Daily Current Affairs for State Exams: 08 March 2022

Daily Current Affairs 08-03-2022

Important News: World

Humanitarian Corridors

Why in News

Recently, Russia declared a partial ceasefire in the Russia-Ukraine War to allow humanitarian corridors for civilians.

Key Points

Humanitarian corridors:

The United Nations considers humanitarian corridors to be one of several possible forms of a temporary pause of armed conflict.
For example through large-scale bombing of civilian targets — humanitarian corridors can provide crucial relief.
They are demilitarized zones, in a specific area and for a specific time — and both sides of an armed conflict agree to them.
Via these corridors, either food and medical aid can be brought to areas of conflict, or civilians can be evacuated.
In most cases, humanitarian corridors are negotiated by the United Nations. Sometimes they’re also set up by local groups.
Humanitarian corridors were defined in resolution 45/100 of the UNs’ general assembly in 1990.
Access to humanitarian corridors is determined by the parties to the conflict. It’s usually limited to neutral actors, the UN or aid organizations such as the Red Cross.

Source: Indian Express

Important News: India

Govt launches Donate-a-Pension programme

Why in News

Minister for Labour and Employment, Bhupender Yadav launched Donate-a-Pension programme.
It is an initiative under Pradhan Mantri Shram Yogi Maan-dhan (PM-SYM) pension scheme where citizens of India can donate the premium contribution of their immediate support staff such as domestic workers, drivers, helpers, care givers, nurses, in their household or establishment.

Key Points

Under the programmee, workers in the unorganised sector with the age group of 18 to 40 years can register themselves and deposit a minimum of 660 to 2400 rupees every year depending on their age.
After they attain 60 years they will receive the minimum assured pension of 3000 rupees per month.

About Pradhan Mantri Shram Yogi Maan-dhan (PM-SYM) pension scheme:

The Government of India has introduced a pension scheme namely Pradhan Mantri Shram Yogi Maan-dhan (PM-SYM) to ensure old age protection for Unorganised Workers.
PM-SYM is a Central Sector Scheme administered by the Ministry of Labour and Employment

Other Government Schemes for Unorganised Sector:

Pradhan Mantri Rojgar Protsahan Yojana (PMRPY)
PM SVANidhi: Micro Credit Scheme for Street Vendors
Deendayal Antyodaya Yojana National Urban Livelihoods Mission
PM Garib Kalyan Ann Yojana (PMGKAY)
Atmanirbhar Bharat Rozgar Yojana
Pradhan Mantri Kisan Samman Nidhi

Source: newsonair

ECI hosts International Election Visitors Programme 2022

Why in News

The Election Commission of India (ECI) hosted the virtual International Election Visitors Programme (IEVP) 2022 for Election Management Bodies (EMBs) from nearly 32 Countries.
An overview of the ongoing Elections for Legislative Assemblies of Goa, Manipur, Punjab, Uttarakhand and Uttar Pradesh was presented to more than 150 EMB Delegates participating online.

Key Points

India has been hosting the International Election Visitors Programme (IEVP) since 2012 elections where International delegates are invited to visit the Polling stations and see the electoral processes in practice for themselves in person.

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 (Later celebrated as National Voters Day)
Headquarters: New Delhi
Commission executives:

Sushil Chandra, Chief Election Commissioner of India

Rajeev Kumar, Election Commissioner of India

Anup Chandra Pandey, Election Commissioner of India

Source: PIB

Swatantrata Sainik Samman Yojana (SSSY)

Why in News

The Government has approved the continuation of the Swatantrata Sainik Samman Yojana (SSSY) and its components beyond 31.03.2021 for the Financial Years 2021-22 to 2025-26, with a total financial outlay of Rs.3,274.87 crore.

Key Points

The proposal for continuation of the SSSY was received from the Ministry of Home Affairs.
The decision shows the commitment of the Government to remember sacrifices of Freedom Fighters and taking inspiration from them during the year of Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav.

Background:

Freedom Fighters and their eligible dependents have been sanctioned the Swatantrata Sainik Samman Pension and presently, there are 23,566 beneficiaries across the country covered under this scheme.

Source: Business Standard

Important News: Defence

Ninth Edition of India - Sri Lanka Bilateral Maritime Exercise ‘SLINEX’ 2022

Why in News

The Ninth Edition of India - Sri Lanka Bilateral Maritime Exercise ‘SLINEX’ (Sri Lanka–India Naval Exercise) is scheduled at Visakhapatnam from 07 Mar to 10 Mar 2022.
The exercise is being conducted in two phases; the Harbour Phase at Visakhapatnam on 07-08 Mar 22 followed by the Sea Phase on 09-10 Mar 22 in the Bay of Bengal.

Key Points

Sri Lanka Navy will be represented by SLNS Sayurala, an advanced offshore patrol vessel and the Indian Navy by INS Kirch, a guided missile corvette.
The previous edition of SLINEX was conducted off Trincomalee in October 2020.
SLINEX aims to enhance inter-operability, improve mutual understanding and exchange best practices and procedures for multi-faceted maritime operations between both navies.
SLINEX exemplifies the deep maritime engagement between India and Sri Lanka and has grown in scope over the years to strengthen mutual cooperation, in consonance with India’s policy of ‘Neighbourhood First’ and ‘Security and Growth for All in the Region (SAGAR)’.

Source: PIB

Indo-Pacific Military Health Exchange conference

Why in News

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh virtually inaugurated, on March 07, 2022, the four-day Indo-Pacific Military Health Exchange (IPMHE) conference co-hosted by Armed Forces Medical Services (AFMS) and US Indo-Pacific Command (USINDOPACOM).

Key Points

The theme of the conference is ‘Military Healthcare in a Volatile, Uncertain, Complex and Ambiguous (VUCA) World’.
The conference, which will continue till March 10, 2022, aims to enhance cooperation and jointmanship in military medicine.
It will cover many important topics including operational/combat medical care, tropical medicine, field surgery, field anaesthesia, aviation & marine medicine emergencies etc.

Source: PIB

Important News: Science

HANSA-NG successfully completes sea level trials at Puducherry

Why in News

Recently, India’s first indigenous Flying Trainer HANSA-NG has successfully completed the sea level trials at Puducherry.

Key Points

HANSA-NG is designed and developed by CSIR-National Aerospace Laboratories (NAL), Bangalore under the aegis of Council of Scientific and Industrial Research.
HANSA-NG is one of the most advanced flying trainer powered by Rotax Digital Control Engine with unique features like Just-In-Time Prepreg (JIPREG) Composite light weight Airframe, Glass Cockpit, Bubble Canopy with wide panoramic view, electrically operated flaps etc.
HANSA-NG is designed to meet the Indian flying club needs and it is an ideal aircraft for Commercial Pilot Licensing (CPL) due to its low cost and low fuel consumption.

Note: HANSA-NG (HANSA-New Generation) is an upgraded version of HANSA, which saw the first flight in 1993, and was certified in 2000.

Source: PIB

Important News: Environment & Ecology

New gin berry species discovered in southern Western Ghats

Why in News

A team of scientists from the Botanical Survey of India (BSI) has discovered a new gin berry species from the Kanyakumari Wildlife Sanctuary in Tamil Nadu.

Key Points

The species, named Glycosmis albicarpa with a distinct large white fruit, is endemic to the southern Western Ghats.
The species belongs to the Orange family, Rutaceae.
The findings have been published in the latest issue of Nordic Journal of Botany, published from Sweden.
Many of the related plants of these taxonomic groups are being utilised for their medicinal values and food.

Source: The Hindu

Important News: Important Days

March 8, International Women’s Day

Why in News

International Women’s Day is celebrated every year on March 8.

Key Points

The theme for International Women’s Day, 2022 is ‘Gender equality today for a sustainable tomorrow’.
The first International Women's Day celebration took place in the year 1911.

Note:

On International Women’s Day 2022, President of India Ram Nath Kovind will confer Prestigious Nari Shakti Puraskars to 29 outstanding Individuals for the years 2020 and 2021.
‘Nari Shakti Puraskar’ is an initiative of the Ministry of Women and Child Development to acknowledge the exceptional contribution made by individuals and institutions, to celebrate women as game changers and catalyst of positive change in the society.

Source: un.org