28th September, 2021 Current Affairs

Sakshi Education

NATIONAL

PM Modi dedicates 35 crop varieties with special traits to the nation

In an endeavor to raise public awareness about the adoption of climate resilient technologies, Prime Minister Narendra Modi dedicated 35 crop varieties with special traits to the nation.
In a pan India programme organized at all ICAR Institutes, State and Central Agricultural Universities, and Krishi Vigyan Kendra (KVKs).

About crop varieties with special traits

The Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) has produced crop varieties with specific features to meet the twin concerns of climate change and malnutrition.
This year, 35 such crop varieties with specific features such as climatic resilience and better nutrient content were produced. Drought-tolerant chickpea, wilt- and early-maturing soybean, disease-resistant rice varieties, and biofortified wheat, pearl millet, maize, and chickpea, quinoa, buckwheat, winged bean, and faba bean are among them.

About National Institute of Biotic Stress Management

The National Institute of Biotic Stress Management in Raipur was established to conduct basic and strategic research, develop human resources, and provide policy support in the field of biotic stresses.
From the academic year 2020-21, the institute is offering postgraduate studies.

About Green Campus Awards

The Green Campus Awards have been created to encourage State and Central Agricultural Universities to develop or adopt practices that will make their campuses more green and clean, as well as encourage students to participate in the Swachh Bharat Mission, the Waste to Wealth Mission, and community engagement, as outlined in the National Education Policy-2020.

Coal Ministry launches second attempt of auction process for eleven coal mines earmarked for sale

The Coal Ministry has launched the second attempt of the auction process for eleven coal mines earmarked for sale. Of these, six are fully explored and the rest are partially explored.
The auction shall be held online through a transparent two-stage process based on the percentage of revenue share.
The mines which were offered in the first attempt on the 25th of March this year had fetched single bids.
The commencement of sale of the tender document shall start today. Details of the mines, auction terms, timelines etc. can be accessed on MSTC.

2 new airports to boost tourism in Jammu & Kashmir

Jammu and Kashmir’s beauty is exquisite and unrivalled and to boost tourism in the state Jyotiraditya M. Scindia, the Union Minister for Civil Aviation, announced that two new airports will be built in Jammu and Kashmir soon.
The airport worth Rs. 1500 crore would be built on 25,000 square metres in Kashmir, while another worth Rs. 650 crore will be built on 22,000 square metres in Jammu.
Since a special emphasis is being placed on the development of both air and road connectivity in Jammu and Kashmir, a major road network, comprising highways, ring roads, tunnels, and other projects, is being built throughout the state.
The improved connectivity will bring more tourists to J&K and encourage local crafts. By promoting tourism and crafts, it will increase economic activity and prosperity in J&K.

NCW Launches Training Program for Women in Dairy Farming

National Commission for Women (NCW) launched a nationwide training and capacity building programme for women in dairy farming.
To launch the training programme, NCW is collaborating with agricultural universities in India in order to identify and train women working in the field of dairy farming and allied activities in several like value addition, quality enhancement and packaging & marketing of dairy products.
First programme under this project was organized on ”Value Added Dairy products” at Lala Lajpat Rai University of Veterinary & Animal Sciences in Hisar for women self-help groups. It was organised in collaboration with the Haryana State Rural Livelihood Mission.

Science and Technology

Akash Prime: New version of Akash missile flight-tested

The Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) has tested a new version of Akash Missile called ‘Akash Prime’ on September 27, 2021.
It was launched from the Integrated Test Range (ITR) of Chandipur, Odisha.
Missile intercepted and destroyed an unmanned aerial target mimicking an enemy aircraft during its maiden flight test after improvements.
Akash Prime missile has been equipped with an indigenous active RF (radio frequency) seeker for improving its accuracy.
Other improvements have also been made in order to bring in more reliable performance under low temperature environments at higher altitudes.
For the flight test, modified ground system of the existing Akash weapon was used.
Range stations of the ITR comprise Radars, EOTS (Electro Optical Tracking System) and Telemetry stations. It helped in monitoring the missile trajectory and flight parameters.
Akash Prime is based on the existing Akash SAM. It is equipped with an improved active radio-frequency (RF) seeker. Missile has also been optimized for low temperature and high-altitude operations with the modified ground system.

INTERNATIONAL
India beats Germany, UK, Russia to bag prestigious IAEA Auditor

Adding another feather in its cap, India has been elected as the ‘External Auditor to the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA)’ for a period of six years from 2022 to 2027 after beating countries like Germany, the United Kingdom, Russia, Turkey among other nations.
India’s Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) GC Murmu has been selected as the external auditor of IAEA – a prestigious institution that promotes peaceful use of nuclear energy.
The election is “recognition” of India’s standing in the international community and global acknowledgment of the CAG’s credentials, professionalism, and experience.

Indo-US Health Dialogue 2021- Highlights

4th session of the Indo-US Health Dialogue 2021 was inaugurated on September 27, 2021. This session is being hosted by India.
During the session, Union Minister of State for Health and Family Welfare, Bharati Pravin Pawar, articulated mutual solidarity and relentless support between India and the United States (US) during Covid-19 pandemic.
Indo-US Health dialogue is two-day Dialogue platform that deliberate upon multiple ongoing collaborations between both the countries in the health sector.

For the 4th session, issues that have been planned for deliberations also encompass areas of concern related to,

Strengthening of epidemiological research and surveillance,
Vaccine development,
One Health,
Zoonotic and vector-borne diseases,
Health systems and health policies.

India is committed to goal of nuclear weapons-free world & complete elimination of nuclear weapons: Harsh Vardhan Shringla

Foreign Secretary Harsh Vardhan Shringla has said that India is committed to the goal of a nuclear weapons-free world and complete elimination of nuclear weapons, consistent with the highest priority accorded by the Final Document of the First Special Session of the UN General Assembly on Disarmament.
Speaking at the UN Security Council meeting on Non-proliferation of Weapons of Mass Destruction: Comprehensive Nuclear Test Ban Treaty, Mr. Shringla said, India has played a leading role in global efforts towards nuclear disarmament. He said, India was the first country to call for a ban on nuclear testing in 1954 and a non-discriminatory treaty on the non-proliferation of nuclear weapons, as distinct from non-dissemination, in 1965.
India believes that this goal can be achieved through a step-by-step process underwritten by a universal commitment and an agreed global and non-discriminatory multilateral framework, as outlined in India’s Working Paper on Nuclear Disarmament submitted to the UN General Assembly in 2006.
India is a key partner in the global non-proliferation efforts. One of the important steps undertaken by India in this context is the piloting of an annual UN General Assembly Resolution on Measures to Prevent Terrorists from Acquiring Weapons of Mass Destruction since 2002, which is adopted by consensus.

ECONOMY

ICRA revises FY22 GDP Growth Forecast to 9%

Ratings agency ICRA has revised its real GDP growth forecast for India on September 27, 2021 for Financial Year 2022 (FY22). Its GDP forecast has changed from 8.5% to 9 per cent.
ICRA credited the upward revision in the GDP to the brightening prospects for second quarter of FY22 which is expected to benefit as a result of rapid Covid-19 vaccine administration, healthy advance estimates of kharif output as well as easing of cash management measures related to the spending of Central government.
Forecast for the GVA growth in agriculture, forestry & fishing have been revised to 3 per cent (from 2 percent) in Q2 & Q3 of FY2022.
As per ICRA, robust kharif harvest will sustain the consumption demand from the farm sector. Late sowing helped in bringing kharif acreage nearly at par with the record area of 2021.

SPORTS

Lewis Hamilton becomes first F1 driver in history to record 100 victories

Lewis Hamilton became the first Formula-one driver ever to reach 100 wins after he finished first at Russian Grand Prix.
The seven-time World Champion overtook long-time race leader Lando Norris late on.
Norris, who was aiming for a maiden Grand Prix victory and was leading for most of the race, spun his McLaren in heavy rain.
Hamilton eventually finished over 53 seconds ahead of second-placed Max Verstappen, who had started at the back of the grid after Red Bull took a new engine.
As well as winning his 100th Grand Prix and becoming the first driver to achieve the feat, Hamilton moved back to the top of the driver’s championship standings ahead of Verstappen.
Hamilton already held the record for most F1 wins with Michael Schumacher next in the all-time list with 91 victories.