1. 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.
2. 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.
3. World Bank Approves $47 Million Loan For Indian Govt's ‘Mission Karmayogi' Program For Civil Services
The World Bank has approved a USD 47 million project for the Government of India's National Program for Civil Services Capacity Building (NPCSCB) - 'Mission Karmayogi'.
The World Bank's funding is intended to support the government's objectives of enhancing the functional and practical competencies of approximately 4 million civil servants.
The project will help support Mission Karmayogi by developing a competency framework for central ministries, departments and agencies.
The program will focus on three components- development and implementation of competency framework, development of integrated learning platform and program monitoring, evaluation and management.
The project is also aligned with the World Bank's twin goals of ending extreme poverty and building shared prosperity.
About Mission Karmayogi Scheme-
Mission Karmayogi Yojana was launched on 2nd September 2020.
This scheme is operated under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
The main objective of the Mission Karmayogi scheme is to develop the capabilities of government employees.
Under the Mission Karmayogi scheme, a budget of Rs 510.86 crore has been set by the government for a period of 5 years for about 46 lakh central employees.
For the successful operation of the scheme iGOT Karmayogi platform has also been formed through which online contact is made available.
4. Sheikh Hasina offered Chittagong port to India
Tags: International Relations Popular National News
In a major development in India-Bangladesh ties, India has now gained significant access to the Chittagong port after it was offered to India by Bangladeshi Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina.
About Chittagong Port
The Chittagong Port is the major seaport of Bangladesh.
It is situated in the port city of Chittagong and on the banks of river Karnaphuli.
Due to the sea port's proximity to the North-East Indian states, it has the potential to boost economic activity in the North-East Indian states, providing access to global shipping lanes.
In the year 2010, India and Bangladesh signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to allow the use of Chittagong and Mongla ports in Bangladesh for movement of goods to and from India.
In 2018, the Bangladesh cabinet approved a proposed agreement with New Delhi to allow the use of the two ports for the transport of goods.
The port handles eighty percent of Bangladesh's export-import trade, and is used for transshipment by Bhutan, Nepal and India.
Chittagong port is being developed and modernised with Chinese investment.
Benefits for India
An additional connectivity route which is economical and environment friendly.
States like Assam, Meghalaya and Tripura get access to a port for transportation of goods.
Promote multi-modal connectivity between India and Bangladesh.
Important route for India to reach Southeast Asia, East Asia and beyond.
5. GST Revenue collection for April 2022 highest ever at Rs 1.68 lakh crore
Tags: National Economy/Finance Popular Economics/Business
According to the data released by the Union Finance Ministry, the highest level of collection recorded since the implementation of GST in July 2017 rose to Rs 1.68 lakh crore in April.
The gross GST revenue collected in the month of April, 2022 is–
CGST is Rs 33,159 crore
SGST is Rs 41,793 crore
IGST is Rs 81,939 crore (including Rs 36,705 crore collected on import of goods).
Cess is Rs 10,649 crore (including Rs 857 crore collected on import of goods).
Gross GST collection in April 2022 is the highest ever, an increase of Rs 25,000 crore over the previous month's highest collection of Rs 1,42,095 crore.
The revenue for the month of April 2022 is 20% more than the GST revenue in the corresponding month of last year.
During April, revenues from import of goods were 30% higher and the revenues from domestic transactions were 17% higher than the revenues from during the same month last year.
6. LG Baggavalli Somashekar Raju to take over as Vice Chief of Army Staff
Tags: Popular Defence Person in news National News
Lieutenant General Baggavalli Somashekar Raju will take over as the Vice Chief of the Army Staff on 1 may.
An alumnus of Sainik School Bijapur and National Defence Academy, Raju was commissioned into the Jat Regiment on 15 December 1984.
He commanded his battalion during OP Parakram in the Western Theatre and in Jammu and Kashmir.
Raju also has the distinction of commanding the Uri Brigade on the Line of Control, a counter insurgency force and the Chinar Corps in the Kashmir Valley.
Raju has also served as the Commandant of the Indian Military Training Team in Bhutan.
During his illustrious career spanning 38 years, BS Raju has been involved in several important regimental, staff and instructional appointments at Army Headquarters.
Before taking over as the co-chief of the Army, Lt Gen Raju was the Director General Military Operations during the standoff with China on the LAC.
He is also a qualified helicopter pilot. He has flown in the UNOSOM-2 operation in Somalia.
7. Star9 Mobility Private Limited to buy 51 percent of govt share in Pawan Hans Limited
Tags: Popular Economics/Business National News
The Government has approved the highest bid of Star9 Mobility Pvt Ltd for sale of Government's entire 51 per cent stake in Pawan Hans Limited (PHL) and transfer of management control.
PHL is a 51:49 joint venture between the government and ONGC that provides helicopter and aero mobility services.
ONGC earlier decided to offer its entire shareholding to the successful bidder identified in the GoI strategic disinvestment transaction, on the same price and terms as the government.
The reserve price for the sale of 51% stake of PHL was fixed at Rs 199.92 crore based on the valuation done by the transaction advisor and asset valuer.
The alternative mechanism comprises Nitin Gadkari, Road Transport and Highways Minister, Nirmala Sitharaman, Finance Minister and Jyotiraditya Scindia, Civil Aviation Minister.
Pawan Hans Limited has incurred losses in the last three financial years. The company has a fleet of 42 helicopters.
8. Central African Republic adopted the cryptocurrency as legal currency
Tags: Popular International News
The Central African Republic has recognized the world's largest and most popular cryptocurrency, bitcoin as its legal currency.
It became the second country in the world and the first country in the continent of Africa to legalise bitcoin.
In 2021, El Salvador became the first country in the world to legalise bitcoin.
Now people there can pay tax in crypto currency through government recognized platforms.
The Central African Republic is one of six countries in Africa that use the Central African CFA franc.
The Central African CFA franc is a regional currency issued by the Bank of Central African States (BEAC).
About Central African Republic -
The Central African Republic is a landlocked country located in Central Africa.
Despite being rich in diamonds, gold, oil, uranium, the Central African Republic is today counted among the poorest countries.
It became independent from France in 1960.
Capital- Bangui
President- François Bozize
Prime Minister- Faustin-Archange Touadera
9. Anti-ship version of BrahMos missile successfully test-fired
Tags: Popular Defence Science and Technology
An anti-ship version of the BrahMos supersonic cruise missile was successfully test-fired jointly by the Andaman and Nicobar Command and Indian Navy.
The Andaman and Nicobar Command is the only tri-services command of the Indian armed forces.
On 19 April, the Indian Air Force (IAF) successfully test-fired a BrahMos missile from a Sukhoi fighter jet on the eastern seaboard.
In march 2022, the Indian Navy successfully test-fired an improved version of the BrahMos missile from a stealth destroyer in the Indian Ocean.
About BrahMos-
It is a joint venture between the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) of India and Russia’s NPOM.
Brahmos is named after the Brahmaputra and Moskva rivers.
Brahmos produces supersonic cruise missiles that can be launched from submarines, ships, aircraft, or land platforms.
BrahMos missile flies at a speed of almost three times the speed of sound or 2.8 Mach.
The range of the advanced version of the missile is learnt to have been extended to around 350 km from the original 290 km.
10. Russia Withdraws From UN World Tourism Organisation
Tags: Popular International News
The Secretary-General of the United Nations World Tourism Organisation Zurab Pololikashvili announced that Russia has decided to withdraw from the UNWTO.
The UNWTO announced earlier in March that it wanted to suspend Russia over the Russia-Ukraine conflict.
The UNWTO had previously described the Russian invasion of Ukraine as inconsistent with the United Nations Charter and against the fundamental purpose of the UNWTO.
Russia has decided to withdraw from the organisation even before the United Nations World Tourism Organisation's vote in the UN on 27 April 2022.
This is the first time the UNWTO has met to discuss the suspension of one of its member states.
About United Nations World Tourism Organisation (UNWTO) -
Formation- 1 November 1975
Headquarters- Madrid, Spain
Secretary General- Zurab Pololikashvili
Member Countries- 160
So far, 17 member states have withdrawn from the organisation at various times.
UNWTO is a United Nations organisation that promotes tourism to promote economic growth, environmental sustainability and inclusive growth.
