20th September, 2021 Current Affairs
![20th September, 2021 Current Affairs](/sites/default/files/images/2021/09/20/ca-top-1632139438.jpg)
NATIONAL
“Ek Pahal Campaign” launched for Justice Delivery at doorstep
- The Ministry of Law and Justice has launched a Pan-India Special Campaign called “Ek Pahal Drive” for Justice Delivery at doorstep on September 17, 2021.
- The campaign was launched in a bid to encourage mass registration under Tele-Law.
- The campaign was launched by Department of Justice and NALSA.
- This campaign seeks to actualize the aspiration of access to justice for citizens in India.
- The Preamble to the Constitution of India has recognized Justice as the first deliverable for the Indian citizens. A successful and vibrant democracy is where every citizen not only gets guaranteed justice, but where justice is equitable. This principal mandates for State to create an environment where justice-delivery is looked as a citizen-centric service rather than a sovereign function.
BRO remains committed to women’s empowerment in its ranks
- As India celebrates 75 Years of Azaadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav, it also celebrates the ongoing efforts of our Nation towards women empowerment.
- Women today have started assuming their rightful, equal place as the frontrunners in nation building and representatives of our strong national character.
- Border Roads Organization (BRO) has also over the years inducted a large number of women into its workforce, right from officers to the level of commercial pilot license holders. By empowering them with the tools of authority, responsibility and respect BRO firmly believes that women will always be active participants in the endeavor of nation building. In an affirmation of this belief, the organization continues to assign higher leadership roles to women.
- In this regard, a GREF officer EE (Civ) Ms Vaishali S Hiwase took over the reins of 83 Road Construction Company on April 28, 2021, employed on an important Indo-China road connecting Munisairi-Bughdiar-Milam, in an area full of adversity and challenges. The lady officer has taken control and is leading the charge with meticulous execution of her tasks.
- The BRO created history again on 30 Aug 2021 when Major Aaina of Project Shivalik took charged as Officer Commanding, 75 RCC at Pipalkoti in Chamoli district in Uttarakhand. She is the first Indian Army Engineer Officer to command a road construction company. Not only this, all three platoon commanders under her, Captain Anjana, AEE (Civ) Ms. Bhawana Joshi and AEE (Civ) Ms. Vishnumaya K are lady officers and they have together created a first ever women RCC. The Border Roads plans to make four such all women-led RCCs, two each in North Eastern and Western Sectors.
India soon to have World’s Longest Expressway between Mumbai & Delhi
- Union Minister for Road Transport and Highways, Nitin Gadkari announced that the Government is constructing the world’s longest highway, the Delhi-Mumbai Express highway.
- The work on the eight-lane Delhi-Mumbai Expressway, a 1,380 km road will be completed by March 2023.
- The Union Minister recently reviewed the progress of work on the Delhi-Mumbai Expressway at Sohna in Haryana, Dausa and Bundi in Rajasthan, Ratlam in Madhya Pradesh.
Delhi-Mumbai Expressway (DME)
- The expressway is 1,380 km long and is being constructed for Rs 98,000 crores. The expressway passes through the six states of Delhi, Haryana, Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, Gujarat, and Maharashtra.
Income of farmers witness 59 % surge in 2019: Survey
- The income of farmers has witnessed 59 per cent surge in 2019. This was revealed in a Situation Assessment Survey of Agricultural Households, Land and Livestock Holdings of Households of Rural India, 2019. The survey was conducted from January to December 2019.
- In an interview to English daily, Union Agriculture Secretary Sanjay Agrawal said, the objective of this survey as to get a comprehensive idea about the income situation of an agricultural household. He said, the survey also showed that farmers’ incomes adjusted for inflation have risen by about two per cent. Mr. Agarwal said, a total of one lakh 58 thousand crore rupees have been released so far to more than 11 crore farmers’ families through direct transfer into their bank accounts under the PM-KISAN scheme.
INTERNATIONAL
India-El Salvador: Third Foreign Office Consultations held
- India and El Salvador held their Third Foreign Office Consultations in San Salvador on September 17, 2021.
- Indian side was led by Secretary (East), Riva Ganguly Das while and El Salvadoran side was led by Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs, Integration & Economic Promotion, ambassador Adriana Maria Mira.
- During the consultations, both of them noted the warm and friendly relations between India and El Salvador.
- They also reviewed the bilateral relations in all the fields including health, trade & investment, tourism, energy, aquaculture, transport, aviation & infrastructure, consular & development partnership and culture.
- Both the countries decided to exchange their best practices in the area of public diplomacy.
- They also exchanged views on regional and international issues of common interest such as cooperation in the United Nations and finally agreed to work closely across the multilateral arena.
AWARDS
Earthshot Prize: Two Indian Projects to get the Prize
- On September 17, 2021 two Indian Projects have been selected to get the Environment Prize.
- One of the selected projects - Solar-Powered Ironing Cart project that has been designed by a 14-year-old Tamil Nadu schoolgirl.
- Second project is- Agricultural Waste Recycling Concept developed by an entrepreneur from Delhi.
- Total of 15 finalists have been selected out of hundreds of nominations from across the world for the Environmental Prize.
- The first-ever Environment Prize, called Earthshot Prize, was launched by Britain’s Prince William (Duke of Cambridge) and David Attenborough in 2020. This prize is conferred annually from 2021 to 2030, to five winners each year. Winners are selected for their solutions or protect that substantially help the environment. It is given by the Royal Foundation, England. Award is given in five separate categories with the support of UN Sustainable Development Goals. Winners are selected by the Earthshot Prize Council which is a global team spanning six continents.
Charanjit Singh Channi to be sworn-in as Punjab CM
- Congress leader Charanjit Singh Channi worn-in as Chief Minister of Punjab.
- Channi had served as the Minister of Technical Education & Industrial Training in the Amarinder Singh government. An MLA from the Chamkaur Sahib Assembly constituency, he also served as the leader of opposition in the Punjab Assembly from 2015 to 2016.
Science and Technology
This new technology converts poultry feathers into animal feed
Indian scientists have designed a new technology that converts keratin waste such as human hair, wool, and poultry feathers to fertilizers, pet, and animal fees. The technology has been developed by Professor A. B. Pandit, Vice-Chancellor, Institute of Chemical Technology Mumbai, along with his students. The newly developed technology provides an affordable and sustainable solution for addressing keratin waste.
What is Keratin?
Keratin is the type of protein that makes our hair, skin, and nails. It is also found in our internal organs and glands. It can be derived from the feathers, horns, and wool of different animals, and is also used as an ingredient in hair cosmetics.
What is Keratin Waste?
- However, keratin is also the main waste product generated during poultry processing from feathers, hair, scales, nails, etc. It is generally hard and difficult to hydrolyze. But the advantage is, it is inexpensive and contains more than 85% protein.
- Presently, tens of millions of tons of keratin waste are produced each year worldwide; of which, feather waste accounts for approximately 8.5 million tons. However, there hardly exists an effective method for the recovery of keratin waste.