Daily Current Affairs 25 January 2022 | WBCS, WBPSC, WBP

Daily Current Affairs: 25 Jan 2022

Important News: World

1. Peru declares ‘Environmental Emergency’

Why in News

• The Peruvian government declared a 90-day “Environmental Emergency” in damaged coastal territories, after an oil spill that saw 6,000 barrels of crude oil pour into the sea.
• The spill was caused by freak waves, which resulted from the eruption of a volcano in Tonga.

Key Points

• Peruvian authorities say that this measure will allow for “sustainable management of the affected areas,” through “restoration and remediation” work.
• The oil spill came out of a tanker belonging to the Spanish energy firm Repsol.

Environmental Impacts:

• Harmful to aquatic life
• Toxic Effects
• Threat to Mangroves

Economic Impacts:

• Tourism
• Power Plants
• Fishing

Related Laws in India:

• Currently, there is no law covering oil spill as such and its consequential environmental damage in India but India has “the National Oil Spill Disaster Contingency Plan of 1996 (NOS-DCP)” to handle these types of situations.
• In 2015 India ratified the International Convention on Civil Liability for Bunker Oil Pollution Damage, 2001 (Bunker Convention).

Source: Indian Express

Important News: India

1. Drone use in Agriculture – Financial support under ‘Sub-Mission on Agriculture Mechanization’

Why in News

• The Union Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare has issued guidelines to make drone technology affordable to the stakeholders of agriculture sector.
• The guidelines of “Sub-Mission on Agricultural Mechanization” (SMAM) have been amended which envisages granting upto 100% of the cost of agriculture drone or Rs. 10 lakhs, whichever is less, as grant for purchase of drones by the Farm Machinery Training & Testing Institutes, ICAR institutes, Krishi Vigyan Kendras and State Agriculture Universities.

Key Points

• The Farmers Producers Organizations (FPOs) would be eligible to receive grants up to 75% of the cost of agriculture drone for its demonstrations on the farmers’ fields.
• A contingency expenditure of Rs.6000 per hectare would be provided to implementing agencies that do not want to purchase drones but will hire drones for demonstrations from Custom Hiring Centres, Hi-tech Hubs, Drone Manufacturers and Start-Ups.
• The financial assistance and grants would be available until March 31, 2023.
• The drone operations are being permitted by the Ministry of Civil Aviation and Director General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) through the conditional exemption route. The Ministry of Civil Aviation has published ‘Drone Rules 2021’ vide GSR No. 589(E) dated 25th August 2021 to regulate the use and operation of Drones in India.

Other Related Initiatives:

• National Mission for Sustainable Agriculture
• Sub-Mission on Agroforestry Scheme
• National Food Security Mission
• Rashtriya Krishi Vikas Yojana
• Mission for Integrated Development of Horticulture
• Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sichayee Yojana
• Paramparagat Krishi Vikas Yojana
• Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana

Source: PIB

1. India emerges as largest exporters of cucumber and gherkins in the world

Why in News

• India has emerged as the largest exporter of cucumber and gherkins in the world.
• India has exported cucumber and gherkins to the tune of 1,23,846 Metric Tonnes with a value of USD 114 million during April-October (2020-21).

Key Points

• In 2020-21, India had shipped 2,23,515 Metric Tonnes of cucumber and gherkins with a value of USD 223 million.
• Following directions of the Department of Commerce, Ministry of Commerce & Industry, the Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority (APEDA) undertook a series of initiatives in infrastructure development, product promotion in the global market and adherence to food safety management system in processing units.
• Gherkins are exported under two categories -- cucumbers and gherkins, which are prepared and preserved by vinegar or acetic acid and cucumbers and gherkins, which are provisionally preserved.
• Gherkin cultivation, processing and exports started in India during the early 1990s with a modest beginning in Karnataka and later extended to the neighbouring states of Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh and Telangana.

Note: Nearly 15% production of the world’s gherkin requirement is grown in India.

Source: PIB

1. Pradhan Mantri Rashtriya Bal Puraskar- 2022

Why in News

• 29 Children have been conferred the Pradhan Mantri Rashtriya Bal Puraskar (PMRBP) 2022, selected from all regions of the country for their exceptional achievements in Innovation (7), Social Service (4), Scholastic (1), Sports (8), Art & Culture (6) and Bravery (3) categories. 
• There are 15 Boys and 14 Girls among the awardees belonging to 21 States and UTs.

Key Points

• During the function, Prime Minister Narendra Modi gave digital certificates to the 61 winners of PMRBP 2021 and 2022 using a Block Chain-driven technology developed by IIT Kanpur under the National Blockchain Project. 

About Pradhan Mantri Rashtriya Bal Puraskar:

• The Government of India presents PMRBP awards to children for their exceptional achievement in six categories namely Innovation, Social Service, Scholastic achievements, Sports, Art & Culture and Bravery.
• Each awardee is given a medal, a cash prize of Rs. 1,00,000/- and a certificate.

Source: PIB

Important News: Award and Honours

1. Former Japan PM Shinzo Abe conferred Netaji Award 2022

Why in News

• Former Japan Prime Minister Shinzo Abe was conferred with the Netaji Award 2022 by Netaji Research Bureau.

Key Points

• Consul General of Japan in Kolkata Nakamura Yutaka received the honour on behalf of Abe at a function at the Elgin Road residence of Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose on his 125th birth anniversary.
• Moreover, in January 2021, India bestowed the Padma Vibhushan on former Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, the country’s second-highest civilian honour.

Source: India Today

1. Prajakta Koli becomes India’s first UNDP Youth Climate Champion

Why in News

• Prajakta Koli has become India’s first UN Development Programme (UNDP) Youth Climate Champion.

Key Points

• Prajakta Koli is a content creator on various online platforms like youtube, Instagram, etc.
• The title has been conferred to her following her contribution towards mental health, women's rights and girl child education through various global social campaigns.

About UN Development Programme (UNDP):

• It is a United Nations organization tasked with helping countries eliminate poverty and achieve sustainable economic growth and human development.
• Headquarters: New York, United States
• Founded: 22 November 1965
• Parent organization: United Nations General Assembly

Source: Business Standard

1. India’s Koozhangal wins best film award at 20th Dhaka International Film Festival

Why in News

• During the recently concluded 20th Dhaka International Film Festival in Dhaka, Indian movie Koozhangal won the best film award in the Asian Film Competition category.
• Apart from this, four more Indian entries were included among the 17 awards given away for the films.

Key Points

Koozhangal:

• It’s a Tamil-language drama directed by director PS Vinothraj and is produced by top South Indian actress Nayanthara and her husband Vignesh Shivan under their banner Rowdy Pictures.
• The film was screened at the 50th International Film Festival Rotterdam held in the Netherlands last year, where it received the Tiger Award at the festival.
• It was also selected as India’s entry for the Best International Feature Film at the 94th Academy Awards, but did not make the final nomination.

Source: newsonair

Important News: Sports

1. Syed Modi India International 2022

• The Syed Modi India International is an international badminton tournament, which is held annually in India.
• The tournament was inaugurated by Uttar Pradesh Badminton Association (UPBA) in 1991 as the 'Syed Modi Memorial Badminton Tournament' in memory of the Commonwealth Games champion Syed Modi.
• Venue: Babu Banarasi Das Indoor Stadium, Lucknow, India
• Two-time Olympic medalist, V. Sindhu has won the Women's singles title at the Syed Modi International tournament 2022. Sindhu defeated compatriot Malvika Bansod.

List of winners:

Source: newsonair

Important News: Important Days

1. January 25, National Voters’ Day

Why in News

• National Voters’ Day (NVD) is observed on January 25 every year.

Key Points

• Theme for NVD 2022 is ‘Making Elections Inclusive, Accessible and Participative’.
• The day was established to mark Election Commission's foundation day on January 25 in 2011, by the Government of India.
• On the occasion, National Awards for the Best Electoral Practices for the year 2021-22 will be conferred on State and District level officers for their outstanding performance in the conduct of elections in different spheres.

About ECI (Election Commission of India):

• It is a permanent and independent body established by the Constitution of India directly to ensure free and fair elections in the country.
• Formed: 25 January 1950
• Headquarters: New Delhi
• Commission executives:

Sushil Chandra, Chief Election Commissioner

Rajeev Kumar, Election Commissioner

Anup Chandra Pandey, Election Commissioner

Source: India Today

1. January 25, National Tourism Day

Why in News

• National Tourism Day is celebrated on January 25 every year across the country.

Key Points

• This day is observed by the Government of India to encourage tourism and explain the essential role of tourism in the growth of the country.

Note: The World Tourism Day is celebrated on 27 September. 

Source: India Today