1. 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.
2. 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.
3. 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.
4. 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".
5. 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.
6. Union Ministry of Tourism participates in FITUR, the world's largest International Travel Exhibition in Madrid
Tags: Summits International News
The Ministry of Tourism, Government of India, is participating in FITUR, the world's largest international travel exhibition in Madrid.
An overview of the news
Feria Internacional del Turismo or FITUR is being hosted in Spain from January 18-22.
India's participation in FITUR is important for promoting tourism.
The Ministry of Tourism has taken up 253 square metres of space, with over 30 participants exhibiting along with the India Pavilion, to participate in the exhibition.
The India Pavilion was inaugurated by Dinesh K Patnaik, Indian Ambassador to Spain.
The Indian delegation, led by Rakesh Kumar Verma, Additional Secretary in the Tourism Ministry, participated in key business meetings with the senior leadership of Melia Hotels International, Palladium Hotel Group, Expedia Group, World Travel and Tourism Council (WTTC).
The first Global Tourism Investors Summit will be organised by the Ministry of Tourism in New Delhi from 10 to 12 April.
7. Inauguration of International Science Literature Festival – Vigyanika
Tags: Festivals National News
The Science Literature Festival 'Vigyanika' is being organized at the Indian International Science Festival (IISF), Bhopal during the period 22 - 23 January, 2023.
An overview of the news
The "Science Literature Festival" is being organized as a part of the 8th India International Science Festival (IISF).
The 8th IISF is being jointly organized by the Ministry of Earth Sciences, Ministry of Science and Technology and Vigyan Bharati.
The theme of this edition of IISF is “Moving towards Amrit Kaal with Science, Technology and Innovation”.
Vigyanika is being organized with the objective of promoting science through science poetry, multilingual scientific literature, science drama and folk art and showcasing the rich heritage of India by inculcating scientific temper among the masses.
Around 300 science writers, artists, journalists, young and budding writers, researchers, college students, children, science enthusiasts, science policy makers and citizens are expected to participate in the event.
IISF is being organized annually since 2015.
8. 8th Annual General Body Meeting of Indian Institute of Entrepreneurship (IIE)
Tags: Economy/Finance National News
Union Minister for Tourism, Culture G Kishan Reddy and Union Minister for Education and Skill Development and Entrepreneurship Dharmendra Pradhan co-chaired the 18th Annual General Meeting of the Indian Institute of Entrepreneurship (IIE), Guwahati on 19 January.
An overview of the news
The Ministers reviewed the functioning of the Institute and discussed the way forward.
During the meeting, a holistic approach of the government for skill development in the North Eastern region was suggested.
Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan suggested that the focus should be on future skills and IIEs should work in tandem with multiple ministries at the grassroots level.
The institute should tie up with major centres of excellence like IITs and IIMs and provide degree courses for students in cutting edge courses like data analytics etc.
Both the ministers also co-chaired a meeting to review the preparedness of several activities under 'Ek Bharat, Shreshtha Bharat'.
Indian Institute of Entrepreneurship (IIE)
It was established in the year 1993 at Guwahati by the then Ministry of Industry (now Ministry of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises), Government of India.
It is an autonomous national institute that conducts training, research and consultancy activities in small and micro enterprises with a focus on entrepreneurship development.
It aims to promote entrepreneurship and provide research and consultancy for entrepreneurship development.
9. Ministry of Shipping, Waterways and Ports launches 'Bharat Pravah' initiative
Tags: National News
Shipping, Waterways and Ports Minister Sarbananda Sonowal has launched the initiative ‘Bharat Pravah-India along its Shores’.
An overview of the news
Bharat Pravah:
The objective of this initiative is to highlight the importance of rivers-ports-shipping in the everyday life of the common man through literature, dialogue and communication.
It will also highlight the challenges, policy issues and future goals related to the maritime sector.
Importance of Ports in India:
India has 7,500 km of coastline, 14,500 km of navigable potential waterways and strategic locations along major international maritime trade routes.
About 95% of India's trade by volume and 65% by value is done through sea transport facilitated by ports.
India does about 35% containerization, while other developing countries do 62% to 65% containerization.
Currently, India does more bulk shipping than using containers, although we are making rapid progress towards containerization.
India's share in global trade is only 2%. The trade balance is in favor of imports. India ranks 44th in the Logistics Performance Index.
10. Constitution of Judicial Board for Major Ports notified
Tags: National News
The Major Ports Judicial Board Rules, 2023 have been notified in the Gazette by the Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways on 17 January 2023.
An overview of the news
The Major Port Authorities Act, 2021 was enacted on 03 January 2021.
Section 54 of the Act envisaged the constitution of a Judicial Board, which would carry out the functions prescribed under Section 58 of the Major Port Authorities Act, 2021.
This judicial board will consist of 3 members, including a presiding officer and two members.
The presiding officer included in the Judicial Board shall be a retired Judge of the Supreme Court of India or a retired Chief Justice of a High Court.
The other two members shall be a retired Chief Secretary or equivalent to the State Government or a retired Secretary to the Government of India or equivalent.
The presiding officer and members of this judicial board will be appointed on the basis of the recommendation of a selection committee.
After the formation of this judicial board, the tariff authority for major ports will cease to exist.
