1. 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.
2. 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.
3. 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.
4. 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).
5. 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
6. PM Modi to launch key green energy initiatives at India Energy Week
Tags: Environment National News
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Key energy initiatives will be unveiled by PM Modi during India Energy Week which will be held in Bengaluru from February 6 to 8.
An overview of the news
It will witness the participation of over 600 exhibitors from across the globe, over 34 ministers and several CEOs from top energy companies.
He will dedicate the HAL helicopter factory at Tumakuru to the nation and also lay the foundation stone for various development initiatives.
China, America, Russia, Brazil and many other countries will participate in this important event.
This is the first time that India is hosting such an event with a record number of CEOs from top energy companies.
According to the International Energy Agency (IEA), India will account for 25 percent of global energy demand by 2040.
Blending of ethanol in fuel
An important initiative to be launched during the India Energy Week will be to increase blending of ethanol in the fuel.
PM Modi is expected to launch the E20 initiative at the upcoming event.
Under the E20 programme, India aims to increase the percentage of blending of ethanol in fuel to 20 per cent by 2025, as against the earlier target of 2030.
In the initial phase, the program will cover 13 states and 100 petrol pumps.
India has saved Rs 40 lakh crore on fuel by blending 10% ethanol and farmers have got economic benefits for producing ethanol.
This initiative has environmental and economic benefits.
Ethanol blending will play an important role in reducing fuel imports and help the country move towards clean energy.
India Energy Week 2023
It is expected to feature more than 30 energy Ministers, 50 CEOs and 10000+ delegates.
This will provide a unique opportunity to showcase India as an engine of global economic growth and a driver of global consumption.
It will provide an unprecedented opportunity for regional, international leaders and CEOs to come together for strategic policy making and technical knowledge sharing.
During the 19 strategic conference sessions, a wide spectrum of issues covering the entire energy sector will be discussed.
It covers themes such as Energy Security, pathways for decarbonization, Resilient Energy Supply Chains, Emerging Fuels such as Biofuel and Hydrogen, Investments in Upstream and Midstream Sector etc.
7. IIT Madras to get Rs 242 cr grant for research on Lab Grown Diamonds
Tags: Economy/Finance National News
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The Indian Institute of Technology Madras will be provided a grant of Rs 242 crore over a period of five years to carry out research on Lab Grown Diamonds (LGD).
An overview of the news
It will encourage indigenous production of LGD seeds, machines and reduce import dependence.
The research will focus on indigenization of the LGD manufacturing process.
Presenting the Union Budget 2023-24, Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman said that "Laboratory grown diamonds (LGD) is a technology and innovation-driven emerging sector with high employment potential.
The government has proposed to cut duty on import of 'seeds', used as raw material for lab-grown diamonds.
About Lab-Grown Diamonds
Lab-grown diamonds are diamonds that are produced using specific technology that mimics the geological processes that grow natural diamonds.
These eco-friendly diamonds have optically and chemically similar properties to natural diamonds.
LGDs are chemically, physically and optically similar to natural diamonds and thus it is difficult to identify "lab-grown" diamonds.
Significance of LGDs
LGD is often used for industrial purposes, in machines and equipment.
Their hardness and added strength make them ideal for use as cutters.
Additionally, pure synthetic diamond has high thermal conductivity, but negligible electrical conductivity.
As the Earth's natural diamond reserves dwindle, LGDs are slowly replacing the precious stones in the jewellery industry.
Like natural diamonds, LGDs go through the same processes of polishing and cutting that are required to provide diamonds their distinctive lustre.
8. First G20 Employment Working Group meeting commence at Jodhpur in Rajasthan
Tags: Summits National News
On 2 February the first G20 Employment Working Group meeting began in Jodhpur, Rajasthan.
An overview of the news
The meeting will be held from February 2 to 4 where guest nations including Spain, the Netherlands and Singapore will take part.
The Employment Working Group under the Indian Chairmanship of the G20 has a mandate to address priority labour, employment and social issues for strong, sustainable, balanced and sustainable employment for all.
The significance of this meeting lies in the fact that the G20 countries represent 85% of world GDP, 3/4 of global trade and almost two-thirds of the world population.
International organisations like ILO, OECD and ISA, Indian institutions like NITI Aayog and MSDE (Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship), and EPFO (Employees' Provident Fund Organisation) will also share their views on various topics.
G20 member states have also been invited to share their interventions on key areas.
India is hosting over 73 delegates from 19 countries, the European Union and 9 guest countries and 9 regional and international organisations.
Thematic areas of the deliberations
Addressing global skill gaps
Gig and platform economy and social protection
Sustainable financing of social security
A panel discussion has also been organised to discuss the Framework for Global Skills and Competency Harmonisation, Common Skills Classification.
9. Government e-Marketplace achieves a Gross Merchandise Value of Rs 1.5 Lakh Crores
Tags: Economy/Finance National News
As of 1 February 2023, the Government e-Marketplace (GeM) has achieved Rs 1.5 lakh crore of Gross Merchandise Value (GMV) in FY23 alone.
An overview of the news
GeM is well positioned to cross its annual target of Rs 1.75 lakh crore.
GeM has crossed a gross business value of Rs 3 lakh crore since inception with the support of its stakeholders.
The total number of transactions on GeM has crossed 1.3 crore.
GeM has over 66,000 government buyer organisations and over 58 lakh sellers and service providers.
GeM portal features over 11,000 product categories with more than 29 lakh listed products.
About Government-e-Marketplace (GeM) platform
Launch - 9 August 2016
Purpose - to bring transparency and efficiency in the government buying process
Nodal Ministry - Ministry of Commerce and Industry
GeM works on inclusion, transparency and efficiency.
Who registered on GeM - Artisans, weavers, SHGs, startups, women entrepreneurs & MSMEs are registered on GeM
The portal is open for - all government buyers, Central and State Ministries, departments, public sector enterprises, autonomous institutions, local bodies, etc
Private buyers cannot buy on the platform but private people can sell products to government bodies by the portal.
10. MoU signed to develop waste-to-wealth plants in million plus cities
Tags: Environment National News
The Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs (MoHUA) and Engineers India Limited (EIL) have signed an MoU for construction of waste-to-energy and bio-methanation projects in million plus cities for "Green Growth" of India.
An overview of the news
The MoU was signed in the presence of Manoj Joshi, Secretary, MOHUA and Vartika Shukla, CMD, EIL.
The ministry has decided to set up solid waste processing facilities on a large scale in million plus cities.
India has 59 million plus cities and to manage the organic/wet fraction of municipal solid waste bio-methanation plants have been proposed in these cities.
In February 2022, Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated Asia's largest municipal solid waste based cow dung plant in Indore, aimed at generating 19,000 kg of bio-CNG gas.
Bio-methanation plants linked to the Swachh Bharat Mission-Urban 2.0, Gobardhan and SATAT schemes will produce bio-CNG as a renewable energy.
In the first phase, 25 million plus cities will be selected to develop large scale process plants.
Waste to Energy plants
Waste-to-energy plants use the dry waste fraction of municipal solid waste and produce renewable energy.
These plants work by burning waste at high temperatures and using the heat to produce steam.
The steam drives a turbine which produces electricity.
