Current Affairs - 2019-20

Notes:
The 1504 kilometers of Western DFC cover Rajasthan, Gujarat, Haryana, Maharashtra and UP. The Eastern DFC cover UP, Bihar, West Bengal, Jharkhand, Punjab and Haryana.

Notes:
A week long diversified cultural carnival ‘Rashtriya Sanskriti Mahotsav’ was held in February, 2018 in Madhya Pradesh beginning at Maan Mandir Fort, Gwalior. 

Notes:
Custard apples are also known as sitaphal. Beed district of Maharashtra is famous for its organically grown custard apples. Beed’s custard apples were recently issued GI certificates.

Notes:
Setu Bharatam is an ambitious programme with an investment of Rs. 50,000 crore to build bridges for safe and seamless travel on National Highways. The programme aims at making all national highways Railway Level Crossing free by 2019. This is being done in order to prevent the frequent accidents and loss of lives at level crossings. A 208 new “Road Over Bridges (ROB) / Road Under Bridges (RUB)” are envisaged for construction, while 1500 bridges will be widened, rehabilitated or replaced.

Notes:
Petroleum coke, or pet coke, is a byproduct of oil refining. It is a key input material for cement producers and is a highly polluting fuel. The Supreme Court requested all states and union territories to move forward towards a blanket ban on the use of pet coke. Pet coke is a dirtier alternative to coal. The use of pet coke has come under scrutiny due to rising pollution levels in major cities. Pet coke is most widely used in the cement industry. It is also used as a primary material for electrodes used in electric steel furnaces for smelting and refining steel scrap.
The majority of pet coke is produced in the US but is transported to India and China. In 2016, the US sent more than 8 million metric tons of pet coke to India.

Notes:
BGR-34 is an anti-diabetic Ayurvedic drug developed by the research wing of the Science and Technology Ministry. It was recently in news when it was placed 14^th among the top branded drugs manufactured by multinational Pharma companies, according to a survey by the All Indian Origin Chemists and Distributors (AIOCD). The Ayurvedic drug 'BGR-34' was launched in 2015, and has been developed jointly by two CSIR laboratories, National Botanical Research Institute (NBRI) and Central Institute for Medicinal and Aromatic Plant (CIMAP). It is prepared by a combination of natural extracts from four plants mentioned in Ayurveda, and it helps in treatment of type-II diabetes. It works as antioxidant and checks free radicals, thus, boosting our immune system. It helps to maintain the normal blood glucose levels, and reduces chances of complications due to persistent high blood glucose levels. Therefore, it imparts a good quality life to patients with high blood sugar levels.

Notes:
The wild ass, locally known as ghudkhar and found only in the Little Rann of Kutch in Gujarat in India, has been classified as an endangered animal. The Red List of International Union For Conservation of Nature (IUCN) released recently moved the wild ass from the ‘vulnerable’ to ‘endangered’ category, indicating the need for heightened protection measures. The IUCN added that the population of the Asiatic wild ass has declined by an alarming 52% in the past 16 years.
In Gujarat, there are 4,451 wild asses as per the 2014 census. In 2004, their number was 3,863. Principal chief conservator of forest H C Pant said, “Gujarat has recorded a 10% rise in numbers especially in the past five years. This change in classification must be prompted by the decline in their population across the world.” {Source: Times of India}

Notes:
BRU tribes were earlier found predominantly in Tripura. However, the community people were not treated well by the then Tripura Raja and most of them were forced to flee to the deep forest not only in the hill areas of Tripura but also in the adjoining areas of Mizoram. This migration from Tripura to Mizoram continued for a longer period of time and now this tribe is predominantly found in Mizoram. Recently, the National Skill Development Corporation (NSDC) launched a “Special Project” as a component of the Pradhan Mantri Kaushal Vikas Yojana (PMKVY) for skilling BRU Tribes.

Notes:
At the end of 2018 World Cup Group Stage, FIFA revealed a new design to be used in the knockout stage: Telstar Mecht

Notes:
P.R. Sreejesh is an Indian professional hockey field player and was the captain of the national team in the Rio Olympics 2016. He plays the goal-keeper while captaining the Indian team.