1. State mourning across the country on July 9 over the death of Shinzo Abe
Tags: International News
The government has decided to observe a one-day state mourning across the country on July 9 in honour of former Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe. He passed away on 8 July.
Important facts
Prime Minister Modi expressed deep grief over the incident and declared a day of national mourning on 9 July in the country as a mark of deep respect for him.
On the day of mourning, on all buildings where the National Flag is flown regularly, the National Flag will remain at half-mast.
Awarded Padma Vibhushan in 2021
In January 2021, the Indian government honoured Shinzo Abe with the Padma Vibhushan, India's second highest civilian award.
Abe is considered to have played an important role in better relations between India and Japan.
Visited India most times while being the PM of Japan
Shinzo Abe visited India three times during his tenure as Prime Minister.
He was on official visits to India in January 2014, December 2015 and September 2017.
No other Prime Minister of Japan has made so many visits to India.
He was the first Japanese prime minister to be the chief guest at the Republic Day parade in 2014.
India-Japan relations under Shinzo Abe
The foundation for the "Global Partnership between Japan and India" was laid in 2001, and the annual bilateral summit was agreed in 2005, with Abe accelerating the pace of relations with India since 2012.
In August 2007, during his first visit to India as Prime Minister, he delivered the famous "confluence of two seas" speech which laid the foundation for the concept of Indo-Pacific.
In September 2014, Modi and Abe agreed to upgrade bilateral ties to a "Special Strategic and Global Partnership".
During Abe's tenure, the two countries decided to hold a meeting of foreign and defence ministers (2+2).
In November 2019, the first 2+2 meeting was held in New Delhi.
An agreement for transfer of defence equipment and technology was also signed in 2015.
During his tenure, India and Japan came closer in the Indo-Pacific.
Abe had given the concept of Quad in 2007 and it was formed.
The Quad is a diplomatic network of four countries committed to supporting a free and open Indo-Pacific that is inclusive and resilient.
During Abe's visit in 2015, India decided to introduce a bullet train.
Under Abe's leadership, India and Japan formed the Act East Forum and it is important for development in Northeast India.
Kindly also see 8 July 2022 post
2. NMA recommends two sites connected to Ambedkar to be declared as monuments of national importance
Tags: Popular National News
The National Monuments Authority (NMA) on July 9 has recommended the declaration of two sites associated with BR Ambedkar in Gujarat and Maharashtra as monuments of national importance.
These recommendations have been placed before Minister of State for Culture Arjun Ram Meghwal by the National Monuments Authority.
Name the two sites
Sankalp Bhumi banyan tree campus
It is located in Vadodara, Gujrat where Dr. Ambedkar had taken a resolve to eradicate untouchability on 23th September, 1917.
The site is more than a hundred years old and witnesses the beginning of the social respect revolution initiated by Ambedkar, who is regarded as the architect of the Constitution of India.
2. PratapRao Bhosale High School, Satara, Maharashtra
Dr Ambedkar received his primary education in PratapRao Bhosale High School.
This school is under Satara Zilla Parishad and presently the condition of the school is dilapidated.
The school's register still shows the signature of a student, Bhim Rao, in Marathi.
National Monuments Authority (NMA)
Established - in 2010
Ministry - Union Ministry of Culture
Established under The Ancient Monuments and Archaeological Sites and Remains (Amendment and Validation) Act, 2010
Composition - a Chairperson and up to 5 Whole Time and 5 Part Time Members and a Member Secretary
The Director General of the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) is its ex-officio member.
Headquarters - New Delhi
3. Former NITI Aayog CEO Amitabh Kant named new G20 Sherpa
Tags: National News
Former NITI Aayog CEO Amitabh Kant has been appointed as India's Sherpa for the G20 organisation.
Important facts
Till now Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal was India's Sherpa for G20.
The main reason for the appointment of a full-time G-20 Sherpa is India's presidency of the G20 later this year.
In a way, Sherpa does the main job of coordinating this event between all the agencies within the country and foreign agencies.
The G-20 meeting is the biggest event to be held in India in recent decades, in which the heads of state of the world's 20 richest countries with their foreign ministers, finance ministers, and other officials will be held at different times.
The G-20 meeting for the year 2022 is scheduled to be held in Bali (Indonesia) in November 2022.
The chairmanship of the organisation will be handed over to India from 1 December 2022 to 30 November 2023.
Who is Sherpa?
The personal representative of a country attending international summits like G-20 and G-8 is called Sherpa.
Sherpas discuss economic, political and global agendas with representatives of member states.
Sherpa is derived from the popular word Sherpa in Nepal. Sherpas act as guides for mountaineers in Nepal. Similarly, Sherpas act as guides in international conferences.
They are appointed by the government of the country concerned. Officers or senior leaders with diplomatic, political or administrative experience can be appointed to this post.
Suresh Prabhu, Arvind Panagariya, Shaktikanta Das, Montek Singh Ahluwalia have also been Sherpas from India's side.
4. OPEC chief Mohammad Barkindo dies in Nigeria at 63
Tags: Person in news International News
Mohamed Barkindo, Secretary General of the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC), has died in Nigeria at the age of 63.
Important facts
Barkindo was on a visit to his home country of Nigeria to attend the Energy Conference where he passed away.
Born in April 1959 in Adamawa State in northeastern Nigeria, Barkindo assumed the position of Secretary General of OPEC in 2016.
His term was to end in July.
About OPEC
It is a permanent, intergovernmental organisation that was established in 1960 at the Baghdad Conference by Iran, Iraq, Kuwait, Saudi Arabia and Venezuela.
The purpose of this organisation is to coordinate and integrate the petroleum policies of its member countries and to ensure the stabilisation of oil markets to ensure efficient, economic and regular supply of petroleum to the consumer.
Headquarters - Vienna (Austria)
OPEC has 14 member states (Iran, Iraq, Kuwait, United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia, Algeria, Libya, Nigeria, Gabon, Equatorial Guinea, Republic of the Congo, Angola, Ecuador and Venezuela).
OPEC plus
It is a coalition of OPEC members and the world's 10 major non-OPEC oil exporting countries.
Azerbaijan, Bahrain, Brunei, Kazakhstan, Malaysia, Mexico, Oman, Russia, South Sudan and Sudan.
5. India elected to UNESCO panel on Intangible Cultural Heritage
Tags: National News
India has been selected in the 'Intergovernmental Committee of UNESCO's 2003 Agreement for the Protection Standards of Intangible Cultural Heritage (ICH)' for the period 2022-2026.
Important facts
India has previously been a member of the ICH committee twice, from 2006 to 2010 and from 2014 to 2018.
India is included in two prestigious committees of UNESCO. Among these are the Intangible Cultural Heritage (2022–2026) and World Heritage (2021–2025) committees.
This will be another opportunity for India to re-establish the values of 'Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam'."
According to the Union Ministry of Culture, four seats were vacant in the Asia-Pacific grouping and six countries - India, Bangladesh, Vietnam, Cambodia, Malaysia and Thailand - had submitted their candidatures.
According to the statement, India got 110 votes out of 155 countries.
The Intergovernmental Committee on the 2003 Agreement has 24 members.
India's 'Intangible Cultural Heritage' recognized by UNESCO
(1) Tradition of Vedic chanting (3) Ramlila, traditional performance of Ramayana (3) Kutiyattam, Sanskrit theatre (4) Ramman, religious festivals and rituals of the Garhwal Himalayas, India (5) Mudiyettu, ritual theatre and dance drama of Kerala (6) Kalbelia Folk Songs and Dances of Rajasthan (7) Chhau Dance (8) Buddhist Chanting of Ladakh: Recitation of Sacred Buddhist Scriptures in the Ladakh Region of the Himalayas, Jammu and Kashmir, India (9) Sankirtana, Traditional Singing, Nagade of Manipur and dance (10) Brass and copper utensils made by Thathers of Punjab (11) Yoga (12) Navroz, (13) Kumbh Mela (14) Durga Puja, Kolkata.
UNESCO was established in the year 1945 to develop the "intellectual and moral solidarity of mankind" in the form of lasting peacekeeping.
UNESCO officially recognizes sites of cultural and natural importance as World Heritage.
India has a total of 40 Tangible Heritage Heritage Sites (31 Cultural, 8 Natural and 1 Mixed) and 14 Intangible Cultural Heritages recognized by UNESCO.
Abstract culture
Intangible culture is the wealth of a community, nation, etc., which continues to prosper over the centuries, overwhelming the subconscious of that community or nation.
Intangible culture is available in the form of heritage to the present generation by assimilating the characteristics of its contemporary generations over time.
6. Hariyali Mahotsav - 2022
Tags: National News
“Hariyali Mahotsav 2022” was organised by the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change on July 8, 2022 at Talkatora Stadium, New Delhi in the spirit of “Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav”.
Important facts
It was organised with the aim of raising awareness on the importance of trees in sustaining the lives of the present generations as well as in securing the lives of the generations to come.
This festival was celebrated as an effective tool to generate enthusiasm among the public towards forest conservation and plantation.
Hariyali Mahotsav
Hariyali Mahotsav is an effective means of generating enthusiasm among the public for the conservation of forests and plantation.
Hariyali Mahotsav 2020 was organised by the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change in Delhi in collaboration with the State Government, Police and Schools to carry out a tree plantation drive on the occasion.
To mark the event, tree plantation drives were organised across India. In the tree plantation drive, 75 police stations across India, 75 city forests, 75 schools in Delhi/NCR and 75 plantation sites across India joined in honouring 75 years of Indian Independence.
The event complements the government-led initiatives and policies for environmental protection.
Major Fairs/Festivals of 2022
Festival | Venue |
40th Hunar Haat Festival | Mumbai |
Sarhul Mahotsav 2022 | Jharkhand |
35th Surajkund International Crafts Mela | Haryana (Partner Nation - Uzbekistan) |
National Youth Parliament Festival 2022 | New Delhi |
Vigyan Sarvatra Pujyate | New Delhi |
Medaram Jatara Festival 2022 | Telangana |
Hearth Mahotsav 2022 | Jammu and Kashmir |
Maru Mahotsav 2022 | Jaisalmer (Rajasthan) |
Kanchoth Mahotsav 2022 | Jammu and Kashmir |
18th Kachai Lemon Festival | Kanchi, Manipur |
7. Akasa Air Airlines gets Air Operator Certificate
Tags: Popular National News
The country's newest airline Akasa Air has received the Air Operator Certificate (AOC) from aviation regulator Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) on 7 July to start its commercial operations.
Important facts
The AOC Certificate signifies the airline's operational readiness to satisfactorily meet all regulatory and compliance requirements.
Under the supervision of DGCA, the airline concluded the process with a number of flights proving to be successfully operated.
The airline, backed by stock market investor Rakesh Jhunjhunwala, took delivery of its first Boeing 737 MAX aircraft in India on June 21.
Akasa Air is the first airline in India whose end-to-end AOC process was conducted using the government's progressive EGCA digital platform.
It will commence commercial operations at the end in July 2022.
By the end of the financial year 2022-23, the airline will have 18 aircraft and after that, 12-14 aircraft will be added per year.
Last November, Akasa Air announced the order for 72 '737 MAX' aircraft from Boeing.
Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA)
It is a statutory body and formed under the Aircraft (Amendment) Bill, 2020.
It investigates aviation accidents and enforces all regulations related to aviation.
It registers and provides certificates to civil aircrafts.
It is attached to the Ministry of Civil Aviation, Government of India.
It coordinates all regulatory functions with the International Civil Aviation Organisation.
8. Former Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe shot dead in Nara
Tags: International News
Former Japan Prime Minister Shinzo Abe was assassinated in Nara (Western Japan) on 8 July while campaigning for the upcoming election.
Important facts
The assailant shot Abe from behind with a shotgun with two bullets in the chest.
The 67-year-old world leader was taken to hospital in critical condition but could not be saved.
The incident happened around 11.30 am (8 am Indian time).
He was delivering an election speech on the street outside a railway station in the context of elections to the Upper House of Japan's parliament.
Abe was shot in the left side of his chest as the attacker fired multiple shots.
Tetsuya Yamagami, a 41-year-old man from the city of Nara, has been arrested on suspicion of shooting Abe with intent to kill.
Who was Shinzo Abe?
Early life
Abe was born in Tokyo on 21 September 1954, he was the son of Shintaro Abe, who served as Japan's foreign minister.
He got a bachelor's degree in political science from Seiki University in Tokyo in 1977.
He then went to the U.S. to study public policy at the University of Southern California.
In 1979 he began working at Kobe Steel as the firm was expanding its presence abroad.
He left the company in 1982 to join the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the ruling Liberal Democratic Party.
Political career
He was first elected as a Liberal Democratic Party legislator representing the southwestern prefecture of Yamaguchi in 1993.
Abe is seen as a conservative who was a member of the party's Mori faction, once led by his father, who died in 1991.
In 2005 Abe was appointed chief cabinet secretary under Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi.
In the same year, he was elected head of the LDP, preparing him to take over as prime minister.
On September 26, 2006, Abe became Prime Minister of Japan for the first time, taking a tough stance on North Korea and implementing economic reforms.
After the electoral defeat in 2007 saw the LDP lose control of the legislature for the first time in 52 years, Abe resigned as prime minister.
In 2012 he was elected LDP president and became Prime Minister for the second time.
In 2013 seeking to boost growth, Abe launched his “Abenomics” policies featuring easy lending and structural reforms.
During 2014-2020 he was re-elected LDP leader and he served two additional terms as Prime Minister.
On August 28, 2020 he announced he will step down as Prime Minister due to health reasons.
Abe became Japan's longest-serving prime minister.
Abe served as prime minister for eight years between 2012 and 2020, and before that from 2006 to 2007.
On July 8, 2022, Abe was shot and seriously injured during an election campaign in the city of Nara, and later died.
Japan
Present Prime Minister - Fumio Kishida
Japan's Capital - Tokyo
Japan's Currency - Yen
9. Vivo India transferred Rs 62,476 crore to China to avoid taxes
Tags: Economy/Finance National News
According to a statement issued by the Enforcement Directorate, Rs 62,476 crore has been "illegally" transferred to China by smartphone maker Vivo to evade payment of taxes in India between 2017 and 2021.
Important facts
18 companies that were incorporated fraudulently helped the smartphone maker Vivo to transfer 50 percent of the turnover outside India to mainly China.
Under the provisions of the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA), 119 bank accounts of entities with a gross balance of Rs 465 crore have been seized so far.
While transferring money to China, Vivo India has shown losses in most of its associate firms.
The Ministry of Corporate Affairs (MCA) has filed a police complaint against Vivo's subsidiary Grand Prospect International Communication Pvt Ltd (GPICPL), its directors, shareholders, certifying professionals etc.
Prevention of Money Laundering Act
It was enacted in 2002 and came into force in 2005.
The objective of the Act is to prevent money laundering, that is, the process of converting black money into white.
The Act empowers government officials to confiscate property acquired through illegal sources and money laundering.
Under the Act the burden of proof lies with the accused, who has to prove that the suspect property has not been obtained through unfair means.
Enforcement Directorate
It is a specialised financial investigation agency under the Department of Revenue, Ministry of Finance, Government of India.
It is a law enforcement and economic intelligence agency responsible for enforcing economic laws and fighting economic crime in India.
Its name was changed to Enforcement Directorate (ED) in 1957.
Its headquarters is in New Delhi and has many regional offices all over the country.
The Directorate of Enforcement (ED) - Sanjay Kumar Mishra
10. Centre to promote dragon fruit cultivation in 50,000 hectares
Tags: Popular National News
Following in the footsteps of the Gujarat and Haryana governments, the Center has decided to promote the cultivation of dragon fruit, which is known as "super fruit" for its health benefits.
The centre is planning to expand dragon fruit cultivation in India considering nutritional values, cost-effectiveness and global demand.
Currently, this exotic fruit is being cultivated in India in 3,000 hectares, which is planned to be increased to 50,000 hectares in five years.
About dragon fruit (Kamalam)
Dragon fruit originated in Central and South America and has also spread to Asian countries.
It is the fruit of a species of wild cactus indigenous to South and Central America.
It is also called pitaya or pitahaya.
It belongs to the cacti family.
The fruit is fleshy with tiny black seeds.
The inner part of the fruit is consumed while the outer part is discarded.
The plant grows nearly five to six feet in height during which time it requires support.
Cultivation of Dragon fruit
Dragon fruit is also cultivated in Thailand, Taiwan, China, Australia, Israel, and Sri Lanka apart from its native Latin America.
It was introduced to India in the 1990s, and is grown in Karnataka, Kerala, Tamil Nadu, Maharashtra, Gujarat, Odisha, West Bengal, Andhra Pradesh and the Andaman and Nicobar Islands.
It is grown in all types of soil and does not require much water.
At present, Mizoram is at the forefront in the states cultivating this fruit.
The export of the fruit has made a huge contribution to Vietnam’s GDP.
All the states of India except the cold regions are suitable for dragon fruit plants.
Nutritional benefit
It is considered beneficial for diabetic patients, is low in calories and is rich in nutrients like iron, calcium, potassium and zinc.
It is rich in Vitamin C and is believed to be helpful in improving the platelet count during infectious diseases.
Farmers benefit
It doesn’t need much water and can be cultivated on dry land.
It gives maximum production from non-productive, less fertile areas.
This is beneficial for a lot of farmers.
