DAILY CURRENT AFFAIRS

By admin: Aug. 20, 2024

India Approves Additional 251 MW Power Exports from Nepal

Tags: International Relations

India’s Designated Authority for Cross-Border Trade has approved an additional 251 MW of power exports from 12 Nepali hydropower projects.

An Overview of the News

• This increases the total allowed power exports from Nepal to India from 690 MW (from 16 projects) to 941 MW (from 28 projects).

Growth in Power Exports

• Nepal, already a net exporter of electricity and revenue generator, sold NPR 16.93 billion worth of electricity in the last fiscal year.

• Power exports from Nepal to India, which began with 39 MW in October 2021, have surged more than 24 times in less than three years.

New Agreements and Market Access

• Nepal has gained access to the Real-Time Market in addition to the Day Ahead Market of the Indian Energy Exchange.

• Medium-term power sales agreements have been established with distribution companies in Haryana and Bihar.

• India has included hydropower imports from Nepal in the Hydropower Purchase Obligation (HPO) for Indian buyers, incentivizing purchases.

Future Prospects

• The Agreement for Long-Term Power between India and Nepal aims to sell up to 10,000 MW of Nepali power to India over the next decade, with around 1,000 MW already achieved this year.

• Nepal is on track to become the leading hydropower exporter in South Asia.

• A planned agreement for 40 MW power export to Bangladesh was postponed due to recent political developments.

About Nepal

• The kingdom of Nepal was established by the Shah dynasty.

• It is a landlocked country in South Asia.

• Capital - Kathmandu

• Currency - Nepalese Rupee

• President - Ram Chandra Paudel

• Vice President -Ram Sahaya Yadav

• Prime Minister - KP Sharma Oli

• Chief Justice - Bishowambhar Prasad Shrestha

Manohar Lal Khattar Launches Three Innovative Online Platforms

Tags: National News

Union Minister of Power Manohar Lal Khattar launched three online platforms in New Delhi.

An Overview of the News

• New Platforms Introduced: Portal for Online Monitoring of Projects – Thermal (PROMPT), Disaster Resilient Infrastructure for Power Sector (DRIPS) and JAL VIDYUT DPR

Minister's Remarks:

• Transparency and Efficiency: The platforms aim to improve transparency, coordination, and effectiveness in the power sector.

• Goal of Viksit Bharat 2047: Emphasized the power sector’s role in achieving the goal of a developed India by 2047.

• Economic Driver: Highlighted electricity as a crucial driver of economic activities.

• Growing Demand: Noted the increasing demand for power and the critical need for timely completion of ongoing thermal projects and schemes.

About Portal for Online Monitoring of Projects – Thermal (PROMPT)

• The portal aims to enhance the efficiency and transparency of thermal power project management.

• Portal Features

  • Real-Time Tracking: Provides centralized tracking and analysis of thermal power projects.

  • Transparency and Accountability: Digitizes monitoring for greater transparency and timely issue resolution.

  • Resource Optimization: Assists in managing resource availability to meet electricity demand effectively.

Indian Coast Guard DG Rakesh Pal dies of cardiac arrest in Chennai

Tags: Person in news

Indian Coast Guard Director General Rakesh Pal passed away at a government hospital following a cardiac arrest, according to Defence sources.

An Overview of the News

• Pal was scheduled to attend an Indian Coast Guard event alongside Defence Minister Rajnath Singh.

Profile of Rakesh Pal

• Current Position: Appointed as the 25th Director General of the Indian Coast Guard (ICG).

• Historic Achievement: First gunner of the Indian Coast Guard to hold the position.

• Education: Alumnus of the Indian Naval Academy; completed Electro-Optics Fire Control Solution courses in the United Kingdom.

• Career Start: Joined the Indian Coast Guard in January 1989.

Career Highlights and Achievements

• Key Positions Held:

  • Commander of Coast Guard Region (North West), Gandhinagar.

  • Deputy Director General (Policy and Plans).

  • Additional Director General, Coast Guard Headquarters, New Delhi.

• Awards:

  • Tatrakshak Medal in 2013.

  • President Tatrakshak Medal in 2018 for distinguished service.

• Service Record: Over 34 years of service in various capacities.

Maria Branyas, World's Oldest Person, Passed away at 117

Tags: Person in news

Maria Branyas, the world's oldest person, has passed away at 117 years old.

An Overview of the News

• Her family shared the news on her X account, stating she died peacefully in her sleep.

• Born in San Francisco on March 4, 1907, Branyas moved to Spain after living in New Orleans.

• At age 113, Branyas contracted COVID-19 but avoided severe symptoms.

• She was residing in a nursing home in Olot, Catalonia, at the time of her death.

NOTE:-

• The next oldest person listed by the Gerontology Research Group is now Japan’s Tomiko Itooka, who is 116 years old.

• The oldest verified person ever recorded was Jeanne Louise Calment, a Frenchwoman who lived to be 122 years and 164 days old before passing away in 1997.

Dr. Ram Narain Agarwal, 'Father of Agni Missiles,' Passed away at 84

Tags: Person in news

Dr. Ram Narain Agarwal, known as the "Father of Agni Missiles," passed away at the age of 84 in Hyderabad, Telangana.

An Overview of the News

• Born on 24 July 1941 in Jaipur, Rajasthan, Ram Narain Agarwal was a renowned missile scientist at the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO).

Contributions to DRDO

• Technology Demonstrator: Under his leadership, the first successful test of the Technology Demonstrator missile was conducted in May 1989.

• Agni Missile Program: Appointed as the first Programme Director of Agni missiles in 1995, he was instrumental in its development and was known as 'Agni Man.'

Achievements

• Missile Development: By 1999, he and his team developed a new version with a Road Mobile Launcher (RML) capability and enhanced strike distance beyond Agni-1.

• ICBM Development: He led the development of various versions of Intercontinental Ballistic Missiles (ICBMs).

• Advanced Systems Laboratory: Founded and directed the Advanced Systems Laboratory (ASL) in Hyderabad.

Awards and Honors

• Padma Awards: Honored with the Padma Shri in 1990 and Padma Bhushan in 2000 for his contributions to science and engineering.

• DRDO Awards: Received the DRDO Lifetime Achievement Award in 2004, along with the DRDO Technology Leadership Award.

• Other Honors: Awarded the Sri Chandrasekararendra Saraswati National Eminence Award and the Biren Roy Space Science Award.

• Fellowships: Dr. Agarwal was a fellow of the Aeronautical Society of India and the National Academy of Engineering.

World Humanitarian Day - 19th August 2024

Tags: Important Days

World Humanitarian Day is celebrated every year on 19th August in honor of those who have sacrificed their entire lives in the service of humanity.

An Overview of the News

• It's aim is to spread awareness about the need for humanitarian aid around the world.

• The day is a campaign by the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs and Humanitarian Partners.

• This year's World Humanitarian Day theme, "Act for Humanity," is a call to action.

• We must act to protect civilians and humanitarian workers from violence.

• We must act against impunity for those responsible for attacks on humanitarian workers and civilians.

#ActForHumanity Campaign 2024:

• Address the normalization of attacks on civilians and humanitarian workers.

• Oppose the culture of impunity linked to violations of International Humanitarian Law (IHL).

• Mobilize public support to pressure conflict parties and global leaders.

• Call for decisive actions to protect civilians and aid workers in conflict zones.

Background:

• On 19 August 2003, a bomb attack on the Canal Hotel in Baghdad, Iraq, killed 22 humanitarian aid workers.

• The special representative of the UN Secretary-General for Iraq, Sergio Vieira de Mello, was also killed in the attack.

• In 2008, five years after the attack, the General Assembly passed a resolution to designate 19 August as World Humanitarian Day.

World Water Week - 20 to 24 August 2024

Tags: Important Days

World Water Week, a global event organized annually by the Stockholm International Water Institute since 1991, will take place at the Waterfront Congress Center from 20 to 24 August.

An Overview of the News

• This non-profit event serves as a platform to address the global water crisis and various related challenges.

• It aims to develop solutions to the international water crisis (along with many other problems).

• World Water Week 2024 will occur from August 20–24, 2024, in Stockholm, Sweden, and online.

• Theme 2024: The conference theme is "Bridging Borders: Water for a Peaceful and Sustainable Future," focusing on water cooperation, peace, and security.

• Sessions: Topics will include innovation, behavioral change, technology, and governance related to water issues.

• Venue: The in-person event will be held at the Stockholm Waterfront Congress Centre, a prominent 14,000 square meter venue on the water’s edge.

History of World Water Week

• World Water Week is a recurring global event that has taken place every year since its inception in 1991.

• The event is organized by the Stockholm International Water Institute (SIWI), a non-profit organization committed to advocating for sustainable water solutions.

• The first World Water Week was held in 1991 in Stockholm, Sweden.

• The theme of the opening ceremony was "Water: An Imminent Crisis."

• The event brought together water experts and professionals from around the world to discuss and address challenges related to water scarcity and pollution.

• Since its inception, World Water Week has been held continuously in Stockholm.

• The event serves as an important platform for international stakeholders to engage in discussion, knowledge-sharing, and collaborative efforts to tackle various water-related issues.

World Photography Day - 19 August 2024

Tags: Important Days

World Photography Day is celebrated every year on 19 August.

An Overview of the News

• The day is an annual, worldwide celebration of the art, craft, science and history of photography.

• Photography is one of the most important art forms, it is a means of expressing one's feelings and personal expression by pictures.

• The first permanent photograph of an object was taken in year 1826 by the Frenchman Joseph Nicephore Niepce.

Theme 2024 -

• This year's theme,"An Entire Day," invites you to capture the diverse aspects of life around the world within a single day.

History of World Photography Day:

• World Photography Day celebration started in Franceon January 9, 1839.

• At that time a photography process was announced which was called the dagorotype process and this process is today considered to be the world's first photography process.

• It was invented by Joseph Nicephore and Louis Douger, who were the native of France.

• On August 19, 1839, the French government announced this invention and got its patent.

• To remember this forever, 'World Photography Day' is celebrated every year on 19th August.