1. Indian Embassy in Kathmandu organises 5 km marathon 'Run for Life' with theme of 'lifestyle for Environment'
Tags: National National News
With the theme of 'lifestyle for Environment', 5 km marathon 'Run for Life' was organised by the Indian Embassy in Kathmandu on 21 January.
An overview of the news
Hundreds of college going students, human trafficking survivors, sportspersons, doctors and children participated in the marathon to promote running as a healthy lifestyle.
On the occasion of Amrit Mahotsav celebrations of Independence in Nepal, Indian Ambassador Naveen Srivastava emphasised on adopting a healthy lifestyle.
The Run for Life Marathon celebrates the diplomatic relations between India and Nepal as well as 75 years of India's independence.
The marathon started from Pashupatinath temple complex and covered 5 km back to Pashupatinath in a duration of one hour.
The Marathon winner was awarded a gold medal after completion of the marathon.
The Embassy of India in Kathmandu also organised a music concert 'Sangeet Sukoon'.
The event was attended by Prime Minister of Nepal Pushpa Kamal Dahal, and former Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli.
2. State DGPs and IGPs annual Conference
Tags: Summits National News
The three-day conference of heads of all state police forces and paramilitary organisations began in New Delhi on January 20.
An overview of the news
PM Modi, Home Minister Amit Shah, National Security Advisor Ajit Doval addressed the conference.
Cyber security, war on drugs, and the situation in Jammu and Kashmir were among the top agenda items of the conference.
Apart from this, border management, cross-border threats and maritime security were also discussed in the annual meeting.
Other issues discussed included threat from Khalistani extremists, threat to economy, cryptocurrency, Maoist violence and Northeast insurgency.
Around 350 top police officers of the country in the rank of Director General (DG) and Inspector General (IG) attended the conference.
About the conference
Till 2013, the annual meet was held in the national capital, in 2014, when the Modi government came to power, it was decided to hold the event outside Delhi.
In 2014, the conference was held at Guwahati, Rann of Kutch in 2015, National Police Academy, Hyderabad in 2016, BSF Academy, Tekanpur in 2017 and Pune in 2019.
Due to the Covid epidemic, in 2020 it was held virtually while in 2021 the conference was held in Lucknow.
3. G20's First Environment and Climate Sustainability Working Group (ECSWG) Meeting to be held in Bengaluru
Tags: Summits National News
-Meeting-to-be-held-in-Bengaluru.jpg)
The first G-20 Environment meeting under the G-20 India Presidency will be held at the Taj West End in Bengaluru during February 9 -11.
An overview of the news
It has scheduled four meetings of the Environment and Climate Sustainability Working Group (ECSWG), which will be hosted by the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change.
India will chair the G-20 for one year till 30 November 2023.
The forum will bring together G-20 member states, guest countries and international organisations invited by India.
Through the Sherpa Track, 13 working groups and 2 initiatives will meet under the chairmanship of India to discuss priorities and provide recommendations.
Agenda of the meeting
Promotion of Blue Economy along with Coastal Sustainability
Restoration of Degraded Lands and Ecosystems’ and ‘Enhancement of Biodiversity
Strengthening of Circular Economy
4. UNESCO dedicates International Day of Education 2023 to Afghan girls, women
Tags: Important Days International News
UNESCO has decided to dedicate the International Day of Education to be celebrated on January 24, 2023, to Afghan girls and women.
An overview of the news
UNESCO Director-General Audrey Azoulay said that no country in the world should prevent women and girls from getting education and it is a universal human right that should be respected.
The international community has a responsibility to ensure that the rights of Afghan girls and women are restored without delay.
UNESCO and other international organisations should take concrete steps to address the issue of women and girls in Afghanistan under Taliban rule.
According to UNESCO, currently around 80 percent of Afghan girls and young women of school-age are out of school under Taliban rule, as they are denied access to secondary schools and universities.
Since 15 August 2021, Afghanistan has barred girls from attending secondary school, restricted the freedom of movement of women and girls, and excluded women from most areas of the workforce.
About UNESCO
United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) is a specialised agency of the United Nations (UN).
It seeks to build peace through international cooperation in Education, the Sciences and Culture.
It is also a member of the United Nations Sustainable Development Group (UNSDG), a coalition of UN agencies and organisations aimed at fulfilling the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
Headquarters: Paris, France
Director General: Audrey Azoulay
Founded: 16 November 1945 in London, United Kingdom
The organisation has 193 members and 11 Associate members.
5. India surpasses China to become most populous country in the world
Tags: Reports International News
According to projections by the World Population Review (WPR), India has surpassed China as the world’s most populous nation.
An overview of the news
As per WPR, India’s population was 141.7 crore as of the end of 2022.
According to official announcements, India's population is a little over 5 million, compared to 141.2 million declared by China on 17 January.
As per WPR estimates, India's population has increased to 142.3 crore as of January 18.
India, with 50 percent of its population below the age of 30, is poised to be the fastest growing major economy in the world.
According to WPR, although India's population growth has slowed down, it will still increase till at least 2050.
India, the third largest economy in Asia, is currently self-sufficient in food production.
India ranks second in terms of production of rice, wheat and sugar.
Apart from being a major importer of edible oils, India is also the largest consumer of sugar.
India is the third largest market for the purchase of crude oil, the second largest consumer of steel and gold.
In addition, India is the third largest domestic aviation market in the world.
6. IIT incubated firm develops indigenous Mobile Operating System
Tags: Science and Technology National News
An IIT Madras incubated firm has developed an indigenous mobile operating system 'Bharos’ that can benefit India's 100 crore mobile phone users.
About Mobile Operating System 'Bharos’
The software, named 'Bharos', can be installed on commercial off-the-shelf handsets.
It was developed by JandK Operations Pvt Ltd (JandKops), a company set up by the IIT Madras Innovative Technologies Foundation.
It provides a secure environment for the users and is a significant contribution towards 'Atmanirbhar Bharat'.
It provides access to trusted apps from organisation-specific Private App Store Services (PASS).
A PASS provides access to a curated list of apps that have been thoroughly tested and have met certain security and privacy standards of organisations.
Its users can be rest assured that the apps they are installing are safe to use.
It comes under No Default Apps (NDA). That means users can't be forced to use apps they don't know about or can't trust.
Bharos provides 'Native Over The Air' (NOTA) updates that can help keep devices secure.
NOTA updates are automatically downloaded and installed on the device without the user needing to manually initiate the process.
7. Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) President Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh constituted a seven-member committee to probe the allegations of sexual harassment
Tags: committee National News
-President-Brij-Bhushan-Sharan-Singh-constituted-a-seven-member-committee-to-probe-the-allegations-of-sexual-harassment.jpg)
A seven-member committee has been constituted by the Indian Olympic Association (IOA) to probe allegations of sexual harassment leveled by prominent wrestlers against Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) President Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh.
An overview of the news
The Indian Olympic Association took the decision at its executive council meeting, which was attended by IOA president PT Usha and joint secretary Kalyan Choubey, besides sportspersons like Abhinav Bindra and Yogeshwar.
The seven-member committee constituted by the IOA includes veteran women boxer MC Mary Kom, wrestler Yogeshwar Dutt, archer Dola Banerjee and Indian Weightlifting Federation president Sahdev Yadav, besides two lawyers Talish Ray and Shlok Chandra and former shuttler Alaknanda Ashok.
What is the matter ?
30 wrestlers of India along with Bajrang Punia, Vinesh Phogat and Sakshi Malik made many serious allegations against the President of the Wrestling Association, Brij Bhushan Singh.
Wrestlers have made many serious allegations against Brijbhushan like running the wrestling association in an arbitrary manner and not sending coaches with wrestlers in many competitions and threatening to protest.
Vinesh Phogat has accused Brij Bhushan of exploiting girls.
Wrestlers staged a sit-in at Delhi's Jantar Mantar for several days demanding formation of a committee to investigate the WFI president.
Wrestlers demand
Urges IOA to immediately set up a committee to look into complaints of sexual harassment
Demand to dissolve WFI.
Wrestlers demand sacking of WFI president
A new committee should be constituted in consultation with the wrestlers to look after the functioning of WFI.
8. IPA, RIS sign agreement to set up Centre for Maritime Economy and Connectivity
Tags: National News
Recently an agreement was signed between the Indian Ports Association (IPA) and the Research and Information System (RIS) for Developing Countries to set up a center for maritime economy and connectivity.
An overview of the news
The agreement was signed in the presence of the Union Minister for Ports, Shipping and Waterways Sarbananda Sonowal.
The proposed Transshipment Port at Galathea Bay in Greater Nicobar in Andaman and Nicobar Islands will be beneficial for BIMSTEC nations.
Thus the Prime Minister's Gati Shakti initiative will go beyond the shores of India where ports of neighbouring countries can also benefit.
Indian Ports Association (IPA)
It was formed in 1966 under the Societies Registration Act.
It functions under the supervisory control of the Ministry of Shipping.
Its main task is to develop all the major ports.
Research and Information System for Developing Countries (RIS)
Research and Information System for Developing Countries (RIS) is a New Delhi based autonomous policy research institute.
It specialises in issues related to international economic development, trade, investment and technology.
It is envisioned as a forum for fostering effective policy dialogue and capacity-building among developing countries on global and regional economic issues.
9. Controversy over BBC documentary "India: The Modi Question"
Tags: National News
The government has condemned theBBC documentary "India: The Modi Question" on Prime Minister Narendra Modi, terming it a propaganda and an attempt to defame.
An overview of the news
This documentary on Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi by the British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC) questions his leadership as the state's chief minister during theGujarat riots.
In 2002, violence broke out after a train carrying Hindu pilgrims caught fire in Godhra, Gujarat, killing more than 1,000 people, most of them Muslims.
The BBC documentary has been criticised since its release. British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak has also lodged a deep objection to this.
The Indian Ministry of External Affairs has termed it as a mere propaganda gimmick and a product of colonial mentality.
A Supreme Court-appointed inquiry found no evidence of any wrongdoing by PM Modi, who was the chief minister of Gujarat when the riots broke out in February 2002.
What is ‘India: The Modi Question’?
It is a TV series on 2002 riots in Gujarat which occurred during PM Modi’s time as Chief Minister of the state.
It is a two-part series broadcast on BBC Two.
The series explores how "the office of Narendra Modi has been affected by persistent allegations about his government's attitude towards India's Muslim population".
10. India produces record over 5,000 lakh metric tons of sugarcane in sugar season 2021-22
Tags: Economy/Finance National News
According to the Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution a record more than 5,000 Lakh Metric Tons (LMT) sugarcane was produced during the 2021-22 sugar season.
An overview of the news
About 394 LMT sugar was produced from about 3,574 LMT sugarcane. Out of this, 36 LMT sugar was diverted for ethanol production.
During 2021-22, sugar mills received revenue of more than 20 thousand crore rupees from the sale of ethanol.
During the sugar season between October and September 2021-22, India has emerged as the world's largest producer and consumer of sugar.
India has also become the second largest sugar exporter in the world after Brazil.
Cane dues for sugar season 2021-22 are less than Rs 2,300 crore indicating that 98% of cane dues have already been cleared.
For Sugar Season 2020-21, about 99.98% cane dues are cleared.
Despite the record high international sugar prices, the domestic sugar prices are stable and are in the range of Rs 32-35 per kg.
The average retail price of sugar in the country is around Rs 41.50/kg and is likely to remain in the range of Rs 37-43/kg in the coming months.
The largest producer of sugarcane in the world
Brazil is the largest producer of sugarcane in the world. India is the second largest producer of sugarcane.
Brazil produced about 32 million tons of sugar in 2021-22.
Major sugarcane-producing states in India
Uttar Pradesh, Maharashtra and Karnataka account for nearly 80 percent of the total sugar production in the country.
The other major sugarcane-producing states are Andhra Pradesh, Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh, Odisha, Tamil Nadu, Bihar, Haryana, and Punjab.
Since 2010-11, India has consistently produced surplus sugar, comfortably exceeding the domestic requirements.
