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Assam Current Affairs – August 07-09, 2022

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Assam & NE Current Affairs & GK – August 07-09, 2022

( Covers all important Current Affairs & GK topics for the August 07- 09, 2022)

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Current Affairs GK & Quiz Monthly – July 2022

Assam Current Affairs and GK Quiz – Set 316: July 2022, Week 4 

August 07-09, 2022

Assam government inks four MoUs with HCL, Walmart, Flipkart on various fields

The Assam government partnered with HCL, Walmart and Flipkart for various purposes, including skilling the youths, exporting local products and creating talent for e-commerce supply chain.

Key Points

  • The first Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was inked between the Directorate of Employment and Craftsmen Training (DECT) and HCL Technologies to facilitate the employability of youths from Assam under various programmes.
  • The HCL in collaboration with DECT will provide training to the Class 12 passed students, aiming to reduce regional imbalance in terms of skilled people. 
  • The second MoU was inked between Assam Skill University (ASU) and HCL-TSS to assist applicants in joining the HCL-TSS skilling and employment programmes.
  • The third agreement was signed by Walmart Vriddhi with the Industries, Commerce and Public Enterprises Department and Skill Employment Entrepreneurship Department. 
  • This tripartite MoU has been exchanged for the development of MSMEs in terms of showcasing and exporting their products, and also exchange ideas for successful commercialization of their products by providing them market access. 
  • According to the last MoU signed between Flipkart and Assam Skill Development Mission, Flipkart will provide opportunities to youth of the state in the Flipkart Supply Chain Operations Academy by training, certifying and creating a pool of e-commerce supply chain talent. 
  • All the four agreements were signed in presence of Assam Skill, Employment and Entrepreneurship Minister Jayanta Mallabaruah and other senior officials.

Culture Ministry and Google Launch ‘India ki Udaan’ Initiative

The Union Culture Ministry and Google launched the ‘India Ki Udaan’ initiative. This initiative seeks to celebrate the unwavering, undying, spirit of India and its achievements in the past 75 years.

About the India ki Udaan Initiative

  • India ki Udaan Initiative was launched as a part of Azadi ka Amrit Mahotsav. 
  • It aims to take citizens to the rich culture & heritage of India, by means of its rich archives and featuring artistic illustrations. 
  • India ki Udaan project has been based on the theme ‘Unwavering and undying spirit of India over these past 75 years.
  • This Initiative is being Executed by Google Arts and Culture, in collaboration with the Ministry of Culture. 
  • Under the initiative, users will be provided with a unique view to witness India’s remarkable moments virtually. They would be able to know more about the iconic personalities of Indian history, leading female personalities, as well as scientific and sports achievements of the country.

Dr N Kalaiselvi becomes the first woman Director General of the Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR)

Nallathamby Kalaiselvi has become the first woman director general of the Council of Scientific and Industrial Research. Dr Kalaiselvi will replace and succeed Shekhar Mande, who was superannuated in April.

Her appointment is for a period of two years with effect from the date of assumption of charge of the post or until further orders, whichever is earlier. 

She will also hold the charge as secretary, Department of Scientific and Industrial Research. 

Kalaiselvi started her career in research as an entry-level scientist at CSIR-CECRI.

She is currently involved in the development of practically viable Sodium-ion/Lithium-sulfur batteries and supercapacitors.

Lok Sabha passed the Energy Conservation Amendment Bill 2022

Recently, the Lok Sabha passed the Energy Conservation (Amendment) Bill, 2022. The Bill seeks to amend the Energy Conservation Act, 2001. It promotes energy efficiency and conservation.

The objectives of the proposed Amendment is to reduce India’s power consumption via fossil fuels and thereby minimize the nation’s carbon footprint and also to develop India’s Carbon market and boost the adoption of clean technology. 

Important Provisions of the bill

  • The bill seeks to mandate the use of non-fossil sources, including Green hydrogen, green ammonia, biomass, and Ethanol for energy and feedstock. 
  • Setup Carbon Markets in India and set rules and provisions for the Carbon Trading Scheme.
  • Expand the coverage of the Energy Conservation Regime to Large Residential Buildings.
  • Increase members in the governing council of the Bureau of Energy Efficiency (BEE)
  • Empower the State Electricity Regulatory Commissions  to make regulations for smooth discharge of its functions
  • To put in place enabling provisions to make the use of clean energy, including green hydrogen, mandatory and to establish carbon markets.
  • The bill also empowers the government to issue energy savings certificates and penalize consumers who utilize more energy.

India, US begins joint special forces exercise in Himachal Pradesh

The India-US Joint Special Forces exercise “Ex Vajra Prahar 2022”, began on August 08, 2022, at the Special Forces Training School in Bakloh, Himachal Pradesh. 

It is the 13th edition of the annual exercise. It’s objective of this joint exercise is to share the best practices and experiences in areas such as joint mission planning and operational tactics.

The 12th edition of this exercise between India and the US was conducted at Joint Base Lewis Mcchord, Washington (US) in October 2021.

In addition to this exercise, the India-U.S. Army exercise ‘Yudh Abhyas’ is scheduled to be held in high altitude area in Uttarakhand which falls in the Central sector of the Line of Actual Control (LAC).

About the Ex Vajra Prahar 2022: 

  • This joint annual exercise is hosted alternatively between India and the US to share the best practices and experiences in areas such as joint mission planning and operational tactics.
  • During the course of the next 21 days, teams of both armies would jointly train, plan and execute a series of special operations, counter-terrorist operations, and airborne operations in simulated conventional and unconventional scenarios in mountainous terrain. 
  • It is a significant step in strengthening the traditional bond of friendship between the special forces of both nations as well as improving bilateral defence cooperation.

Assam Current Affairs – August 04-06, 2022

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Assam & NE Current Affairs & GK – August 04-06, 2022

( Covers all important Current Affairs & GK topics for the August 04- 06, 2022)

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Current Affairs GK & Quiz Monthly – July 2022

Assam Current Affairs and GK Quiz – Set 316: July 2022, Week 4 

August 04-06, 2022

Chief Minister of Assam launched Mission Bhumiputra

Chief Minister of Assam Dr. Himanta Biswa Sarma launched ‘Mission Bhumiputra’ at the Srimanta Shankardev Kalakshetra in Guwahati. It is a mission based scheme which aims to simplify the process of providing caste certificates.

About Mission Bhumiputra

  • Under the mission, digitalised caste certificates will be issued to students, in a simplified and digital way. 
  • It will be implemented by Departments of Tribal Affairs (Plain) and Social Justice Empowerment.
  • The objective of this portal is to provide digitalized caste certificates to the students. 
  • The applicants will be issued the certificates digitally signed by respective Deputy Commissioners, who will be assisted by official bodies of different castes in identifying or approving the caste of students. 

India adds 10 more wetlands designated as Ramsar sites

India has designated 10 more wetlands as Ramsar sites, taking the total tally of Ramsar Sites in India to 64.

The 10 new Ramsar sites in India include six in Tamil Nadu and one each in Goa, Odisha, Madhya Pradesh and Karnataka. 

The Ramsar sites in India now cover a total area of 12,50,361 ha. Designation of these sites would help in conservation and management of wetlands and wise use of their resources.

10 new Ramsar Sites

  1. Koothankulam Bird Sanctuary                               Tamil Nadu 
  2. Gulf of Mannar Marine Biosphere Reserve          Tamil Nadu 
  3. Vembannur Wetland Complex                               Tamil Nadu 
  4. Vellode Bird Sanctuary                                              Tamil Nadu 
  5. Vedanthangal Bird Sanctuary                                Tamil Nadu 
  6. Udhayamarthandapuram Bird Sanctuary           Tamil Nadu 
  7. Satkosia Gorge  Odisha
  8. Nanda Lake in                                                              Goa
  9. Ranganathittu Bird Sanctuary                                Karnataka
  10. Sirpur Wetland                                               Madhya Pradesh

Wild Life (Protection) Amendment Bill, 2021 passed by Lok Sabha

Lok Sabha passed the Wild Life (Protection) Amendment Bill, 2021. The Bill seeks to provide for implementation of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES).

Key Points

  • The Wild Life (Protection) Amendment Bill, 2021 was introduced in Lok Sabha by the Minister of Environment, Forest and Climate Change on December 17, 2021. 
  • The Bill seeks to increase the species protected under the law, and implement the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES).  
  • The Bill amends the Wild Life (Protection) Act, 1972.  
  • The amended bill reduces the total number of schedules to four by eliminating the schedule for vermin species and reducing the number of schedules for specially protected animals to two.
  • The Bill provides for the central government to designate an authority which grants export or import licences for the trading in specimens.
  • The Bill empowers the central government to regulate or prohibit the import, trade, possession or proliferation of invasive alien species. 
  • The Bill specifies that actions of the Chief Warden must be in accordance with the management plans for the sanctuary.
  • People possessing live specimens of scheduled animals must obtain a registration certificate from the Management Authority.
  • The Act prescribes imprisonment terms and fines for violating the provisions of the Act. 
  • It empowers the government to notify a conservation reserve next to sanctuaries or national parks, in a bid to protect the flora and fauna, and their habitat.

Jagdeep Dhankhar elected India’s 14th Vice President of India

Jagdeep Dhankhar was elected as the 14th Vice President of India. He was Vice Presidential Candidate for BJP led NDA alliance. He will take oath as India’s Vice President on 11th August 2022. 

Mr Dhankar will be taking oath to replace the incumbent Vice President Venkaiah Naidu, whose tenure ends on 11th August 2022. 

Jagdeep Dhankhar secured 528 votes against Opposition Candidate Margaret Alva. 

Prior to being the Vice President, Jagdeep Dhankhar had severed as the Governor of West Bengal.

World’s largest floating solar power plant going to be built in Madhya Pradesh

The world’s largest floating solar power plant is going to be built at Khandwa in Madhya Pradesh. It will be built to increase the power generation capacity and address electricity problems in Madhya Pradesh.

Key Points

  • The Solar power plant will be built on Omkareshwar Dam on the Narmada River in Khandwa, Madhya Pradesh. 
  • It will make Khandwa the only district in Madhya Pradesh to have all three things- thermal power station, hydel and solar power.
  • It will be constructed at an estimated cost of over Rs 3,000 crore.
  • will generate 600 Megawatt power by 2022-23.

Indian Navy’s all-women crew creates history by completing first independent maritime surveillance mission

Indian Navy’s women officers have created history after they completed the first-ever all-women independent maritime reconnaissance and surveillance mission in the North Arabian Sea onboard a Dornier 228 aircraft. 

Key Points

  • The mission was carried out by five officers of the Indian Navy Air Squadron (INAS) 314 based at the Naval Air Enclave at Gujarat’s Porbandar. 
  • The aircraft was captained by the Mission Commander, Lt Cdr Aanchal Sharma, who had pilots, Lt Shivangi and Lt Apurva Gite, and Tactical and Sensor officers, Lt Pooja Panda and SLt Pooja Shekhawat in her team. 
  • It was first-of-its-kind military flying mission and is expected to pave the way for women officers in the aviation cadre to assume greater responsibility and aspire for more challenging roles.

A book titled “Lion Of The Skies: Hardit Singh Malik” by Stephen Barker

A book titled “Lion of the Skies: Hardit Singh Malik, the Royal Air Force and the First World War” is all about an “India’s first fighter pilot” who participated in the World War, long before the Indian Air Force was born. 

The book has been written by author Stephen Barker, who describes in great detail, how challenging it was for an Indian to serve in the British armed forces, fighting racial discrimination – both institutional and interpersonal.

 

Assam Current Affairs – August 01-03, 2022

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Assam & NE Current Affairs & GK – August 01-03, 2022

( Covers all important Current Affairs & GK topics for the August 01- 03, 2022)

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Current Affairs GK & Quiz Monthly – July 2022

Assam Current Affairs and GK Quiz – Set 316: July 2022, Week 4 

August 01-03, 2022

IIT Guwahati launches ICMR-DHR Centre of Excellence for biomedical device

The Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Guwahati has established the ICMR-DHR Center of Excellence for Biomedical Device and Diagnostics Innovation and Commercialization.

The initiative will help in the technological needs of rural India with a focus on healthcare delivery to the last-mile population.

The key objectives of the ICMR Mission Secretariat at IIT Guwahati include: 

  • Detecting biomarkers using microfluidic and semiconductor nanobiosensors to detect various non-communicable diseases (NCDs) such as chronic kidney disorder, post diabetic complications, liver or pancreatic malfunctions, cardiac illnesses, and urinary tract infections. 
  • Develop frugal point-of-care diagnostic devices for the collection, storage, security and analysis of the data specific to rural India. 
  • Develop three indigenous products in the domain of healthcare that can be commercially successful in the near future.
  • Innovate indigenous alternatives to healthcare devices (such as auto-analyzers and semi-auto analyzers) imported from other countries under the Government of India’s ‘Atmanirbhar Bharat’ initiative.

Arunachal Pradesh Inks Tripartite Pact for School Education Transformation

The government of Arunachal Pradesh government inked a tripartite Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with NITI Aayog and an organisation for a large-scale transformation in school education. 

The agreement was signed on the second anniversary of the New Education Policy (NEP) 2020.

It is a three-year partnership (2022 – 25) agreement.

The MoU focuses on the enhancement of the learning outcome of students across 3,000 plus government schools in the state thereby, by reaching out to over two lakh children.

The MoU was signed in presence of Niti Aayog Education Advisor Dr. Prem Singh, state Education Commissioner Padmini Singla, ISSE state Project Director Pige Ligu, and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Reach to Teach Foundation, Ratna Viswanathan, among others.

Chabahar Day Conference was launched in Mumbai

The Ministry of Port, Shipping and Waterways (MoPSW) in association with India Ports Global observed ‘Chabahar Day’ to mark the Chabahar – Link to International North-South Transport Corridor (INSTC) – Connecting Central Asian Markets in Mumbai. 

Union Shipping Minister Sarbanand Sonowal and Minister of State for Shipping Shripad Naik inaugurated the Chabahar Day conference in Mumbai.

Key Points

  • The inauguration event was attended by dignitaries from Iran, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan and Afghanistan.
  • In May 2016, India and Iran signed a bilateral agreement in which India would refurbish one of the berths at Shahid Beheshti port, and reconstruct a 600-meter-long container handling facility at the port.
  • In 2016, India, Iran and Afghanistan had inked a tripartite agreement for developing Chabahar port. They also agreed to set up a trilateral transport and transit corridor.
  • In October 2017, India sent the first shipment of wheat to Afghanistan via the Chabahar Port. 

About Chabahar Port

  • The Chabahar Port is located in southeastern Iran in the Gulf of Oman. 
  • It is the only Iranian port, having direct access to the Indian ocean.
  • It is considered a gateway to golden opportunities for trade by India, Iran and Afghanistan with central Asian countries.
  • It consists of two separate ports named Shahid Kalantari and Shahid Beheshti. 
  • It is a key pillar of India’s Indo-Pacific vision to connect Eurasia with the Indian Ocean Region. 
  • The port will also be part of the International North-South Transport Corridor network connecting India. 

Third India-Vietnam Bilateral Army Exercise “Ex VINBAX 2022” begins in Haryana 

The 3rd edition of Vietnam-India Bilateral Army Exercise “Ex VINBAX 2022” is conducted at Chandimandir, Haryana from August 1 to 20, 2022.

The theme of Ex VINBAX – 2022 is the “Employment and deployment of an Engineer Company and a Medical Team as part of the United Nations Contingent for Peace Keeping Operations”.

Highlights of EX VINBAX 2022: 

  • It is a significant milestone of strengthening the bilateral relations between both the countries.
  • The exercise is a sequel to a previously conducted bilateral exercise in Vietnam in 2019. 
  • Vietnam is also an important partner in Act East policy of India as well as Indo-Pacific vision.
  • India and Vietnam share a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership and defence cooperation is a key pillar of this partnership.

Auguste Tano Kouame takes charge as World Bank Country Director for India

The World Bank has appointed Auguste Tano Kouamé as the Country Director for India. Auguste will serve for a period of five years and his term will come into effect from August 01, 2022.

He replaces Junaid Kamal Ahmad who recently completed a five-year term. 

Auguste served as the World Bank’s Country Director for the Republic of Türkiye, where he led the expansion of the Bank’s country program and deepened its support to Türkiye’s climate agenda. 

Prior to this, he served as Director of the Department of Human Development and Economic Management in the World Bank Group’s Independent Evaluation Group (IEG) from January 2017 to April 2019.

Vice – President Venkaiah Naidu presents President’s Colours to Tamil Nadu police

Vice President Venkaiah Naidu presented the President’s colour to the Tamil Nadu Police and  released a Special Cover to honour the occasion. The Tamil Nadu  police will be the first in Southern India to showcase the honour.

The President’s Colour is the highest honour given to the military, paramilitary and police forces of States and Union Territories in recognition of their exceptional service to the nation. 

The Indian Navy was the first Indian Armed Force to be awarded the President’s Colour by Dr. Rajendra Prasad in 1951. 

Shri Satyendra Prakash assumes charge as Principal Director General, Press Information Bureau

Shri Satyendra Prakash assumed charge as Principal Director General of Press Information Bureau (PIB). 

Prior to this Shri Prakash held the position of Principal DG, Central Bureau of Communication.

He is an Officer of the Indian Information Service, Batch of 1988. He has a wide experience in Central Government in the field of public communication, media management, administration, policy formulation and programme implementation. 

He has represented the Government of India in various national and international forums like UNESCO, UNICEF, UNDP etc. He was recognized for his role in the presentation of the first ever tableau of the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting on Republic Day in 2021 on the theme of Vocal for Local.

About Press Information Bureau

  • It is a nodal agency of the Government of India under the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting. 
  • It disseminates information to print, electronic and web media on government plans, policies, programme initiatives and achievements. 
  • It was established in June 1919. 
  • J. Natrajan became the first Indian to head the Bureau as Principal Information Officer in 1941.
  • The organisation’s name was changed to the Press Information Bureau in 1946. 
  • The Bureau has been reconstituted many times since independence of India in 1947.

Assam Current Affairs – July 28-31, 2022

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Assam & NE Current Affairs & GK – July 28-31, 2022

( Covers all important Current Affairs & GK topics for the July 28- 31, 2022)

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Current Affairs GK & Quiz Monthly – July 2022

Assam Current Affairs and GK Quiz – Set 316: July 2022, Week 4 

July 28-31, 2022

ONGC has signed a gas selling agreement with GAIL, AGCL at Khubal in North Tripura  

The Oil and Natural Gas Corporation (ONGC) has signed gas sale agreements with GAIL India and Assam Gas Company Ltd (AGCL), to monetise its upcoming field at Khubal under Panisagar sub-division of North Tripura district.

Key Points

  • According to the agreement, Khubal Gas Gathering Station (GGS) would supply 50,000 standard cubic metres of gas each to GAIL and AGCL totalling 0.1 MMSCMD, from ONGC’s Khubal GCS (Gas Collecting Station). 
  • Once it starts production, Khubal will be the tenth producing field of ONGC in Tripura.
  • According to the source, Khubal GGS will have a capacity to process 0.44 MMSCMD (4,40,000 standard cubic meters) of gas for which the process of construction has already started.
  • GSA is an important milestone in the lifecycle of any gas business, signifying commerciality for producers like ONGC, while ensuring the product reaches the end consumers through marketing and transportation intermediaries such as GAIL and AGCL.

Kargil Vijay Diwas

Every year India celebrates the Kargil Vijay Diwas on July 26. The day is dedicated to the martyred soldiers of the Kargil war. Year 2022 marked the 23rd anniversary of India’s victory. 

About Kargil war

  • Kargil War, also known as the Kargil conflict, was fought between 3rd May-26th July of 1999.
  • The war was fought by the Indian Army to recapture the Indian territories from Pakistan intruders in the Kargil-Drass sector in 1999.
  • The war was fought in the Kargil district of Kashmir and along the Line of Control (LOC)  in which India got the victory.
  • The Indian Army launched ‘Operation Vijay’ to clear the infiltration of the Kargil sector from Pakistani soldiers and Kashmiri militants on the Indian side of the Line of Control. 
  • The Indian Air Force launched the ‘Safed Sagar’ operation; it was a major part of the Kargil war.
  • On this day, the Prime Minister of India pays tribute to martyrs, every year at the Amar Jawan Jyoti. 
  • In a tribute, the Indian Army has built the “Kargil War Memorial”, at the foothills of Toloing Hills in Drass. 

International Tiger Day 2022

Every year International Tiger Day is celebrated on July 29 across the world. It is also known as World Tiger Day. Year 2022 is marking the 12th International Tiger Day,

India prepares the tiger estimation report every four years and the last report was released in 2018.

Key Points

  • International Tiger Day was established in 2010 at Saint Petersburg Tiger Summit in Russia to raise awareness on the importance of tiger conservation.
  • This day is observed by many international organisations, including the World Wide Fund for Nature, the International Fund for Animal Welfare etc.
  • It aims at protecting and expanding tiger habitats apart from preserving these species. 
  • The National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA): It is a statutory body under the Ministry of Environment, Forests and Climate Change constituted under enabling provisions of the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972, as amended in 2006, for strengthening tiger conservation, as per powers and functions assigned to it under the said Act. 
  • Project Tiger: Project Tiger is a Centrally Sponsored Scheme of the Ministry of Environment, Forests and Climate Change (MoEFCC) launched in 1973. 
  • Its objective is to ensure maintenance of a viable population of Tigers in India for scientific, economic, aesthetic, cultural and ecological values.

Gujarat becomes the first state in India to release a dedicated semiconductor policy 

Gujarat becomes the first state in India to launch the Semiconductor Policy 2022-27. The policy aims to create at least 2,00,000 new employment opportunities over the five years.

Government has also proposed to develop a special ‘Semicon City’ as a part of the Dholera Special Investment region. 

Key Points

  • Under the Gujarat Semiconductor Policy 2022-27, Gujarat Government will provide heavy subsidies on power, water and land tariffs for entrepreneurs who are interested in investing in semiconductors or display fabrication manufacturing in Gujarat.
  • The policy will provide for effective and timely execution of eligible projects, in a bid to set up a robust semiconductor and display fabrication ecosystem. 
  • It focuses on providing guidance to a significant portion of investments under the India Semiconductor Mission policies towards Gujarat. 
  • The policy will provide additional capital assistance at 40 percent of the capex assistance extended by the Centre for the projects approved under ISM. 

Rajasthan has announced to set up India’s first all women-run cooperative bank

Recently, the government of Rajasthan has signed a MoU with the Stree Nidhi Credit Cooperative Federation of Telangana government for setting up the state’s first ‘Women’s Financial Institution’ in Rajasthan. 

The MoU was signed between Rajasthan Grameen Ajeevika Vikas Parishad’s (Rajeevika) Mission Director Manju Rajpal and Stree Nidhi Managing Director G. Vidya Sagar Reddy in the presence of Rural Development Minister Ramesh Chand Meena.

Key Points

  • The ‘Rajasthan Mahila Nidhi’ in the state is being set up on the lines of the Stree Nidhi model.
  • Mahila Nidhi will strengthen the women’s self-help groups in the State by extending timely loan facilities for their enterprises. 
  • The institution will be operated entirely by women and will act as a complementary body to the formal banking system. 
  • It is also expected to bring down the number of loan applications pending in the banks.

President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelensky received the Winston Churchill Leadership Award

British Prime Minister Boris Johnson has presented Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy with the Sir Winston Churchill Leadership Award after comparing the two leaders in times of crisis.

Volodymyr Zelensky was presented this award for standing against Russian invasion of Ukraine on February 24, 2022 and fighting back. The situation was similar to what Churchill had faced in 1940.

He received the award in virtual mode, during a ceremony held at London Office of Boris Johnson.

About the Churchill leadership award

  • The Churchill leadership award was first presented in 2006. 
  • It has been awarded to Prince Charles, former British Prime Ministers Margaret Thatcher and John Major, and former US Secretary of State Madeleine Albright in the past.

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Current Affairs GK & Quiz Monthly – July 2022

Assam Current Affairs – July 25-27, 2022

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Assam & NE Current Affairs & GK – July 25-27, 2022

( Covers all important Current Affairs & GK topics for the July 25- 27, 2022)

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Current Affairs GK & Quiz Monthly – July 2022

Assam Current Affairs and GK Quiz – Set 316: July 2022, Week 4

July 25-27, 2022

Government of Assam has approved a proposal for the creation of Barak Bhuvan Wildlife Sanctuary

The establishment of ‘Barak Bhuban Wildlife Sanctuary’ has been approved by the Governor – Prof Jagdish Mukhi. Assam’s Barak Valley will soon get a second wildlife sanctuary. 

The Governor of Assam is pleased to declare its intention to constitute the area described in the Schedule annexed hereto as the Barak Bhuban Wildlife Sanctuary. 

The Barak Bhuban Wildlife Sanctuary will be spread over an area of 320 sq km between the Barak river and the Sonai river. 

India designates five new Ramsar wetland sites

India has designated five new Ramsar sites, wetlands of international importance under the Ramsar Convention, also known as The Convention on Wetlands. 

Three wetlands are from Tamil Nadu, one from Mizoram and one from Madhya Pradesh. This takes the total number of Ramsar Sites in India to 54. Earlier, the number of Ramsar sites in India stood at 49.

5 New Ramsar Sites in India include; 

  1. Karikili Bird Sanctuary, Tamil Nadu: It is a 61.21-hectare protected area located in Kancheepuram District of Tamil Nadu. It is located at a distance of 75 km from Chennai.
  2. Pallikaranai Marsh Reserve Forest, Tamil Nadu: It is a freshwater marsh in Chennai. It is the only surviving wetland ecosystem in Chennai. It is counted among the last remaining natural wetlands of South India. 
  3. Pichavaram Mangrove, Tamil Nadu: It is located near Chidambaram in Cuddalore District of Tamil Nadu. It covers an area of 1100 hectares and is counted among the largest mangrove forests in the country. 
  4. Pala wetland, Mizoram: It is the largest natural wetland in Mizoram. The wetland is surrounded by green woodlands. It is known for its rich diversity of animal species including several species of animals and birds. 
  5. Sakhya Sagar, Madhya Pradesh: This lake is an integral part of the beautiful ecology of the Madhav National Park in Shivpuri, Madhya Pradesh.

Ramsar Convention

  • The Ramsar convention is an intergovernmental environmental treaty,  named after Ramsar city in Iran on the Caspian Sea, where the treaty was signed. 
  • It was established by UNESCO on February 2, 1971.
  • The Ramsar convention came into force in 1975.
  • It provides for international cooperation and national action regarding conservation of wetlands and sustainable use of their resources. 
  • The Ramsar convention identifies wetlands of international importance across the globe, especially those that are home to diverse biodiversity.

Indermit Gill has been appointed as the Chief Economist of World Bank

The World Bank has appointed Indermit Gill as chief economist and senior vice-president for development economics at the multilateral development bank. 

He will be succeeding Cuban-American economist Carmen M. Reinhart. His appointment will be effective September 1, 2022. 

Indermit Gill is an Indian National, who is currently Vice President for Equitable Growth, Finance, and Institutions, where he led work on macroeconomics, trade, debt, poverty and governance.

Indermit Gill will be only the second Indian to serve as chief economist at the World Bank. Kaushik Basu was the first, having served in the job from 2012-2016.

India and Bangladesh signed agreement to curb trans-border crimes

India and Bangladesh signed an agreement to curb cross-border crime and launch necessary measures for ensuring peace and tranquillity across the border. 

Key Points

  • Both sides highlighted the importance of a coordinated border management plan in curbing the menace of smuggling contrabands such as narcotics, firearms, FICN, gold etc. 
  • They agreed on facilitating river bank protection works across the common bordering rivers, in line with approval given by the Joint River Commission. 
  • They agreed to remain cautious and steadfast in stopping smuggling through sharing real-time information and active anti-smuggling efforts. 
  • A wide range of issues like smuggling, trans-border crime, insurgent movement, narcotics, human trafficking and cattle lifting were discussed between officials of the two countries and both the parties agreed to take measures against such practices on their respective sides. 
  • Both the parties further agreed to launch public awareness programmes and developmental programmes across vulnerable areas for lowering down the number of incidents of assault and border crime. 

Gujarat will host the 36th National Games 

The Indian Olympic Association (IOA) signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Gujarat State Government and the Gujarat Olympic Association (GOA) for the joint conduct of the 36th National Games, Gujarat 2022. 

The last edition of the National Games was the 35th edition which was held in Kerala. 

The National Games were first held in Lahore, British India, in 1924.

Key Points

The 36th edition of the National Games will be held in Gujarat between 27 September to 10 October 2022.

The National Games 2022 will be held across 6 cities in Gujarat, viz., Gandhinagar, Surat, Ahmedabad, Rajkot, Vadodara, and Bhavnagar.

Statue of Unity of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel and Gir Asiatic Lion are logo for the 36th National Game 2022.

Indigenous sports such as kabaddi, kho-kho, mallakhamb and yogasana have also been included in the National Games programme.

IMF reduces GDP forecast of India to 7.4% for FY23

The International Monetary Fund (IMF) has reduced India’s growth forecast for 2022-23 (FY23) by 80 basis points to 7.4 per cent from 8.2% citing less favourable external conditions and rapid policy tightening by the central bank.

The IMF also cut the global growth outlook and warned that the world may soon be on the brink of a recession. Global economic expansion will likely slow to 3.2% this year, slower than the 3.6% forecast by the fund in April. 

Moreover, the multilateral lender cut the country’s growth forecast to 6.1 per cent for the financial year 2023-2024.

The IMF also cut global growth forecasts, warning that downside risks from high inflation and the Ukraine war were materialising and could push the world economy to the brink of recession if left unchecked. 

China’s growth is estimated to slow to 3.3% in 2022 from 4.4% estimated earlier by the IMF. 

Other emerging markets and developing economies, including Russia, South Africa, and Brazil, saw an upward revision in their economic forecasts on improved outlook. The IMF also cut the global growth outlook and warned that the world may soon be on the brink of a recession.

Global economic expansion will likely slow to 3.2% this year, slower than the 3.6% forecast by the fund in April.

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Current Affairs GK & Quiz Monthly – July 2022

Assam Current Affairs – July 22-24, 2022

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Assam & NE Current Affairs & GK – July 22-24, 2022

( Covers all important Current Affairs & GK topics for the July 22- 24, 2022)

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Current Affairs GK & Quiz Monthly – July 2022

Assam Current Affairs and GK Quiz – Set 316: July 2022, Week 4

 

July 22-24, 2022

Burhanpur becomes country’s first ‘Har Ghar Jal’ certified district

Burhanpur district of Madhya Pradesh became the first Certified ‘Har Ghar Jal’ district in the Country. 

Burhanpur district has achieved the unprecedented and proud achievement of providing tap-pure drinking water to every household through jal jeevan mission.

All the 254 villages of Burhanpur district are being supplied with water from the ‘Har Ghar Jal’ scheme. These villages have been certified ‘Every House Water’.

Accordingly, it certifies that all people in the villages have access to safe drinking water through taps, ensuring that ‘No One is Left Out’. 

Indian Antarctic Bill 2022 passed by Parliament

Recently, Parliament passed the Indian Antarctic Bill, 2022. The bill was passed with a voice vote after a brief discussion amid protests by the opposition members.

The bill aims to demilitarise Antarctica; use of Antarctica for peaceful purposes; promote international scientific cooperation in Antarctica. 

The Bill seeks to give effect to the Antarctic Treaty, the Convention on the Conservation of Antarctic Marine Living Resources, and the Protocol on Environmental Protection to the Antarctic Treaty.

Key Features of the bill

  • Prohibit Indian expedition to Antarctica without permit or written authorisation of another party to Antarctic Treaty. 
  • Extend jurisdiction of Indian courts to Antarctica and lays out penal provision for crimes on the continent by Indian citizens, foreign citizens who are part of Indian expeditions. 
  • The act directs creating a fund called the Antarctic fund that will be used for protecting the Antarctic environment. 
  • The Bill also establishes a ‘Committee on Antarctic Governance and Environmental Protection.’ Prohibits mining, dredging and activities that threaten the pristine conditions of the continent.

India’s Antarctic Programme 

  • Dakshin Gangotri– 1983-84: It was the first Indian scientific research base station. It is located at a distance of 2,500 kilometres from the South Pole. 
  • Maitri– 1988: It is located in an ice-free, rocky area on the Schirmacher Oasis. 
  • Bharati- 2015: It is located beside Larsmann Hill, between Thala Fjord & Quilty bay, about 3000 km east of Maitri.

Henley Passport Index 2022

Henley Passport Index 2022 was recently published by immigration consultancy Henley & partners. 

India has been ranked at 87th position with visa-free access to 60 countries.  

Ranking was based on the number of destinations the passport holders could access without prior visa. 

Japan has the world’s most powerful passport, followed by Singapore and South Korea, as per Henley Passport Index 2022.

Japan’s passport provides entry to 193 countries without a prior visa. On the other hand, Singapore and South Korea allows hassle-free entry to 192 countries.

About Henley Passport Index 

  • It is a global ranking of countries according to the travel freedom enjoyed by holders of that country’s ordinary passport for its citizens.
  • It started in 2006 as Henley & Partners Visa Restrictions Index (HVRI) and was modified and renamed in January 2018.
  • The index is based on exclusive data from the International Air Transport Association (IATA), which maintains the world’s largest and most accurate database of travel information. 
  • The index covers 227 destinations and 199 passports.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi unveils India’s first Passenger Drone “Varuna”

Prime Minister Narendra Modi has unveiled Varuna, India’s first passenger drone. Prime Minister Narendra Modi recently watched the demonstration of India’s first passenger drone, Varuna and asserted that the current government has ensured last-mile delivery of services with the help of technology, including drones. 

About ‘Varuna’ drone

  • This ‘Varuna’ drone has been designed and developed by a startup and has the capacity to carry one person inside.
  • This drone has been designed and developed by a startup ‘Sagar Defence Engineering’.
  • Varuna, India’s first drone that can carry human pay-load has a range of 25 km. 
  • The passenger drone can carry 130 kg payload and has 25-33 minutes of flight time.

Dinesh Gunawardena was sworn in as the Prime Minister of Sri Lanka

Dinesh Gunawardena was appointed as the 15th Prime Minister of Sri Lanka by President Ranil Wickremesinghe. 

He succeeds former prime minister Ranil Wickremesinghe.

Ranil Wickremesinghe was elected as Sri Lanka’s President by Parliament.

Gunawardena, parliamentarian of the Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP) party, took his oath in the capital Colombo in the presence of other senior legislators.

Along with Prime Ministership, Gunawardena has additional charge of Public Administration, Home Affairs, Provincial Council, and Local Government.

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Current Affairs GK & Quiz Monthly – July 2022

Assam Current Affairs and GK Quiz – Set 312: June 2022, Week 4 | Watch Quiz Video

Assam Current Affairs – July 19-21, 2022

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Assam & NE Current Affairs & GK – July 19-21, 2022

( Covers all important Current Affairs & GK topics for the July 19- 21, 2022)

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Current Affairs GK & Quiz Monthly – July 2022

Assam Current Affairs and GK Quiz – Set 315: July 2022, Week 3 | Watch Quiz Video

July 19-21, 2022

Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma launched ‘Swanirbhar Naari’ scheme

Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma has launched ‘Swanirbhar Naari’, a scheme to empower indigenous weavers in Assam’s Guwahati. 

Key Points

  • The state government will procure handloom items directly from indigenous weavers without involving any middlemen through a specially developed Swanirbhar Naari web portal.
  • The scheme will be implemented with the help of ARTFED and AGMC under the administrative control of the Director, Handloom Textiles, Assam.
  • 31 Hand woven items are covered in the scheme belonging to various communities residing in the state.
  • The scheme will help in preserving the heritage of handlooms and textiles in the state.
  • It is expected that the portal will bridge the gap in between the weavers and the buyers. 

Draupadi Murmu has been elected as the 15th President of India

Draupadi Murmu has been elected as the 15th President of India. She contested against Yashwant Sinha, the joint opposition’s nominee. 

She becomes India’s first woman tribal president from Rairangpur in the Mayurbhanj district in Odisha and also the second woman to hold the post after Pratibha Patil.

National Democratic Alliance (NDA) led by BJP picked Draupadi Murmu for the Presidential Election. 

India Innovation Index 2021

The India Innovation Index 2021 has been recently released by the Vice-Chairman, NITI Aayog, Shri Suman Bery, in the presence of Dr. V K Saraswat, Member; Shri Parameswaran Iyer, Chief Executive Officer and other esteemed dignitaries.

Key Points

  • Karnataka has topped Niti Aayog’s India Innovation Index 2021 with a score of 18.05 followed by Telangana and Haryana, Maharashtra and Tamil Nadu. 
  • Manipur secured the lead in the Northeast and Hill States category followed by Uttarakhand and Meghalaya.
  • Chandigarh was the top performer in the Union Territories and City States category follwed by Delhi and Andaman and Nicobar.
  • Bihar, Odisha and Chhattisgarh scored the lowest on the index.

Assam CM Himanta Biswa assures govt jobs for National Games Medalists

The Assam State Chief Minister Dr Himanta Biswa Sarma has assured jobs for all National Games medalists of Assam from now on. 

The Chief Minister mentioned that all those who won medals in National Games so far for Assam would be given Sports Pension by the State Government. He hoped that this decision would help the sportspersons of the state.

He also mentioned that all those who won medals in National Games so far for Assam would be given Sports Pension by the State Government. 

The Chief Minister also announced that the house would send a goodwill message to boxer Lovlina Borgohain who will be vying for a medal in the Tokyo Olympics. 

Rajasthan introduces India’s first digital Lok Adalat

National Legal Services Authority Chairman Uday Umesh Lalit launches India’s First AI-powered, end-to-end digital Lok Adalat in Rajasthan.

The Digital Lok Adalat will help in disposing off the pending disputes or disputes which are at the pre-litigation stage. This platform will provide end-to-end dispute resolution with easy drafting & filing of applications.

Key Points

  • The AI-based Lok Adalat was launched during the 18th All India Legal Services Authorities’ Meet. 
  • The digital Lok Adalat has been designed and developed by the technology partner Jupitice Justice Technologies of Rajasthan State Legal Services Authority (RSLSA 22).
  • The oldest pending case in the nation was recently resolved by a district court in Bihar after 108 years of deliberation. As per NITI Aayog report, it would take around 324 years to dispose of all current pending cases in the country.
  • NITI Aayog report further states that, 75% to 97% of justiciable problems do not reach to the Courts.

PV Sindhu won the Singapore Open title 2022

India’s Olympic medalist PV Sindhu won the Singapore Open 2022 title. She beat China’s Wang Zhiyi by 21-9, 11-21, 21-15 in the final of the Singapore Open.

This is Sindhu’s first 500 title, since she won the world championship in 2019. This is also the first 500 title or better final for the year 2022.

She had won the women’s singles title at the Syed Modi International tournament in January and Swiss Open 2022 in March 2022.

Singapore Open 

  • The Singapore Open is a badminton event that has been held in Singapore annually since 1929. 
  • The Badminton World Federation categorized Singapore Open as one of the seven BWF World Tour Super 500 events in the BWF events structure from 2018.
  • In 2023, the tournament will be upgraded to a Super 750 event.
  • In 1929 the tournament was organised by Singapore Badminton Association, which was created to promote sport and organise the competition. 
  • The tournament became an open invitation championship in 1960. In 2007, the tournament became a part of the BWF Super Series event.

Assam Current Affairs and GK Quiz – Set 315: July 2022, Week 3 | Watch Quiz Video

Current Affairs GK & Quiz Monthly – July 2022

Assam Current Affairs – July 16-18, 2022

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Assam & NE Current Affairs & GK – July 16-18, 2022

( Covers all important Current Affairs & GK topics for July 16- 18, 2022)

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Current Affairs GK & Quiz Monthly – July 2022

Assam Current Affairs and GK Quiz – Set 315: July 2022, Week 3 | Watch Quiz Video

July 16-18, 2022

Tripura government launched ‘Earn with Learn’ Scheme

The Tripura government has launched a new scheme named ‘Earn with Learn’ as a part of the ‘Vidyalaya Chalo Abhiyan’ (Let’s go to school) to bring back those who had dropped out of schools following the outbreak of Covid-19.

About 9,000 students between the age group of 6 to14 had dropped out of school during the pandemic.

The scheme would involve third-year students from all colleges in conducting surveys to detect dropouts across classes.

Under the Earn with Learn scheme, each volunteer will be given ₹500 if they enroll a dropout student in the same school. Anganwadi teachers will assist the volunteers to make sure the programme is a success.

Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP) established its first mountain warfare training school established in North East 

The Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP) has created its first mountain-warfare training centre in northeast India in Dombang, Sikkim. 

It is ITBP’s second training centre in the country, to skill its troops in high-altitude combat and survival tactics as part of their mandate to guard the Line of Actual Control with China. 

The first such school-Mountaineering and skiing institute (M&SI) is at Joshimath, in the Himalayan ranges of Uttarakhand.

As per a senior ITBP officer, the Sikkim training centre was conceptualised to improve the ability to train newly recruited and serving troops in mountain warfare, rock climbing, high-altitude survival, and patrol even though the need for a second facility beyond Auli had long been felt given the rising level of engagement of its troops with the Chinese PLA in recent years.

About the Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP)

  • The Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP) was established in 1962 in the aftermath of the Sino-Indian War of 1962.
  • It is India’s primary border patrol organization for its border with China’s Tibet Autonomous Region. 
  • It is trained in the Civil Medical Camp, disaster management, and nuclear, biological and chemical disasters. 
  • It is one of the seven Central Armed Police Forces of India. 

PM Modi addresses first ever I2U2 virtual summit

Prime Minister Narendra Modi participated in the first virtual I2U2 Summit. The I2U2 is a four-nation grouping, India-Israel-UAE-USA. 

PM Modi was joined by United States President Joe Biden, Israeli PM Yair Lapid and UAE President Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan.

Key Points

  • I2U2 grouping was conceptualized during the meeting of the foreign ministers of the four countries held on October 18 2021. 
  • I2U2 is working to increase investments in the fields of water, energy, environment, health and space. 
  • It will bring together countries, governments and the private sector to tackle challenges. 
  • The Prime Minister said that I2U2 has set a positive agenda from the very first summit and by combining the skills of the nations, they can come together for the good of humanity. 
  • He expressed confidence that with I2U2, a significant contribution will be made toward Energy Security, Food Security and Economic Growth globally. They will work towards ensuring food security and propelling development initiatives globally. 

Union Education Minister Releases India Rankings 2022 of higher educational institutes

The Union Minister of Education, Skill Development and Entrepreneurship, Shri Dharmendra Pradhan released the India Rankings 2022. 

According to the Ministry of Education’s National Institutional Ranking Framework (NIRF) 2022. Indian Institute of Technology (IIT), Madras, topped the higher educational institute in the country followed by the Indian Institute of Science (IISc), Bengaluru, and IIT Bombay. 

This is the seventh consecutive edition of NIRF. 

Key Highlights of the Report

  • Indian Institute of Technology Madras retains its first position in Overall Category for the fourth consecutive year and in Engineering for seventh consecutive year. 
  • Indian Institute of Science, Bengaluru tops the Universities Category for seventh consecutive year. It stood first in the Research Institutions Category for the second consecutive year. 
  • IIM Ahmedabad tops in Management subject retaining its first position for third consecutive year. 
  • All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS), New Delhi occupies the top slot in Medical for the fifth consecutive year. AIIMS is ranked at 9th position in the Overall category for the first time. 
  • Jamia Hamdard tops the ranking in Pharmacy for the fourth consecutive year. 
  • Miranda House retains the 1st position amongst Colleges for the sixth consecutive year. 
  • IIT Roorkee stands at 1st position in Architecture subject for second consecutive year. 
  • National Law School of India University, Bengaluru retains its first position in Law for the fifth consecutive year. 
  • Colleges in Delhi dominate ranking of colleges with five colleges out of first 10 colleges from Delhi
  • The Saveetha Institute of Medical and Technical Sciences takes the top slot for the first time in Dental Subject displacing Manipal College of Dental Sciences, Manipal.

Department of Consumer Affairs launches ‘Jagriti’, a mascot to empower consumers and generate awareness towards consumer rights 

The Department of Consumer Affairs has launched “Jagriti”, a mascot for empowering consumers and generating awareness of their rights.

It aims to strengthen its consumer awareness campaign presence in digital and multimedia and reinforce a young empowered and informed consumer as a top-of-mind consumer rights awareness recall brand. 

Jagriti mascot shall be shown along with the tagline “Jago Grahak Jago” in all its media campaigns.

About Jagriti mascot 

  • Jagriti mascot will be projected as an empowered consumer who is spreading awareness about consumer rights and addressing solutions to the problems faced by the consumers.
  • It will be used to generate consumer awareness about various themes of the Department. 

The Themes include: 

  • Provisions of the Consumer Protection Act 2019
  • Hallmarking
  • National Consumer Helpline toll-free number 1915
  • Provisions of the weights and measures Act
  • Decisions of the Central Consumer Protection Authority
  • Testimonials by consumers on grievance redressal

Ashish Kumar Chauhan appointed as new the MD and CEO of National Stock Exchange of India

Ashish Kumar Chauhan appointed as the new CEO and Managing Director of National Stock Exchange (NSE). 

The Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) approved his appointment to the post. 

Chauhan replaced Vikram Limaye, whose five-year tenure ended on July 15.

Ashish Kumar Chauhan is one of the founders of the National Stock Exchange. He had worked at NSE from 1992 to 2000. He had set up India’s first fully automated screen-based trading system and first commercial satellite communications network while working at NSE.

INS Sindhudhvaj decommissioned after 35 years of service

INS Sindhudhvaj has decommissioned after 35 years of glorious service to the nation. Vice Adm Biswajit Dasgupta Flag Officer Commanding-in-Chief, Eastern Naval Command was the Chief Guest for the ceremony.

The submarine crest depicts a grey colour nurse shark and the name means flag bearer at sea. Sindhudhvaj was the flag bearer of indigenization and the Indian Navy’s efforts towards achieving Atmanirbharta in the Russian-built Sindhughosh class submarines throughout her journey in the navy.

Sindhudhvaj, was one of the 10 Kilo class submarines India acquired from Russia between 1986 and 2000. INS Sindhurakshak was lost in an accident in Mumbai harbour in August 2013, while Sindhuvir was transferred to Myanmar in 2020, making it the Southeast Asian nation’s first underwater platform.

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Current Affairs GK & Quiz Monthly – July 2022

Assam Current Affairs and GK Quiz – Set 315: July 2022, Week 3 | Watch Quiz Video

Assam Current Affairs – July 13-15, 2022

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Assam & NE Current Affairs & GK – July 13-15, 2022

( Covers all important Current Affairs & GK topics for July 13- 15, 2022)

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Current Affairs GK & Quiz Monthly – July 2022

Assam Current Affairs and GK Quiz – Set 314: July 2022, Week 2 | Watch Quiz Video

July 13-15, 2022

Government of Assam and Arunachal sign ‘Namsai Declaration’ to resolve vexed boundary dispute 

The Chief Minister of Arunachal Pradesh, Pema Khandu and his Assam counterpart Himanta Biswa Sarma inked the ‘Namsai Declaration’ for resolving the vexed inter-state boundary dispute between the two states.

The declaration was signed by the two chief ministers in the presence of several cabinet ministers of both states.

Key Points

  • The Chief Minister of both the states agreed in principle on restricting the number of contested villages to 86 instead of 123. Of the 123 disputed villages, a consensus has been reached on 37 and 86 others are left. 
  • According to the Namsai Declaration’, both the Chief ministers agreed that out of the 37 disputed villages, 28 which are within the constitutional boundary of Arunachal Pradesh shall remain with the state while, three villages on which claims were withdrawn by Arunachal Pradesh, will be with Assam.
  • Six other villages which could not be located on the Assam side would also remain with the frontier state if they exist in Arunachal Pradesh, the agreement stated. 
  • Both the states have agreed to form 12 regional committees to resolve the border issues. These committees will submit their report on 15th September. The draft MoU will be referred to the union government for its approval.

Mizoram has the highest ratio of women working as legislators and managers

As per the latest additional data of the Periodic Labour Force Survey (PLFS) for July 2020-June 2021, Mizoram has the highest proportion of women workers working as legislators, senior officials and managers, followed by Sikkim and Manipur.

In Mizoram, there was a 70.9% ratio of female-to-male workers who were working as legislators, senior officials and managers. Sikkim with 48.2% and Manipur at 45.1%, Meghalaya at 44.8% Andhra Pradesh recorded 43%. 

The other northeastern state among Assam had 16.1% while Nagaland had a ratio of 9.1%.

Among the larger states and Union Territories with a low ratio were Uttarakhand, Jammu and Kashmir, Bihar, Punjab and Andaman and Nicobar. Dadra Nagar Haveli, Daman and Diu had the lowest ratio of 1.8%.

In terms of senior managerial jobs, Mizoram again topped the charts with 40.8%, followed by Sikkim with 32.5 and Meghalaya at 31%. Andhra Pradesh with a ratio of 30.4%. 

Bonn Global Biodiversity Conclave 2022

Bonn Global Biodiversity Conclave is being organised in Bonn, Germany. This conclave is mainly focusing on sustainable use of wild species. 

Assessment on the Sustainable Use of Wild Species report will be published at the 9th conference of Intergovernmental Science-Policy Platform on Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services (IPBES).

New Assessment on the Sustainable Use of Wild Species report 

  • It will incorporate the details on diverse uses of wild species and practices that are connected with them, these practices include, Gathering, Logging, Fishing, observing and Terrestrial animal harvesting (shearing and hunting). 
  • It will investigate what ‘sustainable use’ implies and how it is associated with United Nations-mandated Sustainable Development Goals. 
  • Authors of the report will also look after tools and methods to assess, measure and manage the sustainable use of wild species. 
  • They will also read about the effectiveness of policy options, in order to govern the sustainable use of wild species in a better manner. Such policies include trade & incentives, and governance. 
  • They would also highlight why and for whom the sustainable use of wild species is unavoidable. 
  • Report will also explore the links between sustainable use of wild species and challenges associated with it, including climate change & land use.

India’s first floating terminal for liquefied natural gas (LNG) in Maharashtra

India’s first Floating Storage and Regasification Unit (FSRU) has arrived at H-Energy’s Jaigarh Terminal in the Ratnagiri district of Maharashtra, on the west coast of India. 

The port is the first deep water, 24×7 operational private port in Maharashtra. This will be the first year-round Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) terminal in Maharashtra. 

Floating Storage and Regasification Unit (FSRU) based LNG Terminals aims at providing the ability to enhance the pace of natural gas import capability in an environment friendly and efficient manner.

Key Points 

  • The LNG terminal  built in 2017, has a storage capacity of 170,000 cubic metres and installed regasification capacity of 750 million cubic feet per day. 
  • Höegh Giant will deliver regasified LNG to the 56-km long Jaigarh-Dabhol natural gas pipeline, thereby connecting the LNG terminal to the national gas grid.
  • The facility is capable of reloading LNG onto small-scale LNG vessels for bunkering services and delivering LNG through truck loading facilities for onshore distribution.
  • H-Energy plans to further develop small-scale LNG markets in the region and use the floating storage and regasification unit for storage and reloading LNG onto smaller vessels.

NASA released James Webb Space Telescope’s first images

National Aeronautics and Space Administration’s (NASA) released James Webb Space Telescope’s first images in a preview event at the White House in Washington. 

This first image from NASA’s James Webb Space Telescope is the deepest and sharpest infrared image of the distant universe to date. 

Key points

  • It is a joint venture of NASA, the European Space Agency (ESA) and the Canadian Space Agency. 
  • Thousands of galaxies including the faintest objects ever observed in the infrared have appeared in Webb’s view for the first time. 
  • The James Webb Space telescope first photo covers a patch of sky that is approximately the size of a grain of sand held at arm’s length by someone on the ground.
  • It is a composite made from images at different wavelengths, totaling 12.5 hours.
  • The first images from the James Webb Space Telescope achieves depths at infrared wavelengths beyond the Hubble Space Telescope’s deepest fields, which took weeks.
  • It will be able to study Old and distant galaxies, which is not currently possible with Hubble. 
  • It will show images from 250 million years after the Big Bang- taking us closer to the starting point of the Universe.

India ranks 135 in the Global Gender Gap Index 2022

Recently, the World Economic Forum (WEF) ranked India at 135 out of 146 countries in its Global Gender Gap (GGG) Index for 2022. 

In 2021, India was ranked 140 out of 156 countries. India’s overall score has improved from 0.625 (in 2021) to 0.629.

About Global Gender Gap Report

  • The Global Gender Gap Index is an index designed to measure gender equality.
  • It was first published in 2006 by the World Economic Forum. 
  • It assesses countries on how well they are dividing their resources and opportunities among their male and female populations, regardless of the overall levels of these resources and opportunities.
  • It is an index designed to measure gender equality by tracking progress towards closing gender gaps over time.
  • The Global Gender Gap index “benchmarks the current state and evolution of gender parity across four key dimensions– 
  • Economic Participation and Opportunity, 
  • Educational Attainment, 
  • Health and Survival, and
  • Political Empowerment.

India’s Performance on Global Gender Gap Index 2022

  • Economic Participation and Opportunity: India ranks 143 out of the 146 countries. (In 2021, India was pegged at 151 out of the 156 countries.)
  • Educational Attainment: India ranks 107th out of 146. (In 2021, India was ranked 114 out of 156.)
  • Health and Survival: India ranks 146 in health and survival
  • Political Empowerment: India ranks the highest (48th out of 146). 

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Current Affairs GK & Quiz Monthly – July 2022

Assam Current Affairs and GK Quiz – Set 314: July 2022, Week 2 | Watch Quiz Video

Assam Current Affairs – July 10-12, 2022

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Assam & NE Current Affairs & GK – July 10-12 2022

( Covers all important Current Affairs & GK topics for the July 10- 12, 2022)

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Current Affairs GK & Quiz Monthly – July 2022

Assam Current Affairs and GK Quiz – Set 314: July 2022, Week 2 | Watch Quiz Video

July 10-12, 2022

Mangarh Hillock to be declared monument of national importance

The National Monuments Authority submitted a report on declaring  Mangarh hillock in Rajasthan as a monument of National Importance. 

About Mangarh Hillock 

  • The hillock, situated at the Gujarat-Rajasthan border, is a site of a tribal uprising where a massacre of over 1500 Bhil tribal freedom fighters took place in 1913. 
  • The place is also known as the Adivasi Jallianwala, and there has been a demand to build a memorial.
  • Bhil social reformer and spiritual leader Govind Guru first raised the demand for a separate state for tribals back in 1913 after the Mangarh massacre.

National Monuments Authority (NMA) 

  • It was established under the Ministry of Culture in accordance with the requirements of the Ancient Monuments and Archaeological Sites and Remains AMASR (Amendment and Validation) Act, 2010. 
  • The NMA has been delegated specific tasks for the conservation and preservation of monuments and sites, including control of the banned and restricted areas surrounding centrally designated monuments.
  • One amongst these responsibilities of NMA is also to consider grant of permissions to applicants for construction related activity in the prohibited and regulated area.

36th National Games to be held in Gujarat

Gujarat Chief Minister, Bhupendra Patel declared that the 36th National Games will be held in his state.

This will be the first time the state will host the prestigious games, between September 27 and October 10, 2022.

Key Points

  • In both indoor and outdoor competitions, athletes from all over the nation are anticipated to display their prowess in sports including athletics, hockey, football, volleyball, lawn tennis, table tennis, judo, wrestling, kabaddi, kho-kho, mallakhambha, and yoga. 
  • There will be more than 34 sports represented at the national games, which will take place in six cities.
  • Goa was another strong candidate for the location this year, in addition to Gujarat. 

India got elected to to the Intergovernmental Committee of UNESCO’s 2003 Convention for the Safeguarding of the Intangible Cultural Heritage.

India has been elected as a member of the Intergovernmental Committee of UNESCO’s 2003 Convention for the Safeguarding of the Intangible Cultural Heritage for the 2022-2026. 

The elections for the Intergovernmental Committee took place during the 9th General Assembly of the 2003 Convention held at UNESCO headquarters, Paris, from 5th to 7th July 2022.

This is for the third timeIndia got selected. In the past, India has served two terms as a member of the Intergovernmental Committee of this Convention viz., during 2006-2010 and 2014-2018.

UNESCO’s Convention for the Safeguarding of the Intangible Cultural Heritage 

  • The Intergovernmental Committee of the 2003 Convention consists of 24 members and is elected in the General Assembly of the Convention according to the principles of equitable geographical representation and rotation. 
  • States Members to the Committee are elected for a term of four years.
  • Some of the core functions of the Intergovernmental Committee include: 
  • Promoting the objectives of the Convention, 
  • Providing guidance on best practices, and 
  • Making recommendations on measures for the safeguarding of intangible cultural heritage. 
  • The Committee also examines requests submitted by States Parties for the inscription of intangible heritage on the Lists as well as proposals for programmes and projects.

India’s vision for 2022-2026 

Some of the priority areas that India will focus upon include: 

  • Fostering community participation, 
  • Strengthening international cooperation through intangible heritage, 
  • Promoting academic research on intangible cultural heritage, 
  • Aligning the work of the Convention with the UN Sustainable Development Goals. 
  • This vision was also shared with the other State Parties of the Convention prior to the elections.

About Intangible Cultural Heritage

  • Intangible cultural heritage is the practices, expressions, knowledge and skills that communities, groups and sometimes individuals recognise as part of their cultural heritage. 
  • UNESCO established its Lists of Intangible Cultural Heritage with the aim of ensuring better protection of important intangible cultural heritages worldwide and the awareness of their significance. 
  • The list was established in 2008 when the 2003 Convention for the Safeguarding of the Intangible Cultural Heritage took effect.
  • India has 14 intangible cultural heritage elements on the prestigious UNESCO Representative List of ICH of Humanity.

Google  announced the launch of Startup School India

Google announced the launch of Startup School India (SSI) as part of the Google for Startups initiative. This programme will be held in virtual mode, for nine-weeks, which will include fireside chats between Google collaborators and leaders from the start-up ecosystem.

Key Points

  • The idea of creating the Startup School India is to reach out to more and more startups in India. 
  • Google aims to reach out to at least 10,000 startups in Tier 2 and Tier 3 cities.
  • This is a platform under which Google will bring together investors, successful entrepreneurs and programmers that startups from the smaller cities can to tap into and learn from the best. 
  • The Google Start-up School India initiative will cover topics including fintech, language, job search, social media & networking, business-to-consumer e-commerce and business-to-business e-commerce.

RK Gupta appointed as Deputy Election Commissioner

Senior bureaucrat R K Gupta was appointed as the deputy election commissioner. He comes in place of T Sreekanth. 

Gupta, a Central Secretariat Service (CSS) officer, will serve as deputy election commissioner (Joint secretary level) till 28 February next year, the date of his superannuation, an order issued by the Personnel Ministry said.

Currently, Chief Election Commissioner of India is Rajiv Kumar and Election Commissioner is Anup Chandra Pandey 

Ministry of Health & Family Welfare and Ministry of Panchayati Raj signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) for the elimination of Tuberculosis (TB) by the year 2025

Inter-Ministerial cooperation and collaboration between the Ministry of Health & Family Welfare and the Ministry of Panchayati Raj would focus on creating awareness at grassroots level through active involvement and would also support a range of possible collaborative activities towards the eventual eradication of TB from India by 2025.

It will also make ways for coordinated efforts at grassroots level, in order to generate awareness among mass in rural areas to end stigma and discrimination related to the Tuberculosis. 

It will also help in potentially utilizing the Panchayati Raj Institutions (PRIs) or Rural Local Bodies in eliminating TB in the country. 

About Tuberculosis 

Tuberculosis (TB) is caused by a bacterium called Mycobacterium tuberculosis, which usually attacks the lungs, but can attack any part of the body. 

It is a communicable disease which is spread from person to person through the air. 

Cough with sputum and blood at times, chest pains, weakness, weight loss, fever and night sweats are some common symptoms. 

It is curable and preventable, however, bacteria have become resistant to various strains of antibiotic leading multiple drug-resistant TB which is difficult to treat.

Alvaro lario has been appointed as the new chairman of the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IAFD)

Alvaro lario has been appointed as the new chairman of the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) with effect from 1st October 2022 for a four-year term. 

He will succeed Gilbert Houngbo who has led the organisation since 2017. 

He will lead the UN agency at a crucial time when global food prices are surging, induced by the Ukraine war, climate change, and the pandemic, with the World’s poorest countries hardest hit.

About International Fund for Agricultural Development (IAFD)

  • It is an international financial institution and a specialised agency of the United Nations that works to address poverty and hunger in rural areas of developing countries. 
  • It is the only multilateral development organization that focuses on rural economies, food security and climate change.
  • It was founded in 1977. 
  • Headquartered in Rome, Italy. 
  • It funds and sponsors initiatives that improve land and water management, develop rural infrastructure, train and educate farmers in more efficient technologies, build up resilience against climate change, enhance market accessibility etc.
  • It works in partnership with the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) and members of the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD). 

 

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Current Affairs GK & Quiz Monthly – July 2022

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