Daily Current Affairs: 19 Jan 2022
Important News: World
PM Modi delivers ‘State of the World’ special address at the WEF’s Davos Agenda
Image Source: WEF
Why in News
- Prime Minister Narendra Modi delivered a ‘State of the World’ special address at the WEF (World Economic Forum)’s Davos Agenda on 17th January 2022.
Key Points
- Davos Agenda 2022 will be held from 17th to 21st January 2022.
- It will be the first global platform for key world leaders to share their visions for 2022.
- The event is being convened on the theme of "State of the World."
- It will also be addressed by several Heads of State.
- It will also witness the participation of top industry leaders, international organizations, and civil society.
- During his special address, Prime Minister Modi outlined the reforms implemented by his administration to address the country's retrospective taxation problem.
- He also mentioned his government's asset monetization efforts and large-scale infrastructure projects underway in India.
Note: Recently, the Global Risks Report 2022, 17th Edition, was published by the World Economic Forum (WEF).
Facts about World Economic Forum (WEF): It is an international NGO.
- Headquarters: Cologny, Switzerland
- Founded: January 1971
- Founder: Klaus Schwab
Source: India Today
Activities of 2022 discussed at BRICS STI Steering Committee: India to host 5 events
Why in News
- India will host five events in 2022, namely Startups Forum meeting, Working Groups meetings on Energy; Biotechnology & Biomedicine; ICT & High-Performance Computing; STIEP (Science, Technology, Innovation, and Entrepreneurship Partnership) Working Group Meeting and the launching of BRICS innovation Launchpad as a microsite (Knowledge Hub), as per discussions at the 15thmeeting of the BRICS Science Technology Innovation (STI) Steering Committee.
Key Points
- India has successfully handed over the BRICS Chairmanship to China from January 2022.
- The theme for BRICS 2022 is “Foster High-Quality BRICS Partnership Usher in a New Era for Global Development”.
- The Chinese side presented a broad outline of activities to be carried out during the whole year. It mainly includes thematic meetings, BRICS Young Scientist Conclave, Senior official, and Ministerial level meetings.
- A total of 25 events have been planned, of which India will host a total of five.
Facts about BRICS:
- Formation: 2009
- Countries: Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa
- It is an important grouping bringing together the major emerging economies from the world, comprising:
41% of the world population
The total combined area of 29.3% of the total land surface of the world
24% of global GDP
16% of world trade
Note: The above data is based on World Bank data (2019).
Source: PIB
Important News: India
National Technical Textiles Mission (NTTM)
Why in News
- The Ministry of Textiles cleared 20 strategic research projects worth INR 30 crores in the areas of Specialty fibers and Geotextiles.
- These strategic research projects fall under the Flagship Programme ‘National Technical Textiles Mission (NTTM).’
Key Points
- Amongst the 20 Research projects, 16 projects of Specialty fibers were cleared including 5 projects in Healthcare, 4 projects in Industrial and Protective, 3 projects in Energy Storage, 3 projects in Textile waste recycling, & 1 in Agriculture 4 projects in Geotextiles (Infrastructure) were cleared.
- Previously, 11 research projects worth INR 78.60 Crores were cleared by the Ministry of Textiles on 26th March 2021.
About Technical textiles:
- Technical textiles are functional fabrics that have applications across various industries including automobiles, civil engineering, construction, agriculture, healthcare, industrial safety, personal protection, etc.
About National Technical Textiles Mission (NTTM):
- NTTM was approved in 2020 by the Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs (CCEA) with the aim to position the country as a global leader in technical textiles and increase the use of technical textiles in the domestic market.
- The Government has approved the proposal for the creation of the National Technical Textiles Mission for a period of 4 years (2020-21 to 2023-24) with an outlay of Rs.1480 crores.
Initiatives Related to Technical Textile:
- Harmonized System of Nomenclature (HSN) Codes for Technical Textile
- Production Linked Incentive (PLI) Scheme for Textiles Sector
- 100% FDI under Automatic Route
- Amended Technology Upgradation Fund Scheme
- Technotes India
Source: PIB
Valedictory function of Kala Utsav 2021
Why in News
- Minister of State for Education, Smt. Annapurna Devi and Minister of State for Education Dr. Rajkumar Ranjan Singh addressed the valedictory function of Kala Utsav 2021.
Key Points
- Kala Utsav 2021 was launched online on January 1, 2022, through a digital platform.
- A total of 35 teams have participated in Kala Utsav 2021, from different states, union territories, Kendriya Vidyalaya Sangathan, and Navodaya Vidyalaya Samiti schools where 582 students demonstrated their talent.
- Out of these participants, 291 girls and 291 boys participated in Kala Utsav 2021 including 5 Divyang participants.
About Kala Utsav:
- The National Kala Utsav was launched by the National Council of Educational Research and Training and the Department of School Education and Literacy, Ministry of Education, in 2015.
Source: PIB
Important News: State
Election Commission defers February 14 Punjab Assembly election due to Guru Ravidas Jayanti
Why in News
- The Election Commission of India (ECI) decided to postpone the February 14 assembly election in Punjab due to Guru Ravidas Jayanti.
Key Points
- The Election Commission has announced that the voting for the state's 117 assembly seats will now take place on February 20.
- Commission has received several representations from the State Government, Political Parties, and other organizations drawing attention regarding the movement of a large number of devotees from Punjab to Varanasi for participation in Sri Guru Ravidas Ji Jayanti celebrations, which is observed on 16th February 2022.
About Guru Ravidas Jayanti:
- Guru Ravidass Jayanti" is the birthday of Guru Ravidas, celebrated on Magh Purnima, the full moon day in the month of Magh month.
Source: TOI
Important News: Science
India's first coal to methanol plant built by BHEL
Why in News
- Union Minister for Heavy Industries Mahendra Nath Pandey dedicated India's first BHEL-built 'coal to methanol' (CTM) pilot plant to the nation.
- The Minister also inaugurated an exhibition on Products Developed under Aatmanirbhar Bharat' organized at Bharat Heavy Electricals Limited's (BHEL) Hyderabad unit.
Key Points
- This conversion of high-ash Indian coal to methanol through the gasification route is the first-of-its-kind technology demonstration in India.
- The 0.25 TPD (tonnes per day) capacity CTM pilot plant that has been indigenously designed, developed, and installed by BHEL is currently producing methanol with the purity of more than 99 percent from high-ash Indian coal.
Note: BHEL will also assist Coal Gasification Mission and Coal to Hydrogen Production for Hydrogen Mission.
Source: Business Standard
Important News: Appointment
Narendra Goenka takes over as new Chairman of AEPC
Why in News
- Narendra Kumar Goenka took charge of the Apparel Export Promotion Council (AEPC) as its new Chairman.
- Padma Shri Dr. A Sakthivel handed over the charge to him.
Key Points
- Narendra Kumar Goenka was the Vice Chairman of the apex body of Indian apparel exporters before taking charge as Chairman, AEPC.
About Apparel Export Promotion Council (AEPC):
- AEPC is the official body of apparel exporters in India, under the aegis of the Ministry of Textiles that provides invaluable assistance to Indian exporters as well as importers/international buyers.
Source: PIB
Important News: Personality
Renowned cartoonist Narayan Debnath passes away
Why in News
- Eminent cartoonist Narayan Debnath — the creator of unforgettable characters like Batul The Great, Nante, and Fante — passed away.
Key Points
- Debnath was conferred with Padma Shri in 2021. He was conferred with the Sahitya Akademi award in 2013 and the West Bengal government also honored him with Banga Bhushan.
- The Rabindra Bharati University gave him an honorary D.Litt in 2015.
Source: TOI
Important News: Books
A new biography of Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose titled 'Bose: The Untold Story of An Inconvenient Nationalist'
Why in News
- A new biography of Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose titled 'Bose: The Untold Story of An Inconvenient Nationalist' is all set to release in February 2022.
Key Points
- The biography is authored by the researcher and founder of 'Mission Netaji' Chandrachur Ghose and published by Penguin Random House India.
- The biography attempts to bring new perspectives on Netaji's thoughts on independent India's development, the problem of communalism, geopolitics, his political ideology, and how he negotiated with the political parties, revolutionary societies, and the government.
Source: TOI
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