The Intrepid and Innovative Educationists (Paridhi Trivedi Parikh | Hardik K. Parikh): Daily GK Updates

NATIONAL UPDATES:

1. Union Minister Prahlad Singh Patel inaugurates ‘Indian Heritage in Digital Space’: The Union Culture and Tourism Minister Prahlad Singh Patel launched a month-long special exhibition 'Indian Heritage in Digital Space' and a first international heritage symposium at the National Museum located in New Delhi. IHDS, an initiative of Department of Science and Technology has created the models of Heritages with the help of holographic projections, AR and 3D fabrication and 3D LASER scan data. Visitors will be able to see the recreations of the socio-cultural life and traditions of Hampi, architectural and conjectural reconstructions of several important structures.

2. Lucknow hosts the 7th Commonwealth Parliamentary Association Conference 2020: The 7th Conference of the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association (CPA) India Region was inaugurated by Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla in the Vidhan Bhawan, Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh on 16 January 2020. During the two-day event, Madhya Pradesh Governor Lalji Tandon will address the inaugural session, while Uttar Pradesh Governor Anandiben Patel will address the valedictory session on 17 January 2020. The main theme of the conference is ‘ROLE OF LEGISLATORS’ and during the Plenary Sessions spread over two days, delegates will discuss the Capacity Building of Legislators for Scrutinizing Budgetary Proposals and Enhancing Focus of Legislators on Legislative Business.

Note: CPA India Region conferences are held once in two years and the 6th conference was held in 2018 in Patna.

Uttar Pradesh Governor: Anandiben Patel; Capital: Lucknow; Chief Minister: Yogi Adityanath

3. Mega fuel conservation campaign ‘Saksham 2020’ inaugurated in New Delhi: The one-month long mega fuel conservation campaign named Saksham-2020 was inaugurated in New Delhi on 16 January 2020. Saksham (Sanrakshan Kshamta Mahotsav) is an annual flagship event of Petroleum Conservation Research Association (PCRA) under the aegis of Ministry of Petroleum & Natural Gas, Govt. of India. The Saksham campaign aims at creating mass awareness among public about conventional fuel conservation, for health & environment protection and simultaneously help in reducing India’s dependency on import of crude oil.

4. 5th Science Film Festival of India 2020 Begins in Goa: The 5th edition of Science Film Festival of India, SCI-FFI 2020, has been started in Panaji, Goa. The four-day-long festival was inaugurated by Chief Minister, Dr. Paramod Sawant and will end on 18 January. The festival that will take place at the Inox Complex and Maquinez Palace in Goa, aims at instilling the knowledge of science among the youth with the help of exhibitions, masterclasses, workshops, and other activities. Besides, Goa Government and Government of India, the event is being supported by Satyajit Ray Film and Television Institute and National Institute of Science Communication and Information Resources (NISCAR). Films that have been selected to be screened at the event are 'Mission Mangal', 'Antariksham 9000 KMPH', 'Everest', 'Aamorie', 'Terminator: Dark Fate', 'Geostorm' and, 'Virus' among others. A special workshop titled 'Million SoUL' will also be conducted by IIT Bombay on training about making solar lamps. The workshop is aimed at empowering people from backward communities.

5. Ladakh hosts the first ever Food Processing Summit: Union Territory Ladakh is hosting the first ever Food Processing Summit to attract investors to the region. With the help of Ministry of Commerce and Industry and the Ministry of Food Processing Industries, the UT Administration of Ladakh is organizing the Summit. Ladakh region has vast scope for investment in food Processing Industries in horticulture products like Apricot, SeabuckThorn, Apple and agricultural produce like buckwheat and barley.

Note: Ladakh Capitals: Leh, Kargir; Lieutenant Governor: RK Mathur

6. Chief Minister Vijay Rupani launched the 7th Economic Census process: Gujarat Chief Minister Vijay Rupani has launched the 7th Economic Census process in the state. Economic Census process is carried out by Union Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation with the help of Common Service Centres. It will continue till 30th June 2020. The entire data will be compiled on 30th September 2020. The data of this Economic Census will be classified into the village, taluka and district-wise to be developed into a National Business Register.

INTERNATIONAL UPDATES:

1. Russian Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev Submits Resignation: Russian Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev as well as the entire Russian government submitted resignation to President Vladimir Putin, after President announced a range of constitutional changes. Putin thanked Medvedev for his work and appointed him as the deputy head of the presidential Security Council. Russian President asked Medvedev's Cabinet to keep working until the new Cabinet is formed.

Note: Russia Capital: Moscow; Currency: Russian ruble; President: Vladimir Putin

2. US signs first phase of trade deal with China: The US has signed the first phase of a trade deal with China, concluding more than a year of tough negotiations including several months of suspension of talks between the two largest economies of the world. In his remarks, President Donald Trump called the trade agreement signing a momentous step to a future of fair and reciprocal trade. The first phase of the trade deal includes Intellectual Property (IP) Protection and Enforcement, rebalancing the US-China trade relationship and effective dispute resolution. The deal was signed by President Trump and Chinese vice Premier Liu He in Washington.

However, President Trump has refused to roll back the massive tariff imposed on the import of Chinese goods. During a signing ceremony at the White House, Trump said he will roll back the tariffs only if the second phase of the trade deal is signed between the two countries.

3. India and Finland ink MoU to enhance bilateral defence cooperation: Defence Secretary Dr Ajay Kumar and Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Defence of Finland Mr Jukka Juusti signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to further defence cooperation between India and Finland. The MoU on co-operation in the field of Production, Procurement, Research and Development of Defence related Equipment and Industrial cooperation has been inked on the sidelines of Raisina Dialogue 2020. Under the broad ambit of the MoU, cooperation between Finnish companies and Indian Defence Public Sector Undertakings could be explored.

Note: Finland Capital: Helsinki; Currency: Euro; Prime minister: Sanna Marin

4. Guatemala swears in conservative Giammattei as president: Guatemala swore in Alejandro Giammattei, a conservative physician opposed to gay marriage and abortion, as its new president. Giammattei won the presidency on his fourth attempt in August for Vamos, a party founded in 2017 by politicians, businessmen and military officers on promises of battling poverty and providing better opportunities.

Note: Guatemala Capital: Guatemala City; Currency: Guatemalan quetzal

OTHER UPDATES:

BANKING AND FINANCE

1. World Bank & GoI signs MoU for loan of Assam Inland Water Transport Project: World Bank & Government of Indi signs MoU for loan of $88 million of Assam Inland Water Transport Project. The loan agreement seeks to modernize the Assam’s passenger ferry sector by improving the infrastructure and its services. The government ferries are operated by the Assam Shipping Company (ASC) while the terminals and terminal services are provided by the Assam Ports Company (APC) in the state of Assam. The $88 million agreement will provide technically better designed terminals and energy-efficient vessels to make the ferry services more efficient, modern and safe mode of river transport system.

Note: Assam Capital: Dispur; Chief minister: Sarbananda Sonowal

2. South Central Zone of Indian Railways Signs MoU with SBI for Doorstep Banking: The South Central Zone (SCR) of Indian Railways and State Bank of India (SBI) has signed a Memorandum of Understanding for ‘Doorstep Banking’ to enable direct pickup of cash earnings from all 585 Railway stations on SCR Zone. The direct pick up of cash from all the railway stations on SCR by SBI will save the tedious and complex activity of movement of cash earnings through ‘cash safes’ by trains. The door step banking will increase the pace of financial transactions and digitization of remittance of cash earnings of the Railways into accounts.

BUSINESS AND ECONOMY

1. Amazon founder Jeff Bezos commits USD 1 bn investment in India to digitise small businesses: Amazon.com Inc chief Jeff Bezos has announced USD 1 billion (over Rs 7,000 crore) investment in India over the next five years, to bring small and medium businesses online. The initiative will help to digitise micro and small businesses across India, and help them reach more customers than ever before. The company is also committed to exporting USD 10 billion worth of India-made goods by 2025.

AWARDS AND HONOURS

1. ICC Awards 2019: ICC Annual Awards list has been declared by the International Cricket Council (ICC). With the list, ICC has also honoured the biggest names in men’s and women’s international cricket. Some key awards are:

ODI Player of the Year: India opener Rohit Sharma won the ODI Player of the Year award. He has five centuries in the 2019 World Cup and seven ODI centuries to his name.

Spirit of Cricket Award: India skipper Virat Kohli– who had swept the Player of the Year, Test Player of the Year and ODI Player of the Year last year– won the Spirit of Cricket Award. The award is given for his gesture during the World Cup game when he asked the crowd to support Steve Smith and not boo him.

T20I Performance of the Year: India seamer Deepak Chahar won T20I Performance of the Year. This award comes for his 6/7 against Bangladesh.

ICC Player of the Year: England all-rounder Ben Stokes won the prestigious Sir Garfield Sobers Trophy for the ICC Player of the Year. He is awarded for his decisive role in England’s dramatic victory at the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup 2019 along with a host of other memorable performances.

Test Player of the Year: Australia fast bowler Pat Cummins has been named the Test Player of the Year. Pat Cummins grabbed 59 wickets in 12 Test matches during the period and finished the year as the top-ranked bowler in the MRF Tyres ICC Test Player Rankings.

Emerging Cricketer of the Year: Australia’s Marnus Labuschagne has been named as Emerging Cricketer of the Year. Labuschagne scored 1,104 runs in 11 Tests, which saw him zoom in the MRF Tyres ICC Test Player Rankings from 110 at the start of the year to fourth by the end of the year.

Associate Cricketer of the Year: Scotland’s Kyle Coetzer is the Associate Cricketer of the Year. Coetzer in ODIs has 880 runs in 18 matches and also aggregating 702 runs in 22 T20Is.

2019 Umpire of the Year– Richard Illingworth

2. 10 Districts Gets Swachhata Darpan Awards 2020: The Department of Drinking Water and Sanitation (DDWS), Ministry of Jal Shakti, organised the Open Defecation Free (ODF) Sustainability workshop in New Delhi. As a part of the occasion the Swachhata Darpan Awards 2020 were presented to the top 10 performing districts at national level on key Swachhata parameters. The awards were presented by Aamir Khan, Actor and Founder, Paani Foundation. Swachhata Darpan Award has been instituted under Swacha Bharat Mission to encourage the states and districts to focus on Open Defecation Free (ODF) sustainability and social and liquid waste management. The top 10 winning districts are:

East Godavari (Andhra Pradesh), West Kameng (Arunachal Pradesh), Bemtara (Chhattisgarh), Diu (Daman and Diu), Panipat (Haryana), Vadodara (Gujarat), Kolhapur (Maharashtra), Moga (Punjab), East Sikkim (Sikkim) and Pedappali (Telangana).

Apart from this, 4 districts were awarded for innovations and initiatives for Plastic Waste Management. They are: Dibrugarh (Assam), Sirmaur (Himachal Pradesh), Indore (Madhya Pradesh) and Puri (Odisha).