PIB NOVEMBER 2019 ENGLISH

UNESCO Creative Cities Network (UCCN)

Mumbai as a Member of UCCN
UNESCO has designated Mumbai as a member of UNESCO Creative Cities Network (UCCN) in the field of Film and Hyderabad in the field of Gastronomy.

About UCCN

• Created in 2004

• A network of cities that are thriving, active centers of cultural activities in their respective countries.

• 246 cities included in the UCCN.

7 Categories for Recognition under UCCN

1. Crafts and Folk Arts

2. Design

3. Film

4. Gastronomy

5. Music

6. Media Arts

7. Literature

Indian Cities in UCCN

• Jaipur – Crafts and Folk Arts (2015)

• Varanasi – Creative City of Music (2015)

• Chennai – Creative City of Music (2017)

National Investment and Infrastructure Fund (NIIF)

India has set up the National Investment and Infrastructure Fund (NIIF) to catalyze private institutional investment in Indian infrastructure. This is different from the National Investment Fund.

Objectives of NIIF

• Maximize economic impact mainly through infrastructure development in commercially viable projects (greenfield and brownfield), including stalled projects.

• Consideration of other nationally important projects, such as manufacturing, if commercially viable.

Functions of NIIF

• Fundraising through suitable instruments, including offshore credit-enhanced bonds.

• Attracting anchor investors.

• Servicing NIIF investors.

• Considering and approving candidate companies, institutions, and projects for investment.

• Periodic monitoring of investments.

• Investing in Asset Management Companies (AMCs) that focus on private equity.

• Preparing a shelf of infrastructure projects and providing advisory services.

ASEAN, East Asia Summit & RCEP

• FDI reforms: Allowing 100% foreign investment in coal mining and contract manufacturing.

• Easing sourcing norms for single-brand retailers.

• Approving 26% overseas investment in digital media.

United Nations Decade of Ocean Science (2021-2030)

The United Nations has declared 2021-2030 as the Decade of Ocean Science for Sustainable Development.

Coastal Flood Warning System App for Chennai (CFLOWS-CHENNAI)

• Developed by the National Institute of Ocean Technology (NIOT).

India International Science Festival – Guinness World Records

1. Advanced Spectroscope Model: A small personal model of a spectroscope can be made using a cardboard box and a piece of a Compact Disc for diffraction.

2. Infrared Communication Link: Wireless infrared communication uses free-space light wave propagation.

3. Largest Human Image of a Chromosome: A visual representation of DNA molecules packaged into chromosomes.

Kung Fu Nuns – Asia Society’s Game Changer Award

• Recognized for their heroic activism and women empowerment.

• Represent a new generation of Buddhists using spirituality for real-life impact.

ICEDASH and ATITHI – IT Initiatives

• ICEDASH: Improves monitoring and speeds up Customs clearance of imported goods.

• ATITHI: Facilitates international passengers upon arrival.

Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM)

• OEM Definition: A company that manufactures components used in another company’s product.

• Government of India Initiative: Encouraging OEMs to partner with Indian companies under ‘Make in India’.

PRAGATI – Pro-Active Governance and Timely Implementation

• ICT-based multi-modal platform chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

• Integrates digital data management, video conferencing, and geo-spatial technology.

• Strengthens cooperative federalism by bringing together Union and State Government Secretaries.

Khadi Gets a Unique HS Code

• HS Code: Harmonized System six-digit identification code developed by the World Customs Organization (WCO).

• Used by Customs officers to clear commodities crossing international borders.

BIMSTEC Ports’ Conclave

• Focus on enhancing EXIM trade and coastal shipping.

• BIMSTEC (Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi-Sectoral Technical and Economic Cooperation) includes Bangladesh, India, Myanmar, Sri Lanka, Thailand, Bhutan, and Nepal.

ShaalaDarpan Portal

• An E-Governance school automation and management system for Navodaya Vidyalaya Samiti (NVS).

Government e-Marketplace (GeM)

• One-stop portal for online procurement of common-use goods and services.

• Enhances transparency, efficiency, and speed in public procurement.

• Provides e-bidding, reverse e-auction, and demand aggregation tools.

‘Samudra Shakti’ – Indian Navy & Indonesian Navy Bilateral Exercise

Kartarpur Corridor

• Visa-free travel for Indian pilgrims to Kartarpur Sahib in Pakistan.

• Open throughout the year, except on notified days.

• Pilgrims must return on the same day.

• Pilgrims can travel individually or in groups, and also on foot.

• Pakistan provides Langar and Prasad for pilgrims.

Global Exhibition on Services (GES)

• Organized by the Ministry of Commerce and Industry in association with SEPC and CII.

• Focuses on 12 Champion Services Sectors.

• Participation from 100 countries.

iDEX – Innovations for Defence Excellence

• Launched in April 2018 to foster defense and aerospace technology innovation.

• Managed by Defence Innovation Organization (DIO), a not-for-profit company.

BRICS Summit 2019

• Theme: “Economic Growth for an Innovative Future”.

• Represents 42% of the world’s population and 23% of global GDP.

Protection of Plant Varieties and Farmers’ Rights (PPV&FR) Act

• Recognizes farmers’ contributions in plant breeding and genetic conservation.

• Aligns with TRIPs for balancing commercial and farmer interests.

Swachh – Nirmal Tat Abhiyaan

• A beach cleanliness drive across 50 beaches in 10 coastal States/UTs.

Cartosat-3 Satellite

• Launched via PSLV-C47.

• Enhances high-resolution imaging capability for India.

Bharatiya Poshan Krishi Kosh (BPKK)

The BPKK will be a repository of diverse crops across 128 agro-climatic zones in India for better nutritional outcomes.
The Kosh was launched by WCD Minister Smriti Irani along with Bill Gates on November 18, 2019, in New Delhi.

5-Point Programme:

1. Ensure calorie-rich diet for women, especially pregnant women and children.
2. Ensure protein intake in the form of pulses to eradicate protein hunger among women and children.
3. Eradicate hidden hunger due to micronutrient deficiencies such as vitamin A, vitamin B, iron, and zinc.
4. Ensure the supply of clean drinking water.
5. Spread nutrition literacy in every village, especially among women with children under 100 days old.

Winter-Grade Diesel

The first Winter-Grade Diesel outlet for the Ladakh region was launched.
This diesel has a pour point of –33°C and does not lose its fluidity function even in the extreme winter weather of the region, unlike normal grade diesel which becomes exceedingly difficult to utilize.

National Mission on Cultural Mapping (NMCM)

Launched by the Ministry of Culture in 2017, the mission aims to compile data of artists, art forms, and geolocations with inputs from Central Ministries, State Governments, and art/culture bodies.

Bilateral Maritime Exercise Za’ir-Al-Bahr (Roar of the Sea)

Indian Navy Guided Missile Stealth Frigate INS Trikand and Patrol Aircraft P8-I arrived at Doha for the inaugural edition of the Bilateral Maritime Exercise Za’ir-Al-Bahr (Roar of the Sea) conducted from 17 to 21 November 2019.
This exercise strengthened cooperation and enhanced interoperability between the Indian Navy and Qatari Emiri Naval Forces.

Cabinet Approves Establishment of the National Institute of Sowa Rigpa (NISR) at Leh

• Sowa-Rigpa is one of the oldest and well-documented medical traditions in the world.
• The term “Sowa Rigpa” is derived from the Bhoti language, meaning ‘Knowledge of Healing.’
• This ancient Indian medical system is popular across the Trans-Himalayan region.

Navigation with Indian Constellation (NavIC)

• The use of AIS-140 compliant NavIC-based vehicle tracker systems has been made compulsory for all commercial vehicles.

Patent Prosecution Highway Programme

• Objectives:
  • Reduction in the time to dispose of patent applications.
  • Reduction in pendency of patent applications.
  • Improvement in the quality of search and examination of patent applications.
  • Providing an opportunity for Indian inventors, MSMEs, and Startups to get accelerated examination of their patent applications in Japan.

Samagra Shiksha – An Integrated Scheme for School Education

An overarching programme for the school education sector, extending from pre-school to class XII.
It aims to ensure inclusive and equitable quality education at all levels.

Cartosat-3 Satellite

India’s Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle (PSLV-C47) successfully launched Cartosat-3 along with 13 Nanosatellites from the Satish Dhawan Space Centre (SDSC).
The advanced Cartosat-3 will augment India’s high-resolution imaging capability.

Lok Sabha Passes the Dadra and Nagar Haveli and Daman and Diu (Merger of Union Territories) Bill, 2019

The Bill aims to:

• Improve service delivery to the citizens of both Union Territories.
• Reduce administrative expenditure.
• Ensure better monitoring of schemes and projects.

MAINS SPECIFIC

GS PAPER I

GS PAPER II

Topic: Governance

1. Centralized Public Grievance Redress and Monitoring System (CPGRAMS):
   A platform that allows citizens to submit grievances to Ministries/Departments/Organizations/State Governments for speedy and favorable redress.

2. National Hydrology Project (NHP):
   This pan-India project aims to set up a system for timely and reliable water resources data acquisition, storage, management, and dissemination.

3. National Policy on Biofuels:
   The policy categorizes biofuels as “Basic Biofuels” and “Advanced Biofuels” and provides incentives for the promotion of ethanol and biodiesel production.

GS PAPER III

1. Wastelands Atlas – 2019:
   India, with 2.4% of the world’s land area, supports 18% of the world’s population. The fifth edition of the Wastelands Atlas uses Indian Remote Sensing Satellite data to track wasteland reduction.

2. Cabinet Approves Special Window for Funding Stalled Affordable and Middle-Income Housing Projects:
   A Category-II AIF debt fund, registered with SEBI, will provide funding for stalled housing projects to ensure home delivery.

3. Steel Scrap Recycling Policy:
   The policy promotes the establishment of metal scrapping centers to produce high-quality ferrous scrap for steel production and reduce dependency on imports.

GS PAPER IV

• Quote:
  “Rising India should mean the rise in the living standards of every Indian. Not only should there be greater ease of doing business but there should be greater ‘ease of living’ as well.”
  — Honorable Vice President of India

• Raksha Mantri Shri Rajnath Singh on ‘Ideation, Innovation and Incubation’:
  Emphasized the importance of these concepts to achieve indigenization and self-reliance in the defense sector.

Person in News

1. Shri T.N. Seshan:

   • Served as Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) from 1990 to 1996, being the only one to hold the post for six years in the last 50 years.
   • Recognized for enhancing the autonomy and authority of the Election Commission of India (ECI).

2. Shri Dattopanth Thengri:

   • Founded the Bharatiya Mazdoor Sangh (BMS) in 1955.
   • A prominent figure in the Indian freedom struggle and labor movements.

3. Dr. Vashishtha Narayan Singh:

   • A renowned mathematician who authored “Reproducing Kernels and Operators with Cyclic Vector.”

Places in News

1. Sisseri River:
   Located in the Lower Dibang Valley of Arunachal Pradesh, a 200-meter long bridge between Jonai-Pasighat-Ranaghat-Roing road was inaugurated, reducing travel time between Pasighat and Roing by five hours.

2. Vietnam, Australia, Brazil, Paraguay, Maldives:
   The Prime Minister of India held meetings with the leaders of these countries to discuss bilateral relations and agreements in various fields, including health, tourism, and water resources.

3. Feni River:
   India and Bangladesh signed an MoU on the withdrawal of 1.82 cusecs of water from Feni River for a drinking water supply scheme for Sabroom town, Tripura.