28 JANUARY CURRENT AFFAIRS

1. India is the leading country in coconut production

Union Minister for Agriculture and Farmers Welfare, Shri Radha Mohan Singh said that the Coconut Development Board’s (CDB) major schemes are focusing on coconut production, productivity, processing for coconut products, value addition, marketing, and export promotion in Bihar.

• The Minister said this on the occasion of the inauguration of the Farmers’ Training Centre cum Regional Office Building of Coconut Development Board in Patna.
• The Minister said that India is leading in the global coconut production and productivity.
• He said that the annual coconut production is 2395 crore from 20.82 lakh hectare and the productivity is 11505 coconuts/hectare.
• Coconut contributes to about Rs.27900 crore to the country’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP).

2. Himachal CM launches women safety helpline and mobile app

Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Jai Ram Thakur has launched 24X7 ‘Gudiya’ helpline, named after 16-year old rape and murder victim of Kotkhai.

• Chief Minister also launched ‘Shakti Button’- a mobile app linked to police control rooms for ensuring the safety of women in the state.
• Any women at the time of an untoward incident can press the red button on the mobile app and an alert will immediately reach the police response team. 
• Also, the Chief Minister also launched Hoshiyar Singh help line on toll free number 1090.

3. Delhi to host informal WTO Ministerial meet in March

India will host an informal WTO Ministerial meeting in March this year. The meeting will be held in Delhi on March 19 – 20.

• India’s offering to host the meeting was made after trade ministers from various countries including Australia, Japan and Switzerland met for an informal WTO ministerial gathering in Davos.
• Ambassador and Permanent Representative to the WTO Deepak Jagdish Saksena attended the informal meeting held on the sidelines of the World Economic Forum (WEF) annual summit in Davos.

4. 21st edition of India International Seafood Show opens in Goa

The 21st edition of the biennial India International Seafood Show opened in Margao in South Goa.

• Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar inaugurated the three-day flagship trade event.
• It is being organized by the Marine Products Export Development Authority (MPEDA and the Seafood Export Association of India (SEAI).

5. Wozniacki beats Simona Halep to win Australian Open women's title

Caroline Wozniacki has beaten Simona Halep in a classic Australian Open final 7-6(2) 3-6 6-4 to claim her first grand slam title.

• The result ensured Wozniacki swiped Halep’s world number one ranking, six years after losing it at the 2012 Australian Open.

6. Delhi wins Syed Mushtaq Ali T20 Trophy 2018

In the finals of the Syed Mushtaq Ali T20 Trophy final Delhi defeated Rajasthan by 41 runs to lift the title for the first time.

• Chasing a competitive total of 154, Rajasthan began well but folded up for just 112.

Points to Remember

• The Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy is a Twenty20 cricket domestic championship in India, organized by Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI), among the teams from Ranji Trophy.
• The 2008-09 season was the inaugural season for this trophy.
• It is named after a famous Indian cricketer, Syed Mushtaq Ali.

7. Veteran Bengali actress Supriya Devi passes away

Veteran Bengali film actress and Padmashri awardee, Supriya Devi (Supriya Chowdhury), passed away at her residence in Kolkata. She was 83.

• Supriya Devi made her debut in the Uttam Kumar-starrer Basu Parivar in 1952.
• During her over five-decade career in the Bengali film industry she delivered many hit and classic films.

8. ‘Dilli Meri Dilli: Before and After 1998’- A book by Sheila Dikshit

Ex-CM Sheila Dikshit makes debut as author, in her first book Dilli Meri Dilli: Before and After 1998, looks at the Capital’s changing face.

• The pictorial book traces the evolution of the city of Delhi over the centuries, and puts in perspective its impressive transformation since the beginning of the new millennium.

27 JANUARY CURRENT AFFAIRS

1. India ranks 177 out of 180 in Environmental Performance Index

India is among the bottom five countries on the Environmental Performance Index 2018, plummeting 36 points from 141 in 2016, according to a biennial report by Yale and Columbia Universities along with the World Economic Forum.

• Its overall low ranking — 177 among 180 countries — was linked to poor performance in the environment health policy and deaths due to air pollution categories.
• While India is at the bottom of the list in the environmental health category, it ranks 178 out of 180 as far as air quality is concerned.

2. India offers to create digital villages in ASEAN countries

India has offered to enhance rural connectivity in fellow Association of Southeast Asian Nations during the ASEAN-India Commemorative Summit.

• Prime Minister, Narendra Modi said, “India offers to undertake a pilot project on rural connectivity, which would create digital villages in Cambodia, Lao PDR, Myanmar and Viet Nam.”
• PM Modi also proposed the ASEAN countries declare 2019 as the ASEAN-India Year of Tourism.

3. Jammu & Kashmir Student Exchange Programme ‘Maitreyi Yatra’ concludes

The closing ceremony of Jammu & Kashmir Student Exchange programme ‘Maitreyi Yatra’ was held at National Bal Bhawan.

• The Student Exchange Programme organized by Ministry of Human Resource development provides a good opportunity for the youth of J&K to be acquainted with culture, language and development story of different parts of the country.
• Union Minister for Human Resource Development Shri Prakash Javadekar was the chief guest for the function.  

4. President of India Receives Asean Heads of State and Government

The President of India, Shri Ram Nath Kovind, received the ASEAN Heads of State and Government at Rashtrapati Bhavan on January 25, 2018 and hosted a lunch in their honour.

• Speaking on the occasion, the President said that India-ASEAN relations have come a long way since we established our Dialogue Partnership with ASEAN on January 28, 1992.
• Today, ASEAN is a Strategic Partner for India.
• We have 30 dialogue mechanisms between India and ASEAN, including Annual Summits and 7 Ministerial Meetings in a wide range of sectors.

5. Ministry of Highways signs MoU with IL&FS for construction of Zojila tunnel

An MoU was signed between National Highways and Infrastructure Development Corporation (NHIDCL) under the Ministry of Road Transport & Highways, and M/S IL&FS Transportation Networks Ltd for construction of the 14.150  km long,  2-lane bi-directional Zojila Tunnel in Jammu & Kashmir .

• This would be India’s longest road tunnel and the longest bi-directional tunnel in Asia.
• The construction of this tunnel will provide all weather connectivity between Srinagar, Kargil and Leh and will bring about all round economic and socio-cultural integration of these regions.

6. Kolkata becomes first Indian metro to get a floating market

Kolkata is now witness to a floating market, the first of its kind across any metro.

• The market, as the name suggests, will be located on a water-body with boats doubling up as shops.
• The market, located on the eastern fringes of the city, was inaugurated by West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee and it is now open to the public.

7. Small Finance Banks and Payment Banks to offer Atal Pension Yojana

To strengthen the existing channels of APY distribution, it is felt that these new Payments Banks and Small Finance Banks will provide a boost to the outreach of subscribers under APY .

• Participation in APY not only builds a pensioned society but also adds sustainable fee income to Banks by way of attractive incentive for mobilizing APY @ Rs 120-150 for each Account.

Points to Remember

• Atal Pension Yojana (APY) is a Government of India's Old Age Pension Scheme being implemented through all Banks across the country as per the mandate received from the Ministry of Finance and monitored periodically at PMO.
• The Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi had launched the Social Security Scheme on 9th May 2015 and dedicated the First Ever Guaranteed Pension Product to the people of the country.

8. Padma awards 2018 announced

This year 85 recipients have been selected for the prestigious Padma awards including two duo cases.

• This includes 3 Padma Vibhushan, 9 Padma Bhushan and 73 Padma Shri awards.
• Fourteen of the awardees are women, while 16 persons are foreigners and three are being awarded posthumous.
• Padma Vibhushan:
• Illaiyaraja
• Ghulam Mustafa Khan
• P. Parameswaran
• Padma Bhushan:
• Pankaj Advani
• Philipose Mar Chrysostom
• Mahendra Singh Dhoni
• Alexander Kadakin (Foreigner/Posthumous)
• R. Nagaswamy
• Ved Prakash Nanda (Overseas Citizen of India)
• Laxman Pai
• Arvind Parikh
• Sharda Sinha

26 JANUARY CURRENT AFFAIRS

1. WEF launches Global Centre for Cybersecurity

In a bid to safeguard the world from hackers and growing data breaches, the World Economic Forum (WEF) has announced a new Global Centre for Cybersecurity.

• Headquartered in Geneva, the centre will become operational from March.
• Cyber breaches recorded by businesses are on the rise. In the last five years, these have almost doubled to an average of 130 breaches per business in 2017.

2. World Economic Forum Summit in Switzerland Concludes

Prime Minister Narendra Modi returned India after concluding his visit to Davos, Switzerland for World Economic Forum Summit.

• During this visit the Prime Minister delivered a keynote address at the plenary session of 48th Annual meeting of world economic forum.
• He became the first Indian Prime Minister in two decades to join the world’s top business leaders in the Swiss report town of Davos.
• Mr Modi outlined climate change, terrorism and protectionism as 3 Global threats.

3. India Ranks 81st On Global Talent Competitiveness Index

India has moved up on a global index of talent competitiveness to the 81st position, but remains a laggard among the BRICS nations.

• While Switzerland continues to top the list released every year on the first day of the World Economic Forum (WEF) annual meeting, India has improved its position from 92nd last year.
• European countries dominate the top ranks, with 15 out of the top 25 places.

4. National Voters' Day: 25 January

In order to encourage more young voters to take part in the political process, Government of India has decided to celebrate January 25 every year as 'National Voters' Day'.

• It started from January 25, 2011 to mark Commission's foundation day.
• This year, National Voters' Day theme is 'Accessible Elections'.

5. Centre to infuse over Rs. 88,000 cr in PSU banks this fiscal

The Centre has announced that it would infuse over Rs. 88,000 crore as capital in public sector banks this fiscal, including Rs. 80,000 crore through recapitalisation bonds and Rs. 8,139 crore as budgetary support.

• Financial Services Secretary Rajeev Kumar said that banks would have to first accept and adopt the reforms package finalised by the Finance Ministry.
• The recapitalisation bonds will be non SLR status and non-tradeable.

6. Government appoints six new Joint Directors in CBI

 

Gujarat-cadre senior police officer Praveen Sinha is among six-newly appointed Joint Directors in the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI).

• Sinha and two other police officers Ajay Bhatnagar and Pankaj Kumar Srivastava have been inducted in the CBI as Joint Directors.
• Three other IPS officers  Sharad Aggarwal, Gajendra Kumar Goswami and V Murugesan have also been appointed as JDs in the probe agency.

7. Usha Ananthasubramanian elected as first woman Chairman of IBA

Usha Ananthasubramanian, MD & CEO, Allahabad Bank, has been elected as the first woman Chairman of Indian Banks' Association (IBA).

• Ms Usha was elected IBA Chairman for the year 2017-18 by its Managing Committee.
• IBA Chairman's position was vacant following the superannuation of Jatinder Bir Singh.
• Rajnish Kumar, Chairman, State Bank of India was elected as Deputy Chairman of IBA for the year 2017-18.

8. US Senate confirms Jerome H Powell as next Federal Reserve chairman

The United States Senate has confirmed Jerome H Powell as the next chairman of the Federal Reserve, a powerful post having an influence on global economy.

• Powell (64) will replace Janett Yellen, whose term ends in February.
• He was confirmed by the US Senate by an overwhelming vote of 84-12.
• Currently a Fed governor and former financial-firm executive, Powell is expected to mostly continue with Yellen’s policies.

9. Tamilnadu CM Edappady K Palaniswami receives Unesco award

Tamilnadu Chief Minister Edappady K. Palaniswami received the Unesco Award of Merit awarded to the iconic Ranganathaswamy temple in Srirangam (Tiruchy).

• The Award of Merit, 2017, was given by Unesco Asia Pacific region for the cultural heritage conservation activities taken up at the temple without altering its original splendor.
• The ancient Sri Ranganathaswamy Temple is dedicated to Lord Vishnu who is seen in reclining form.

25 JANUARY CURRENT AFFAIRS

1. International Conference on ‘Inclusion of Persons with Disabilities in the Election Process’

Flagging off the 8th National Voters Day Celebrations scheduled to be held on 25th January 2018, Election Commission of India (ECI) hosted a one-day International Conference on the subject ‘Inclusion of Persons with Disabilities in the Election Process’ in New Delhi.

• Chief Election Commissioner of India Mr. O.P.Rawat, reiterated ECI’s resolve to uphold the sanctity of free, fair and peaceful elections in keeping with the rich democratic traditions of India. 

2. SARAS PT1N makes its maiden flight

SARAS PT1N (14 seater) designed and developed by CSIR-National Aerospace Laboratories (CSIR-NAL), a frontline aerospace research laboratory, has successfully made its maiden flight.  

• Union Minister for Science & Technology, Dr. Harsh Vardhan, has congratulated the scientists of CSIR-NAL and other agencies involved in the successful maiden flight. 
• The aircraft took off at about 11 a.m from HAL airport and flew for about 40 minutes at the maximum height of 8500 ft at the speed of 145 knots. 

3. Rapid Reporting System for the Scheme for Adolescent Girls launched

Secretary, Ministry of Women and Child Development, Shri Rakesh Srivastava launched the Phase -1 i.e. the beneficiary module of the Rapid Reporting System for the Scheme for Adolescent Girls - a web based on line monitoring for the Scheme for Adolescent Girls in New Delhi.

• This Portal has been developed in collaboration with National Informatics Centre (NIC).

4. Nitin Gadkari to lay the foundation stone for Ghazipur Intermodal Terminal

Union Minister for Road Transport & Highways, Shipping and Water Resources, River Development & Ganga Rejuvenation Shri Nitin Gadkari, will lay the foundation stone for an Intermodal Terminal at Ghazipur in Uttar Pradesh.

• The Rs 155 Cr terminal is being constructed by the Inland Waterways Authority of India as part of the World Bank aided Jal Marg Vikas Project on river Ganga or the NW-I, that aims to augment the navigational capacity of the river. 
• The terminal is expected to provide between 5000 direct and indirect jobs. The first phase of the terminal construction is expected to be completed by April, 2020.

5. India to host 16th International Energy Forum meet

The 16th International Energy Forum (IEF) Ministerial meeting will be held in New Delhi on April 10 to 12.

• It will be hosted by Government of India in New Delhi and co-hosted by the Government of China and South Korea.
• Representatives from 92 countries will be participating in the conference, including 72 member countries of IEF and 20 guest countries.
• India had last hosted the IEF ministerial conference in 1996.

6. 7th Asia Steel International Conference from Feb 6

The 7th Asia Steel International Conference will be held in Bhubaneswar from February 6 to 9.

• Tata Steel, in association with the Indian Institute of Metals, announced it.
• The last Asia Steel conference was held in 2015 at Yokohama, Japan.
• This major conference is held every three years and provides a platform for exchange of knowledge on various aspects of the global steel industry.

7. Japan’s Development Loan Assistance to India for an amount of Yen 45 billion

The Government of Japan has committed JICA Official Development Assistance loan for an amount of Yen 45 billion (Rs.2587 crore approx.) for the project. 

• The Notes in this regard were exchanged between Mr. S. Selvakumar, Joint Secretary, Department of Economic Affairs, Ministry of Finance, Government of India and H.E. Mr. Kenji Hiramatsu, Ambassador of Japan to India on Japanese official development assistance loan for Bengaluru Water Supply and Sewerage Project (Phase 3) (I). 
• This Project will provide residents of Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagar Palike (BBMP) area especially in 110 villages with safe and stable water supply and sewerage services by carrying-out construction of water treatment plant and sewage treatment plants thereby improving living conditions of the residents as well as the investment environment in the concerned areas in BBMP in the State of Karnataka. 
• India and Japan have had a long and fruitful history of bilateral development cooperation since 1958. In the last few years, the economic cooperation between India and Japan has steadily progressed.
• This further consolidates and strengthens the Strategic and Global Partnership between India and Japan.

8. Somanath takes charge as VSSC director

Noted scientist S Somanath took charge as Director of Vikram Sarabhai Space Centre in Thiruvananthapuram.

• He succeeds K Sivan, who was appointed as ISRO Chairman recently.
• Somanath took charge at a function in ISRO headquarters Bengaluru.
• He is currently the Director of Liquid Propulsion Systems Centre at Valiamala, the lead centre responsible for liquid engines and stages for all launch vehicles and satellite programs of ISRO.

9. Dilip Chenoy appointed FICCI Director General

Industry Chamber FICCI said that it has appointed Dilip Chenoy as its Director General.

• He had resigned from NSDC in late 2015 amid reports that the government was unhappy with the functioning of the skills development body.
• He was appointed by the previous Congress-led UPA government.

10. Naveen Patnaik conferred 'Ideal Chief Minister' award

Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik was conferred the “Ideal Chief Minister” award by former President Pratibha Patil at Bharatiya Chhatra Sansad in Pune.

• He received the award in a special event organised by Maharashtra Institute of Technology (MIT) School of Governance.

11. Aishwarya Rai Bachchan receives First Ladies Award

Aishwarya Rai Bachchan received the prestigious First Ladies Award by President Ram Nath Kovind at the Rashtrapati Bhawan.

• The Ministry of Women & Child Development has selected 112 women who have been the first to achieve a milestone in their respective fields and Aishwarya was one of them.