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INDIAN AFFAIRS
Maharashtra to become first state to have Transgender Welfare Board
Maharashtra Minister of state for Social Justice Dilip Kamble has stated that Maharashtra State Government will set up a Transgender Welfare Board in a month’s time.
Transgender Welfare Board – Maharashtra:
i. Board’s primary task will be to look after education, employment, housing, and health schemes for transgenders and also to protect their Constitutional and human rights.
ii. Maharashtra will thus become the first Indian state to have such a board.
iii. It is to be noted that Maharashtra State Government has made a provision of Rs 5 crore for welfare of the Transgender community.
iv. Responsibility of setting up of the board and implementing welfare schemes for transgender community has been entrusted on Maharashtra State Social Justice department.
Mumbai airport becomes world’s busiest single-runway airport
On January 20, 2018, Chhatrapati Shivaji International airport, Mumbai created a new world record for single-runway operations by handling 980 arrivals and take-offs in 24 hours.
Record-breaking flight operations from Mumbai Airport:
i. By operating 980 flight on January 20, 2018, Mumbai Airport surpassed its own record of 974 flights in 24 hours reported on December 6, 2017.
ii. As per 2017 annual report of CAPA, the Sydney-based education network, Mumbai airport, which is currently operating at 94% of its maximum passenger handling capacity, will reach saturation point in 2018.
iii. Chhatrapati Shivaji International airport, Mumbai which has been facing a sever space crunch, currently handles 45.2 million passengers and on an average, operates around 930 flights per day.
Quick Facts about Chhatrapati Shivaji International airport:
♦ Opened in – 1942
♦ Operated by – Mumbai International Airport Limited (MIAL)
India achieves 20 GW of installed solar capacity within eight years
According to the latest India research report by green energy market tracker Mercom Capital, India has achieved 20 GW (Giga watt) cumulative solar power capacity.
Current State of Installed Solar Power Capacity in India:
i. Out of 20 GW, utility-scale cumulative installations stand at approximately 18.4 GW, while rooftop solar accounts for another 1.6 GW.
ii. 20 GW capacity has been attained four years ahead of the 2022 target set under National Solar Mission.
iii. In addition to this, Solar Power was the top source of new power capacity additions in India during the calendar year 2017. During 2017, Solar power accounted for 45% of total capacity additions.
iv. This accomplishment can be attributed to Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s push on renewable energy. After coming to power in 2014, Modi Government revised the target under National Solar Mission to 100 GW of solar capacity by 2022.
Quick Facts about National Solar Mission:
♦ Launched in – January 2010
♦ Objective – Reducing the cost of solar power generation
♦ Initial Target – Installed Solar Power Capacity of 20 GW by 2022
♦ Revised Target – Installed Solar Power Capacity of 100 GW by 2022
INTERNATIONAL AFFAIRS
Sweden commits record $370m aid to UN World Food Programme
On 2nd February 2018, Sweden signed a Strategic Partnership Agreement with United Nations World Food Programme, committing 370 million dollars to World Food Programme (WFP) for the next 4 years.
Sweden commits record $370m aid to UN World Food Programme:
i. Sweden’s contribution for the 2018-2021 period is the biggest contribution made by a donor within the WFP Strategic Partnership Agreement.
ii. The Swedish government has been the largest donor of flexible funds to WFP for nearly 10 years.
iii. This is the first time in a decade, the number of hungry people in the world is on the rise. Out of the total hungry people in the world, majority of them live in conflict affected countries.
iv. World Food Programme (WFP) has said that, ten out of thirteen largest food crises in the world are created by conflict.
About United Nations World Food Programme:
♦ Executive Director – David Beasley
♦ Headquarters – Rome, Italy
UP government launches DASTAK campaign in association with UNICEF
On February 5, 2018, Uttar Pradesh State Government, in association with United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) launched ‘DASTAK’, a door to door campaign to eradicate deadly Acute Encephalitis (AE) Syndrome and Japanese Encephalitis (JES) disease from the state.
Information about UP Government’s ‘DASTAK’ campaign:
i. ’DASTAK’ campaign was launched by UP Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath in Lucknow on February 5, 2018.
ii. Tagline for the campaign is “Darwaja khatkhatao, AES aur JE ko bhagao”.
iii. As a part of this campaign, many departments of UP State Govt., especially health, rural development, primary education, with the help of UNICEF, will go door to door in 38 JES and AE affected districts. These districts contribute to about 60 percent of the total AES cases all over India.
iv. 600 school students in the affected areas will also be part of this campaign.
Quick Facts about UNICEF:
♦ Formation Year: 1946
♦ Headquarters: New York, US
♦ Current Executive Director: Henrietta Fore
AWARDS & RECOGNITIONS
Four Indian sportspersons in Forbes India 30 Under 30 list
Four Indian sportspersons – Jasprit Bumrah, Harmanpreet Kaur, Savita Punia and Heena Sidhu – have featured in this year’s Forbes India 30 Under 30 list.
i. 24-year old, Indian fast bowler Jasprit Bumrah had a fantastic 2017. During 2017, he claimed 39 wickets in 23 ODIs. He was also named in the International Cricket Council’s (ICC’s) One Day International (ODI) Team of The Year.
ii. In 2017, 28-year old India woman cricketer, Harmanpreet Kaur helped India win the Women’s World Cup semi-final match against Australia by scoring 171 runs. This match was the most watched women’s cricket match ever.
iii. In October 2017, former World No. 1 woman shooter, Heena Sidhu clinched gold at the Commonwealth shooting championships in Brisbane, Australia. Despite of suffering a finger injury last year, she did not give up and ensured a comeback.
iv. Indian women Hockey team goalkeeper, Savita Punia has proven to be an important part of the Indian hockey team on multiple occasions. She played an instrumental role in helping India qualify for Rio 2016 Olympics.
About Forbes India 30 Under 30:
♦ Forbes India 30 Under 30 comprises 30 brightest young entrepreneurs, innovators and game changers.
♦ The list takes into consideration, various broad criteria viz. extent of impact of achievements, ability to disrupt the status quo, scalability of line of work and potential to stay in the line of work for a long-term.
APPOINTMENTS & RESIGNS
Cyprus President Nicos Anastasiades wins re-election
On 4th February 2018, Cyprus President Nicos Anastasiades won re-election for second five-year term.
Cyprus President Nicos Anastasiades wins re-election:
i. Nicos Anastasiades secured 56 % of the votes and beat his opponent Stavros Malas who scored 44 % of votes.
ii. Nicos Anastasiades is 71 years old. He has been serving as President of Cyprus since 2013. Earlier, he was the leader of the political party Democratic Rally.
iii. Stavros Malas is 50 years old. He was Minister of Health in the government of Cyprus from 2011 to 2012.
About Nicos Anastasiades:
♦ Age – 71
♦ Political Party – Democratic Rally
Naba Kumar Nayak appointed as Odisha State Election Commissioner
Naba Kumar Nayak has been appointed as the State Election Commissioner in Odisha.
Naba Kumar Nayak – State Election Commissioner in Odisha:
i. Naba Kumar Nayak replaces Rabi Narayan Senapati. Naba Kumar Nayak is a retired IAS officer.
ii. He had been a member and the chairman in-charge of the Staff Selection Commission (SSC).
iii. He has also held positions like Joint Chief Electoral Officer, Collector of Puri and Mayurbhanj districts and Deputy Relief Commissioner.
About Election Commission of India:
♦ Chief Election Commissioner – Om Prakash Rawat
♦ Election Commissioners – Sunil Arora, Ashok Lavasa
SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY
US Air Force chief David L Goldfein flies India’s LCA ‘Tejas’
On February 3, 2018, General David L Goldfein, chief of staff of the US Air Force, flew a sortie in the indigenous Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) ‘Tejas’ at the Indian Air Force (IAF) station in Jodhpur, Rajasthan.
i. This is the first time that any Chief of Staff of the US Air Force flew LCA ‘Tejas’.
ii. For the sortie, General Goldfein was accompanied by Indian Air Force Air Vice Marshal AP Singh as a co-pilot.
iii. On February 1, 2018, General Goldfein along with other US officials arrived in India for an official visit.
iv. During the course of this visit, General Goldfein also met Indian Air Force Air Chief Marshal BS Dhanoa and held discussion with Indian Air Force Officials to further enhance cooperation between the two air forces.
About LCA Tejas:
i. LCA Tejas is an indigenously-built single-seat, single-jet engine fighter aircraft. It has been designed by Aeronautical Development Agency (ADA) and manufactured by Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) for Indian Air Force and Indian Navy.
ii. It has been designed to carry a range of air-to-air, air-to-surface, precision guided and standoff weaponry.
iii. Name “Tejas” (meaning ‘radiance’ in Sanskrit) was given by former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee.
SPORTS
India Open 2018 (Badminton): PV Sindhu loses title clash to America’s Beiwen Zhang
On 4th February 2018, India’s PV Sindhu lost to America’s Beiwen Zhang in the women’s singles finals of India Open Super 500 at Siri Fort Complex in New Delhi.
PV Sindhu loses title clash to America’s Beiwen Zhang:
i. PV Sindhu was defeated 18-21, 21-11, 20-22 by Beiwen Zhang in the women’s singles finals. Beiwen Zhang won the women’s singles title of India Open 2018.
ii. This Beiwen Zhang’s first major title. Beiwen Zhang won the gold medal and PV Sindhu secured the silver medal. PV Sindhu had won the women’s singles title of 2017 India Super Series.
iii. In the men’s singles, China’s Shi Yuqi won gold medal and Taiwan’s Chou Tien Chen won silver medal.
iv. In men’s doubles, Indonesia’s Marcus Fernaldi Gideon and Kevin Sanjaya Sukamuljo won gold medal. Denmark’s Kim Astrup and Anders Skaarup Rasmussen won silver medal.
v. In women’s doubles, Indonesia’s Greysia Polii and Apriyani Rahayu won gold medal. Thailand’s Jongkolphan Kititharakul and Rawinda Prajongjai won silver medal.
vi .In mixed doubles, Denmark’s Mathias Christiansen and Christinna Pedersen won gold medal. Indonesia’s Praveen Jordan and Melati Daeva Oktavianti won silver medal.
About 2018 India Open:
♦ Dates – 30 January – 4 February 2018
♦ Venue – Siri Fort Indoor Stadium, New Delhi
♦ Level – Super 500
CRPF crowned Senior Women Hockey champions
Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) team has won 8th Hockey India Senior Women National Championship 2018 (B Division).
i. In the final match played in Ranchi, Jharkhand on February 4, 2018, CRPF team defeated Kerala Hockey by a margin of 7-0.
ii. From the CRPF team, Pricilia Tirkey scored 4 goals, while Pragya Mourya, Siddhi Singh and Bharti Thakur scored one goal each.
iii .The third-fourth classification match was played between Steel Plant Sports Board and Bengaluru Hockey Association. Steel Plant Sports Board won the match by 4-0 margin.
Quick Facts about CRPF:
♦ Formed in – 1939
♦ Governing Body – Union Ministry of Home Affairs
♦ Current Director General – Rajiv Rai Bhatnagar
OBITUARY
Veteran Telugu actor Lakshmi Devi passes away
On 3rd February 2018, Telugu actor Lakshmi Devi died after suffering a cardiac arrest, at Manikonda, in Hyderabad, Telangana.Death of Lakshmi Devi:
i. Lakshmi Devi was 78 years old. She was a Telugu actor and a skilled acting teacher.
ii. Lakshmi Devi is survived by her husband Devadas, son Rajeev, daughter Sri Lakshmi, daughter-in-law Suma, son-in-law Ramarao and grandchildren.
iii. Lakshmi Devi started a film institute along with her husband Devadas. She has trained great actors like Telugu film star Chiranjeevi.
About Film and Television Institute of India (FTII):
♦ Chairman – Anupam Kher
♦ Functions under – Ministry of Information and Broadcasting
BOOKS & AUTHORS
Actress Anjana Sukhani pens book for housewives on household budgeting
Actress Anjana Sukhani is writing a book named ‘Hisaab Kitaab’, a book on household budgeting.
Hisaab Kitaab:
i. Anjana Sukhani is writing ‘Hisaab Kitaab’ based on her experiences. The book is based on the dynamics of household budgeting.
ii. Anjana Sukhani has acted in films like “Salaam-e-Ishq”, “Golmaal Returns” and “Allah Ke Banday”.
About Anjana Sukhani:
♦ Age – 39
♦ Occupation – Actress, model
IMPORTANT DAYS
Maratha Light Infantry turns 250, makes Indian Army proud
Maratha Light Infantry Regiment (an infantry regiment of the Indian Army) has completed 250 glorious years of its raising.
About Maratha Light Infantry:
i. Currently, Maratha Light Infantry Regiment is one of the oldest and most decorated infantry regiment of the Indian Army.
ii. 2nd Battalion Bombay Sepoys (raised in 1768) was the first battalion of Maratha Light Infantry Regiment.
iii. In 1841, during First Afghan War, Maratha Light Infantry Regiment was the first regiment to be awarded with the title of ‘Light Infantry’.
iv. During the World War – I, it was honoured with 15 battle honours.
