Current Affairs for IAS Exams - 25 January 2020

::NATIONAL::

PM claims strength of India’s excellence lies in its diversity

Prime Minister NarendraModi today said that priority should be given to duties rather than rights. Interacting with the 49 awardees of PradhanMantriRashtriyaBalPuraskar, Mr.Modi said that he is amazed that at such a young age these children performed incredible tasks. He said, these children have shown courage to fight difficult situations.
Appreciating the work done by the children, who got national awards in various categories, the Prime Minister said, he is proud to see the awareness of their duty towards society and the nation.
He said, he gets inspiration and energy from the children. He added that one must never rest on their laurels and achievements and always think that they still have a lot to contribute to the country.
PradhanMantriRashtriyaBalPuraskar aims at encouraging children to excel in different fields and recognize efforts of institutions doing exceptional work for children.
The Bal Shakti Puraskar is given in the fields of innovation, social service, scholastic, sports, bravery and arts and culture. The award carries a medal, cash prize of one lakh rupees, a certificate and citation.

Government to encourage women-led research activities in universities

On the occasion of National Girl Child Day today, the Ministry of Women and Child Development announced to set up ten Chairs in different fields with an aim to carry out research activities to encourage women.
The initiative called the Establishment of Chairs in the Universities in the name of eminent women is being launched with the assistance of the University Grants Commission, UGC.
The main objective is to inspire women to pursue higher education and to achieve excellence in their area of work. This initiative of highlighting and celebrating women achievers of the country will motivate young girls and women towards higher studies.
The financial implications of the proposal is 50 lakh rupees per Chair per year and the total expenditure for establishing ten Chairs will be approximately five crore rupees per annum. The Chairs are to be established for a period of five years initially as per the guidelines.
Academic functions of the Chairs will be to engage in research and contribute to the advancement of knowledge in the area of the study, strengthen the role of university and academics in public policy making.
It also aims to design and execute short-term capacity-building programmes for teachers in higher education focused on the designated discipline of the Chair.

::ECONOMY::

IMF chief sees Indian growth slowdown as temporary

International Monetary Fund, IMF chief KristalinaGeorgieva today said growth slowdown in India appears to be temporary.
Speaking at the World Economic Forum (WEF) 2020 at Davos, she said the world appears a better place in January 2020 compared to what it was when IMF announced its World Economic Outlook in October 2019.
She said the factors driving this positive momentum include receding trade tension after the US-China first phase trade deal and synchronized tax cuts, among others. She, however, said 3.3 percent is not a fantastic growth rate for the world economy.
On Monday, the fund lowered growth estimate for the world economy to 2.9 percent for 2019, citing negative surprises in few emerging market economies, especially India. The IMF also revised downwards its forecast for India to 4.8 percent for 2019-20.

India amongst other nations join together to curb harmful fishing

More than 110 countries including India have made a strong pitch to put in place effective special provisions for developing countries to check harmful fishing, citing concerns on fish people’s livelihood, food security and developing capacities, at the World Trade Organisation.
The push was made in the first of the six clusters of fish subsidy talks held last week at WTO, aimed at securing a global agreement on reducing harmful fisheries subsidies by June this year, said officials familiar with the development.
African, Caribbean and Pacific Group of States (ACP Group), Sri Lanka and a group of least developed countries (LDCs) are supportive of special and differential treatment (S&DT), and most members are supportive of S&DT in territorial waters up to 12 nautical miles.
However, several developed countries led by the US are opposed to horizontal S&DT for fishing in exclusive economic zones (EEZs) and high seas.
EEZ is a boundary of sea zone extending up to 200 nautical miles from the shore where coastal countries have sovereign jurisdiction to explore and regulate marine resources.
China said it was open to discussions on S&DT and willing to shoulder obligations commensurate with its capacity.

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::INTERNATIONAL::

India signs agreement with Bangladesh to upgrade Ashuganj-Akhaura road

India and Bangladesh signed an agreement on Thursday to upgrade the 50.58-kilometre long road between Ashuganj river port and the Akhaura land port in Bangladesh into a 4-lane highway.
The deal to upgrade the 39 km long road between Ashuganj river port to Dharhar area was signed between the Roads and Highways Department (RHD) of Bangladesh and an Indian Company Afcons Infrastructure Limited.
The RHD and an India-Bangladesh joint venture firm will take up the work of upgrading the remaining part of the road from Dharhar to Akhaura.
The project is part of the dollar 2 billion second line of credit extended by India to Bangladesh in 2016. The project will boost connectivity between Bangladesh and North-eastern part of India which will facilitate sub-regional connectivity among South and South-east Asian countries.
Speaking at the signing ceremony, High Commissioner of India to Bangladesh Riva Ganguly Das said development cooperation is an important aspect of India-Bangladesh relations.
She said both governments have identified 46 projects in Bangladesh that would improve connectivity within the country and out of the country.

European Union leaders signs Brexit deal

Brussels' two top officials, the Presidents of the European Commission and the European Council, signed off on Britain's EU divorce agreement, Brexit, today.
With Ursula von der Leyen and Charles Michel's formal endorsement, the text will now go to the European Parliament on 29th of January for ratification. Then, diplomats from the EU member states will approve the deal in writing, ensuring Britain's orderly departure at midnight on 31st of January.
In a tweet, President of the European Council Michel said, things will inevitably change but friendship will remain. He said, we start a new chapter as partners and allies.
British Prime Minister Boris Johnson hailed a new chapter in Britain's history as he signed its divorce deal with the EU, clearing another hurdle ahead of the country's departure from the bloc next Friday.
Mr. Johnson signed the agreement in Downing Street in front of European and British Foreign Office officials who had brought it from Brussels.
In a tweet, Mr. Johnson said, he has signed the Withdrawal Agreement for the UK to leave the European Union on January 31st, honoring the democratic mandate of the British people.

::SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY::

Environment ministry claims India has phased out HCFC’s

Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (EFoCC) recently announced that India has achieved the complete phase out of ozone depleting HydroChloroFluoro Carbons (HCFC). The achievement has its route to the Montreal Protocol.
In order to move towards environment friendly technologies, the Ministry of EFoCC prohibited import of HCFC-141b. The order was issued according to Ozone Depleting substances (Regulation and Control) amendment rules, 2019. The rules were issued under Environment (Protection) act, 1986.
The use of HCFC-141b by foam manufacturing industries have been come to an end with the stoppage of import of HCFC-141b. This is because, HCFC-141b isnot produced in India. The domestic requirements of HCFC-141b so far had been met through imports.
The step will have great impact on ozone layer. This is because around 50% of ozone depleting chemicals being used in the country attribute to HCFC-14b.
On the other hand, polyurethane dependent sectors will face dents. HCFC is used as blowing agent in the production of polyurethane foams. Polyurethaneis used in applications such as water geysers, refrigerators, thermo wares, furniture appliance, commercial refrigeration.
The Montreal Protocol was signed by 190 countries in 1987 to phase out Ozone Depleting Substances. In order to achieve this, India in 2017 launched aphase out plan. Though the target of the plan was 2023, India achieved the goal far ahead of the deadline.

::SPORTS::

India wins first T20 against New Zealand

In cricket, India have won the first T20 International of five-match series against New Zealand by six wickets.
Visitors achieved the target of 204 in just 19 overs losing four wickets at Eden Park in Auckland. For India, KL Rahul made 56, skipper ViratKohli scored 45 and ShreyasAiyyar made 58 runs.
Earlier, put in to bat first, New Zealand scored 203 for five in the stipulated 20 overs. Colin Munro and Skipper Kane Williamson smashed quick-fire half-centuries.