Highlights
- "National Girl Child Day" being observed on 24.01.2017
- "Bharat Parv" being organized at Red Fort from Jan 26th to 31st, 2017
- Mount Everest’s height to be re-measured by Survey of India
- "Every year 20 million persons become eligible as 1st time voters"
- Union Cabinet gives post-facto approval for launching of "Varishtha Pension Bima Yojana"
- Damodar Valley Corporation receives "NTPC award 2015-16"
- Union Cabinet approves new scheme for promotion of "Rural Housing in country"
- CCEA approves setting up of "World Class Integrated Exhibition-cum-Convention Centre"
- India conducts second test of "Guided Pinaka rocket" from Odisha
- Samudra Pavak to visit Hamad Port from January 24
- TN Assembly passes Bill amending provisions of Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act 1960
- Pan-India initiative for "Girls Football Launched"
- Wriddhiman Saha's maiden double ton helps "Rest of India lift Irani Cup"
- Donald Trump signs executive order to pull United States out of TPP
- N K Singh Committee submits report on changes in FRBM Act
"National Girl Child Day" being observed on 24.01.2017
24.01.2017 is National Girl Child Day. The government had, in 2008, declared 24th January each year to be observed as the National Girl Child Day. The objective is to raise the consciousness of society towards the girl child so that she can be valued and respected. In the national capital, a special function has been organised by the Women and Child Development Ministry to mark the occasion.Prime Minister Narendra Modi has said, it is a day to celebrate the exceptional achievements of the girl child, whose excellence in many fields makes the country proud. In a tweet, Mr Modi said, it is imperative to reject discrimination against the girl child and ensure equal opportunities. The Prime Minister appealed to the people to reaffirm their commitment to challenging stereotypes based on gender and promote gender sensitisation as well as gender equality. The Ministry of Women and Child Development today celebrated the National Girl Child Day at a special function in New Delhi. The theme of the program was Beti Bachao, Beti Padhao- BBBP.
"Bharat Parv" being organized at Red Fort from Jan 26th to 31st, 2017
The Bharat Parv is being organized at Red Fort in New Delhi from 26th to 31st of this month as part of the Republic Day Celebrations. The objective of the event is to generate a patriotic mood, promote the rich cultural diversity of the country, ensure wider participation of the general public and popularise the idea of Ek Bharat Shreshtha Bharat.
Background: Tourism Ministry has been designated as the nodal Ministry for the event. The highlights of the event include display of the Republic Day parade tableaux, performances by the armed forces bands, a multi-cuisine food court, crafts mela, cultural performances from different regions of the country and a photo exhibition by Information and Broadcasting Ministry. The scheme will provide an assured pension based on a guaranteed rate of return of 8 percent per annum for ten years, with an option to opt for pension on a monthly, quarterly, half yearly or annual basis.
Mount Everest’s height to be re-measured by Survey of India
The height of Mount Everest will soon be re-measured. This follows doubts expressed by a section of scientific community about the world's highest peak shrinking, after the devastating earthquake that struck Nepal nearly two years ago. Surveyor General of India Swarna Subba Rao said in Hyderabad (24.01.2017) that the Survey of India will soon take up a project to gauge the height of Mount Everest.
Background: Speraking on the sidelines of a meeting of the Geospatial World Forum, Mr Rao said, they are sending an expedition to Mount Everest. He added that Everest's height was declared in 1855 and many others also measured it.He said, the height of 29,028 ft. given by Survey of India, even today, is taken as the correct height. Mr. Rao pointed out that the second reason for the project is that it will help in scientific studies, tectonic plate movements etc.He said, the effort should begin in a month and the endeavour would take about a month for observation and another 15 days for computation and declaration of data.
"Every year 20 million persons become eligible as 1st time voters"
Chief Election Commissioner Dr Naseem Zaidi today said as per 2011 census, every year 20 million persons become eligible as the first time voters under country's electoral laws. He termed 62 million youths of the country who are now in the age group of 15 to 17 as future voters. Speaking at a seminar in New Delhi, Dr Zaidi said, Election Commission of India, ECI has set up a network called the Voicenet, which is operational.
Union Cabinet gives post-facto approval for launching of "Varishtha Pension Bima Yojana"
Union Cabinet has given its post-facto approval for launching of Varishtha Pension Bima Yojana as part of government’s commitment for financial inclusion and social security.
Varishtha Pension Bima Yojana: The scheme will be implemented through Life Insurance Corporation during the current financial year. It will provide social security during old age and protect elderly persons aged 60 years and above against a future fall in their interest income due to uncertain market conditions. The scheme will provide an assured pension based on a guaranteed rate of return of 8 percent per annum for ten years, with an option to opt for pension on a monthly, quarterly, half yearly or annual basis. The difference between the return generated by LIC and the assured return of 8 percent per annum would be borne by the government as subsidy on an annual basis. The scheme is proposed to be open for subscription for a period of one year from the date of launch.
Damodar Valley Corporation receives "NTPC award 2015-16"
Damodar Valley Corporation received NTPC award 2015-16 from Union Power Minister, Shri Pyush Gayal. DVC Chairman, Andrew W.K. Langestieh, received the prize from Goyal amongst the power sectors for implementation of official language.
Union Cabinet approves new scheme for promotion of "Rural Housing in country"
Cabinet approved a new scheme for promotion of Rural Housing in the country. The Government will provide interest subsidy under the scheme. Interest subsidy will be available to every rural household who is not covered under the Pradhan Mantri Aawas Yojana (Grameen), PMAY(G).
Rural Housing in country scheme: The scheme will enable people in rural areas to construct new houses or add to their existing pucca houses to improve their dwelling units. The beneficiary who takes a loan under the scheme would be provided interest subsidy for loan amount upto 2 Lakhs rupees. National Housing Bank would implement the scheme. Under the scheme, the Government will also take necessary steps for proper convergence with PMAY-G including technical support to beneficiary through existing arrangements. The new scheme is expected to improve housing stock in the rural areas, as well as create employment opportunities in rural housing sector.
CCEA approves setting up of "World Class Integrated Exhibition-cum-Convention Centre"
The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs, CCEA, has approved setting up of a World Class Integrated Exhibition-cum-Convention Centre, IECC at Pragati Maidan in New Delhi. The total cost of the project, by India Trade Promotion Organisation ITPO, will be 2,254 crore rupees.
India conducts second test of "Guided Pinaka rocket" from Odisha
The Multi Barrel Rocket System guided Pinaka rocket was (24.01.2017) successfully test-fired for the second time from launch complex-III of the Integrated Test Range (ITR) launch pad at Chandipur in Odisha.
Guided Pinaka Rocket: ITR Director B K Das said the test was conducted at 12:45 PM and Pinaka rocket mark-II, equipped with navigation, guidance and control kit, was transformed into a "guided Pinaka". The conversion facilitated range enhancement and improvement in Pinaka's accuracy. The range of the rocket has increased from 40 to 70 km with an improved accuracy from 500m to 50m. He said, the mission met all its objectives.Its first successful test flight was conducted from the same venue on January 12.
Samudra Pavak to visit Hamad Port from January 24
Indian Coast Guard Ship (ICGS) Samudra Pavak will be visiting Hamad Port from January 24 to 28, 2017 to coincide with celebrations of India’s 68th Republic Day (January 26, 2017). Hamad Port is the first port of call by ICGS Samudra Pavak during her upcoming overseas deployment to the Gulf region covering Qatar, Saudi Arabia, UAE and Oman. ICGS Samudra Pavak, the third of the Pollution Control Vessel (PCV) series of the Indian Coast Guard, was indigenously designed and commissioned in January 2016.
Purifier of the Seas: Samudra Pavak or “Purifier of the Seas” has 15 officers and 99 other personnel under the Command of Deputy Inspector General Satish Kumar. The 94-metre PCV is equipped with state-of-the-art technology which includes Integrated Platform Management System (IPMS), Dynamic Positioning System (DP System), Power Management System (PMS), External Fire Fighting System (EFF) and Pollution Control Equipment for undertaking Coast Guard charter specific duties.
TN Assembly passes Bill amending provisions of Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act 1960
Tamil Nadu Assembly has passed a Bill amending the provisions of the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act 1960 unanimously amidst incidents of violence in various places. The Bill is aimed at safeguarding Jallikattu sport in the state saying it helps preserve native breeds of bulls and serves to uphold tradition and culture. It was piloted by chief minister O Panneerselvam and supported by all the three opposition parties, the DMK, Congress and the IUML in the House. The pro-Jallikattu demonstrations have been called off by the youth in all the places in the state. Meanwhile, violence erupted in Chennai and many other places. As the activists and legal experts were holding talks with the youth at Marina Beach in Chennai about the developments in safeguarding the sport which they view as a cultural identity, the police barricaded all the entry points to the beach to prevent people from outside to enter the venue. They said based on information that anti-social elements have intruded into the youth movement the action was taken. They said, the action was required to avert any untoward incidents. Vehicles parked near two police stations in Chennai were set on fire by miscreants in the afternoon 23.01.2017.
Pan-India initiative for "Girls Football Launched"
On the occasion of the National Girl Child Day today, a pan-India football based programme for girls between the age of 10 to 15 years has been launched. The first event was held in New Delhi where over 700 girls took part from across Delhi NCR. The programme named " Khelegi toh Khilegi" was flagged off by Dharmendra Pradhan, Union Minister of Petroleum and Natural Gas, and MP Meenakshi Lekhi. It aims at developing girls football in the country, with an intention to empower the girl child. It also seeks to use football as a tool to break gender stereotypes and improve self-esteem and develop leadership skills. Starting from Delhi, the initiative will be held at 15 cities across India in the first year.
Wriddhiman Saha's maiden double ton helps "Rest of India lift Irani Cup"
Rest of India has lifted the Irani Cup Cricket Trophy. The winners chased down the 379 run target set by Gujarat with six wickets still in hand in the fourth and final day at Mumbai today. For Rest of India, Wriddhiman Saha's career-best unbeaten first-class knock of 203 was the stand-out performance. It was also the highest score by a wicketkeeper batsman in the tournament's history. This together with skipper Cheteshwar Pujara's unbeaten 116 helped Rest of India overhaul the target.
Donald Trump signs executive order to pull United States out of TPP
US President Donald Trump signed an executive order to formally pull US out of the negotiating process of the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP), a mega trade deal of 12 Pacific Rim countries.
Trans-Pacific Partnership: TPP was one of the major international trade initiatives of his predecessor Barack Obama aimed to set trade rules for the 21st century and bind US allies against growing Chinese economic clout. During the Presidential election campaign, Trump had vowed to withdraw the US from the TPP which he argued was harmful to American workers and manufacturing.
N K Singh Committee submits report on changes in FRBM Act
The Fiscal Responsibility and Budget Management (FRBM) Committee has submitted its 4 volume report on changes in FRBM Act, 2013 to the Union Finance Minister Arun Jaitley. The 5 member committee was headed by N.K. Singh, former Revenue and Expenditure Secretary and former MP. Its member included RBI Governor Urjit Patel, Chief Economic Advisor Arvind Subramanian, former Finance Secretary Sumit Bose, and National Institute of Public Finance and Policy Director Rathin Roy.