Daily Current Affairs: 24 Jan 2022
Important News: World
UNSC uses 3-D virtual diplomacy for the first time
Why in News
- The United Nations Security Council (UNSC) used 3-D virtual diplomacy for the first time.
Key Points
- Members of the UNSC went on a virtual field trip to Columbia, listening, watching and getting insights into the peace process with the help of Virtual Reality (VR) technology.
Digital diplomacy:
- Digital diplomacy is also dubbed as Digiplomacy and eDiplomacy.
- It is defined as the use of new information communication technologies and the Internet to achieve diplomatic objectives.
Virtual reality (VR):
- VR is a simulated experience, which can be similar to or completely different from the real world.
- It is an artificial and computer-generated simulation or recreation of real-life situations or environment.
- It is usually achieved by wearing a headset such as Facebook’s Oculus equipped with the technology.
Facts about UNSC (United Nations Security Council):
- Formation: 24 October 1945
- Membership: 15 countries
- Permanent members: 5 (China, France, Russia, United Kingdom and United States)
- Non-permanent members: 10 including India
Source: Business Standard
Important News: India
Amar Jawan Jyoti merged with National War Memorial flame
Why in News
- The flame of the Amar Jawan Jyoti at the India Gate in Delhi was merged with the eternal flame at the National War Memorial.
Key Points
About Amar Jawan Jyoti:
- The flame at Amar Jawan Jyoti in the India Gate memorial paid tributes to the martyrs of 1971 and other wars, however, none of the names who made that supreme sacrifice for the country were present there.
- The India Gate memorial, on the other hand, was built by the British government in memory of the British Indian Army soldiers who lost their lives between 1914-1921.
- The Amar Jawan Jyoti there was only included in the 1970s after the massive victory of India over Pakistan in which 93,000 troops of the enemy country surrendered.
About National War Memorial:
- The National War Memorial, which was built in the India Gate complex by the Narendra Modi government and was inaugurated in 2019, has the names of all the Indian defence personnel who have lost their lives in different operations from the 1947-48 war with Pakistan to the Galwan valley clash with Chinese troops.
- The names of troops who lost lives in the counter-terrorist operations are also included on the walls of the memorial.
Source: HT
Subhash Chandra Bose Aapda Prabandhan Puraskar 2022
Why in News
- For the year 2022, (i) Gujarat Institute of Disaster Management (in the Institutional category) and (ii) Professor Vinod Sharma (in the Individual category) have been selected for the Subhash Chandra Bose Aapda Prabandhan Puraskar for their excellent work in Disaster Management.
Key Points
- They have been conferred with the Award, alongwith the awardees of the year 2019, 2020 and 2021, by Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
- Gujarat Institute of Disaster Management (GIDM), established in 2012, has been working to enhance the disaster risk reduction (DRR) capacity of Gujarat.
- Professor Vinod Sharma, a senior professor at the Indian Institute of Public Administration and Vice-Chairman of the Sikkim State Disaster Management Authority, was the founder co-ordinator of the National Centre of Disaster Management, now known as the National Institute of Disaster Management. He has worked tirelessly towards bringing disaster risk reduction (DRR) to the forefront of the national agenda.
About Subhash Chandra Bose Aapda Prabandhan Puraskar:
- To recognize and honour the invaluable contribution and selfless service rendered by individuals and organizations in India in the field of disaster management, Government of India has instituted an annual award known as Subhash Chandra Bose Aapda Prabandhan Puraskar.
- The award is announced every year on 23rd January, the birth anniversary of Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose.
- The award carries a cash prize of Rs. 51 lakh and a certificate in case of an institution and Rs. 5 lakh and a certificate in case of an individual.
Important News: Economy
FDI flows to India drop 26% in 2021: UNCTAD
Why in News
- According to the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD)'s Investment Trends Monitor, Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) flows to India dropped 26 percent in 2021 as compared with the previous year.
Key Points
- Global foreign direct investment (FDI) flows showed a strong rebound in 2021, up 77 percent to an estimated $1.65 trillion, from $929 billion in 2020.
- Recovery of investment flows to developing countries is encouraging, but stagnation of new investment in least developed countries in industries important for productive capacities, and key Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) sectors - such as electricity, food or health - is a major cause for concern.
- Developed economies saw the biggest rise by far, with FDI reaching an estimated $777 billion in 2021 - three times the exceptionally low level in 2020.
- FDI to India increased 27 percent to USD 64 billion in 2020 from USD 51 billion in 2019, pushed up by acquisitions in the information and communication technology (ICT) industry.
Source: ET
Important News: State
Home Minister Amit Shah releases country’s 1st District Good Governance Index in Jammu and Kashmir
Why in News
- Union Home Minister and Minister of Cooperation Amit Shah released India’s First “District Good Governance Index” in Jammu and Kashmir.
Key Points
- Under the index, the policies, schemes and programs of the central as well as the state governments have been monitored at the district level.
- The index will rank the districts and also present their comparative picture.
- The District Good Governance Index, which has been launched for 20 districts of Jammu and Kashmir, has been prepared by the Department of Administrative Reforms and Public Grievances (DARPG) in partnership with the Union Territory's administration.
Note:
- Previously, the Centre had released the National Good Governance Index on December 25, 2021 that indicated Jammu and Kashmir saw an increase of 3.7% in Good Governance Indicators from 2019 to 2021.
Source: HT
Important News: Defence
Saab awarded Indian contract for AT4 Support Weapon
Why in News
- Swedish defence company Saab has been awarded a contract to supply single-shot anti-armour weapon AT4 to the Indian armed forces.
Key Points
- The company has been awarded the contract for the lightweight and fully disposable weapon after going through a "competitive programme".
- AT4 will be used by the Indian Army and the Indian Air Force.
- The contract was signed by FFV Ordnance AB, responsible for Saab’s Ground Combat offer in India.
- Operated by a single soldier, this single-shot system has proven efficacy against structures, landing craft, helicopters, armoured vehicles and personnel.
- Its 84 mm calibre warhead offers enhanced power and performance.
Source: ET
Important News: Award and Honours
Babar Azam named Captain Of ICC Men's T20I Team of the Year for 2021
- Pakistani skipper Babar Azam has been named as the captain of the ICC Men's T20I Team of the Year for 2021.
- The ICC Team of the Year recognises the 11 best players in men’s cricket who have impressed one and all with their performances in a calendar year, either with the bat, ball or their all-round performance.
- No Indian male player has found a place in the team of 11.
- However, in ICC Women’s T20I Team of the Year for 2021, Smriti Mandhana is the only Indian women player named in the 11 member team.
- England’s Nat Sciver has been made the captain of ICC Women’s T20I Team of the Year for 2021.
Source: India Today
Important News: Important Days
January 23, Parakram Diwas
Why in News
- Parakram Diwas (Bravery Day) is celebrated in India on January 23rd.
- January 23, 2022, marks the 125th birth anniversary of Subhas Chandra Bose.
Key Points
- It was introduced by the Government of India in 2021 ahead of Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose's 125th birth anniversary.
- The day is celebrated to mark the birth anniversary of Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose.
- The central government has decided to start the Republic Day celebrations from January 23 to include Bose’s anniversary.
- Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose was born in Cuttack, Orissa on 23 January 1897.
- He played a pivotal role in the Indian independence movement.
- He was the head of the Japanese-supported Indian National Army (Azad Hind Fouj).
- He was the founder-head of the Azad Hind Government.
Note: On this occasion, Prime Minister Narendra Modi unveiled a hologram statue of Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose at India Gate.
Source: HT
January 24, National Girl Child Day
Why in News
- National Girl Child Day in India is celebrated on January 24 every year.
- The Ministry of Culture is organizing a rangoli making event ‘Umang Rangoli Utsav’ on 24th January 2022.
Key Points
- History: National Girl Child Day was first initiated in 2008 by the Ministry of Women and Child Development.
- The day is celebrated with organized programs including awareness campaigns about Save the Girl Child, child sex ratios, and the creation of a healthy and safe environment for girls.
Note: Every year, October 11 is observed as the International Day of the Girl Child.
Source: India Today
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