1. World's largest active volcano Mauna Loa erupts in Hawaii
Tags: Environment place in news International News
The world’s largest active volcano, Hawaii's Mauna Loa, has erupted after 40 years. The US Geological Service (USGS) has upgraded the situation from advisory to “warning” which is the highest classification for a volcanic eruption. At present the lava flow is mostly contained within the summit, but residents have been placed on alert.
Mauna Loa is located inside Hawaii Volcanoes National Park which covers half of the US state's Big Island. The volcano rises 13,679ft (4,169m) above sea level and spans an area of more than 2,000 sq miles (5,179 sq km).
The eruption began on 27 November 2022 night at Moku'āweoweo, the volcano's summit caldera. Calderas are hollows that form beneath the summit at the end of an eruption.
According to the USGS, Mauna Loa has erupted 33 times since its first documented eruption in 1843. The previous eruption in 1984 sent lava flows within 5 miles of the city of Hilo, the island's most populous town.
2. KVIC Chairman Manoj Kumar inaugurates the ambitious RE-HAB Project in Nainital
Tags: Environment place in news National Person in news State News
Khadi and Village Industries Commission (KVIC) Chairman Manoj Kumar inaugurated the ambitious RE-HAB, Project (Reducing Human Attacks using Honey Bees) of the Khadi and Village Industries Commission at village Chausla, in Forest Range Fatehpur, Haldwani, District Nainital, and Uttarakhand on 28 November 2022. He also distributed 330 Bee-boxes, bee-colonies and toolkits along with the honey extractors to the rural beneficiaries in Chausla village.
Project RE-HAB,
Government is promoting the use of bees to discourage attacks of wild elephants on human settlements. KVIC has launched a project RE-HAB, in the states of Assam, Uttarakhand, Karnataka, Maharashtra, West Bengal, and Orissa.
How it works
- Under Project RE-HAB, “Bee-fences' ' are created by setting up bee boxes in the passageways of elephants to block their entrance to human territories.
- The boxes are connected with a string so that when elephants attempt to pass through, a tug or pull causes the bees to swarm the elephant herds and dissuade them from progressing further.
- It is a cost-effective way of reducing human-wild conflicts without causing any harm to the animals.
- It is scientifically recorded that elephants are annoyed by the honey bees. Elephants also fear that the bee swarms can bite their sensitive inner side of the trunk and eyes. The collective buzz of the bees is annoying to elephants that force them to return.
- Project RE-HAB is a sub-mission of KVIC’s National Honey Mission.
- While the Honey Mission is a programme to increase the bee population, honey production and beekeepers’ income by setting up apiaries, Project RE-HAB uses bee boxes as a fence to prevent the elephant attacks.
- As a new initiative, the RE-HAB project will be run by KVIC at selected locations for a period of one year.
The Khadi Village and Industries Commission (KVIC)
- The Khadi Village and Industries Commission (KVIC) was set up in 1957 under the Khadi and Village Industries Commission Act of 1956.
- It is under the Ministry of Micro Small and Medium Enterprises.
- It is responsible for planning, promotion, organisation, and implementation of programs for the development of Khadi and other village industries in the rural areas along with other agencies engaged in rural development wherever necessary.
Chairperson of KVIC: Manoj Kumar
3. Spanish film ‘I Have Electric Dreams’ wins the Golden Peacock for the Best Film award at the 53rd IFFI
Tags: National Awards Person in news
The 53rd International Film Festival of India (IFFI) came to an end at a ceremony held at the Dr Shyama Prasad Mukherjee Stadium near Panaji on 28 November 2022. Union Information and Broadcasting Minister Anurag Singh Thakur, Goa Chief Minister Pramod Sawant and a host of film personalities including Akshay Kumar, Asha Parekh, Ayushman Khurana, Manushi Chhillar, Rana Duggubati, Sharman Joshi, and Khushbu Sundar were present.
The 53rd IFFI being held in Panaji from 20-28 November 2022 was organised by National Film Development Corporation and Entertainment Society of Goa.
Main Highlights of the 53rd International Film Festival of India (IFFI)
Opening and closing film of the Festival
The opening film of the festival was Austrian Director Dieter Berner's film Alma and Oskar and the closing film was the Polish film ‘Perfect Number’, directed by Krzysztof Zanussi.
Awards
Celebrated Spanish film Director Carlos Saura was honoured with the prestigious Satyajit Ray Lifetime Achievement award.
Actor Producer Chiranjeevi Konidela was conferred with the IFFI Indian Film Personality of the Year Award for 2022.
Golden Peacock for the Best Film:
Spanish film Tengo sueños eléctricos / I HAVE ELECTRIC DREAMS. The film has been directed by Costa Rican film maker Valentina Maurel.
Silver Peacock for Best Director:
Iranian writer and director Nader Saeivar was awarded Silver Peacock for Best Director for his Turkish film No End/ Bi Payan.
Silver Peacock for Best Actor (Male)
Vahid Mobasseri, lead actor of No End, was honoured with Silver Peacock for Best Actor (Male).
Silver Peacock for Best Actor (Female)
Daniela Marín Navarro, lead Actress of the Film ‘I Have Electric Dreams’ was honoured with Silver Peacock for Best Actor (Female).
Special Jury Award
Lav Diaz of Philippines was chosen for the Special Jury Award for When the Waves are Gone / Kapag wala nang mga alon.
Best Debut Feature Film of a Director
Asimina Proedrou of Greece was chosen for the Best Debut Feature Film of a Director. She got the award for her film Behind the Haystacks.
Special mention by Jury Award
Director, writer and cinematographer Praveen Kandregula received Special Mention by the Jury for his film Cinema Bandi. The film has been made in Telugu
The Feature Film Jury, comprising thirteen members, was headed by Vinod Ganatra, an illustrious Filmmaker and Editor and winner of 9 National and 36 International awards.
International Film Festival of India (IFFI)
The first International Film Festival of India (IFFI) was held in the cities of Bombay (now Mumbai), Delhi, Calcutta (now Kolkata), Madras (now Chennai) from 24 January to 1 February 1952.
The Delhi leg was inaugurated by Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru. It was later held in different cities of the country.
Since 2004, starting from the 35th edition, Goa has become the permanent venue of the International Film Festival of India (IFFI).
It is held in the month of November -December every year.
4. Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Vastu Sangrahalaya wins UNESCO Award for cultural heritage conservation
Tags: Awards National News
Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Vastu Sangrahalaya (CSMVS). Mumbai was conferred with the ‘Award of Excellence’ at the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO) Asia-Pacific Awards for Cultural Heritage Conservation-2022 on 26 November.
Important facts
The UNESCO Asia-Pacific Awards for Cultural Heritage Conservation is supported by a partnership between UNESCO and Ng Teng Fong Charitable Foundation since 2021.
Since 2000, the UNESCO Asia-Pacific Awards for Cultural Heritage Conservation Program has been recognizing the efforts of private individuals and organisations in restoring, conserving and transforming heritage structures and buildings in the region.
Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Vastu Sangrahalaya was established as the Prince of Wales Museum of Western India in 1922.
The list of awarded projects in 2022 includes
Award of Excellence - Chhtrapati Shivaji Maharaj Vastu Sangrahalaya Museum, Mumbai, India
Award of Distinction - Stepwells of Golconda, Hyderabad, India, Zarch Qanat, Yazd, Iran , Neilson Hays Library, Bangkok, Thailand
Award of Merit - Topdara Stupa, Charikar, Afghanistan, Nantian Buddhist Temple, Fujian, China , Domakonda Fort, Telangana, India, Byculla Station, Mumbai, India, Sadoughi House, Yazd, Iran , 25 Chivas in Kathmandu, Nepal
5. India's milk production registers monumental growth by 83 MT in last 8 years
Tags: National Economy/Finance National News
India has registered a significant growth in milk production in the last eight years as milk production has increased by 83 million tonnes during this period.
Important facts
Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed happiness over the increase in milk production, and said that a vibrant dairy sector is also a great way to strengthen our "Nari Shakti".
Indian Dairy Sector
India ranks first in milk production and contributes 23% to global milk production.
The top 5 milk-producing states are: Uttar Pradesh (14.9%), Rajasthan (14.6%), Madhya Pradesh (8.6%), Gujarat (7.6%) and Andhra Pradesh (7.0%).
Dairy is the single largest agricultural commodity contributing 5% of the national economy, witnessing 6.4% in the past 5 years.
About 80 million people are directly or indirectly employed in the dairy industry.
Some important facts related to milk and milk products
India is the largest milk producer in the world accounting for 23 per cent of the global production. Next come the United States, China, Pakistan and Brazil.
Uttar Pradesh is the largest milk producing state in India and accounts for more than 15% of the total milk production in India.
The availability of milk in India is 406 grams per person per day.
Ordinary milk consists of 85 percent water and the remaining part consists of solid elements i.e. minerals and fats.
Milk is rich in protein, calcium and riboflavin (Vitamin B-2).
Milk also contains vitamins A, D, K and E, including phosphorus, magnesium, iodine, and many minerals and fats and energy.
The purity of milk is measured by a lactometer.
National Milk Research Institute is located in Karnal (Haryana).
An organic compound called lactose is found in milk.
Fresh milk has a pH of 6, when milk turns into curd, its pH becomes less than 6.
Lactobacillus bacteria help in curdling from milk.
6. India's milk production registers monumental growth by 83 MT in last 8 years
Tags: National Economy/Finance National News
India has registered a significant growth in milk production in the last eight years as milk production has increased by 83 million tonnes during this period.
Important facts
Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed happiness over the increase in milk production, and said that a vibrant dairy sector is also a great way to strengthen our "Nari Shakti".
Indian Dairy Sector
India ranks first in milk production and contributes 23% to global milk production.
The top 5 milk-producing states are: Uttar Pradesh (14.9%), Rajasthan (14.6%), Madhya Pradesh (8.6%), Gujarat (7.6%) and Andhra Pradesh (7.0%).
Dairy is the single largest agricultural commodity contributing 5% of the national economy, witnessing 6.4% in the past 5 years.
About 80 million people are directly or indirectly employed in the dairy industry.
Some important facts related to milk and milk products
India is the largest milk producer in the world accounting for 23 per cent of the global production. Next come the United States, China, Pakistan and Brazil.
Uttar Pradesh is the largest milk producing state in India and accounts for more than 15% of the total milk production in India.
The availability of milk in India is 406 grams per person per day.
Ordinary milk consists of 85 percent water and the remaining part consists of solid elements i.e. minerals and fats.
Milk is rich in protein, calcium and riboflavin (Vitamin B-2).
Milk also contains vitamins A, D, K and E, including phosphorus, magnesium, iodine, and many minerals and fats and energy.
The purity of milk is measured by a lactometer.
National Milk Research Institute is located in Karnal (Haryana).
An organic compound called lactose is found in milk.
Fresh milk has a pH of 6, when milk turns into curd, its pH becomes less than 6.
Lactobacillus bacteria help in curdling from milk.
7. G20 ambassadors blow conch shells to welcome India’s G20 Presidency at Swaraj Dweep, Andaman and Nicobar
Tags: place in news National
40 countries which included the G20 ambassadors and invited guests from friendly countries blew conch shells (Shankh), which is considered auspicious as per Indian traditions on 26 November 2022, to welcome India’s G20 Presidency at Swaraj Dweep in Andaman and Nicobar Islands. Swaraj Dweep was earlier known as Havelock Island.
The Union External Affairs ministry had invited Resident Heads of Missions of the G20 member countries, guest countries and International Organizations at the islands to attend the G20 curtain raiser event and preparatory meetings ahead of India taking up the presidency officially on 1 December.
As part of the event, G20 India coordinator Harsh Vardhan Shringla and G20 Sherpa Amitabh Kant organised a yoga session on Kala Patthar beach for the delegates.
Indonesian President Joko Widodo on 16 November 2022 had officially handed over the G20 presidency to India at the end of a summit of the bloc’s leaders in Bali.
Taking over the presidency, Prime Minister Narendra Modi Prime said it was a matter of pride for every Indian citizen. He said that “We will organise G20 meetings in different cities and states of our country. Our guests will get a full experience of India’s amazing diversity, inclusive traditions, and cultural richness. We wish that all of you will participate in this unique celebration in India, the ‘Mother of Democracy’.
G20 is a group of 19 leading developed and developing countries and the European Union .G-20 members constitute 60% of the world population, 80% of the World economy and 75% of world trade.
Andaman and Nicobar Island
It is an archipelago in the Bay of Bengal. It consists of 300 islands of Andaman and 19 islands of Nicobar.
The Ten Degree channel separates Nicobar Islands from Andaman Islands.
It became a Union Territory in 1956.
India’s only active volcano is at Barren Island in the northern Andamans.
Cellular jail or Kala Pani is located in Port Blair is a National Museum where Britishers used to keep Indian freedom fighters like Veer Savarkar, Batukeshwar Dutt in isolation .
Capital of Andaman and Nicobar: Port Blair located on South Andaman Island.
Lieutenant Governor: Admiral D K Joshi
8. Union Minister Dr Sanjeev Balyan inaugurates Animal Quarantine Certification Services in Bengaluru
Tags: place in news National State News
The Union Minister of State, Ministry of Fisheries, Animal husbandry & dairying, Dr Sanjeev Kumar Balyan inaugurated the Animal Quarantine Certification Services (AQCS) at Hessarghata, Bengaluru as part of the National Milk Day celebration 2022.
There are six AQCS in the countries under the Department of Animal Husbandry, Dairying and Fisheries, Ministry of Agriculture & Farmers Welfare. These six AQCS are near International Airports in the city of New Delhi, Mumbai, Kolkata, Chennai, Bangalore, and Hyderabad.
Purpose and scope of the AQCS
The purpose and scope of setting up of Quarantine Stations is to prevent the spread of dangerous exotic diseases into the country through imported livestock and livestock products.
There are many infectious diseases of livestock which are prevalent in other countries but not present in India. It is therefore necessary that such exotic diseases do not gain entry into our country through movement of livestock and livestock products from across the borders.
Thus there is a need to check the imported animals including pets like dogs and cats to be sure that they don't carry any such dangerous pathogens. Hence Quarantine stations are set up where they can be checked before being released in India.
To deal with this problem the Government of India initiated a central sector scheme namely “Animal Quarantine & Certification Services” (AQCS) during the Fourth Five Year Plan (1969-70).
9. First China-Indian Ocean Region Forum on Development Cooperation held in China, India not invited
Tags: Summits International News
According to the China International Development Cooperation Agency (CIDCA) a meeting of the China-Indian Ocean Region Forum on Development Cooperation took place on 21 November 2022, in which 19 countries took part. India was not invited by the Chinese.
The meeting was held in a hybrid manner under the theme of “Shared Development: Theory and Practice from the Perspective of the Blue Economy” in Kunming, Yunnan Province of China.
According to CIDCA at the November 21 meeting, China has proposed to establish a marine disaster prevention and mitigation cooperation mechanism between China and countries in the Indian Ocean region.
Countries which participated in the Chinese forum
The following 19 countries participated in the meeting; Indonesia, Pakistan, Myanmar, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, Maldives, Nepal, Afghanistan, Iran, Oman, South Africa, Kenya, Mozambique, Tanzania, Seychelles, Madagascar, Mauritius, Djibouti, Australia and representatives of 3 international organisations.
Maldives denies participating in the meeting
The Maldives Foreign ministry in a statement issued on 27 November 2022 has denied participating in the meeting .It said that it had officially communicated to the Chinese government its inability to participate in the forum.
Chinese attempt to counter Indian influence in the region
According to experts, the Chinese forum is apparently aimed at countering India’s strong influence in the Indian Ocean region where India-backed organisations like the 23 members Indian Ocean Rim Association, (IORA) have taken strong roots. China is a dialogue partner in the IORA formed in 1997.
The Indian Navy-backed Indian Ocean Naval Symposium (IONS), established in 2007, is a premier forum for cooperation and collaboration among navies of littoral states of the Indian Ocean Region.
Chinese effort to increase its influence in the Indian Ocean region
China is trying its influence in the strategic Indian Ocean region with substantial investments in ports and infrastructure investments in several countries, including Pakistan and Sri Lanka.
China has established a full-fledged naval base in Djibouti, its first outside the country. Beijing has acquired the Hambantota port in Sri Lanka on a 99-year lease besides building the port at Pakistan’s Gwadar in the Arabian Sea opposite India’s western coast.
10. US bans the use of Chinese companies Huawei, ZTE telecom equipment sales, citing national security risk
Tags: International News
The United States government has banned the use of telecommunication equipment from China's Huawei Technologies and ZTE because they pose "an unacceptable risk" to U.S. national security.
The U.S. Federal Communications Commission in its order on 26 November 2022 also banned the sale or import of equipment made by Chinese surveillance equipment maker Dahua Technology Co ,video surveillance firm Hangzhou Hikvision Digital Technology Co Ltd and telecoms firm Hytera Communications Corp Ltd.
In March 2021 the American government had designated five Chinese companies Huawei, ZTE, Hytera Communications Corp Hikvision and Dahua on the "covered list" as posing a threat to national security under a 2019 law aimed at protecting U.S. communications networks.
Chinese companies dominate the telecom equipment market in the world and many countries fear that the use of Chinese equipment will comprise its national security.
US security officials have warned that equipment from Chinese brands such as Huawei could be used to interfere with fifth-generation (5G) wireless networks and collect sensitive information.
India has also indirectly banned the use of Chinese telecom equipment in the country.
