Daily Current Affairs 27.04.2022
Important News: World
World military spending at all-time high despite pandemic: SIPRI
Why in News
- World military spending continued to grow in 2021, reaching an all-time high of $2.1 trillion despite the economic fallout of the pandemic, according to new data on global military spending published by the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI).
Key Points
- The five largest spenders in 2021 were the U.S, China, India, the U.K and Russia, together accounting for 62% of expenditure.
- India’s military spending of $76.6 billion ranked third highest in the world. This was up by 0.9% from 2020 and by 33% from 2012.
AboutStockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI):
- SIPRI is an international institute based in Stockholm.
- It was founded in 1966 and provides data, analysis and recommendations for armed conflict, military expenditure and arms trade as well as disarmament and arms control.
Source: The Hindu
Elon Musk acquires Twitter for $44 billion
Why in News
- American billionaire Elon Musk reached an agreement to buy Twitter for roughly $44 billion.
Key Points
- The deal, which was unanimously approved by Twitter's board, is expected to close this year. Under the deal, Twitter's shares will be delisted and it will be taken private.
About Twitter:
- Twitter is an American microblogging and social networking service on which users post and interacts with messages known as "tweets".
- CEO: Parag Agrawal
Source: Indian Express
Important News: India
Raisina Dialogue 2022
Why in News
- Prime Minister Narendra Modi attended the inaugural session of Raisina Dialogue 2022 where President of the European Commission, Ms. Ursula Von Der Leyen delivered the keynote address.
Key Points
- The seventh edition of The Raisina Dialogue 2022 is being held in-person in New Delhi from 25 April to 27 April 2022.
- The theme for Raisina Dialogue 2022 is "Terra Nova: Impassioned, Impatient, and Imperilled".
- There are six broad thematic pillars of the Dialogue including Rethinking Democracy, End of Multilateralism, Water Caucuses, Achieving Green Transitions.
About Raisina Dialogue:
- It is a multilateral conference held annually in New Delhi.
- Since its inception in 2016, the conference has emerged as India's flagship conference on geopolitics and geo-economics.
- The conference is hosted by the Observer Research Foundation, an independent think tank, in collaboration with the Ministry of External Affairs of India.
Source: newsonair
India, again, ‘Country of Particular Concern’ on religious freedom grounds: U.S. Commission
Why in News
- The United States Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) recommended, for the third year in a row, that India be designated a ‘Country of Particular Concern’ (CPC)in 2021,e., the category of governments performing most poorly on religious freedom criteria.
Highlights of the Report:
- It was said in report that religious freedom conditions in India had “significantly worsened” in 2021.
- The report section on India said that the government had “repressed critical voices”, especially minority communities and individuals reporting on them.
- It mentions the arrest of rights activist Khuran Pervez in Kashmir, and the July 2021 death of octogenarian Father Stan Swamy, arrested in October 2020 under the Unlawful Activities Prevention Act (UAPA).
- The report touches on challenges faced by Non GovernmentalOrganisations (NGOs), especially with regard to foreign funding. It also highlights anti-conversion laws.
Note:
- Other countries recommended for the CPC designation were: Afghanistan, Nigeria, Syria and Vietnam.
- USCIRF recommended that the State Department redesignate Myanmar, China, Eritrea, Iran, North Korea, Pakistan, Russia, Saudi Arabia, Tajikistan and Turkmenistan as CPCs.
State of Freedom of Religion in India:
- Freedom of religion in India is a fundamental right guaranteed by Article 25-28 of the Constitution of India.
- Further, Article 29 and 30 of the Constitution deal with the protection of interests of minorities.
About United States Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF):
- USCIRF is a U.S. federal government commission created by the International Religious Freedom Act of 1998.
- Founded: 28 October 1998
- Headquarters: Washington, D.C.
Source: The Hindu
AAHAR 2022
Why in News
- The Agricultural & Processed Food Products Export Development Authority (APEDA) is co-organising the 36th edition of Asia’s biggest B2B international food and hospitality fair AAHAR 2022 in association with the India Trade Promotion Organization (ITPO).
- Itis beingorganised from April 26-30, 2022 at Pragati Maidan (New Delhi).
Key Points
- More than 80 exporters form different segments of agricultural products, which include GI products, processed food, organic, frozen food products, millets, etc are participating.
Note:
- More than 150 food and agri Products have been registered as GI by the GI Registry out of which 123 GI products fall under APEDA’s category till March, 2022.
- As per the DGCI&S data, the agricultural exports have grown by 19.92 percent during 2021-22 to touch $50.21 billion.
- The growth rate is remarkable as it is over and above the growth of 17.66 percent at $41.87 billion achieved in 2020-21.
Source: ET
Agriculture Minister Narendra Singh Tomar inaugurates 'Kisan Bhagidari-PrathmiktaHamari' campaign
Why in News
- The Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare is organizing the ‘Kisan Bhagidari, PrathmiktaHamari’ campaign from 25th April to 30th April 2022 under ‘Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav’ in association with various other Ministries & Departments of the Government of India.
Key Points
- During the week-long campaign, Agriculture Minister will also launch a country-wide workshop on crop insurance organized by the Common Service Centre.
- Krishi Mela at each Krishi Vigyan Kendra is also being organised.
- The campaign also highlights the achievements and activities under various flagship schemes like Pradhan Mantri Kisan Samman Nidhi, Pradhan Mantri FasalBima Yojana, and Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sinchai Yojana.
Note: As a part of the 'Kisan Bhagidari-PrathmiktaHamari' Campaign, the Ministry of Food Processing Industries, under the Pradhan Mantri Formalisation of Micro food processing Enterprises (PMFME) Scheme, organized the One District One Product (ODOP) -based workshop on the Processing and Value addition of Walnuts in Kishtwar district, Jammu and Kashmir.
About Pradhan Mantri Formalisation of Micro food processing Enterprises (PMFME) Scheme:
- Launched under the Aatmanirbhar Bharat Abhiyan, PMFME Scheme is a centrally sponsored scheme that aims to enhance the competitiveness of existing individual micro-enterprises in the unorganized segment of the food processing industry and to promote formalization of the sector and provide support to Farmer Producer Organizations, Self Help Groups, and Producers Cooperatives along their entire value chain.
- With an outlay of Rs. 10,000 crore over a period of five years from 2020-21 to 2024-25, the scheme envisions to directly assist the 2,00,000 micro food processing units for providing financial, technical, and business support for upgradation of existing micro food processing enterprises.
Source: newsonair
90th anniversary of Sivagiri Pilgrimage and Golden Jubilee of Brahma Vidhyalaya
Why in News
- Prime Minister Narendra Modi participated in the inaugural ceremony of year-long joint celebrations of the 90th anniversary of Sivagiri Pilgrimage and Golden Jubilee of Brahma Vidhyalaya at 7 Lok Kalyan Marg.
- He also launched the logo for year- long joint celebrations.
Key Points
- Both Sivagiri Pilgrimage and Brahma Vidhyalaya were started with the blessing and guidance of great social reformer Shri Narayana Guru.
- The Prime Minister said that Shri Narayan Guru talked of modernity but he also enriched Indian culture and values.
- He fought a logical and practical fight against the discrimination going on in the name of casteism.
- The Brahma Vidhyalaya of Sivagiri was set up to realise this vision. Brahma Vidhyalaya offers a course of 7-years on Indian Philosophy including the works of Shri Narayan Guru and scriptures of all-important religions of the world.
About Sivagiri Pilgrimage:
- Sivagiri is an area in Varkala municipality of Trivandrum District in Kerala.
- It is a pilgrimage centre of Varkala Town where the tomb or samadhi of Shri Narayana Guru is situated.
- His tomb attracts thousands of devotees every year during the Sivagiri Pilgrimage days (SivagiriTheerthadanam), from 30 December to 1 January.
Source: PIB
Important News: Award and Honours
India creates a Guinness world record by waving 78,220 flags simultaneously
Why in News
- India has created world record by waving 78,220 tricolors simultaneously.
- On April 23, 2022 India entered the Guinness Book of World Records by waving over 78 thousand tricolor flags simultaneously at the Veer Kunwar Singh Vijayotsavprogramme in Bhojpur, Bihar.
Key Points
- The event was organized by the Ministry of Home Affairs and the Ministry of Culture as part of the 'Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav', the 75th anniversary of India's independence.
- The ‘Amrit Mahotsav' was organised to commemorate the 164th anniversary of freedom fighter Veer Kunwar Singh - a key figure in the 1857 mutiny.
- Veer Kunwar Singh fought his last battle near Jagdishpur on April 23, 1858, and defeated the East India Company in this battle.
- Kunwar Singh died in service for the nation after taking down the Union Jack flag from Jagdishpur Fort.
Source: HT
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