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By admin: Jan. 27, 2023

PM to address 1111th Avataran Mahotsav of Bhagwan Devnarayan in Rajasthan's Bhilwara on Jan 28

Tags: State News

Prime Minister Narendra Modi will address the ceremony commemorating 1111th ‘Avataran Mahotsav’ of Bhagwan Shri Devnarayan Ji in Bhilwara, Rajasthan on 28th January. PM Modi will be the chief guest during the programme.

Bhagwan Shri Devnarayan Ji

• Bhagwan Shri Devnarayan Ji was born in the family of a popular Mandalji Gurjar who established the famous Mandal Lake near Bhilwara district in Mewar.

• Devnarayan was a mighty warrior who fought many battles and wars against tyrannical rulers. He was also a ruler.

• He attained many achievements. On the basis of miracles, gradually he became a deity and was worshipped as the presiding deity.

• Devnarayan is worshipped as an incarnation of Vishnu by the Gujjar community as a folk deity in Rajasthan and South-Western Madhya Pradesh.

Health Minister Mansukh Mandaviya inaugurates National Summit on Quality of Biologicals

Tags: Summits

Union Minister for Health and Family Welfare, Dr. Mansukh Mandaviya inaugurated the National Summit on Quality of Biologicals, organised by the National Institute of Biologicals (NIB), in New Delhi on 27 January. 

An overview of the news

• The summit will act as a platform to bring together stakeholders, regulatory authorities and academia for dialogue on various aspects of the quality of biologicals.

• The conclave will lead to capacity building, technology enhancement and new organic growth towards realising the government's dream of 'Healthy India'.

• The Health Minister stressed the need to initiate studies using state-of-the-art analytical platforms to promote development of pharmacopoeial monographs for new biologicals made with updated technologies.

• The summit will help in upgrading the infrastructure and technologies of the country's biopharmaceuticals and in-vitro diagnostic industry.

• Mandaviya has emphasised on making treatment more affordable for the common man through these initiatives.

• A coffee table book was also released by the dignitaries at the event.

National Institute of Biologicals (NIB)

• It is an apex autonomous institute under the administrative control of the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, Government of India.

• It undertakes quality control evaluation of various biological products such as vaccines, blood products, blood reagents, sera, immuno-diagnostic kits etc.

India, South Africa sign MoU to introduce 12 African Cheetahs annually over next eight to ten years

Tags: International News

India and South Africa on 27 January signed a Memorandum of Understanding to introduce 12 African Cheetahs annually over the next eight to ten year.

An overview of the news

• As per the agreement, an initial batch of 12 cheetahs will be brought from South Africa to India during February 2023.

• These cheetahs will be joined by eight cheetahs brought to India from Namibia during 2022.

• Increasing the cheetah population is a priority for the Government of India and its conservation will have important and far-reaching consequences, aiming to achieve a number of ecological objectives.

• After the import of 12 cheetahs in February, there are plans to move 12 cheetahs annually for the next 8 to 10 years.

• The initiative to reintroduce the cheetah to India comes after a request from the Indian government, after the species had become locally extinct due to over-hunting and habitat loss.

Reintroduction Action Plan 

• Reintroduction of a species means releasing it in an area where it is capable of surviving.

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

Extinction of cheetahs 

• The last cheetah of the country was found dead in the year 1947 in Chhattisgarh and in the year 1952 it was declared extinct in the country.

• Habitat loss, conflict with humans, poaching and high susceptibility to diseases are the major causes of their extinction.

About ‘Project Cheetah’ 

• This is a one of its kind project in which a species is being brought out of the country (from South Africa / Namibia) and restored to the country.

• The subspecies of the extinct cheetah in India was the Asiatic cheetah (Acinonyx jubatus venaticus) and the subspecies of the cheetah being brought back to the country is the African cheetah (Acinonyx jubatus jubatus).

• Research has shown that the genes of both these subspecies are similar.

National Child Science Congress begins in Ahmedabad

Tags: Summits National News

The 30th National Child Science Congress began at Science City in Ahmedabad on 27 January.

An overview of the news

• It was inaugurated by Vijay Nahera, Secretary, Gujarat Science and Technology Department.

• The Gujarat Council on Science and Technology, Gujarat Council of Science City, and SAL Education are hosting the five-day Congress, which will conclude on January 31.

• More than 1400 delegates including child scientists, escort teachers, evaluators and government officials will participate in it.

• More than 850 students from across the country will be showcasing their unique projects at the Congress.

National Children Science Congress

• It sparks children's curiosity, provides an opportunity to unleash their creativity and give shape to their imagination.

• This program is supported by the National Council for Science and Technology Communication, Government of India.

• Selected awardees are sponsored for the National Children's Science Congress held every year from 27th December to 31st December at selected places.

• It aims to transform the way science is taught and learned in schools by linking the learning process to the surrounding physical and social environment.

PM Modi interacts with students on Pariksha Pe Charcha

Tags: National News

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on 27 January interacted with students during the 6th edition of Pariksha Pe Charcha program at Talkatora Stadium in New Delhi.

An overview of the news

• Prime Minister Narendra Modi participated in the event and has encouraged everyone to take part in the program.

• The Prime Minister emphasised that students must match their determination and their own strength with the expectations of their parents.

• The Prime Minister gave the mantra to adopt micro-management techniques on multi-tasking and efficient time management.

About Pariksha Pe Charcha

• It is a unique interactive program that brings together students, parents and teachers from India and abroad to discuss their concerns related to examinations and life after school.

• The goal of Pariksha Pe Charcha program is to help participants overcome stress and celebrate life as a celebration.

• The Department of School Education and Literacy under the Ministry of Education has successfully organised this program for the last five years.

Naresh Lalwani takes charge as General Manager, Central Railway

Tags: Person in news

Naresh Lalwani took over as the new General Manager of Central Railway on 24 January 2023. 

An overview of the news

• He replaced Ashok Kumar Mishra, General Manager, Western Railway, who was also holding the additional charge of Central Railway.

• He is a senior Indian Railway Service of Engineering officer of 1985 batch.

• Prior to taking over as General Manager, Central Railway, he was serving as Senior Deputy General Manager and Chief Vigilance Officer, Western Railway.

• Lalwani graduated from Shri Govindram Saxeria Institute of Technology and Science, Indore in 1985.

• He has vast experience of working in various important positions in Indian Railways.

• Starting his career from Lumding in Assam, he worked in the Northeast Frontier Railway for 10 years.

• Thereafter, he worked in various positions in the Ahmedabad and Mumbai divisions of Western Railway.

• He has also worked as a professor in Indian Railway Institute of Civil Engineering, Pune imparting knowledge to Railway officers. 

India's GDP estimated to be 5.8% in UN report 'Global Economic Situation and Prospects-2023'

Tags: National Economy/Finance

In the last week of January 2023, the United Nations has projected India's Gross Domestic Product (GDP) to be 5.8 percent in FY 2023 in the report 'Global Economic Situation and Prospects-2023'. This is slightly lower than the 6.4 percent projected in 2022.

An overview of the news:

• According to the United Nations, the main reason for the decrease in India's GDP growth rate is high interest rate, investment due to global economic slowdown, pressure on exports etc.

• Whereas, the United Nations has projected India's economic growth to remain "strong" while the outlook for other South Asian countries is "more challenging".

• The report attributed this to the situation arising out of the covid epidemic and the Russia-Ukraine war, due to which a food and energy crisis has arisen and a significant increase in inflation is being seen.

Report in Global Perspective:

• The UN report states that global output growth is projected to decline from an estimated 3% in 2022 to 1.9% in 2023, the lowest in recent decades.

• The United Nations estimates that global growth in 2022 was 3 percent. The report forecasts global trade to grow at 0.4 percent and the world economy at 1.9 percent in 2023.

Report prepared by:

• The report has been prepared by the United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs, the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development, and the Regional Economic Commissions for Africa, Europe, Latin America and the Caribbean, Asia and the Pacific, and Western Asia.

Senior ISIS leader Bilal al-Sudani killed in US raid in Somalia

Tags: International News

Bilal al-Sudani, a prominent regional leader of the Islamic State group, was killed on January 25 in a US military raid in Somalia ordered by President Joe Biden.

An overview of the news

• The US military operation has also killed 10 members of the terrorist group.

• The US President authorised the strike earlier this week after consulting with top defence, intelligence and security officials.

• Bilal al-Sudani had been on the radar of US intelligence officials for the past several years.

• He played a key role in providing financial support to IS operations in Africa as well as ISIS-K, a terrorist organisation operating in Afghanistan.

About Islamic State

• ISIS (Islamic State of Iraq and Syria), also known as ISIL (Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant).

• It is an Islamist militant jihadist group that follows Salafi jihadist doctrine based on the Sunni branch of Islam.

• It was founded in 1999 by Abu Musab al-Zarqawi and gained global prominence in 2014.

• It soon took control of large parts of Iraq and Syria, raised its flag and imposed strict Islamic rule.

• It strictly enforces Sharia or Islamic law.

Australian Open: Brazilian duo of Luisa Stefani and Rafael Matos won the Mixed Doubles title

Tags: Sports Sports News

In the Australian Open Tennis, the Brazilian duo of Luisa Stefani and Rafael Matos won the Mixed Doubles title on 27 January. 

An overview of the news

• The Brazilian pair defeated the Indian pair of Rohan Bopanna and Sania Mirza 7-6, 6-2 at the Rod Laver Arena in Melbourne.

• The 36-year-old Mirza, regarded as India's greatest female tennis player, reached the decider at Melbourne Park.

• But he and the 42-year-old Bopanna could not win and lost to Brazilian pair of Luisa Stefani and Rafael Matos.

• Mirza was the first Indian to win a WTA singles title in her hometown Hyderabad in 2005.

• She reached the fourth round of the US Open as early as 2005, and by 2007 was in the women's top 30.

• She will retire from tennis next month after a tournament in Dubai, where she has spent more than a decade and recently launched a tennis academy.

India-Pakistan on brink of nuclear war after Balakot strike: Never give an inch

Tags: International News

The book 'Never Give An Inch: Fighting for the America I Love' written by former United States Secretary of State Mike Pompeo has been in the limelight, commenting on India and many of its politicians.

An overview of the news:

• Pompeo mentioned in his book 'Never Give An Inch' that India-Pakistan were on the brink of nuclear war after the Balakot strike in February, 2019.

• Mike Pompeo said that the then Indian External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj had told him that Pakistan was preparing for a nuclear attack after the strike and India was also preparing an aggressive response.

• Referring to this matter, Pompeo said that after the Balakot strike, his team held talks with India and Pakistan overnight to avoid nuclear confrontation between the two countries. His effort prevented a possible war between the two countries, which could turn into a nuclear war at any time.

• In his book, Pompeo does not use respectful words for former Indian External Affairs Minister late Sushma Swaraj, while praising National Security Advisor Ajit Doval and External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar, and in some cases describing S Jaishankar as his superior.

North India's largest floating solar plant in Chandigarh

Tags: National News

Administrator Balwari Lal Purohit inaugurated a 2MWp capacity solar plant on January 23, 2023, with the aim of making the city self-sufficient in power generation by the Chandigarh administration.

An overview of the news:

• North India's largest floating solar plant has been installed at Chandigarh's Water Works.

• Apart from this, Balwari Lal Purohit also inaugurated a 500 kWp floating solar power plant in Dhansa Lake.

• The solar plant with 2MWp capacity will generate 28 million units of electricity. Also, due to the installation of panels on water, this project will reduce the evaporation of about 382 million litres annually.

• Also, a major benefit from this project would be that, due to the cooling effect of water, this project would generate more electricity than all other projects.

• Both these projects are on water, due to which about eight acres of valuable land of the city has been saved.

• The electricity generated from the solar panels installed on Dhansa Lake will be used by the Forest Department. The forest department will light up all its offices with the electricity generated from this solar panel.

Egypt plans to allot land to Indian industries in Suez Canal Special Economic Zone

Tags: International News

Egypt is considering allotting a special zone to Indian industries in the Suez Canal Economic Zone (SCEZ) and the Indian side may prepare a master plan for the same.

An overview of the news

• The proposal is in the context of India's proposal to encourage companies with the potential to make foreign investments to make use of the investment opportunities available in Egypt.

• Egypt welcomes the flow of more Indian investments and promises to provide incentives and facilities in accordance with applicable regulations and framework.

• The trade between India and Egypt currently exceeds $3.15 billion.

• Prime Minister Modi and the President of Egypt agreed to encourage businesses to explore mutually emerging economic and investment opportunities.

• Egyptian President El-Sisi, who arrived in Delhi on a three-day visit to India, attended the Republic Day celebrations as the chief guest.

About Suez Canal

• The Suez Canal is an artificial sea-level waterway running north to south from the Isthmus of Suez in Egypt to connect the Mediterranean Sea and the Red Sea.

• This canal separates the continent of Africa from Asia.

• It provides the shortest sea route between Europe and the lands surrounding the Indian and Western Pacific Oceans.

• The Suez Canal is one of the busiest trade routes in the world. About 12 percent of the world's total trade passes through this canal daily.

Norovirus cases detected in Kerala

Tags: State News

The Kerala Health Department on January 24 confirmed two cases of the gastrointestinal infection norovirus in class 1 students in Ernakulam district.

What is Norovirus?

• This virus has been found in humans for more than 50 years and is known to be one of the primary causes of gastroenteritis (inflammation of the stomach and intestines).

• The virus is estimated to kill 200,000 people globally every year, with the majority of deaths occurring in children under the age of five and adults over the age of 65.

• The virus is able to survive in low temperatures, and outbreaks are more common during winter and in colder countries, so it is sometimes called "winter vomiting disease".

Transmission

• Having direct contact with the infected person.

• Consuming contaminated food or water.

• Touching contaminated surfaces

• Infection usually occurs in closed and crowded environments.

Symptoms

• Diarrhea

• Vomiting

• Nausea

• Stomach Pain

Symptoms of dehydration include-

• Decrease in urination

• Dry mouth and throat

• Feeling dizzy when standing up

Treatment

• There is no real treatment for this virus. Consuming large amounts of fluids.

• In cases of severe dehydration, hospitalisation may be required for treatment through intravenous or IV fluids.