1. Prime Minister Inaugurates Pune Metro
Tags: National News
Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated the 12 Km stretch of the 32.2 km Pune metro rail project on 6 March 2022. The Foundation stone of the project was laid down by the Prime Minister on December 24, 2016.
The Rs 11,420-crore-31.25 km Pune Metro Phase 1 comprises a 16.58-km Corridor-1 from Pimpri Chinchwad to Swargate with 14 stations and a 14.66-km Corridor-2 from Vanaz to Ramwadi with 16 stations.
Pune Metro project is a joint venture between Government of India and Maharashtra government. The project is funded through a loan of 600 million euro from European Investment Bank and 245 million euro from AFD (French Development Agency) of France.
Mula-Mutha River Projects
PM Modi also laid the foundation stone of rejuvenation and pollution abatement of Mula-Mutha river projects in Pune.
Rejuvenation would be done in a 9 km stretch of the river at a project cost of more than Rs 1,080 crore.
(for detail about this project kindly see 23 February 2022 post)
RK Laxman Art Gallery
The Prime Minister also inaugurated the R K Laxman Art Gallery-Museum constructed at Balewadi, Pune.
The main attraction of the Museum is a miniature model based on the village of Malgudi which will be made alive through the audio-visual effects. Cartoons drawn by cartoonist R K Laxman will be showcased in the Museum.
R K Laxman was a famous cartoonist who created a character of common man which was published daily in the Times of India newspaper “You Said It” column.
Malgudi Days was a short story collection written by his brother R.K.Narayan, which was made into a famous TV serial on Doordarshan .
Important for Exams
The first metro rail system in the world was started in London on 10 January 1863 .
First metro in India; Kolkata Metro which started its operation 24 October 1984 between Dum Dam to Tollygunge . It was started with the help of the Soviet Union .
Largest metro rail in operation in India : Delhi Metro (390.14 km:Source DMRC as on 7 March 2022). It started operation on 24 December 2002.
Smallest Metro: Ahmedabad metro, 6 km;
The metro rail systems in operation in India are in the cities of Ahmedabad, Bengaluru,Chennai, Delhi,Gurugram,Hyderabad, Jaipur,Kanpur, Kolkata, Lucknow, Mumbai,Nagpur, Noida ,Pune. (total 14 cities )
2. India abstains in UN Human Rights council vote on Ukraine -Russia Conflict
Tags: International News
India again abstained on the United Nation Human Rights Council resolution on 4 March 2022, calling for an investigation of alleged human rights violation and international humanitarian law by Russia during its invasion of Ukraine .
So far India has abstained from three votes at the UN Security Council, two at the UN General Assembly in New York, two at the Human Rights Council in Geneva, and one at the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) in Vienna on resolution which has condemned Russia for its invasion of Ukraine .
Only Eritrea and Russia voted against the resolution while 13 countries including India abstained from the vote. .
The resolution was passed by two-third majority and it asked the Un Human Rights Council President to appoint a three member panel .
Russia has rejected all the allegations of human rights violation or targeting civilians during the conflict .
United Nations Human Rights Council
The United Nations Human Rights Council was set up by the United Nation General Assembly in 2006. It replaced the United Nations Commission Human Rights which was set up in 1946.
Main Functions
As it names suggest it was set up to ;
Strengthen the promotion and protection of human rights around the globe;
for addressing situations of human rights violations and makes recommendations on them.;
It discusses human rights issues and situations around the world .
Members
It has 47 members who are elected for three years by the United National General Assembly . The membership is distributed among regions. 13 members come from Asia and 13 from Africa , 6 come from East Europe, 7 from Western Europeand other groups and 8 from South America and Caribbean countries .
Headquarters : Geneva, Switzerland
President : Federico Villegras of Argentina .
3. 117th meeting of Indus Water Commission held in Pakistan
Tags: International News
The 117th Meeting of the Permanent Indus Commission (PIC) comprising of Indus Commissioners of India and Pakistan was held from March 1-3, 2022 in Islamabad, Pakistan.
The Indian delegation was led by Shri PK Saxena, the Indian Commissioner for Indus Waters.
Under the provisions of the Indus Waters Treaty (Treaty), signed between India and Pakistan in 1960, the two Commissioners are required to meet at least once every year, alternately in India and Pakistan.
The last meeting of the Permanent Indus Commission (PIC) was held from March 23-24, 2021 in New Delhi.
During the meeting, technical discussions were held regarding on-going projects including Pakal Dul, Kiru and Lower Kalnai.
Both sides discussed the issue of the Fazilka drain, and Pakistan assured that all necessary actions will continue to be taken to ensure the free flow of Fazilka drain into the river Sutlej.
Indus Water Treaty 1960
It was signed between India and Pakistan in 1960. It divided Indus and its tributaries between India and Pakistan.
Pakistan was given the right to use the waters of Indus, Chenab and Jhelum while India was to use Sutlej, Beas and Ravi rivers for irrigation, power projects etc..
The Indus Water Treaty was mediated by the World Bank.
4. Russia Captures, Ukraine’s Nuclear Complex
Tags: Popular International News
Russian troops have taken control of the Ukrainian Zaporizhzhia nuclear complex.
Zaporizhzhia nuclear complex is the largest nuclear plant in Europe and fifth largest in the world.
The Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant has an installed capacity of 6,000MW.
It provides one-fifth of Ukraine's electricity needs.
Zaporizhzhia nuclear complex is in southeastern Ukraine near the city of Enerhodar.
Russia has already captured the Chernobyl nuclear plant of Ukraine , which was the site of a major nuclear accident in 1986.
Important for Exam
The largest Nuclear Power plant in the world is Kashiwazaki-Kariwa plant in Japan with an installed capacity of 7,965MW.
India’s largest nuclear power plant is at Kudankulam, Tamil Nadu with an installed capacity of 2000 MW and additional 2000 MW is under construction . It is being built with the help of Russia .
Note-Update on Russian -Ukrainian war Click Here
5. Indian Air Force joins Operation Ganga
Tags: Popular National News
To accelerate the pace of evacuation from war torn Ukraine, the Government of India has pressed the Indian Airforce in the operation Ganga .
The Indian Air Force transport plane C-17 Globemaster was pressed into service and sent to Romania, Hungary, and Poland from the Hindon airbase.
All the aircraft carry tents, blankets, and other humanitarian aid for Ukraine.The Aircraft has a seating capacity of 158.
India bought the C-17 Globemaster from America and the first C-17 Globemaster was inducted in 2013 in the Indian Air Force . Presently the IAF has a fleet of 11 C-17 Globemaster IIIs.
Outside the United States, India has the largest fleet of C-17 Globemaster aircraft in the world.
The Indian Air Force had deployed its C-17 Globemasters aircraft for evacuation operations of Indians stuck in Afghanistan when the country fell into the hands of Taliban under operation Dev Shakti.
Note- 28 feb news to be update Click Here
6. India Partly Free says Freedom House
Tags: Popular National News
For the second time in a row India has been put in the “partly free” status by the government of United States funded non-governmental organisation Freedom House.
Freedom House, which studies political freedom around the world, had last year downgraded India’s status as a democracy and free society to ‘partly free’ from free.
The Freedom House has released its report “Freedom in the world 2022-The Global Expansion of Authoritarian Rule “. The 2022 edition covers developments in political rights and civil liberties in 195 countries and 15 territories from January 1, 2021, through December 31, 2021.
India was given a score of 66 out of 100. Last year India scored 67.
It ranked Syria and South Sudan as the most unfree country of the world and was ranked at bottom
Norway ,Sweden and Denmark were ranked as the most free countries in the world with a score of 100/100 points.
Freedom House
It is a non -governmental organisation funded by the United States government . It was set up in 1941 and its headquarters is in Washington D.C .
It conducts research in the field of democracy, freedom and human rights.
It releases an annual report “Freedom in the World”.
The organisation is seen by many critics as serving the interests of the United States government .
7. India abstain at the UN Vote on Russia again
Tags: Popular International News
India abstained during the voting at the United Nation General Assembly resolution titled “on Aggression against Ukraine”.This is the fifth time that India has abstained from voting on Ukraine related resolutions on the UN platform .
The UN resolution ,deplored in strongest terms the “Russian aggression against Ukraine”. It demanded that Russia immediately cease use of force in Ukraine and unconditionally withdraw its forces from internationally recognised borders of Ukraine.It also reaffirmed its commitment to Ukrainian sovereignty and territorial integrity . It called all the parties to abide by the Minsk agreement in 2014 and 2015.
The resolution was supported by 141 members out of 193 countries and 34 countries including China abstained .
Only Russia, North Korea,Eritrea, Syria and Belarus voted against the resolutions.
The Indian permanent representative to the United Nation, T.S.Tirumurti presenting government of India policy called for a diplomatic solution to the problem .
Russia invaded Ukraine on 24 February as it is concerned that the Zelensky led Ukrainian government policy to join NATO(North Atlantic Treaty Organization ) military alliance led by the United States threatens the security of Russia .
India has very close ties with Russia which has consistently supported India on Kashmir, Bangladesh and China. India doesn't want to hurt Russia .
The General Assembly vote will not change anything on the ground and it is mainly symbolic in nature .
United Nation General Assembly
- The United Nation General Assembly was set up in 1945 under the charter of the United Nation.All the 193 member countries of the United Nation(UN) are members of the General Assembly .
- The General Assembly meets September to December each year (main part), and thereafter, from January to September
Function of the General Assembly
It can recommend policies or programmes to the member states but the member countries are not bound to legally follow it .
It has basically moral power in nature as it represents the voice of the world.
However the member countries have to follow the decision of the UN Security Council.
Some of the important functions of the General Assembly are as follows :
It can
take action in cases of a threat to the peace, breach of peace or act of aggression, when the Security Council has failed to act owing to the negative vote of a permanent member.
Elect the non-permanent members of the Security Council and the members of other United Nations councils and organs and, on the recommendation of the Security Council, appoint the Secretary-General
Consider and make recommendations on the general principles of cooperation for maintaining international peace and security, including disarmament
Discuss any question relating to international peace and security and, except where a dispute or situation is currently being discussed by the Security Council, make recommendations on it
Make recommendations for the peaceful settlement of any situation that might impair friendly relations among countries
Decision making process in the General Assembly
Unlike the Security Council where five permanent members , Russia, China, US, France and UK can veto any resolution,in the General Assembly no country has any veto power in the General Assembly
Every country has one vote.
On certain Important issues like recommendations on peace and security, the election of Security Council and Economic and Social Council members, and budgetary questions, two third majority of the member states are required for other matters; a simple majority is required .
Facts important for Exam
- The President of the UN General Assembly is elected every year.
- The current Chairman is Abdulla Shahid of Maldives
- Vijay Lakshmi Pandit became the first Indian and a woman to be the President of the UN General Assembly in 1953,
- The Headquarters of the UN: New York,United States of America
- The Secretary General of the UN :António Guterres of Portugal
- For a detailed Understanding of the conflict in Ukraine kindly see our blog on Russian -Ukraine Conflict
8. IEA to release reserve oils to cool the oil price
Tags: Popular International News
The International Energy Agency has agreed to release 60 millions barrels of oil reserves in the world market to deal with the shortfall in the oil after the Russian invasion of Ukraine on 24 February 2022.
Importance of Russia in oil market
Russia is an important player in the world oil market.
It is the world’s third largest oil producer and the largest exporter.
Its exports of about 5 million barrels a day of crude oil represent roughly 12% of global trade – and its approximately 2.85 million barrels a day of petroleum products represent around 15% of global refined product trade.
Around 60% of Russia’s oil exports go to Europe and another 20% to China.
Source of Data (International Energy Agency )
Though the Western countries led by the United States have not yet imposed sanctions on the Russian oil industry, the buyers are avoiding Russian oils. The uncertainty of supply of oil has led to a sharp rise in the price of oil and it has crossed $100 per barrel . The continuous rise in oil prices has led to fear of high inflation around the world and it threatens the world economic recovery after the corona pandemic .
IEA stockpiles
IEA members hold emergency stockpiles of 1.5 billion barrels. The proposed initial release of 60 million barrels, or 4% of those stockpiles, is equivalent to 2 million barrels a day for 30 days.
This is the fourth coordinated attempt by the IEA to release oil from the reserves . It released oil from reserves in 1991, 2005 and in 2011.
Half of the planned release will come from the United States. The United States maintains half the worlds’ oil strategic reserves .The other 30 IEA members are required to hold oil in emergency reserves equivalent to 90 days of net oil imports
Japan has one of the largest oil reserves after China and the United States.
However many experts believe that it will not be able to cool the price of oil in the market .
International Energy Agency
It was set up by the developed countries in 1974 after the 1973 oil crisis .
It was initially set up to protect oil supplies .Now its field has been expanded to include issues like electricity security to investments, climate change, air pollution, energy access and efficiency, etc.
Total Member 31 countries . All are developed countries .(from Asia only Japan and South Korea are its member )
India, China are not members of the IEA . They are an associate state of the IEA .
Headquarters of IEA : Paris, France
Important reports released by EIA :
World Energy Report
Global Energy Review
Oil Market Report
Important for EXAM
One barrel of Oil is equivalent to: 158.987 liters of oil
: 42 gallons (US)
9. World's largest Aircraft destroyed by Russians
Tags: International News
The largest plane in the world, Ukraine's Antonov-225 cargo plane was destroyed by Russian strikes outside Kyiv on the fourth day of the Russian invasion on 27 February 2022.
- The aircraft was stationed at the Hostomel (also known as Gostomel) airport near the Ukrainian capital Kyiv.
The aircraft was unique to the world, at 84 metres long (276 feet) it could transport up to 250 tonnes of cargo at a speed of up to 850 kilometres per hour . It made its first flight in 1988.
- It was named "Mriya", which means "dream" in Ukrainian.
10. Operation Ganga launched by the Government of India
Tags: National News
The Ministry of External Affairs has launched “Operation Ganga “ to evacuate the Indian citizens stranded in Ukraine .
The air space of Ukraine was closed after the invasion of Ukraine by Russia .
- There are around 20,000 Indians in Ukraine and they are being told to reach the bordering countries of Hungary, Poland, Romania and Slovakia.
- From these countries they are being evacuated through air by special operations of Air India and Indigo Airlines .
- The Indians are being flown back from these countries through special flights of Air India and Indigo .
- The entire cost of evacuation is being borne by the government of India .
Similar operations in past
The Government of India has undertaken similar evacuation of Indians from conflict zones in the past
Evacuation from Kuwait in 1990
When Saddam Hussein's Iraqi government invaded Kuwait in 1990 ,a massive operation was launched by the government of India to rescue the Indians from Kuwait . It involved a massive rescue operation by Air India, Indian Airlines and Indian Air Force. It brought back 1,70,000 Indians from Kuwait .
The effort of Air India was later recognized by the Guinness World Records as the being the largest evacuation by a civil airliner.
There was no code name for the operation.
Operation Sukoon 2006
It was launched by the Indian Navy to rescue Indian, Nepalese, Sri Lankan from Lebanon after Israel invaded Lebanon to punish radical islamic group Hezbollah
Operation Safe coming 2011
It was launched by the Indian Navy and Air India to evacuate Indians fleeing from the Libyan Civil war .
Operation Rahat 2015
It was launched by the Indian Navy, Air Force and Air India to rescue Indians and foreigners from Yemen after Saudi Arabian led coalition forces intervened in the Yemen Civil war .
Operation Dev Shakti 2021
It was launched by the Indian Airforce and Air India to bring back Indians from Afghanistan after the Taliban captured the Afghanistan capital Kabul on 15 August 2021.
