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By admin: July 23, 2022

68th National Film Awards : Soorarai Pottru wins Best Film award

Tags: Awards National News

Tamil movie “Soorarai Pottru” got national awards for the Best Feature Film, Best Actor, Best Actress, Best Background Score and the Best Screenplay at the 68th National Film Awards-2020 announced on 22 July.

Important facts

• The movie also won the prize of Best Popular Film Providing Wholesome Entertainment.

• The film is inspired by the real-life story of GR Gopinath, the founder of India's first low-cost airline.

• The story of this film focuses on the dream of providing low cost air travel to common people.

• Soorarai Pottru is produced by Suriya and Guneet Monga under their 2D Entertainment and Sikhya Entertainment banners.

• Bollywood actor Ajay Devgn shared the best actor title with Suriya for his performance in the period drama 'Tanhaji: The Unsung Warrior'.

• This year, the winners were selected from 305 feature films in 30 languages and 148 non-feature films in 28 languages that were received as entries.

• The winners were selected by a 10-member jury headed by Hindi filmmaker Vipul Shah.

• The awards were announced by jury member Dharam Gulati.

All the notable awards are as follows-

• Best Feature Film - 'Soorarai Pottru'

• Best Actor (shared) - Suriya for 'Soorarai Pottru' Ajay Devgn for 'Tanhaji: The Unsung Warrior'

• Best Actress - Aparna Balamurali for 'Soorarai Pottru'

• Best Popular Film - Providing Wholesome Entertainment 'Tanhaji: The Unsung Warrior'

• Best Director (posthumous award) - KR Sachidanandan, better known as Sachy, for 'Ayyappanum Koshiyum'

• Best Supporting Actor Award - Biju Menon for 'Ayyappanum Koshiyum'

• Best Supporting Actress - Lakshmi Priyaa Chandramouli for 'Sivaranjiniyum Innum Sila Pengalum' (Tamil)

• Best Screenplay - Shalini Usha Nair and Sudha Kongara for 'Soorarai Pottru'

• Best Music Direction (Background Score) - GV Prakash Kumar for 'Soorarai Pottru'

• Best Action Direction (Stunt Choreography) - 'Ayyappanum Koshiyum'

• Best Playback Female Singer - Nanchamma for 'Ayyappanum Koshiyum'

• Best Playback Singer Male - Rahul Deshpande for 'Mi Vasantrao' (Marathi)

• Best Editing - Sreekar Prasad for 'Sivaranjaniyum Innum Sila Pengallum'

• Best Hindi Film - 'Toolsidas Junior'

• Best Music Direction (Songs) - Thaman S for 'Ala Vaikunthapurramuloo' (Telugu)

• Best Lyrics - Manoj Muntashir for 'Saina' (Hindi)

• Best Make-up Artist - TV Rambabu for 'Natyam' (Telugu)

• Best Choreography - Sandhya Raju for 'Natyam'

• Indira Gandhi Award - Best Debut Film of a Director Madonne Ashwin for 'Mandela' (Tamil)

• Best Dialogue Writer - Madonne Ashwin for 'Mandela'

• Best Cinematography - Supratim Bhol for 'Avijatrik' (Bengali)

• Most Film-Friendly State - Madhya Pradesh, Uttarakhand and Uttar Pradesh 

• Best Book on Cinema - Kishwar Desai for 'The Longest Kiss'

About National Film Awards

• It was established in 1954.

• This Awards is one of the most prestigious and much looked-forward-to events in the country.

• Awards are given in three categories - Feature, Non-Features and Best Writing on Cinema.

• The winners of the awards are decided by a jury consisting of eminent persons in the fields of cinema, other allied arts and humanities.

Home Minister launched e-FIR system of Gujarat Police for vehicle and mobile thefts

Tags: State News

Union Home Minister Amit Shah launched the e-FIR system of Gujarat Police for vehicle and mobile thefts in Gandhinagar on 23 July. 

Important facts

• With the introduction of e-FIR, citizens will not need to go to the police station to register a complaint of vehicle and mobile theft.

• People can file an online FIR.

• The concerned police will reach out to the complainant within 48 hours of receiving the complaint.

• The police have been given a stipulated time frame within which it will be necessary to resolve the complaints.

• The complainant will also be informed through email/SMS about the progress made in the registration and investigation of this online complaint.

• The police will complete the investigation within 21 days and send a report to the court.

• Failure to do so will result in action being taken against the concerned police personnel.

• The Government of Gujarat launched Citizen First Mobile App, Citizen Portal in 2019 to enable the citizens of the state to access police services online using the e-GujCop database.

e-Gujcop Project

• It was launched by the former Chief Minister of Gujarat Narendra Modi in 2013.

• It is an application database of crime and criminal information developed by Home Department, Government of Gujarat for crime prevention and crime detection.

About Gujarat State 

• Formation - 1 May 1960

• Gujarat is also known as 'The Land of Legends'.

• The Gir Forest National Park in Gujarat is home to the only wild population of Asiatic Lions in the world.

• Gujarat is the main producer of cotton, tobacco and groundnut in the country.

• Garba is the main traditional dance of Gujarat.

• Lothal was the ancient city of Gujarat where India's first port was established.

• Capital- Gandhinagar

• Governor- Acharya Devvrat

• Chief Minister- Bhupendrabhai Patel (BJP)

• Assembly seats-182

• Rajya Sabha seats- 11

• Lok Sabha seats- 26

Burhanpur of MP becomes first certified ‘Har Ghar Jal’ district in India

Tags: State News

Burhanpur also known as the ‘Darwaza of Dakhin’ in Madhya Pradesh became the first ‘Har Ghar Jal’ certified district in the country on 22 July.

Important facts

• Burhanpur is the only district in the country where all the people in 254 villages are getting safe drinking water through taps.

• At the time of launch of Jal Jeevan Mission on 15 August 2019, only 36.54 per cent of the over one lakh households in Burhanpur had potable water through tap connections.

• Village Water and Sanitation Committees (VWSCs) have been constituted in all 254 villages.

• The VWSC is responsible for the operation, maintenance and repair of the water supply infrastructure developed under the 'Har Ghar Jal' programme.

• Following Prime Minister Narendra Modi's vision of "Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikas, Sabka Vishwas and Sabka Prayas", three states - Goa, Telangana and Haryana and three union territories - Andaman and Nicobar Islands, D&N Haveli and Daman and Diu and Puducherry have provided 100% tap water coverage.

Jal Jeevan Mission

• Jal Jeevan Mission was launched in 2019.

• Under the mission, it is envisaged to supply 55 liters of water per person per day to each rural household through functional household tap connections by 2024.

• Jal Jeevan Mission comes under Jal Shakti Ministry.

• This mission ensures the functionality of existing water supply systems and water connections, monitoring and testing of water quality as well as sustainable agriculture.

Law panel to examine simultaneous elections

Tags: National News

The Union Law Minister told the Lok Sabha that the Law Commission had been sent to prepare a workable road map for holding simultaneous Lok Sabha and Vidhan Sabha elections and a roadmap in this regard could be prepared.

Important facts

• A parliamentary committee had examined the issue of simultaneous elections to the Lok Sabha and state assemblies in consultation with various stakeholders, including the Election Commission (EC).

• The committee has made some recommendations in this regard.

• The 21st Law Commission in its draft report had said that it is feasible to hold simultaneous elections to Lok Sabha and State Legislatures which need to be conducted.

What are simultaneous polls?

• At present, elections to state assemblies and Lok Sabha are held separately.

• Simultaneous Poll is about structuring elections in India in such a way that elections to the Lok Sabha and state assemblies can be held simultaneously.

• The idea of "One Nation, One Election" envisages a system where elections to all the states and the Lok Sabha should be held simultaneously.

• The matter has been referred to the Law Commission for further investigation to prepare a practical roadmap for simultaneous elections to the Lok Sabha and State Assemblies.

Need of simultaneous election

• It minimizes labour, time and expenditure in the conduct of elections.

• There is duplication of expenditure in preparing a separate electoral roll.

• This reduces the burden on the administrative system and the security forces.

• The Law Commission in its 255th report in 2015 had recommended simultaneous elections for a single electoral roll.

• This ensures timely implementation of the policies of the government.

Russia, Ukraine sign historic grain deal with Turkey

Tags: International News

For the first time since the war, Russia and Ukraine signed a historic deal with the United Nations and Turkey on July 22 to restart grain shipments, which could ease the global food crisis.

What is the deal about?

• The agreement has been reached through the mediation of the United Nations and Turkey.

• The aim is to reopen the Black Sea delivery routes that are important for grain exports.

• The deal, agreed through UN and Turkish mediation, establishes secure corridors along which Ukrainian ships can move in and out of three designated Black Sea ports in and around Odessa.

• Both sides also promised not to attack ships en route or outside.

What is the grain export deal?

• The deal provides for the safe passage of ships.

• Ships must undergo inspection to ensure that they are not carrying weapons.

• Ukraine has said that no Russian ships will guard the ships and that there will be no Russian representatives at Ukrainian ports.

Significance of the deal

• It will provide relief to developing countries on the verge of bankruptcy and the most vulnerable on the brink of famine.

• The five-month Russia-Ukraine war has already displaced millions and claimed thousands of lives.

• Huge quantities of wheat and other grain have been blocked by Russian warships and landmines in Ukraine's ports.

• Ukraine is one of the world's biggest exporters of wheat, corn and sunflower oil, but a naval blockade of Russia's ports has halted shipments.

• Ukraine is expected to export 22 million tonnes of grain and other agricultural products that are stuck in Black Sea ports because of the war.

National Flag Day

Tags:

India celebrates National Flag Day on 22 July every year. On this day in the year 1947, the Constituent Assembly of India adopted the national flag.

Important facts

• The proposal for a national flag was adopted by the Constituent Assembly on 22 July 1947.

• The resolution states that 'the national flag of India shall be a tricolour of dark saffron (kesari), white and dark green in equal proportion'. It is present on the lion pillar of the capital.

• One of the committees of the Constituent Assembly, the Ad-hoc Committee on the National Flag was headed by Dr. Rajendra Prasad.

• According to Article 51A(a), it shall be the duty of every citizen of India to abide by the Constitution and respect its ideals and institutions, the national flag and the national anthem.

History of National Flag

• Year 1906: The first national flag of India was hoisted possibly on 7 August 1906 at Parsi Bagan Square (Green Park) in Kolkata.

• Year 1907: The Indian flag was hoisted in Germany in the year 1907 by Madam Bhikaji Cama and a group of exiled revolutionaries, which was the first Indian flag to be flown in a foreign land.

• Year 1931: The Tricolour (proposed by Pingali Venkaiah) was adopted as the national flag of India at the Congress Committee meeting in Karachi. The red colour of the flag was replaced with saffron and the order of the colours was changed.

Foreign Office consultations between India and Ghana held in New Delhi

Tags: International Relations

The third round of Foreign Office consultations between India and Ghana was held in New Delhi on 22 July.

Important facts

• Both sides discussed the bilateral relations related to political, economic, defence, cultural and capacity building.

• The two sides also discussed further strengthening of bilateral ties between India and Ghana.

• The two countries exchanged views on regional and global issues of mutual interest and agreed to enhance cooperation in multi-level fora.

• Both sides agreed to hold the next round of talks in Accra, Ghana on a date as per mutual convenience.

• The second edition of the India-Ghana Foreign Office Consultations (FOC) was held on 2 July, where both sides agreed to take steps for mutual benefit.

Bilateral trade between India and Ghana

• Bilateral trade and Indian investments in Ghana have been steadily increasing.

• Bilateral trade between India and Ghana stood at US$ 2.60 billion during 2021-22.

• India is one of the largest investors in Ghana.

• Indian companies have invested more than USD 1.7 billion in Ghana in over 730 projects in various sectors like construction, manufacturing, manufacturing, trade, pharmaceuticals, agro-processing, tourism, etc.

About Ghana

• President - Nana Akufo-Addo

• Capital - Accra

• Official Language - English

• Official Name - Republic of Ghana

• Currency - Ghana Cedi

SC accepts Banthia Commission report for OBCs in Local Body Elections in Maharashtra

Tags: State News National News

On July 20, 2022, the Supreme Court of India accepted the report of the Jayant Kumar Banathia Commission on Reservation in Local Bodies.

Important facts

• The court has directed the Maharashtra State Election Commission to conduct elections according to this report.

• It also directed to take steps to hold the stalled elections in the state on an urgent basis and to announce the schedule of elections in the next two weeks.

• The Supreme Court was hearing a petition filed by Rahul Wagh against reservation in 2021.

Report of 'Jayant Kumar Banthia Commission’

• This report has paved the way for OBC candidates in the local bodies elections in Maharashtra.

• This commission has recommended 27 more reservations in local bodies. This recommendation has been accepted by the Supreme Court. Thus, OBCs will get 27% political reservation in the local self-government elections to be held in the state.

• According to this report, reservation should be provided to OBCs in proportion to their population in every local body. However, this reservation should not affect the statutory reservation for Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes. This is subject to the reservation limit of 50%.

• The Jayant Kumar Banthia Commission is a six-member commission, set up by the Maharashtra government in March 2022 to look into the matter of reservation for Other Backward Classes (OBCs) in local bodies.

• It submitted its report on 7 July 2022.

Henley Passport Index 2022

Tags: International News

India has been ranked 87 out of the world's 199 most powerful passports in 2022 in the Henley Passport Index 2022 published by immigration consultancy Henley & Partners.

Important facts

• The ranking was based on the number of destinations that passport holders can reach without prior visas.

Countries' performance in the index

• Japan ranks first among 199 countries. It is followed by Singapore and South Korea.

• Japan's passport allows entry to 193 countries without a prior visa. Singapore and South Korea, on the other hand, allow seamless entry into 192 countries.

• in Asian countries; India, Mauritius and Tajikistan are ranked 87th with hassle-free entry to 67 countries without prior visas.

• China and Bolivia are ranked 69th with their passports allowing access to 80 destinations.

• Bangladesh is ranked 104th.

• With access to 32 destinations, Pakistan has the fourth worst passport in the world.

• Afghan passport holders have access to only 27 countries. Iraqi passport, on the other hand, provides hassle-free entry to 29 countries. These two countries have been placed at the bottom.

• The top 10 countries on the list of the most powerful passports in the world include Japan, Singapore, South Korea, Germany, Spain, Finland, Italy, Luxembourg, Austria and Denmark (in order).

Reserve Bank of India imposes restrictions on four cooperative banks

Tags: Economy/Finance

In view of the deteriorating financial condition of the four co-operative banks, the Reserve Bank of India has imposed some other restrictions including withdrawal.

Bank names on which sanctions have been imposed

1. Saibaba Janata Sahakari Bank in Maharashtra

2. The Suri Friends' Union Co-operative Bank Ltd at Suri in West Bengal 

3. United India Co-operative Bank Limited, Uttar Pradesh

4. National Urban Co-operative Bank Ltd, Bahraich, Uttar Pradesh 

What are the restrictions imposed by the RBI? 

• A depositor of Saibaba Janata Sahakari Bank cannot withdraw more than Rs 20,000 from the bank, while the withdrawal limit for Suri Friends Union Co-operative Bank has been fixed at Rs 50,000.

• In the case of National Urban Co-operative Bank, the withdrawal limit has been capped at Rs 10,000 per customer.

• RBI has also imposed several restrictions on United India Co-operative Bank Ltd Bijnor, including restrictions on withdrawal of funds by customers.

• The directions issued by RBI to these four co-operative banks under the Banking Regulation Act, 1949 will remain in force for six months.

About Reserve Bank of India

• Established on April 1, 1935 as per the provisions of the Reserve Bank of India Act, 1934.

• The central office of the Reserve Bank was initially established in Calcutta but was permanently shifted to Mumbai in 1937.

• In the Central Office the Governor sits and policies are formulated.

• The affairs of the Reserve Bank are handled by a central board of directors.

ISRO inaugurates Human Space Flight Expo in Bengaluru

Tags: Science and Technology

Indian Space Research Organisation, ISRO Chairman S Somanath inaugurated the Human Space Flight Expo in Bengaluru to commemorate the Amrit Festival of Independence.

Important facts

• ISRO is soon launching its first unmanned mission Gaganyaan and the exhibit showcases the Crew Module, GSLV Mark III Manned-Rated Launch Vehicle and Crew Escape System.

• The expo is being organised in association with Planetarium and Bangalore Association for Science Education (BASE).

• The expo includes a number of exhibitions including scaled models of various Indian satellites and launch vehicles as well as scaled models of the proposed India space station.

• The expo also includes an interactive model of Gaganyaan, the first Indian crewed spacecraft, to be launched soon.

About ISRO 

• It is India's leading space exploration agency, headquartered in Bangalore.

• ISRO was formed in the year 1969 with a view to develop and exploit space technology while pursuing planetary exploration and space science research.

• The first Indian satellite Aryabhata was built by ISRO which was launched on 19 April 1975 with the help of the Soviet Union.

Upcoming Missions

• Gaganyaan Mission: India's first space mission, Gaganyaan, will be launched in the year 2023.

• Chandrayaan-3 Mission: Chandrayaan-3 is likely to be launched during the third quarter of 2022.