Current Affairs - 2019-20

Notes:
The International Conference on Green Initiatives & Railway Electrification has inaugurated by Union Minister of Railways & Coal Piyush Goyal in New Delhi on October 27, 2017. The conference is organised by Ministry of Railways through Institution of Railways Electrical Engineer (IREE). The main purpose of the 2-day international conference is to bring green power project developers and other stakeholders on a common platform for making Indian Railways (IR) an efficient and Greener mode of transport. This will open an international discussion on various Green initiatives including use of renewable energy, shift towards electric traction, development of new locomotive technology, high speed rail traction system and development in generation of Solar/Wind power as well as use of energy in efficient ways.

Notes:
AirAsia is a low-cost airline based in Malaysia. It is the largest airline in Malaysia by fleet size and destinations, and it has a significant presence in Southeast Asia, East Asia, South Asia, and Australia. AirAsia was founded in 1993 and began operations in 1996. The airline is known for its low-cost business model and its frequent flyer program, AirAsia BIG. AirAsia has been awarded numerous accolades, including being named the “World’s Best Low-Cost Airline” by Skytrax for 10 consecutive years from 2009 to 2018.

Notes:
India imports the most tea from Nepal. In 2021-22, India imported 11.12 million kg of tea from Nepal, which was the largest quantity. The next largest quantity came from Kenya at 7.08 million kg.

In 2021, India imported $54.7M in tea, mainly from:

• Nepal ($20.2M)
• Kenya ($11.7M)
• Iran ($4.14M)
• Vietnam ($3.96M)
• United Arab Emirates ($3.76M)

India is the world’s second largest exporter of tea. In 2019, India exported $842 million of tea.

Notes:
India signed the Stockholm Convention and had agreed to phase out the use of Endosulfan by 2017. Stockholm Convention is first ever-concerted global effort to save mankind from the adverse impact of Persistent Organic Pollutants (POP). The Stockholm Convention on Persistent Organic Pollutants was signed by India on May 14, 2002. It focuses on reducing and eliminating the production / use of 12 highly hazardous substances including eight pesticides (aldrin, chlordane, DDT, dieldrin, endrin, heptachlor, mirex and toxaphene); two industrial chemicals (poly chlorinated biphenyls and hexachlorobenzene) and two unintended by-products (poly chlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins and dibenzo furans, commonly referred to as dioxins and furans).

Notes:
The government of India aims to provide clean cooking fuel available to all household in the country by year 2018. The Government of India declared year 2016 as ‘Year of LPG Consumers’.

Notes:
The Ganga and Yamuna at Allahabad are home to some of the most endangered fauna like turtles (Batagur Kachuga, Batagur dhongoka, Nilssonia gangetica, Chitra indica, Hardella thurjii etc.), the National Aquatic Animal — Gangetic dolphin (Platanista gangetica), the Gharial (Gavialis gangeticus) and numerous migratory and resident birds. As a part of efforts made to protect the rich aquatic biodiversity of river Ganga from “escalating anthropogenic pressures,” the government decided to establish a turtle sanctuary in Allahabad.

Notes:
In an effort to expand the fight against the tobacco epidemic, the WHO has introduced the MPOWER package of six proven policies. These are:

• Monitor tobacco use and prevention policies;
• Protect people from tobacco smoke;
• Offer help to quit tobacco use
• Warn about the dangers of tobacco
• Enforce bans on tobacco advertising
• Promotion and sponsorship
• Raise taxes on tobacco

Notes:
The Bureau of Energy Efficiency (BEE) has introduced a new star rating methodology called Indian Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio (ISEER) for air conditioners. Keeping the performance of air conditioners during higher temperature in mind, ISEER will address the different climatic zones in India and higher temperature. ISEER measures energy efficiency of air conditioners based on a weighted average of the performance at outside temperatures between 24 and 43 degree C based on Indian weather data.

Notes:
Recently, the government launched options trading in guarseed on the commodity bourse NCDEX. NCDEX is the second exchange after MCX to launch options trading in commodities. In October 2017, MCX had launched gold options. Guarseed is the first agri-commodity options.

Notes:
ARIES telescope has been launched in a joint collaboration between Indian, Russian, and Belgian scientists and is located at Devasthal, Nainital at a height of 2,500 metres. The ARIES optical telescope's mirror is 3.6 meters in diameter and will be used in the study and exploration of planets, starts, magnetic field and astronomical debris.