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By admin: May 3, 2022

India, Germany sign agreement on green hydrogen TaskForce

Tags: National International Relations Popular

India and Germany agreed to form a task force on green hydrogen. Both the countries have signed a joint declaration in this regard.

• The Joint Declaration was signed by the Union Minister of Power and New and Renewable Energy RK Singh and Germany's Minister of Economic Affairs and Climate Change Robert Habeck in a virtual way.

• India has emerged as a global leader in energy transformation. India is at the forefront of the growth of renewable energy capacity in the world.

• India has a transparent bidding system, an open market, an accelerated dispute resolution system, and is globally regarded as one of the most attractive destinations for investment in Renewable Energy (RE).

• India has launched the National Green Hydrogen Mission with the goal of making the country a global hub for green hydrogen production and export.

• Trading in Green Hydrogen and/or its derivatives such as Green Ammonia/Green Methanol will form the cornerstone of the cooperation.

• Institutional cooperation in joint research, lighthouse projects, innovation clusters and hydrogen hubs will catalyze synergistic efforts of the two countries.

• Capacity of India in renewable energy sector

• India currently ranks fourth in renewable energy capacity globally. 

• India will add 500 GW of non-fossil fuel capacity by 2030.

• Presently the renewable energy capacity in India is 136 GW, which is 36% of the total energy capacity in India.

• Solar and wind energy are the main sources of renewable energy.

• Other alternatives such as biomass energy, methanol-based blending and hydrogen are considered the fuel of the future.

Harshada Sharad Garud first Indian to win gold medal at IWF Junior World Championships

Tags: Sports Latest Person in news

In weightlifting, Harshada Sharad Garuda created history by becoming the first Indian to win a gold medal at the IWF Junior World Championships in Heraklion, Greece.

• She lifted 153 kg in the 45 kg weight category, including 70 kg in snatch and 83 kg in clean and jerk, and topped the podium.

• Garuda surpassed eight contestants as India won a medal on the first day of competition.

• Turkey's Bektas Kansu won the silver medal, while Teodora-Luminita Hinku of Moldova won the bronze.

• Another Indian in the same weight category, Anjali Patel, finished fifth with a total effort of 148kg, which included 67kg in snatch and 81kg in clean and jerk.

• Prior to Harshada, there are only two Indians to have won a medal at the IWF Junior World Championships.

• Mirabai Chanu won the bronze medal in 2013 and Achinta Shuli won the silver medal last year.

India, Germany signs joint declaration of Intent on Forest Landscape Restoration

Tags: National International Relations

India and Germany have signed a Joint Declaration of Intent on Forest Landscape Restoration.

• The joint declaration was signed between Environment, Forest and Climate Change Minister Bhupender Yadav and Germany's Minister of Environment and Nature Conservation Steffi Lemke.

• The Joint Declaration will provide a platform to further enhance partnership and support in areas such as climate protection and conservation of biodiversity.

• This will also help in strengthening Indo-German cooperation.

• The joint declaration will enable the two countries to successfully partner with each other and expand bilateral cooperation in the areas of forest landscape restoration, environment and climate change.

• About Forest Landscape Restoration

• It is an ongoing process of regaining ecological functionality and enhancing human well-being in deforestation or degraded forest landscapes.

• It is much more than just planting trees – it is restoring entire landscapes to meet current and future needs and for many benefits and land uses over time.

• This manifests through various processes such as: new plantations, managed natural regeneration, agroforestry, or better land management to accommodate the land use mosaic, including agriculture, protected wildlife reserves, managed plantations, riverside plantings, etc.

PM Modi, German Chancellor Olaf Scholz co-chair sixth edition of IGC in Berlin

Tags: Summits International News

Prime Minister Narendra Modi and German Chancellor Olaf Scholz co-chaired the 6th edition of the India-Germany Inter-Governmental Consultations-IGC in Berlin.

• The two leaders highlighted key aspects of bilateral relations as well as shared perspectives on regional and global issues.

• PM Modi emphasised that the India-Germany partnership can serve as an example of success in a complex world.

• He also invited German participation in India's Atmanirbhar Bharat Abhiyan.

• It was the prime minister's first IGC with Chancellor Scholz and also the first government-to-government consultation of the new German government, which took office in December last year.

• The biennial IGC is a unique dialogue format with the participation of several ministers from both sides.

• Earlier, Prime Minister Modi held bilateral discussions with the German Chancellor.

• The two leaders reviewed the full range of bilateral relations between India and Germany, including promoting trade as well as cultural ties.

Union Minister G. Kishan Reddy inaugurates ISBT terminus in Manipur

Tags: State News

Union Minister for Development of North Eastern Region G. Kishan Reddy inaugurated the Inter State Truck Terminus at National Sports University Campus, Khuman Lampak, Sekmai Manipur.

• The opening ceremony was organised during the North East Regional Sports Week to commemorate the Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav.

• The Inter State Truck Terminus was completed during 2021-22 and is the first and only Truck Terminus in the State.

• It is situated 2.5 km from NH-02 on Khurkhul Awang Sekmai Road with campus area of 18.34 acres.

• It was constructed under NEC funding to provide a formal transit point for inbound and outbound trucks and goods carriers for the state.

The debate on the national language

Tags: Popular National News

A remark by a Hindi actor to the effect that Hindi is the national language of India has recently sparked controversy over the language's status under the Constitution.

What is the status of Hindi in the constitution?

• Under Article 343 of the Constitution, the official language of the Union shall be Hindi in Devanagari script.

• The international form of Indian numerals will be used for official purposes.

• Constituent Assembly debate

• The Constituent Assembly was divided on this question.

• The supporters of Hindi were insisting that English is the language of slavery and it should be abolished at the earliest.

• The opponents were against the abolition of English as they feared that Hindi might dominate in areas where Hindi is not spoken.

• There was a demand to make Sanskrit the official language, while some argued in favour of 'Hindustani'.

• It was decided that the Constitution would talk only of 'Official Language'.

• English will continue to be used for a period of 15 years.

• The Constitution states that after 15 years, Parliament may by law decide on the use of English and as Devanagari for specified purposes.

• What is the Eighth Schedule?

• The Eighth Schedule lists the languages of the country.

• Initially, there were 14 languages in the schedule, but now there are 22 languages.

• There is no description of the type of languages to be included in the Eighth Schedule.

• The Official Languages Act, 1963 was passed in anticipation of the end of the 15-year period during which the Constitution originally permitted the use of English for official purposes.

• The three language formula

• Since the 1960s, the Centre's education policy documents talk of teaching three languages - Hindi, English and a regional language in Hindi-speaking states, and Hindi, English and an official regional language in other states.

• In practice, only a few states teach both their major language and Hindi in addition to English.

• In states where Hindi is the official language, third language is rarely taught as a compulsory subject.

• Tamil Nadu has consistently opposed the three-language formula and has stuck to teaching Tamil and English.

No one can be forced to get vaccinated: SC

Tags: National News

The Supreme Court said that no person can be compelled to vaccinate against COVID-19, but it also said that "so long as there is a danger of spreading the disease, the rights of the people can be restricted in the wider public interest.

Right not to get vaccinated

• The bench upheld a person's right to physical integrity and personal autonomy in the light of vaccines and other public health measures.

• Physical integrity is protected under Article 21 (right to life) of the Constitution and no person can be forced to vaccinate.

• The court struck a balance between the individual's right to bodily integrity and denial of treatment with the government's concern for public health.

• Vaccine Hesitancy

• People's reluctance to receive safe and recommended available vaccines is known as 'vaccine hesitancy'.

• There are five main reasons for vaccine hesitation-

1. Confidence

2. Complacency

3. Convenience (or constraints)

4. Risk calculation

5. Collective responsibility

• What was challenged in the petition?

• Dr Jacob Pulial, a former member of the National Technical Advisory Group on Immunization (NTAGI), had filed a petition in the Supreme Court challenging the mandatory requirement of the vaccine.

• The petition has also sought to make public the clinical data of vaccination.

• The petition said that the Centre says that getting the vaccine is voluntary, but the states have made it mandatory.

• Instructions to the central government

• The Supreme Court directed the Central Government to make public the reports received from the public and doctors regarding the incidence of side effects of vaccines without compromising on the confidentiality of personal data.

India and Germany ink agreement for cooperation in agro-ecology

Tags: International Relations Latest

India and Germany agreed to sign a Joint Declaration on Agro-Ecology and Sustainable Management of Natural Resources in the Agriculture Sector.

• A declaration in this regard was signed by India's Agriculture Minister Narendra Singh Tomar and Germany's Economic Cooperation and Development Minister Svenja Schulz in a virtual meeting.

• Through this MoU, both the countries have agreed to promote joint research, knowledge sharing and innovation between academic institutions and agricultural people including farmers.

• Under this agreement, Germany will provide coordinated support to India for this initiative by supporting the agro-ecosystem transformation process through the Technical Cooperation Project.

• Under this initiative, Germany's Ministry of Economic Cooperation and Development intends to provide 300 million euros by the year 2025 to provide financial and technical support to the projects.

• About Germany 

• Germany is a country located in the continent of Europe.

• Capital - Berlin

• President- Frank Walter Steinmeier

• Currency - euro

• Chancellor- Olaf Schultz

DRDO successfully test-fired Advanced Towed Artillery Gun System

Tags: National Defence Science and Technology

The longest range indigenous artillery gun i.e. 155mm/52 Advanced Towed Artillery Gun System (ATAGS) was successfully test fired at Jaisalmer's Pokhran Firing Range (PFFR) from 26 April to 2 May 2022.

• What is ATAGS ?

• The Advanced Artillery Gun System Project is a modern 155 mm artillery gun developed by DRDO.

• This gun is manufactured by Bharat Forge and Tata Advanced Systems Limited.

• It weighs 18 tonnes and has a firing range of 48 km.

• The 155mm ATAGS developed by DRDO was first fired in 2016.

• It took almost four years to develop the Advanced Towed Artillery Gun System, the Indian Army currently has seven Advanced Towed Artillery Guns available.

World Press Freedom Day

Tags: Important Days

World Press Freedom Day is observed annually on 3 May to raise awareness about the importance of freedom of expression and freedom of the press as a fundamental human right.

• World Press Freedom Day reminds governments of their obligation to respect and uphold the right to freedom of expression as defined under Article 19 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, 1948.

• The day aims to celebrate the basic principles of press freedom, assess the state of press freedom around the world, and defend the media against attacks.

• The theme of this year's World Press Freedom Day is 'Journalism under a digital siege'.

• In December 1993, May 3 was declared as World Press Freedom Day by the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) following the recommendation of the General Conference of UNESCO.

Retired General Tej Kaul has been awarded the Nirmala Deshpande Memorial World Peace Prize

Tags: National Awards

Retired General Tej Kaul has been awarded the Nirmala Deshpande Memorial World Peace Prize by the All India Creative Committee (ABRS).

• General Tej Kaul was given this honour for his various incomparable efforts and for establishing peace with neighbouring countries like Pakistan and humanitarian services done during the Corona period.

• General Kaul has also served in Army Headquarters as Assistant Military Secretary, Deputy Director General Military Intelligence and General Officer Commanding Gujarat and Goa Region.

• The name of General Kaul is recorded as the first officer to be released from Officers Training Academy, Chennai, who has received PVSM (Param Vishisht Seva Medal).

• He has also been honoured with Saraswati Puraskar for humanitarian and social services by the Government of Maharashtra.

• Who was Nirmala Deshpande?

• Nirmala Deshpande was a famous social worker associated with Gandhian ideology.

• Born- 19 December 1929 Nagpur, Maharashtra

• Died - 1 May 2008

• He was awarded the Rajiv Gandhi National Sadbhavana Award and Padma Vibhushan in the year 2006.

• Nirmala Deshpande contributed by joining Vinoba Bhave's Bhoodan movement in 1952 and then with Mahatma Gandhi's message of 'Gram Swaraj', walked around 40,000 kilometres across the country.

• He played an important role in organising a peace mission in Kashmir in 1994 and India-Pakistan meet in 1996.

National Open Access Registry (NOAR) goes live successfully

Tags: National News

National Open Access Registry (NOAR) has successfully gone live from 1st May 2022.

• This is a centralized online platform through which the short-term open access to the inter-state transmission system is being managed in India.

• It is an integrated platform that is accessible to all stakeholders in the power sector, including open access customers (both sellers and buyers), electricity traders, power exchanges, national/regional/state LDCs and others.

• It provides automation in the workflow to achieve shorter turnaround time for the transactions.

• The platform also has an integrated payment gateway for making payments relating to interstate short-term open access transactions.

• The NOAR platform provides transparent and seamless flow of information between open access stakeholders.

Linkage of e-Shram portal with the Pradhan Mantri Suraksha Bima Yojana

Tags: Government Schemes National News

Discussions are going on to link the e-Shram portal with the Pradhan Mantri Suraksha Bima Yojana.

The government is working on a mechanism to process accident insurance claims by unorganised workers registered on the e-shram portal, which has seen over 27 crore registrations so far.

• In the Budget Speech 2022-2023, the Finance Minister had announced the linking of four portals - National Career Service, e-Shram, Udyami (for those interested in starting MSMEs) and Aseem (Atmanirbhar Skilled Employer Employer Mapping).

• The inter-linking of the NCS and e-Shram portals had been completed recently.

• So far more than 26,000 e-shram beneficiaries have registered on NCS and are benefiting from this linkage.

• About e-Shram portal-

• The Ministry of Labor and Employment has developed an eSHRAM portal to create a national database of unorganised workers.

• It was launched in 2021.

• Its aim is to welfare of workers in the unorganised sector who are not members of the EPFO or ESIC.

• Registered members will be eligible for a range of benefits after signing up for Shramik Yojana and getting the e-Shram Card.

• This will allow workers to receive Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) through e-Shramik Unique ID Number.

Argentina's star tennis player Sebastian Baez won the Estoril Open title

Tags: Sports

Argentina's star tennis player Sebastian Baez won the Estoril Open title.

• Baez defeated Frances Tiafo in straight sets to win her first ATP Tour title.

• About Estoril Open

• The tournament was created in 2015 to replace the historic Portugal Open.

• This was the sixth edition of this tournament.

Design Linked Incentive (DLI) Scheme

Tags: National Government Schemes

The government will review the norms of the Design Linked Incentive (DLI) program, which is envisaged to support 100 companies involved in product design in the semiconductor space, as part of the Rs 76,000 crore plan for development of the electronic chip ecosystem in the country.

• About Design Linked Incentive (DLI) Scheme

• This was announced by MeitY in December 2021.

• Aims - to provide financial and infrastructural support to companies setting up fabs or semiconductor making plants in India.

• The scheme is expected to provide a globally competitive incentive package to companies in semiconductor and display manufacturing as well as design.

• Chip Design infrastructure support,The Product Design Linked Incentive,The Deployment Linked Incentive are the components of the scheme.