Current Affairs Today 12th and 13th January 2020-Download in PDF

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Current Affairs Today – 12th & 13th January 2020

NEWS AT A GLANCE

• The National Youth Day has been celebrated every year on 12 January.
• Lohri day is celebrated on 13 January every year in India. Lohri is termed as the festival of farmers in Northern India. It is observed a night before Makar Sankranti.
• The Union minister for women and child development Smriti Irani launched 3 welfare schemes for women in Goa. The schemes are,Yashaswini Scheme for Women Entrepreneurship,Swasthya Sahayak Project,Breast cancer screening initiative handheld device facilitating detection of cancer.
• Union Minister of Steel launched mission PURVODAYA for the development of eastern India through integrated steel hub in Kolkata, West Bengal.
• India is planning to double crude oil imports from the US.
• The 23rd National Youth Festival 2020 started from 12-16 January at Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh. This festival is celebrated on the birth anniversary of Swami Vivekananda.
• The Union Home Minister Amit Shah has launched the first Cyber Crime Prevention Unit of India “AASHVAST” in Gandhinagar, Gujarat.
• The Kolkata Port has been renamed as Shyama Prasad Mukherjee Port on the occasion of 150th years celebration of Kolkata Port Trust.
• Tsai Ing-wen has won the Taiwan presidential election.
• The 18th Dhaka International Film Festival begins at Dhaka, Bangladesh.
• First phase of “Bishwa Ijtema” has commenced in Dhaka, Bangladesh.
• Sayyid Haitham bin Tariq al Said has took over as Sultan of Oman.
• Chinese health authorities reported that a new virus implicated in a pneumonia outbreak was identified in the city of Wuhan, China.
• The World Future Energy Summit commences in Abu Dhabi with the theme “Rethinking Global Consumption, Production, and Investment”.
• A prototype of the naval version of the light combat aircraft (LCA) successfully completed the test trial.
• Indian pacer Jasprit Bumrah will receive the BCCI’s prestigious Polly Umrigar Award for his super performance in international cricket in the 2018-19 season.
• The National Highways Excellence Awards will be conferred by the Union Minister for Road Transport & Highways and Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) Shri Nitin Gadkari in New Delhi on 14 January 2020.

NEWS IN DETAIL

IMPORTANT DAYS AND THEMES

National Youth Day observed on 12 January

• The National Youth Day has been celebrated every year on 12 January.
• This is the day when Swami Vivekananda, one of the greatest social reformers, thinkers, and philosophers of India, was born.
• The Indian government had declared back in 1984 that Swamiji’s birthday would be celebrated as the National Youth Day.
• The main aim behind this is to make sure that the students across the country can be encouraged to learn about life, the ideas and philosophy of Swami Vivekananda and apply them in their lives.

Lohri day is celebrated on 13 January

• Lohri day is celebrated on 13 January every year in India. Lohri is termed as the festival of farmers in Northern India. It is observed a night before Makar Sankranti.
• The harvest festival is majorly celebrated in the North of India.
• During the festival, the people offer prayers to the Sun God, Mother Earth, the fire and the fields for prosperity, health, and a good harvest.
• They offer peanuts, gur ki Rewari, and makhana to the bonfire
• People dance while singing popular folk songs.

NATIONAL CURRENT AFFAIRS

Union Minister Smriti Irani launched 3 schemes in Goa

• The Union minister for women and child development Smriti Irani launched 3 welfare schemes for women in Goa.
• To mark the launch of the scheme, a cheque for the Rs 5 lakh loan was handed over by Irani to three women’s self-help groups – Umang Selfhelp Group, Salcete; Pheonix Women’s Self-help Group, Valpoi, and Adarsh Sateri Mahila Mandal, Guleli, Sattari.

The schemes are :

1. Yashaswini Scheme for Women Entrepreneurship

• The state government provides interest-free loan up to Rs 5 lakh with a tenure of 5 years.
• AIM: to self-help groups with repayment starting from the second year and the loan to be paid in four instalments.

2. Swasthya Sahayak Project

• A diagnostic kit will be supplied to primary healthcare workers and Anganwadi workers in the state to help them conduct basic diagnostic tests at people’s doorstep.
• AIM: to bring an affordable and convenient solution to the common man, who had to stand in queues and wait for days for getting basic diagnostic tests done.
• The diagnostic kit has been developed by the Public Health Foundation of India, which has partnered with Procter and Gamble to manufacture and supply the kits using corporate social responsibility (CSR) fund.
• The kit includes an interface unit, a tablet and the peripheral bag containing all the equipment needed to perform tests for blood pressure, blood sugar, blood haemoglobin and heart rate.

3. Breast cancer screening initiative handheld device facilitating detection of cancer

• Under breast cancer screening initiative the handheld devices the Anganwadi and healthcare workers will screen women for breast cancer, reaching out to the women in rural parts of the state.
• With the help of such a device, the delivery of health services will become more accessible and affordable, 20,000 women would be screened for breast cancer.

Union Steel Minister unveils mission PURVODAYA in Kolkata

• Union Minister of Steel launched mission PURVODAYA for the development of eastern India through integrated steel hub in Kolkata, West Bengal.
• AIM: to transform logistics and utility infrastructure which would change the socio-economic landscape in eastern India.
• This mission also includes the growth of the steel industry along with employment opportunities across the entire value chain.
• The Purvodaya in the steel sector is aimed at driving the accelerated development of Eastern India through the establishment of an integrated steel hub.
• Eastern states of India West Bengal, Jharkhand, Odisha, Chhattisgarh and Northern part of Andhra Pradesh collectively hold 80% of the country’s iron ore, 100% of coking coal and a significant portion of chromite, bauxite and dolomite reserves.

Extra Shots:

• Union Minister of Steel: Dharmendra Pradhan

West Bengal:

• Capital: Kolkata
• Chief Minister: Mamta Banerjee
• Governor: Jagdeep Dhankhar
• State Formed in: 1947
• Literacy Rate: 76.26%
• National Park: Buxa National Park, Gorumara National Park, Neora Valley National Park, Neora Valley National Park, Sunderban National Park, Jaldapara National Park

India to double the crude oil imports from the US

• India is planning to double crude oil imports from the US.
• The move is a part of its effort to reduce dependence on the West Asia region.
• India’s major oil imports:
• India started to purchase Oil from the US in 2017-18. So far, it has already crossed about 6 million tonnes a year. India also has long-term oil supply contracts with Russia and oil-producing countries in Africa.
• India is depending highly on oil imports from West Asia.

The top 3 suppliers of Oil to India in 2018-19 are:

• Iraq with about 46.6 million tonnes (MT)
• Saudi Arabia with 40.3 MT
• UAE with 17.5 MT

Extra Shots:

USA (Capital/Currency): Washington, D.C./ United States Dollar

• President: Donald Trump
• Official languages: English

STATE CURRENT AFFAIRS

National Youth Festival 2020 begins in Lucknow

• The 23rd National Youth Festival 2020 started from 12-16 January at Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh. This festival is celebrated on the birth anniversary of Swami Vivekananda.
• The NYF 2020 is organized by the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports and State Government of Uttar Pradesh.
• The theme of the 23rd National Youth Festival 2020 is “FIT YOUTH FIT INDIA”.
• The theme is in line with Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision for New India to be a fit India and Ek Bharat Shrestha Bharat.
• The event aims to promote the knowledge and ideas of the Youth.

Extra Shots:

Uttar Pradesh:

• Capital: Lucknow
• Chief Minister: Yogi Adityanath
• Governor: Anandiben Patel
• Nation Park: Dudhwa National Park

India’s 1st Cyber Crime Prevention Unit “AASHVAST” launched in Gujarat

• The Union Home Minister Amit Shah has launched the first Cyber Crime Prevention Unit of India “AASHVAST” in Gandhinagar, Gujarat.
• The AASHVAST project will act as a helpline for the cyber crime victims.
• The project will provide cyber-security solution to the common people of Gujarat provided by Gujarat Police.
• Project AASHVAST is expected to contribute in preventing crimes in the state of Gujarat.
• Along with AASHVAST, he also launched 2 other projects: VISWAS & Netrang.
• The e-governance initiative Video Integration and State Wide Advanced Security (VISHWAS) was also launched.
• Objective : to improve Law and Order Management, Proactive traffic management and control, Crime detection with the help of video analytics and post incident investigation and video forensics.
• Command and Control Room will be established in 33 districts of the state in the project ‘Netrang’.

Extra Shots:

Gujarat:

• Capital: Gandhinagar
• Chief Minister: Vijay Rupani
• Governor: Acharya Devvrat
• State formed on: 1 May 1960
• Literacy Rate: 79.31%
• National Park: Vansda NP, Blackbuck NP, Gir Forest NP, Marine NP, Gulf of Kutch

Kolkata Port renamed as Shyama Prasad Mukherjee Port

• The Kolkata Port has been renamed as Shyama Prasad Mukherjee Port on the occasion of 150th years celebration of Kolkata Port Trust.
• The event was also attended by Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
• He dedicated a Commemorative Stamp to mark 150 years of Kolkata port trust to nation.
• The Kaushal Vikas Kendra and Pritilata Chhatri Avas for 200 tribal girl students from Sundarbans were also inaugurated during the event.
• During the event, two oldest pensioners of the Port Mr. Naresh Chandra Chakraborty (100 years old) and Smt. Nagina Bhagat (105 years old) were also honoured.

Extra Shots:

West Bengal:

• Capital: Kolkata
• Chief Minister: Mamta Banerjee
• Governor: Jagdeep Dhankhar
• State Formed in: 1947
• Literacy Rate: 76.26%
• National Park: Buxa National Park, Gorumara National Park, Neora Valley National Park, Neora Valley National Park, Sunderban National Park, Jaldapara National Park

INTERNATIONAL CURRENT AFFAIRS

Tsai Ing-wen wins Taiwan presidential election

• Tsai Ing-wen has won the Taiwan presidential election.
• She wins the second term as Taiwan president.
• Her Democratic Progressive party retained control of the legislature, according to final results. She defeated Han Kuo-yu with 57.1% of the vote.

Extra Shots:

Taiwan (Capital/Currency): Taipei/ New Taiwan dollar

• President: Tsai Ing-wen

18th Dhaka International Film Festival begins in Bangladesh

• The 18th Dhaka International Film Festival begins at Dhaka, Bangladesh.
• The theme of the festival is ‘Better Film, Better Audience and Better Society’.
• During the festival, 220 films from 74 countries will be screened across various venues in Dhaka between 11-19 January.

Extra Shots:

Bangladesh (Capital/Currency): Dhaka/Taka

• Prime Minister: Sheikh Hasina

Bangladesh hosts Muslim congregation “Bishwa Ijtema”

• First phase of “Bishwa Ijtema” has commenced in Dhaka, Bangladesh.
• It is the second largest congregation of Muslim community after Hajj.
• The second phase of the congregation will be held from January 17 to 19.
• Bishwa Ijtema is an annual event which is taking place on the outskirts of Dhaka since 1967.
• It is being organised in a field of 160 acres, on the bank of the Turag river at Tongi on the outskirts of Dhaka.
• The congregation draws devotees of Muslim community from about 150 countries, hence making it the second largest congregation of Muslim community after Hajj.

Extra Shots:

Bangladesh (Capital/Currency): Dhaka/Taka

• Prime Minister: Sheikh Hasina

Sayyid Haitham bin Tariq al Said took over as Sultan of Oman

• Sayyid Haitham bin Tariq al Said has took over as Sultan of Oman.
• He will succeed Sultan Qaboos bin Said who passed away recently.
• The Sultan is the prime decision-maker in Oman and also holds the portfolio of Prime Minister, supreme commander of the armed forces, minister of foreign affairs, minister of finance and minister of defence.
• Sultan Qaboos bin Said was a charismatic and visionary leader who transformed Oman into a modern and prosperous nation. He was ruling Oman since 1970.

Extra Shots:

Oman (Capital/Currency): Muscat/ Omani Rial

• President: Al Said

China reported the first case from new Coronavirus

• Chinese health authorities reported that a new virus implicated in a pneumonia outbreak was identified in the city of Wuhan, China.
• The researchers discovered that the new strain of the virus is that of the coronavirus.
• Coronavirus: Coronaviruses infects the respiratory tract.
• Symptoms: The virus shows symptoms like runny nose, cough, sore throat, and fever.
• There are six coronaviruses that can infect humans, including the viruses that cause Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS) and Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS).

Extra Shots:

Previous Outbreaks:

In 2002-03, Coronavirus killed more than 700 people in the world. The virus originated in China. There is no specific vaccine for the virus as of 2019. The virus was first identified in Saudi Arabia, in 2012. Most cases were found in the Arabian peninsula.

China (Capital/Currency): Beijing/Renminbi

• President: Xi Jinping

SUMMITS AND CONFERENCES

World Future Energy Summit commences in Abu Dhabi

• The World Future Energy Summit commences in Abu Dhabi with the theme “Rethinking Global Consumption, Production, and Investment”.
• The Summit will conclude on 17th January, 2020.
• Delegates from around 170 countries are participating in the summit to be held at Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre.
• The summit will host the business leaders, policy makers, innovators, senior government officials, investors, financiers, producers, and buyers of sustainable solutions from all over the world.
• The World Future Energy Summit 2020 will feature forum programmes and demonstration in five domains namely: smart cities, water, waste, energy & solar.
• The event aims to stop the use of single-use plastics.

Extra Shots:

World Future Energy Summit:

World Future Energy Summit is an annual event. It was first held in 2011. The summit invites innovators, academicians, political leaders and industry leaders to creates new business and investment.

UAE (Capital/Currency): Abu Dhabi/Dirham

• President: Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan

DEFENCE CURRENT AFFAIRS

Naval version of LCA Tejas was successfully tested

• A prototype of the naval version of the light combat aircraft (LCA) successfully completed the test trial.
• It landed and took off from India’s aircraft carrier INS Vikramaditya on 11 January 2020. The test was a significant step towards India developing its own deck-based fighters.
• This will now pave the way to develop and manufacture the Twin Engine Deck Based Fighter for the Indian Navy.
• Developed by: It was developed by the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) and Aeronautical Development Agency (ADA).

Extra Shots:

LCA: A Light combat aircraft is a light multirole jet military aircraft most coming from advanced trainers that have been modified or designed for engaging in light combat missions, either in light strike or attack missions.

DRDO: The Defence Research and Development Organisation is an agency of the Government of India, charged with the military’s research and development, headquartered in New Delhi, India.

• Headquarters location: New Delhi
• Founded: 1958
• Motto: बलस्य मूलं विज्ञानम्; “Strength’s Origin is in Science” (Sanskrit)
• Minister responsible: Rajnath Singh, Minister of Defence
• Subsidiary: Gas Turbine Research Establishment

AWARDS

Jasprit Bumrah gets BCCI’s Polly Umrigar award

• Indian pacer Jasprit Bumrah will receive the BCCI’s prestigious Polly Umrigar Award for his super performance in international cricket in the 2018-19 season.
• The world’s No. 1 ODI bowler made his Test debut during India’s tour of South Africa in January 2018.
• On the other hand, leg-spinner Poonam Yadav will be given the best international cricketer (women) award.
• Former India captains Krishnamachari Srikkanth and Anjum Chopra will be presented with the Col CK Nayudu Lifetime Achievement Award and the BCCI Lifetime Achievement Award for women respectively.

Extra Shots:

BCCI: The Board of Control for Cricket in India is the national governing body for cricket in India. The board was formed in December 1928 as a society, registered under the Tamil Nadu Societies Registration Act.

• CEO: Rahul Johri
• Headquarters: Mumbai
• Secretary: Jay Shah
• Women’s coach: W. V. Raman
• Men’s coach: Ravi Shastri
• Presidents: C.K. Khanna, Sourav Ganguly

Nitin Gadkari confer National Highways Excellence Awards

• The National Highways Excellence Awards will be conferred by the Union Minister for Road Transport & Highways and Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) Shri Nitin Gadkari in New Delhi on 14 January 2020.
• The award by the Ministry of Road Transport & Highways acknowledges the exceptional work that is done in various aspects of highway management.
• National Highways Excellence Awards:
• The award instituted in 2018. The award aims to create a spirit of healthy competitiveness amongst all stakeholders involved in the development of highway infrastructure in the country.
• It encourages to contribute to the larger goal of expanding the road network in the country.

Extra Shots:

MSME: The Ministry of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises, a branch of the Government of India, is the apex body for the formulation and administration of rules, regulations and laws relating to micro, small and medium enterprises in India.

• Departments: National Small Industries Corporation
• Founded: 2007
• Headquarters: New Delhi

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