DAILY CURRENT AFFAIRS

By admin: July 20, 2022

In 2021, over 1.6 lakh Indians renounced citizenship

Tags: Popular National News

According to data from the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) over 1.6 lakh Indians renounced their citizenship in 2021, highest in the past five years. 

Important facts

• According to statistics, more than 78,000 Indians left Indian citizenship to take US citizenship, which is the highest among all other countries.

• 362 Indians living in China also acquired Chinese citizenship.

• The number of Indians who gave up their citizenship in 2021 is 1,63,370. 

• Over 9.24 lakh persons gave up their Indian citizenship in the seven-year period between 2015 and 2021.

• The number of Indians who renounced citizenship in the years 2017, 2018, 2019 and 2020 stood at 1,33,049, 1,34,561, 1,44,017 and 85,248 respectively.

Top 10 countries where Indians renounced their citizenship in 2021

1. United States (78,284 in 2021 and 30,828 in 2020)

2. Australia (23,533 in 2021 and 13,518 in 2020)

3. Canada (21,597 in 2021 and 17,093 in 2020)

4. United Kingdom (14,637 in 2021 and 6,489 in 2020)

5. Italy (5,986 in 2021 and 2,312 in 2020)

6. New Zealand (2,643 in 2021 and 2,116 in 2020)

7. Singapore (2,516 in 2021 and 2,289 in 2020)

8. Germany (2,381 in 2021 and 2,152 in 2020)

9. The Netherlands (2,187 in 2021 and 1,213 in 2020)

10. Sweden (1,841 in 2021 and 1,046 in 2020)

What is Citizenship?

• Citizenship refers to the relationship between the individual and the state.

• Citizenship is listed in the 'Union List' under the Constitution and is within the jurisdiction of Parliament.

• The details of the various categories of persons eligible for citizenship in the Constitution are given in Part 2 (Articles 5 to 11).

• The Citizenship Act of 1955 specifies five methods of obtaining citizenship, which include birth, descent, registration, naturalization and incorporation of territory.

Methods of relinquishing citizenship in India

• An Indian citizen, who is of full age and capacity, may renounce the citizenship of India at will.

• If a person takes citizenship of another country, then his Indian citizenship automatically ends because the Indian Constitution provides for single citizenship.

• If a citizen violates the Constitution, has obtained citizenship by fraudulent means, engages in illegal trade or communication with the enemy during war, has been residing outside India continuously for 7 years, then the Government of India can terminate his citizenship.

• If a citizen has been imprisoned in any country for two years during the five years of the citizenship obtained through registration or naturalization, then his citizenship can also be terminated.

U.K. records its highest-ever temperature

Tags: International News

Britain broke its record for the highest temperature ever recorded, with a temperature of 39.1 °C (102.4 °F) on 19 July.

Important facts

• The United Kingdom had earlier recorded the highest temperature in 2019 at 38.7 C (101.7 F).

• This new record has been set in Charleswood, England.

• For the past week, the highest temperature has been recorded in the whole of Europe due to the scorching heat.

• "Extreme" heat warnings were issued for London in the south and Manchester and Leeds in the north on 19 July.

• The "extreme" warning means there is danger to human life.

Effects of Extreme Heat

• According to the World Health Organization (WHO), extreme heat can exacerbate respiratory diseases, heart conditions and kidney diseases.

• Its immediate effects on the human body include dehydration and potentially fatal heat stroke.

• It can also have serious impacts on agriculture and forests.

• Due to this the plants wither and dry up and the disease spreads among the plants.

• It causes forest fires which lead to reduction in forest cover and death of living beings.

Highest Temperature ever on Earth

• California’s Death Valley registered a temperature of 54.4 degrees Celsius or 129.9 degrees Fahrenheit on August 16, 2020.

• Once verified, this could be the highest ever recorded temperature on Earth.

• Temperature is specified as preliminary, not final as it requires verification.

• Death Valley is a desert valley in Eastern California.

2, 877 Electric Vehicle Charging Stations sanctioned under Phase-2 of FAME India scheme

Tags: Economy/Finance National News

The Ministry of Heavy Industries has approved 2,877 Electric Vehicle Charging Stations in 68 cities across 25 States/UTs under Phase II of FAME India.

Important facts

• In addition, 1576 charging stations have also been sanctioned on 9 expressways and 16 highways under the second phase of the FAME India scheme.

• Under Phase-I of FAME India Scheme, 479 charging stations have been installed as on 1 July, 2022.

• One thousand crore rupees have been allocated for the development of charging infrastructure for a period of five years with effect from April 1, 2019, under the second phase of the FAME-India scheme.

FAME India Scheme

• To improve the infrastructure required for the large-scale use of electric vehicles, the Government formulated a Scheme namely FAME India (Faster Adoption and Manufacturing of Hybrid and Electric Vehicles) in 2015.

• Under this scheme, by the year 2022, 60-70 lakh hybrid and electric vehicles are targeted to be put on the roads across the country.

• This will reduce the consumption of about 950 crore litres of petrol and diesel, which will also save Rs 62 thousand crores spent on this.

• The main objective of this scheme is to reduce pollution and reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

• Phase-II of FAME India Scheme is being implemented for a period of 3 years from April 1, 2019.

• The Phase-I of this Scheme was launched for a period of 2 years from 1st April 2015, which was extended from time to time and the last extension was allowed up to 31st March 2019. 

Initiatives taken by the Government

• The Ministry of Housing & Urban Affairs amended the Model Building Byelaws 2016 to establish charging stations and infrastructure in private and commercial buildings.

• The Ministry of Power has issued a notification regarding the infrastructure standard allowing private charging in residences and offices.

• From 11 June, 2021 the demand incentive under Phase II of FAME India Scheme has been increased. 

• In addition, on June 25, 2021, the second phase of the FAME India scheme was extended for a period of 2 years till March 31, 2024.

• The government on 12 May 2021 approved the Production Linked Incentive (PLI) scheme for manufacturing of Advanced Chemistry Cell (ACC) in the country.

• Electric Vehicles are covered under Production Linked Incentive (PLI) scheme for Automobile and Auto Components. 

• GST on electric vehicles has been reduced from 12% upto 5%.

What are Electric Vehicles?

• Electric Vehicles are vehicles that are partially or fully powered on electric power.

• They have low running costs and are also very environmentally friendly as they use little or no fossil fuels (petrol or diesel).

• These vehicles can solve the problems of increasing pollution, global warming, depleting natural resources etc.

The 17th Indian Industry (CII) - Exim Bank Conclave on India-Africa growth partnership

Tags: National News

The 17th CII - Exim Bank Conclave on India-Africa growth partnership was held on 19th- 20th July 2022 in New Delhi.

Important facts

• Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal addressed the conclave.

• He called for the expansion, diversification and partnership of India-Africa economic ties to include emerging sectors such as solar energy, start-ups and digital infrastructure.

• India Exim Bank’s study titled “Building a Resilient Africa: Enhanced Role of India” was presented during the conclave.

Four major focus areas for the India-Africa partnership

• Four major focus areas for the India-Africa partnership are-

1. Solar power 

2. Military exchanges in the reference of the security of the Indian Ocean

3. Physical and digital infrastructure, health care, pharma and vaccines

4. Start-up ecosystem

India-Africa partnership

• Trade between India and African countries has been balanced with exports of around $40 billion and imports of $49 billion.

• Africa is India's fourth largest trading partner.

• Merchandise trade between both countries grew by 34 percent from USD 67 billion in 2019-20 to USD 89 billion in 2021-22.

• India has given 27 less-developed countries from Africa the benefit of duty free tariff preference. 

• With both countries receiving significant amounts of sunlight, solar energy could be an area of engagement between Africa and India.

• Military exchanges in the Indian Ocean, defence trade, manufacturing in the defence sector can lead to greater engagement between Africa and India.

• India stands ready to help African countries in the areas of physical and digital infrastructure, be it information technology, setting up new infrastructure projects, helping with healthcare and manufacturing of vaccines.

About the Conclave

• It was launched in the year 2005 with the support of the Ministry of External Affairs and the Ministry of Commerce & Industry, Government of India.

• The Conclave has been instrumental in encouraging Indian companies to establish and grow their footprints in Africa.

• The upcoming edition will focus on large scale trade and industry, exports, investments, exchange of knowledge and expertise between India and Africa.

Govt formulates NAMASTE scheme for cleaning of sewers, septic tank

Tags: National Government Schemes

Government has formulated a National Action Plan for Mechanized Sanitation Ecosystem- NAMASTE  scheme for cleaning of sewers and septic tanks.

What is the NAMASTE Scheme?

• The scheme is a joint venture of the Department of Drinking Water and Sanitation, the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment and the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs.

• The Ministry has prepared a list of essential safety machinery and main equipment to be used by Safai Mitras.

• This step has been taken by the government to end the practice of manual scavenging in India.

• Manual scavenging is the practice of removing human feces by hand from a sewer or septic tank.

Aims of the scheme

• Achieving zero mortality in sanitation works in India.

• Preventing any sanitation worker from coming in direct contact with human faecal matter

• Ensuring all sewer and septic tank sanitation workers have access to alternative livelihoods

Cabinet approves MoU on Judicial Cooperation with Maldives

Tags: International News National News

The Union Cabinet chaired by the Prime Minister Narendra Modi has approved the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) in the field of judicial cooperation between India and the Judicial Service Commission of the Republic of Maldives.

Important facts

•  It will provide a platform to tap the benefits of Information Technology for court digitization. 

• It can be a potential growth area for the IT companies and start-ups in both the countries. 

• With the signing of this agreement on cooperation in the field of law and justice, better relations between the two countries will gain further impetus.

• This will not only enable the exchange of knowledge and technology in judicial and other legal areas between the two countries but will also advance the objectives of the “Neighbourhood First” policy.

• In recent years, the close relations between India and Maldives have deepened multidimensionally.

About Maldives

• It is also called Maldive Islands, an independent island country in the north-central Indian Ocean.

• It extends more than 510 miles (820 km) from north to south and 80 miles (130 km) from east to west.

• Basis of economy - fisheries, tourism

• Industries - handicraft or cottage including the making of coir (coconut-husk fibre) and coir products, fish canning, and boatbuilding.

• Capital - Male

• President - Ibrahim Mohamed Solih

• Official Language - Dhivehi (Maldivian)

• Official Religion - Islam

• Currency - Rufiyaa

India And Namibia Sign MoU For Wildlife Conservation

Tags: National International News

India and Namibia on 20 July signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on Wildlife Conservation and Sustainable Biodiversity Use to place the Cheetah in the Historic Category in India.

Thrust areas of the MoU

• Biodiversity conservation with a special focus on the conservation and restoration of cheetahs in areas where they became extinct.

• Exchange of expertise and capabilities with the aim of promoting cheetah conservation between the two countries.

• Wildlife conservation and sustainable use of biodiversity by sharing good practices

• Technological applications, mechanisms of livelihood generation for local communities living in wildlife habitats and sustainable management of biodiversity.

• Cooperation in climate change, environmental governance, environmental impact assessment, pollution and waste management and other areas of mutual interest.

• Training and exchange of trained personnel in wildlife management including sharing of technical expertise, wherever relevant.

About Cheetah

• The cheetah is one of the oldest of the big cat species, whose ancestors can be traced back more than five million years to the Miocene era.

• It is the world's fastest land mammal that lives in Africa and Asia.

• Human-wildlife conflict, habitat loss and hunting and illegal trafficking are the reasons for their extinction in India.

Cheetah reintroduction project in India

• The main goal of the project is to establish viable cheetah metapopulation in India that allows the cheetah to perform its functional role as a top predator.

• The surveys were conducted at 10 locations between 2010 and 2012.

• Under this project, 50 cheetahs will be introduced in various national parks of the country over a period of 5 years.

Karnataka NEP referred 'Pythagoras Theorem' as fake news

Tags: Popular State News

A position paper on National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 by the Government of Karnataka has described Pythagoras' theorem as "fake news".

Important facts

• The Pythagorean theorem has been disputed in many international forums. Pythagoras claimed this to be his theory.

• The Karnataka NEP mentions a text called the Baudhayana Sulbasutra, in which the specific verse refers to the theorem.

About Pythagoras

• Based on evidence, the existence of the Greek philosopher Pythagoras is believed to be around 570–490 BC.

• However, it is believed that mysterious elements were present around him, because of the secretive nature of the school/society he founded in Italy.

• Relatively little is known about his mathematical achievements, as no evidence exists of his own writing today.

What is Pythagoras Theorem?

• The Pythagorean theorem describes the relationship between the three sides of a right triangle (one of which is 90°).

• Its Equation is a² + b² = c²

• where a and b are the two perpendicular sides, and c is the length of the diagonal side.

• If any two sides of a right triangle are known, the theorem helps you calculate the third side.

Reasons why Vedic mathematicians knew this before Pythagoras?

• There are several references in the Sulbasutra, which are written by Vedic Indians and refer to the rituals performed during yaganas.

• The oldest of these is the Baudhayana Sulbasutra. 

• The period of Baudhayana Sulbasutra is not certain. It is inferred on the basis of linguistic and other secondary historical considerations.

• In more recent literature, the Baudhayana Sulbasutra is taken from around 800 BCE.

• There is a statement in the Baudhayana Sulbasutra called the Pythagorean theorem (this was known as a geometric fact, not a 'theorem').

• Yagya rituals included the construction of altars (altars) and fire pits (fire) in various shapes such as isosceles triangles, symmetrical trapezia and rectangles.

• The Sulabasutras describe the effort towards producing the prescribed shape of these figures.

How did the Knowledge of Equation Evolve?

• The earliest evidence is from the Old Babylonian civilization (1900–1600 BC). They referred to this as the diagonal rule.

• The earliest evidence comes from the later period of the Sulbasutras.

• The oldest surviving axiomatic proof of the theorem is in Euclid's Elements from about 300 BC.

‘Swavlamban’ – Indian Navy’s Maiden Naval Innovation and Indigenisation Seminar

Tags: Defence

The first seminar 'Swavalamban' of Naval Innovation and Indigenization Organization (NIIO) was held in New Delhi from 18-19 July 2022.

Important facts

• Prime Minister Narendra Modi was present on the occasion as the chief guest. Defence Minister Rajnath Singh was the Guest of Honour.

• The Prime Minister unveiled the 'sprint challenges' during the seminar 'Swavalamban'.

• 'SPRINT (Supporting Pole-Vaulting in R&D through iDEX, NIIO and TDAC) Challenges' is aimed at giving a boost to the usage of indigenous technology in the Indian Navy.

• The objective of the seminar is to engage Indian industry and academia towards achieving self-reliance in the defence sector.

• A major pillar of self-reliant India is the defence sector achieving self-reliance.

Naval Innovation and Indigenisation Organisation

• It was launched in 2020 by the Ministry of Defence to fulfil its requirements relating to technology.

• The objective is to foster innovation and indigenisation for self-reliance in defence in keeping with the vision of Atmanirbhar Bharat.

• It will establish dedicated structures for end users to interact with academia and industry.

• It aims to induct at least 75 new indigenous technologies, products into the Indian Navy and the collaborative project is named SPRINT.