DAILY CURRENT AFFAIRS

By admin: June 17, 2023

Dugdh Sankalan Sathi Mobile App

Tags: National National News

Union Minister of Heavy Industries Dr Mahendra Nath Pandey unveiled the "Dugdh Sanakalan Sathi Mobile App" on 16th June at Mussorie, Uttarakhand.

An overview of the news

• This innovative application has been developed by Rajasthan Electronics & Instruments Limited (REIL), located in Jaipur. 

• REIL is a Central Public Sector Enterprise under the Ministry of Heavy Industries and holds the prestigious "Mini Ratna" status. 

Objective of the app

• Its primary objective is to enhance milk quality, promote transparency among stakeholders, and streamline operations at the village level, particularly within Milk Cooperative Societies.

Key features and benefits of the app 

• Increased transparency among stakeholders

• Online monitoring of daily milk kept in milk cooperatives

• Real-time milk price updates from cloud servers, ensuring transparency and eliminating human errors

• Direct transfer of milk payment and government subsidy to the bank accounts of beneficiary milk producers through the app

• Notifications in English, Hindi, Punjabi, Telugu and other languages on milk producers' app for milk collection

Importance of app

• The app is poised to make a significant impact on the Indian dairy industry by addressing critical challenges in the milk collection process.

• The 'Dudgh Sankalp Sathi' mobile app will provide transparency, efficiency and empowerment to all the participants involved in the milk collection process. 

• This will benefit the milk producers and contribute to the development of the dairy sector.

India’s biggest natural arch formed 184 million years ago discovered in Odisha by GSI

Tags: National National News

A recent survey conducted by the Geological Survey of India (GSI) has led to the discovery of India's largest natural arch in the Kenduadihi block of Sundargarh district in Odisha. 

An overview of the news

• The GSI's state unit has proposed to designate the natural arch in the Kanika range of Sundargarh forest division as a Geo Heritage Site, making it the country's largest natural arch with the Geo Heritage tag.

• Currently, India has two other natural arches—one located in the Tirumala hills of Tirupati and the other in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands. 

• However, both of these arches are smaller in size compared to the one found in Sundargarh.

About Sundargarh Natural Arch

• The Sundargarh natural arch, formed in the ferruginous sandstone dates back approximately 184 to 160 million years during the lower to middle Jurassic age.

• The arch has an oval shape and measures 30 meters in length at the base, with a height of 12 meters. 

• The alcove of the arch has a maximum height of 7 meters and a width of 15 meters.

• These structures indicate a high-energy fluvial environment during the process of sedimentation.

National Water Awards: Madhya Pradesh tops in Best State category

Tags: Awards National News

Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar presented the fourth National Water Awards in New Delhi on June 17. 

An overview of the news

• The awards, announced by the Jal Shakti Ministry, recognized 41 winners across 11 categories for their outstanding contributions to water conservation in India in 2022.

• Madhya Pradesh received the first prize in the best State category, while the best district award went to Ganjam District in Odisha. 

• The Jagannadhapuram Village Panchayat in Bhadradri Kothagudem district of Telangana was honored with the best Village Panchayat award. 

• Each winner was presented with a citation, a trophy, and cash prizes.

National Water Awards 

• The National Water Awards aim to acknowledge and encourage the efforts made by individuals and organizations in realizing the government's vision of a water-prosperous India. 

• They also seek to create awareness about the importance of water and promote the adoption of best practices for its sustainable use.

• Vice-President stressed the significance of adopting the three Rs - Reduce, Reuse, Recycle - to revive ancient water harvesting systems such as ponds. 

• Union Jal Shakti Minister Gajendra Singh Shekhawat shared that approximately 56,000 Amrit Sarovars (sacred ponds) have been constructed in the country.

Daniel Ellsberg, Renowned Whistleblower of the Pentagon Papers, Passes Away at 92

Tags: Person in news International News

Daniel Ellsberg, a prominent whistleblower who leaked the Pentagon Papers, passed away at the age of 92.

An overview of the news

• Ellsberg's actions, which exposed the government's deception and doubts regarding the Vietnam War, had far-reaching consequences and played a role in President Richard Nixon's resignation. 

• Ellsberg revealed his terminal illness with pancreatic cancer in February.

• Until the early 1970s, Ellsberg was an influential member of the government and military establishment. 

• As a Harvard graduate and self-described "cold warrior," he served as a consultant on Vietnam, risking his life and holding the highest security clearances. 

• He gained the trust of officials from both Democratic and Republican administrations.

• The Pentagon Papers, a comprehensive study commissioned by then-Defense Secretary Robert S McNamara in 1967, became the catalyst for Ellsberg's whistleblowing. 

Japan raised the age of consensual sex from 13 to 16

Tags: International News

In a welcome move, Japan's parliament on June 16 raised the age of voluntary sexual intercourse from 13 to 16.

An overview of the news

• Provisions have also been made under the new law to amend the old law related to sexual offenses and to raise awareness about the issues of same-sex relationships.

• The move comes after a wait of over a century since it was last changed in 1907.

• Japan revised its criminal law on sexual offenses in 2017 for the first time in 110 years.

• The historic move sets the stage for rape trial and criminalises voyeurism.

• Under the newly implemented changes, having sex with a person below the age of 16 years is considered rape.

• Those who threaten, entice or use money to get children under 16 to meet for sexual purposes face up to one year in prison or a fine of 500,000 yen ($3,500).

• Secretly filming private body parts, underwear or obscene acts without reasonable cause shall be punishable by imprisonment of up to three years or a fine of up to three million yen.

Age of consent in different countries

• In India the age of consent is 18, while in Britain it is 16, in Germany and China it is 14. 

About Japan

• It is also called Nihon or Nippon and is an archipelago in the western Pacific Ocean in East Asia.

• It is made up of four main islands Hokkaido, Honshu, Shikoku and Kyushu and Honshu is the largest island of Japan.

• Its highest mountain is Mount Fuji.

• It is the third largest economy in the world after the United States and China.

• Capital - Tokyo

• Currency - Yen

• Prime Minister - Fumio Kishida

NITI Aayog, United Nations join hands to accelerate sustainable development in India

Tags: National National News

NITI Aayog and the United Nations in India signed the Government of India-United Nations Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework 2023-2027 in New Delhi on 16 June. 

An overview of the news

• The Government of India-United Nations Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework (GoI-UNSDCF) for the period 2023-2027 was signed by CEO of NITI Aayog, B V R Subrahmanyam, and UN Resident Coordinator India, Shombi Sharp. 

• The signing ceremony took place in the presence of Vice Chairman of NITI Aayog, Suman Bery, senior representatives from NITI Aayog, central ministries, and heads of UN agencies in India.

GoI-UNSDCF 2023-2027

• The GoI-UNSDCF 2023-2027 represents the collective commitment of the UN development system to support the Government of India in achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) while promoting gender equality, youth empowerment, and human rights. 

• It aligns with the national vision for development and aims to contribute to the country's progress.

• The Government of India-UNSDCF, through its partnerships, outcomes and outputs, will play a key role in realizing the national development priorities.

First Over Dimensional Cargo for Numaligarh Refinery received by Sarbananda Sonowal

Tags: National National News

Union Minister of Ports, Shipping & Waterways Sarbananda Sonowal received the first over dimensional cargo (ODC) transported via waterways at Numaligarh Refinery jetty (Assam) on 16th June.

An overview of the news

• The ODC was transported by Inland Waterways Authority of India (IWAI) vessel MV Marine 66 from Kolkata to Numaligarh Refinery Jetty via Indo Bangladesh Protocol Route (IBPR).

• The Diesel Hydrotreating (DHT) reactor had a net weight of 485 MT, while the gross weight was 521 MT.

• The length of this reactor is 31.5 m while the height is 8.250 m and the diameter is 8.00 m.

• This is the first consignment transported by the Inland Waterways Authority of India (IWAI), the nodal agency in charge of inland waterways in the country, Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways, to augment the capacity of Numaligarh Refinery Limited (NRL) from 3 MMT to 9 MMT.

• The MoU for transportation of Over Weight Cargo (OWC) with a total of 24 ODCs for NRL was signed between IWAI and NRL last year.

Inland Waterways Authority of India (IWAI)

• IWAI is an autonomous body under the Ministry of Ports, Shipping, and Waterways, Government of India. 

• It plays a crucial role in the development, maintenance, and regulation of the country's inland waterways. 

• It was established on 27th October 1986.

• Its headquarters is located in Noida, UP.

Global Wind Day

Tags: Important Days

Every year on June 15th, people worldwide unite to celebrate World Wind Day.

An overview of the news

• This is a significant event that highlights the immense potential and importance of wind energy in addressing climate change and promoting sustainable energy solutions.

• In India, these celebrations were initiated by the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy, Government of India.

• As a part of the celebrations, a day-long program was organized in New Delhi.

• The event discussed the success, progress and potential of wind energy in India.

• Theme of celebration in India was ‘Pawan – Urja: Powering the Future of India’.

• MNRE has set a target of 500 GW renewable energy capacity by 2030.

Background of the day

• World Wind Day was first established in 2007 by the European Wind Energy Association (EWEA), which later became WindEurope. 

• The event aimed to promote wind power and increase public awareness about its potential as a renewable energy source. 

• Over the years, World Wind Day has gained international recognition, with numerous countries and organizations actively participating in the celebrations.

Important facts about Wind Energy

• Wind power is a renewable energy source generated by harnessing thekinetic energy of the wind through wind turbines.

• Wind turbines are often found in wind farms, which consist of multiple turbines strategically placed to maximize energy production.

• Wind power is clean and produces no greenhouse gas emissions or air pollutants during operation, contributing to improved air quality and reduced environmental impact.

• Wind energy is a rapidly growing industry globally, with increasing investments and technological advancements leading to greater efficiency and cost-effectiveness.

• Wind energy has the potential to provide a significant portion of the world's electricity needs and reduce dependence on fossil fuels.