Current Affairs Quiz - February, 2019

Notes:
The Union Ministry of Environment & Forests (MoEF) has recently signed a letter of intent with the Norwegian government to launch the India-Norway Marine Pollution Initiative. In partnership, both the countries will share experiences and competence, and collaborate on efforts to develop clean and healthy oceans, sustainable use of ocean resources and growth in the blue economy. The first Joint initiative of both the governments will combat marine pollution, which is one of the fastest growing environmental concerns. The initiative will seek to support local governments in implementing sustainable waste management practices, develop systems for collecting and analyzing information about sources and scope of marine pollution and improve private sector investment. The Indian and Norwegian governments will also work towards beach clean-up efforts, awareness raising campaigns and pilot project using plastic waste as fuel substitution for coal in cement production and developing frameworks for deposit schemes.

Notes:
On 13th Feb, the 3rd Indo-German Environment Forum was held in New Delhi with the theme “Cleaner Air, Greener Economy”. The one-day event focuses on challenges, solutions and necessary framework conditions of air pollution control, waste management and circular economy as well as implementation of NDCs and SDGs based on Paris Agreement and Agenda 2030 of UN respectively. Around 250 representatives of ministries, business and science as well as non-governmental organizations participated in the forum, which is organized by the two environment ministries in cooperation with the Asia-Pacific Committee of German Business and the Federation of Indian Chamber of Commerce and Industry (FICCI). The Forum provided a platform for the bilateral exchange of high-level policy-makers and other key players on international environmental and climate policy and cooperation between the two countries.

Notes:
The 5th International Dam Safety Conference – 2019 was held in Bhubaneswar, Odisha during 13 and 14 February 2019. It is the joint initiative of the Government of India, Government of Odisha and the World Bank (WB) under aegis of the ongoing World Bank assisted Dam Rehabilitation and Improvement Project (DRIP) as a part of institutional strengthening. Dam Safety Conferences are being organized as an annual event in different DRIP States in collaboration with the Implementing Agencies and leading academic institutes to provide a common platform for all stakeholders including non-DRIP States. Presently, DRIP covers rehabilitation of 198 large dam projects located in seven States namely Jharkhand, Karnataka, Kerala, Madhya Pradesh, Odisha, Tamil Nadu, and Uttarakhand. Globally, India ranks third after China and the USA in terms of the number of large dams with 5264 large dams in operation and 437 large dams under construction. The total storage capacity of the impounded water by these dams is about 283 billion cubic meters (BCM).

Notes:
Asia’s largest early childhood conference – “Early Ed Asia 2019” was held in Jaipur, Rajasthan with motto ‘Our Children. Our Future’. The aim of the conference was to provide a platform for learning, networking and sharing the best practices of early childhood education in Asia. It was organized by the Early Childhood Association, India and ScooNews. The conference brought together the brightest minds in Early Childhood Education to discuss the latest trends in teaching and research to provide a stronger foundation to our children. Over 600 eminent early childhood educators, policy makers, researchers and other stakeholders from India and foreign countries attended the conference. Special delegations of educators from Asia, Europe and the US also attended the conference. It is the first time that a conference of this magnitude is organised around early childhood education in India.

Notes:
In badminton, Sourabh Verma has won the Men’s Singles event at the Yonex-Sunrise 83rd Senior National Badminton Championships 2019 in Guwahati. In the final, he defeated Lakshya Sen in straight games of 21-18, 21-13. This is Verma’s 3rd nationals title. Earlier, the second seeded makeshift pair of Pranaav Jerry Chopra and Chirag Shetty clinched the men’s doubles title after beating top seeds Arjun M R and Shlok Ramchandran 21-13 22-20 in 33 minutes.

Notes:
Chandramouli Ramanathan from India has been appointed by the United Nations as Controller & Assistant Secretary-General (ASG) for Programme Planning, Budget and Finance in the Department of Management Strategy, Policy and Compliance (DMSPC). He succeeded Bettina Tucci Bartsiotas of Uruguay. DMSPC, launched on 1st January 2019, provides strategic policy leadership in all areas of management through a clear, integrated global management strategy and policy framework. It will champion, drive and support a results-oriented and risk-aware culture of continuous learning and accountability and promote innovation in business models throughout the Secretariat, with a strong focus on the field.

Notes:
The Andhra Pradesh government has signed a 30 year concession agreement with the UAE-based company “National Central Cooling Company PJSC (DFM: Tabreed)” to offer District Cooling solutions to the greenfield city of Amaravati. The agreement is for a contracted cooling capacity of 20,000 refrigeration tons (RTs) that will build, own, operate and transfer India’s first district cooling system in Amaravati, the new capital of Andhra Pradesh. The cooling services will start from early 2021. Tabreed’s district cooling system is a part of Andhra Pradesh’s vision for Amaravati to create jobs and homes along with a world-class infrastructure and efficient resource management. Compared to other cooling systems, district cooling uses only 50% of the primary energy consumption for cooling urban buildings, thereby reducing CO2 emissions. It also helps in improving the air quality and reducing general noise levels when compared to other traditional air conditioning systems. This will be Tabreed’s first plant outside its Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) market.

Notes:
The book titled ‘Simplicity & Wisdom’ has been authored by famous Industrialist and Philanthropist Dinesh Shahra. It was launched by Keshari Nath Tripathi, Governor of West Bengal, at Parmarth Ashram in the ongoing Kumbh Mela 2019. The book is dedicated to Late eminent Vedanti Swami Pragananandji. The primary aim of the book is to offer saintly wisdom and guidance to lead a content and happy life.

Notes:
Six-time world women boxing champion, MC Mary Kom has been named as a brand ambassador for global sportswear giant PUMA for a two-year period. She will be PUMA India’s new ambassador for the company’s women’s training category and shall represent the brand in marketing campaigns in the country.

Notes:
K Dhanya Sanal, a spokesperson for the defence ministry in Thiruvananthapuram, has created history by becoming the first woman to climb the peak of 1,868-metre-high Agasthyarkoodam in January 2019 after the High court removed traditional restrictions on women from scaling the peak. Agasthyarkoodam is a part of the Agasthyamala Biosphere Reserve which lies on the border between the states of Kerala and Tamil Nadu. The Kani tribe that lives on the foothills opposes women attempting the trek. The mountain range is considered the holy abode of celibate sage Agastya Muni. The tribe has protested against letting women climb the peak, but has not stopped anyone. Over 100 of them sang folk songs as a mark of protest.