Daily Current Affairs for State Exams: 24 March 2022

Daily Current Affairs 24/03/2022

Important News: World

Delhi world's most polluted capital: World Air Quality Report 2021

Why in News

New Delhi continues to be the world’s most polluted capital city for the fourth consecutive year, according to the 2021 World Air Quality Report, prepared by Swiss organisation IQAir.

Key Points

The report is based on PM2.5 air quality data from 6,475 cities in 117 countries, regions, and territories around the world.
The data used to create this report was generated by tens of thousands of regulatory and low-cost air quality monitoring stations operated by governments, non-profit organizations, research institutions, educational facilities, companies, and citizen scientists around the world.

Globally:

Bangladesh was the most polluted country in 2021, followed by Chad, Pakistan and Tajikistan. India was the fifth most polluted country.
Among the cities, Dhaka was the second most polluted city in the world with a PM 2.5 level of 78.1 just below New Delhi which had a PM 2.5 level of 85.1 in 2021.
Notably, these exceeded the WHO PM2.5 limit of 0-5 µg/m³ by over 10-15 times.
The data reveals that not a single country in the world managed to meet the WHO’s air quality standard in 2021.

In India:

The index listed 35 Indian cities with the worst air quality tag for 2021 with Rajasthan’s Bhiwadi topping the list followed closely by Uttar Pradesh’s Ghaziabad.
In fact, none of the cities in India met the prescribed World Health Organization air quality standards of 5 micrograms per cubic meter (μg/m3).

Source: TOI

Important News: India

WINGS INDIA 2022

Why in News

The Ministry of Civil Aviation (MOCA) and FICCI are jointly organizing WINGS INDIA 2022 - Asia's largest event on Civil Aviation (Commercial, General and Business Aviation) from 24th – 27th March 2022 at Begumpet Airport, Hyderabad, India.

Key Points

As part of the country’ Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav, the theme of the event is “India@75: New Horizon for Aviation Industry”.
WINGS INDIA 2022 is Asia’s largest event on Civil Aviation, providing a congenial forum catering to the rapidly changing dynamics of the sector, focusing on new business acquisition, investments, policy formation and regional connectivity.
“WINGS INDIA AWARDS” will be conferred upon the Aviation-related Companies/Institutions/Organizations that have created benchmarks and made notable contributions in the area of Civil Aviation in India.

Opportunities under Indian Aviation Market:

The government aims to develop 100 airports by 2024 (under the UDAN Scheme).
100% Foreign Direct Investment allowed under Automatic route for Ground Handling Services and Maintenance Repair and Overhaul Services and for both green and brownfield projects.

Source: PIB

Cabinet approves extension of the applicability of New Investment Policy-2012 for three units of Hindustan Urvarak and Rasayan Limited

Why in News

The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs has given approval for the proposal of the Department of Fertilizers for extension of applicability of New Investment Policy (NIP)-2012 for the three units of Hindustan Urvarak & Rasayan Limited (HURL) Gorakhpur, Sindri and Barauni.

Key Points

The government had announced the New Investment Policy (NIP) - 2012 in January, 2013 and its amendment in October, 2014 to facilitate fresh investment in the urea sector and to make India self-sufficient.

About Hindustan Urvarak & Rasayan Limited (HURL):

HURL, incorporated on 15^thJune, 2016 is a Joint Venture Company by Coal India Limited (CIL), NTPC Limited (NTPC) and Indian Oil Corporation (IOCL).
The cost of three HURL Urea projects is Rs. 25,120 crore.
The commissioning of the three units will add 38.1 LMTPA indigenous urea production in the country.
HURL-Gorakhpur unit has India’s first Air Operated Bullet Proof Rubber Dam of 65 mtrs length and 2 mtrs height.

Source: The Hindu

Union Jal Shakti Minister launches Sujlam 2.0 Campaign

Why in News

Union Minister of Jal Shakti, Gajendra Singh Shekhawat launched the Sujalam 2.0 campaign for greywater management at a virtual event hosted by the Department of Drinking Water and Sanitation, Ministry of Jal Shakti to mark the World Water Day, 2022.

Key Points

A Joint Advisory was also signed by 9 Ministries namely the Ministry of (M/o) Jal Shakti, M/o Rural Development, M/o Women & Child Development, M/o Youth Affairs and Sports, M/o Tribal Affairs, M/o Health and Family Welfare, M/o Education, M/o Environment, Forest and Climate Change and M/o Panchayati Raj, on how greywater management will be taken up at their level based on convergence model with all those who are directly associated in programme implementation.
The theme for this year is ‘Groundwater: making the invisible visible.
Funds to execute the activities for greywater management can be sourced from SBM-G Phase II or through 15th Finance Commission tied-grants or MGNREGS or through convergence of all.
It is estimated that 31 billion litres of greywater is generated every day in India.
Under Sujlam 2.0 campaign, over 6 lakh villages will see intense activity on solid and liquid waste management.

Note: With active participation from all States and local communities’ great success was achieved under Sujlam 1.0 campaign which was started in August 2021. More than 1 million soak pits were built at household and community level across the country.

Source: PIB

Important News: State

Narasinghapettai Nagaswaram, the classical musical instrument of Tamil Nadu gets GI tag

Why in News

Narasingapettai Nagaswaram, the classical wind musical instrument of Tamil Nadu has been granted the Geographical Indication (GI) tag under the category of musical instruments of class 15.

Key Points

The musical instrument is traditionally made by artisans based in a village near Kumbakonam who make them through specialized processing skills, a technique inherited from their forefathers.

About Narasinghapettai Nagaswaram:

Nagaswaram is a wind instrument made of wood and metal. The instrument has also been accorded a high status as a ‘Mangala Vadyam’ and is played in religious ceremonies, auspicious occasions, and classical concerts.

Geographical Indication tag:

The Geographical Indication tag is issued for agricultural, natural, or manufactured goods that have a unique quality, reputation, or other characteristics attributable to their geographical origin.

Source: newsonair

Important News: Defence

Skill Development Ministry recognises INS Shivaji as the Centre of Excellence in Marine Engineering

Why in News

The Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship (MSDE) recognised INS Shivaji as the Centre of Excellence (CoE) in the field of Marine Engineering (ME).

Key Points

MSDE's designation of INS Shivaji as a Centre of Excellence is the first of its kind for any military organisation, and it reflects the INS Shivaji's continued commitment to skill and technology development.

About INS Shivaji:

INS Shivaji is an Indian naval station in Lonavla, Maharashtra.
It houses the Naval College of Engineering, which educates and trains Indian Navy and Coast Guard officials.
The organisation was commissioned as HMIS Shivaji on February 15, 1945.

Some other Major Initiatives of MSDE:

Pradhan Mantri Kaushal Vikas Yojana (PMKVY)
Skill Management and Accreditation of Training Centres (SMART)
SANKALP Scheme

Source: PIB

Important News: Appointment

Pushkar Singh Dhami takes oath for second term as Uttarakhand Chief Minister

Why in News

Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader and son of an ex-serviceman, Pushkar Singh Dhami took oath as the 12th Chief Minister of Uttarakhand in a grand swearing-in ceremony at the Parade Ground in Dehradun.

Key Points

Governor Lt Gen (retd) Gurmit Singh administered the oath of office and secrecy to Mr. Dhami.
The youngest CM of the state, Dhami was brought in as a replacement for former chief minister Tirath Singh Rawat in July last year.
The BJP won the popular mandate for the second consecutive term in Uttarakhand and won 47 seats in the 70-member assembly.

Source: TOI

Important News: Sports

World number one Ashleigh Barty announces retirement from tennis aged 25

Why in News

In Tennis, Australia's world number one Ashleigh Barty has decided to retire from professional tennis at the age of 25.

Key Points

Barty won three Grand Slam titles; Australian Open (2022), French Open (2019), and Wimbledon (2021), lifting 15 singles and 12 doubles titles in a celebrated career.

Source: HT

Important News: Important Days

March 24, World TB Day

Why in News

World TB Day (World Tuberculosis Day) is observed on March 24 each year to raise public awareness about Tuberculosis (TB).

Key Points

The theme of World TB Day 2022 is ‘Invest to End TB. Save Lives.’
On this day in the year 1882, Dr. Robert Koch announced the discovery of the bacteria that causes TB. It paved the way for the diagnosis and cure of this deadly disease.
World TB Day is one of eleven official global public health campaigns marked by the World Health Organization (WHO), along with World Health Day, World Chagas Disease Day, World Blood Donor Day, World Antimicrobial Awareness Week, World Immunization Week, World Malaria Day, World No Tobacco Day, World Hepatitis Day, World Patient Safety Day and World AIDS Day.

Source: who.int