1. Asia's largest helicopter manufacturing unit inaugurated
Tags: Defence National News
The helicopter manufacturing unit of Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) in Tumkuru, Karnataka has been dedicated to the nation by Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
An overview of the news
It is the largest helicopter manufacturing facility in Asia.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi had laid the foundation stone of this manufacturing unit in the year 2016 with an aim to promote the vision of 'Atmanirbhar Bharat'.
Initially, the Light Utility Helicopter (LUH) will be produced in this helicopter factory.
The factory would later be expanded to manufacture Light Combat Helicopter (LCH) and Indian Multirole Helicopter (IMRH) as well as repair LCH, LUH, civil ALH and IMRH.
This helicopter manufacturing unit is spread over 615 acres, which is by far the largest helicopter manufacturing unit in India.
This manufacturing unit will manufacture 30 helicopters per year, which will be increased to 90 helicopters per year in a phased manner.
Hindustan Aeronautics Limited plans to manufacture over 1,000 helicopters in the 3-15 tonne range with a total turnover of over Rs 4 lakh crore in 20 years.
Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL)
It was established as Hindustan Aircraft Limited in 1940 by Walchand Hirachand in Bangalore (now Bengaluru), Karnataka.
The name was changed to Hindustan Aeronautics Limited on 1 October 1964 after it was merged with Aeronautics India Limited by the Government of India.
Its core business is to design, develop, manufacture, repair and overhaul aircraft, helicopters, engines and related systems such as avionics, instruments and accessories.
It comes under the Ministry of Defence.
Headquarters: Bengaluru
2. PMAY-U scheme extended up to next year
Tags: Government Schemes National News
Union Minister of Housing and Urban Affairs Hardeep Singh Puri said the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana-Urban (PMAY-U) scheme has been extended up to next year, to complete all the houses sanctioned during the last financial year.
An overview of the news
Around 123 lakh houses were sanctioned under the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana-Urban (PMAY-U) during the last financial year, of which 68 lakh houses were completed till last month.
The central government has sanctioned Rs 2 lakh crore under the scheme, out of which Rs 1.36 lakh crore has been released so far.
The survey conducted by the States and Union Territories shows that there is a demand of 112 lakh houses under PMAY-U in the country.
Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana-Urban (PMAY-U)
It was launched on 25 June 2015 by the Government of India and it is being implemented by the Union Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs.
The scheme aims to provide pucca houses to all the eligible beneficiaries by 2022.
Around 1.12 crore houses are to be constructed under the scheme.
3. Rice bran promoted as staple food amid food crisis in China
Tags: International News
China has started promoting rice bran as a staple food amid the food crisis in the country, as the food crisis remains a significant issue in China from 2020.
An overview of the news
China's National Rural Industry Development Plan (2020–2025) was formulated by the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs in 2020 to encourage the full utilization of by-products such as rice bran and wheat bran.
Rice Bran
Rice bran is the brown outer layer of the rice kernel, which is mainly composed of the pericarp, aleuron, seed coat, and germ.
It contains 50% carbohydrate (starch), 20% fat, 15% protein and 15% dietary fiber (DF), which is mainly insoluble fiber.
It contains 14-18% oil.
Rice bran oil is a good source of unsaturated fats, vitamin E, and other important nutrients.
It is mostly used as animal feed.
Why is China focusing on Rice Bran?
Global warming is a major factor contributing to the growing food problem in China, as well as the loss of agriculturally productive land.
One-fifth of the world's population lives in China. Only 11 percent of the country's land is considered ideal for agriculture.
The conflict between Russia and Ukraine has also had a negative impact on China's food supply system.
The Covid-induced disruption has created an already dire situation on the food front.
4. NTPC hosts international seminar on ‘Carbon Capture Utilization and Storage’
Tags: Summits National News
NTPC hosts an international seminar on ‘Carbon Capture Utilization and Storage’ (CCUS) at First Energy Transitions Working Group meeting in Bengaluru under the aegis of G20 India Presidency on 5 February.
An overview of the news
In India's presidency of G20 the first Energy Transitions Working Group (ETWG) meeting was held from 5th February to 7 February 2023.
CCUS aims to achieve net zero carbon emissions by 2070.
Energy PSUs including NTPC and ONGC are looking to tap the potential of this sector in India.
Outcomes of the seminar
The “Carbon Capture, Utilization, and Storage (CCUS) – Technology Gaps and International Collaboration”, commissioned under the G20 India Presidency, was unveiled.
A 3D model of NTPC's flagship project on Methanol Synthesis from Flue Gas CO2 was displayed at the event.
More than 200 dignitaries, speakers, panellists and delegates from various countries attended the event.
What is Carbon capture, usage and storage (CCUS)?
It is a technology that can capture and effectively utilize high concentrations of carbon dioxide emitted by industrial activities.
This allows the captured carbon dioxide (CO2) to be used in other industrial processes or in the manufacture of consumer products, instead of being stored.
5. Pakistan's former President Pervez Musharraf passes away
Tags: Person in news International News
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Pervez Musharraf, former President of Pakistan, passed away after a prolonged illness on 5 February at a hospital in Dubai. He was 79.
An overview of the news
Musharraf was undergoing treatment for a rare disease called amyloidosis, which is caused by a build-up of abnormal proteins called amyloid in organs and tissues.
Musharraf was a four-star general who ruled Pakistan for nearly a decade after seizing power in a 1999 coup.
Musharraf had been in self-exile in Dubai since March 2016 facing trial for treason for suspending the constitution in 2007.
He was declared a proclaimed offender in the former Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto assassination case and the Lal Masjid Maulvi murder case.
Musharraf rose to power following a military takeover of the government in 1999 and became the tenth President of Pakistan in June 2001.
He resigned in August 2008, facing possible impeachment.
Musharraf was born in New Delhi in 1943, at the age of four his family moved to Pakistan. His father was employed in the Ministry of External Affairs, while his mother was a teacher.
He joined the Pakistan Army in 1961, participated in the Indo-Pakistani Wars of 1965 and 1971, and was promoted to the rank of Four Star General.
Musharraf is considered the chief architect of the Kargil War, which took place in 1999, soon after India and Pakistan signed the Lahore Declaration.
Musharraf as president came to Agra in 2001 for a peace summit with Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee, but talks broke down and a treaty was never signed.
He was allowed to visit Dubai in 2016.
6. Sri Lanka celebrates 75th Independence Day
Tags: Important Days International News
Sri Lanka celebrated 75 years of Independence on 4 February under the theme Namo Namo Matha – A step towards a century.
An overview of the news
The main ceremony of the National Independence Day Celebrations was held at Galle Face Green in Colombo.
A special cultural arts festival Lankaralanka was held at Independence square in Colombo.
The Jaffna cultural centre which was built under an Indian grant will also be opened in a few days.
India's Union Minister of State for External Affairs V. Muraleedharan participated in the Independence Day celebrations.
The Minister held talks with Sri Lankan President Ranil Wickremesinghe and Sri Lankan Foreign Affairs Minister Ali Sabri and discussed issues of mutual interest.
Sri Lanka Independence Day
Known as Ceylon, Sri Lanka was a major economic center for the British Empire, which granted it semi-independent 'dominionship' status in 1948.
Sri Lanka became a full-fledged republic on May 22, 1972, and is formally known as the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka.
The first Prime Minister of Sri Lanka was Don Stephen Senanayake, who is regarded as the Father of the Nation.
In 1972, William Gopalwa became the first President of Sri Lanka.
Independence Day is also celebrated by Sri Lankan expatriate communities in other countries including Australia, Canada, Germany, Singapore and the United States.
7. Collegium System: Supreme Court
Tags: National National News
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5 New Judges to be appointed Soon in the Supreme Court according to the Government of India.
An overview of the news
The Supreme Court collegium led by Chief Justice of India D.Y. Chandrachud on December 13, 2022 recommended the names of five judges for appointment as apex court judges and three for elevation as Chief Justices (CJ) of High Courts (HC).
The five judges recommended to the government for appointment as Supreme Court judges are Rajasthan High Court Chief Justice Pankaj Mithal; Patna High Court Chief Justice Sanjay Karol; Manipur High Court Chief Justice P.V. Sanjay Kumar; Patna High Court judge Justice Ahsanuddin Amanullah; and Allahabad High Court judge Justice Manoj Misra.
Once the five take oath as judges of the Supreme Court, its working strength will go up to 32.
The sanctioned strength of the top court is 34, including the Chief Justice of India. Its present working strength is 27.
Collegium System in India
The collegium system in India refers to the process of appointment and transfer of judges in the higher judiciary, which includes the Supreme Court and the High Courts.
Under this system, a collegium of the Chief Justice of India and four senior-most judges of the Supreme Court recommend appointments and transfers to the President of India, who has the power to make the appointments.
The system was established by a 1993 judgement of the Supreme Court and has been the subject of controversy and criticism.
Some have criticized it for lack of transparency and accountability, while others have defended it as necessary to ensure the independence of the judiciary.
National Judicial Appointments Commission
The National Judicial Appointments Commission (NJAC) was a proposed body in India that was intended to replace the existing collegium system for the appointment and transfer of judges to the higher judiciary.
The NJAC Act was passed by the Indian Parliament in 2014, but it was later struck down by the Supreme Court of India in 2015 on the grounds that it violated the basic structure of the Indian Constitution.
The court held that the NJAC Act sought to undermine the independence of the judiciary and the basic feature of separation of powers between the executive and the judiciary.
As a result, the collegium system was restored and continues to be used for the appointment of judges to the higher judiciary in India.
8. PM Modi emerges as world’s most popular leader, with approval rating of 78%
Tags: Reports International News
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Prime Minister Narendra Modi has been rated as the world's most popular leader with an approval rating of 78 per cent, according to a survey by US-based consulting firm 'Morning Consult'.
An overview of the news
According to the rating, PM Modi's rating is ahead of other leaders including US President Joe Biden, French President Emmanuel Macron and UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak.
The poll surveyed 22 global leaders for the ratings.
Of the 22 leaders surveyed by the research firm, Prime Minister Narendra Modi topped with 78 per cent.
Mexican President Andrés Manuel López Obrador is in second place with a 68 percent approval rating, and Swiss President Alain Berset is third with a 62 percent approval rating.
US President Joe Biden and Canada's Justin Trudeau received an approval rating of 40 percent and ranked seventh and ninth, respectively.
UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak ranked 13th on the list with a 30 percent approval rating.
PM Modi's approval rating had reached an all-time high of 84 percent on May 2, 2020.
Morning Consult
US based Morning Consult's "Global Leader Approval" survey is based on data collected from January 26-31 this year.
Surveys are weighted in each country by age, gender, region, and in some countries by official government sources and education.
9. The first meeting of the G-20 Energy Transition Working Group under the chairmanship of India will be held in Bengaluru from 5 to 7 February. An overview of the news Representatives of G-20 countries and guest countries will be part of the working gr
Tags: Summits National News
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The first meeting of the G-20 Energy Transition Working Group under the chairmanship of India will be held in Bengaluru from 5 to 7 February.
An overview of the news
Representatives of G-20 countries and guest countries will be part of the working group.
In addition, representatives of major international organizations such as the World Bank, the Asian Development Bank, the United National Development Program, the International Energy Agency, the Clean Energy Ministerial, and the International Solar Alliance will participate in the meeting.
The delegates will visit the Infosys Green Building Campus in Bengaluru and the Mega Solar Park in Pavagada as evidence of efforts to mitigate climate change.
Topics of discussion
Technology gaps in energy transition,
Low-cost financing for energy transition,
Energy security and diversified supply chain,
Industrial carbon transition
Fuel for the future
A roadmap for doubling the global rate of improvement in energy efficiency by 2030,
An action plan for enhancing and promoting bio-energy cooperation,
Recommendations on global best practices for supporting affordable, and inclusive energy transitions
Planned Energy Transition Ministerial Meeting (ETMM)
To set the agenda and identify action areas, the ETWG will hold three working group meetings in Gandhinagar (April), Mumbai (May), and Goa (July).
10. Government approves conversion of Rs 16,133 crore interest dues of Vodafone Idea into equity
Tags: Economy/Finance National News
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The government has approved the conversion of debt-ridden Vodafone Idea's interest dues of over Rs 16,133 crore into equity.
An overview of the news
The government said Aditya Birla Group, one of the promoters, has committed to bring in additional funds.
With this conversion, the government is expected to become the largest shareholder in the loss-making telecom company with 33.14 per cent stake.
Vodafone Idea will issue equity shares at a face value of Rs 10 each to the government.
This relief for the company comes as part of the reform package announced by the government in September 2021.
Merger of Vodafone and Idea
Kumar Mangalam Birla's telecom company Idea Cellular agreed to merge with Vodafone in March 2017.
According to the latest data published by telecom regulator TRAI, the company has 243 million mobile subscribers, with a market share of 21.33 per cent.
It is the only telecom operator that is yet to place purchase orders for equipment for 5G services and is struggling to clear dues to its vendors.
Largest mobile subscriber companies in India
Reliance Jio is a leading wireless telecom company with more than 411 million customers across India.
Bharti Airtel (21.5 crore), Vodafone Idea (12.2 crore) are in second and third place respectively.
Vodafone Idea
It is a joint venture of Vodafone (United Kingdom) and Aditya Birla Group.
It has the third largest mobile telecommunication network in India.
Headquarters: Gandhinagar, Gujarat
Corporate Headquarters: Mumbai
Chairman: Ravinder Takkar
Chief Executive Officer: Akshay Moondra
