khan: Hakim Ajmal Khan was an eminent Indian Unani physician who was a versatile genius, a great scholar, a social reformer, a noted freedom fighter, an Unani medical educationist and founder of scientific research in Unani System of Medicine. He was one of the founders of the Jamia Millia Islamia in New Delhi.
WORLD PULSES DAY OBSERVED ON 10TH FEBRUARY
World Pulses Day was observed on February 10, to recognise Pulses as a global food.
On World Pulses Day, people make efforts in raising awareness on the importance of Pulses in sustainable food production.
The UN General Assembly had decided to dedicate this day to Pulses in 2019, with the objective of increasing awareness and access to pulses worldwide.
Theme of World Pulses Day 2022
World Pulses Day 2022 was celebrated under the theme “Pulses to empower youth in achieving sustainable agri-food systems”.
History of World Pulses Day: The UN General Assembly (UNGA) recognised the value of pulses in 2013. It adopted 2016 as the International Year of Pulses (IYP).
The UN food and agriculture organization (FAO), increased public awareness on nourishing and environmental benefits of pulses.
As the International Year of Pulses succeeded, Burkina Faso (a country in West Africa) proposed to celebrate World Pulses Day. In 2019, UNGA announced February 10 as World Pulses Day.
INTERNATIONAL DAY OF WOMEN & GIRLS IN SCIENCE
International Day of Women and Girls in Science is observed globally on 11 February.
The 7th International Day of Women and Girls in Science Assembly, taking place on 11 February 2022, aims to recognize the role of women and girls in science, not only as beneficiaries but also as agents of change, including in view of accelerating progress towards the achievement of SDG 6 (Clean Water and Sanitation).
The Day is implemented by UNESCO and UN-Women in collaboration with institutions and civil society partners that aim to promote women and girls in science.
The 2022 theme of the Day is “Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion: Water Unites Us”.
History of the day: In December 2015, the United Nations adopted a resolution to celebrate February 11 as the International Day of Women and Girls in Science.
In 2016 is the first time it was celebrated. The idea behind this day is to ensure equal participation and involvement of women and girls in the fields of Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM).
REPORTS AND INDEXES
INDIA PRESS FREEDOM REPORT 2021
The India Press Freedom Report 2021 was recently released by the Rights and Risks Analysis Group.
According to the report, 13 media houses and newspapers were targeted in the country, 108 journalists were attacked, and 6 journalists were killed.
Jammu and Kashmir, Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh and Tripura topped the list of States and Union Territories where journalists and media houses were targeted in 2021.
India Press Freedom Report 2021:
The highest number of journalists or media organisations targeted was in J&K (25), followed by Uttar Pradesh (23), Madhya Pradesh (16), Tripura (15), Delhi (8), Bihar (6), Assam (5), Haryana and Maharashtra (4 each), Goa and Manipur (3 each), Karnataka, Tamil Nadu and West Bengal (2 each), and Andhra Pradesh, Chhattisgarh and Kerala (1 each),” the report stated.
GAUTAM ADANI BECOMES ASIA'S RICHEST PERSON
In accordance with the Bloomberg Billionaires Index, Gautam Adani net worth reached $88.5 billion overtaking Mukesh Ambani’s $87.9 billion becoming Asia’s richest person as on 8th February 2022.
With a nearly $12 billion jump in his personal wealth, he has become the 10th richest person in the world.
Globally Elon Musk was named as the world’s richest person with a total net worth of $235 Billion.
He was followed by Jeff Bezos with a total net worth of $183 Billion & Bernard Arnault with a total net worth of $168 Billion.
SCIENCE & TECH.
ADITYA-L1 MISSION EXPECTED TO BE LAUNCHED BY ISRO
In the year 2022, ISRO is expected to launch the "Aditya-L1 mission" to investigate the sun.
The L1 Lagrange point will be the landing site for the Aditya-L1 mission. After AstroSat, this will be ISRO's second space-based astronomy mission.
In 2015, AstroSat was launched.Aditya-L1 was originally known as Aditya 1 and was designed to only observe the solar corona.
Aditya L1, a solar probe, will be launched on a Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle (PSLV) XL carrying seven payloads or experiments.
Objectives: The Sun's corona (visible and near-infrared rays), chromosphere (ultraviolet), photosphere (soft and hard X-ray), solar winds and flares, solar emissions, and Coronal Mass Ejections will all be studied by the Aditya L1 mission (CMEs).
It will also image the Sun 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
Challenges: The greatest hurdle for the Aditya L1 mission is the Sun's distance from Earth, which is around 15 crore kilometers.
Previous ISRO flights' payloads have mostly remained immobile in space due to a number of dangers. However, Aditya L1 has certain moving parts, which raises the chances of a collision.
WATER FOUND ON MARS: STUDY OF NASA
According to the Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter, Mars had water two billion years ago. However, all of the water in the world has evaporated today.
MRO confirmed this with the help of salt deposits on the planet's surface. The MRO discovered that water had recently flowed on the planet.
This begs the question of how long microbial life would have been able to thrive on the planet.
NASA's Odyssey discovered sodium chloride deposits that covered tens to hundreds of square kilometers. In the year 2001, something was discovered. In 2008, salt minerals were discovered.
Discovery: CRISM was used by the MRO to map the salts in the planet's southern hemisphere. Compact Reconnaissance Imaging Spectrometer is the acronym for Compact Reconnaissance Imaging Spectrometer.
There are several craters on Mars. These craters were used by MRO to date the terrains. The terrain was younger if the craters were fewer in number.
Salt deposits were discovered by the MRO along the small depressions of the volcanic plains. The depth of these deposits was less than three meters. They were only 2.3 billion years old when they were formed.
1ST COUNTRY TO ADMINISTER DNA VACCINE OF COVID-19
India has become the first country in the world to administer a DNA vaccine against COVID-19.
The ZyCoV-D which is the World’s first plasmid DNA vaccine has been produced by Ahmedabad-based vaccine manufacturer Zydus Cadila and it was administered for the first time in Patna.
It is a Painless and Needleless vaccine given at intervals of 28 days and 56 days. It is the second India-made vaccine to get emergency authorization in India after Bharat Biotech’s Covaxin.
The Indian government approved emergency use authorisation for Zydus Cadila’s DNA vaccine earlier this year, citing initial results from Phase III clinical trials that showed approximately 66 per cent efficacy for symptomatic cases.
ISS TO DISCONTINUE OPERATIONS FROM 2031
According to NASA, the International Space Station will continue its operation until 2031 and then crash into an uninhabited area in the Pacific Ocean known as Point Nemo.
It will be replaced with three free-flying space stations to continue the work after ISS’s retirement. NASA also selected Houston-based Axiom Space to provide the ISS’s first commercial module.
For over two decades, the International Space Station (ISS) has been orbiting Earth at a speed of about eight kilometres per second, while an international crew of astronauts and cosmonauts onboard conducted groundbreaking scientific investigations that have thrown open the doors for deep space exploration.
But now NASA has announced that the spacecraft will cease operations in 2031, after which it will fall out of orbit and plunge into the waters of the South Pacific Ocean.
History of International Space Station:
The International Space Station was the brainchild of former US President Ronald Reagan, who in 1984 proposed building a permanently inhabited spacecraft in cooperatountries.
In 1998, the first piece of the space station, a control module, was launched into space onboard a Russian rocket.
About two weeks later, a crew onboard the US’ Endeavour space shuttle attached the control module with another part, the Unity node.
PSLV-C52 MISSION TO BE LAUNCHED BY ISRO
Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) is set to launch its first mission of 2022 is slated on February 14, 2022.
The Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle (PSLV-C52) is scheduled to launch on February 14, from the first launch pad of Satish Dhawan Space Centre, Sriharikota.
It will orbit an earth observation satellite (EOS-04).
About PSLV-C52
PSLV-C52 has a weight of 1710 kg. It will orbit around EOS-04 into a sun synchronous polar orbit of 529 km. This mission will carry two small satellites as co-passengers, namely,
Student satellite (INSPIREsat-1) – This satellite has been developed by Indian Institute of Space Science & Technology (IIST) in collaboration with Laboratory of Atmospheric & Space Physics at University of Colorado.
MISCELLANEOUS
TWO NEW ADDITIONS TO RAMSAR SITES IN INDIA
The Government of India recently added two new Ramsar sites. The sites were added on World Wetlands Day.
World Wetlands Day is celebrated on February 2 all over the world. The day spreads the importance of wetlands. It is celebrated on February 2 because the Ramsar Convention was held on February 2, 1971 at Ramsar, Iran.
Bakhira Wildlife sanctuary in Uttar Pradesh and Khijadiya Bird Sanctuary in Gujarat. These are the 48th and 49th Ramsar sites of India. Earlier, the 47th Ramsar site was Haiderpur Wetland in Uttar Pradesh.
Bakhira Wildlife sanctuary
It is the largest natural floodplain wetland in India. The floodplain wetland is that part of the river valley that gets flooded with water periodically. The resident time of water here is greater than flood plains. The sanctuary is located to the west of Gorakhpur.
It is a breeding ground for resident birds and a staging ground for a number of migratory birds. The Siberian birds visit the wetland during winter. Also, birds from China, Europe, Tibet and Siberia come to the lake during winters.
Khijadiya Bird Sanctuary
It is located in Jamnagar, Gujarat. More than 300 migratory birds visit the sanctuary. It has freshwater marshlands, freshwater lakes and salt water marshlands. It is fed by river Ruparel.
It also has creeks that support mangroves. It is located in the Gulf of Kutch region. The sanctuary is known for different types of nests such as floating nests, on ground nests and the ones built on trees.
The black – necked storks are found in abundance in the sanctuary. It is not found anywhere else in India.
Ramsar Sites in India: India has 52 tiger reserves. With the two new Ramsar sites, India now has 49 Ramsar sites. Also, there are two blue tag beaches in India.
INDIA'S 1ST OECM SITE: ARAVALLI BIODIVERSITY PARK
The Aravalli Biodiversity Park was named the first Other Effective Area-based Conservation Measures (OECM) site on World Wetlands Day, February 2.
The International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) provides the OECM tag.The OECM sites aren't protected, yet they are rich in biodiversity, according to the IUCN.
The Aravalli Hills are the country's first OECM site. The National Biodiversity Authority proposed that Aravallis be designated as the OECM.
OECM: The OECM areas were established at the 2018 Convention on Biological Diversity. "OECM is not a protected area," in layman's terms. It is governed to obtain favorable results.
The objectives are biodiversity protection and focusing on cultural, socioeconomic, and spiritual values."
Technical Definition is divided into three categories. Auxiliary conservation, secondary conservation, and primary conservation are the three types of conservation.
KAZIRANGA NATIONAL PARK: A NET CARBON EMITTER
According to the latest research by scientists from Tezpur University in Tezpur, Assam and Indian Institute of Tropical Meteorology, Pune, Kaziranga National Park in Assam is releasing more carbon than it is absorbing.
Research was published in “Agricultural and Forest Meteorology” journal on February 9, 2022.
As per research, as the planet Earth warms further, the ability of Kaziranga National Park to absorb carbon would decrease further. This ability would mainly decrease because of decreasing rainfall in this region.
Furthermore, Kaziranga National Park releases more carbon than it absorbs because of its unique soil of deciduous forest.
The soil is home to a huge population of bacteria that releases carbon dioxide while breathing. This adds to the carbon dioxide being emanated by other organisms and trees.
Researchers found that Kaziranga absorbed the most amount of carbon dioxide during the pre-monsoon season of March, April and May.
Photosynthetic activity of trees decreases during the monsoon because of increased cloud cover. Thus, the ability of forests to absorb carbon dioxide also decreases.
INDIA'S 1ST BIOMASS BASED HYDROGEN PLANT
India’s first commercial-scale biomass-based hydrogen plant will come up at the Khandwa district of Madhya Pradesh. Every day this plant will produce one tonne of hydrogen, from 30 tonnes of biomass feedstock.
The plant is being put up by a joint venture of Watomo Energies Ltd and Biezel Green Energy with an investment of Rs 24 crore.
The company owns the technology for a ‘thermally accelerated anaerobic digestion (TAD) reactor’ that can produce hydrogen, methane and biochar from biomass.
