Daily Current Affairs 21 January 2020

Current Affairs Of Today Are

1) The ballistic missile, K-­4

• India on 19 Jan 2020 successfully testfired a 3,500­km range submarine-launched ballistic missile, K­4, official sources said. The test was carried out by the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) from a submerged pontoon off the Visakhapatnam coast
• The test was conducted from a submerged pontoon and has met the desired parameters. A pontoon simulates the situation of a launch from a submarine
• The missile has been tested several times earlier as part of developmental trials to validate different parameters
• The missile ejecting from a submerged platform to the surface [sea] is the toughest part
• There are very few countries which have managed to achieve this technological breakthrough

Circular Error Probability (CEP)

Circular Error Probability (CEP) is much more sophisticated than Chinese missiles

The CEP determines the accuracy of a missile. The lower the CEP, the more accurate the missile is.

India Submerged Nuclear Power

Once inducted, these missiles will be the mainstay of the Arihant class of indigenous ballistic missile nuclear submarines and will give India the stand­off capability to launch nuclear weapons submerged in Indian waters. INS Arihant, the first and only operational SSBN, is armed with K-­15 Sagarika missiles with a range of 750 km

2)  Irrawaddy Dolphins

• Odisha Forest Department officials, wildlife experts, and researchers sighted 146 endangered Irrawaddy dolphins in Chilika Lake, which boasts of the highest single lagoon population of the aquatic mammal in the world.
• The dolphin census was simultaneously taken up in Chilika and off Odisha coast. The Chilika Development Authority (CDA) is elated as the direct sighting of 146 dolphins meant that its population in the lake would stabilize well above 150. According to last year’s census, the Irrawaddy dolphin population in Chilika was 151.
• The direct sighting of 146 dolphins only corroborates the estimate of the CDA, which does the counting of dolphins round the year using hydrophones. CDA estimated population range is 133­-172
• According to hydrophone monitoring carried out round the year in Chilika, the highest number of Irrawaddy dolphins (20­25) was moving around Rajhans, followed by the Magarmukh and Malatikuda areas. 
• Dolphins were colonizing new areas, which had been freed from encroachments by prawn farming gherries.

3) Mumbai to get back mounted police

mounted police

Mumbai will get a mounted police unit for traffic and crowd control after 88 years, said Maharashtra Home Minister Anil Deshmukh

Reason Of Inclusion

• The mounted unit was disbanded in 1932 due to growing vehicular traffic. “Today, the Mumbai police have modern jeeps and motorcycles. However, it was felt a mounted police unit would be useful for crime patrol in a crowded area
• It can be used for crowd control during festivals and marches, at beaches and the rider can keep watch from a good height. “A policeman on horseback is equal to 30 personnel on the ground. The average speed of a patrolling rider will be more than 7 to 10 km than the one on feet

About Mounted Police Unit

• A stable will be built on a 2.5-acre plot at Marol area of Andheri. A riding school, swimming pool for horses, sand bath, raider  room, trainer room, feed stock room will be set up there
• Apart from walkie-­talkies, riders would also be supplied with body­mounted cameras for video recording. 

4) Steppe eagle

Steppe eagle

• A lone endangered steppe eagle (Aquila nipalensis) has been sighted by a group of birdwatchers in a paddy field at Velagaleru near Vijayawada in Andhra Pradesh.
• The sighting of the endangered species highlights the need for exploration of the diversity of avian life in the State. “Steppe eagle is believed to be the second-largest migratory eagle species to India
• In winter, steppe eagle breeds in Russia, Kazakhstan, and Mongolia. 
• Conversion of open habitats for aquaculture, pesticides and various effluents pose threat to the species.

5) International Monetary Fund (IMF)

• The International Monetary Fund (IMF) on Monday lowered India’s economic growth estimate for the current fiscal to 4.8% and listed the country’s much lowerthan­expected GDP numbers as the single biggest drag on its global growth forecast for two years.
• The listing decline in rural demand growth and an overall credit sluggishness for the lowering of India forecasts, IMF Chief Economist Gita Gopinath, however, said the growth momentum should improve next year due to factors like the positive impact of corporate tax rate reduction. 
• Global growth, estimated at 2.9% in 2019, is projected to increase to 3.3% in 2020 and inch up further to 3.4% in 2021,” the IMF said while releasing an update to its World Economic Outlook (WEO)

About the IMF

• The International Monetary Fund (IMF) is an organization of 189 countries, working to foster global monetary cooperation, secure financial stability, facilitate international trade, promote high employment and sustainable economic growth, and reduce poverty around the world.
• Created in 1945, the IMF is governed by and accountable to the 189 countries that make up its near-global membership.
• The IMF's primary purpose is to ensure the stability of the international monetary system—the system of exchange rates and international payments that enables countries (and their citizens) to transact with each other. The Fund's mandate was updated in 2012 to include all macroeconomic and financial sector issues that bear on global stability

6) Thanjavur gets a Sukhoi squadron 

• The Indian Air Force (IAF) inducted a squadron of Sukhoi-­30 MKI fighter jets armed with BrahMos supersonic cruise missiles, at its Thanjavur Air Force Station
• To begin with, five to six SU­-30MKI fighter planes with the capability to carry BrahMos missiles would be positioned at the Air Force Station and the full capacity of 18 planes would be reached at a later date, gradually. This is also the first Sukhoi squadron of the IAF with BrahMos missiles.

Advantages Of Deployment

• With this induction, the IAF would get more air power to strike from long stand­off ranges on any target at sea or on land with accuracy by day or night and in all weather conditions.  
• The deployment is significant given the increased focus on the Indo­-Pacific and also the increase in forays by the Chinese Navy into the Indian Ocean over which the Navy has already stated it was keeping a close watch on

Tigersharks

The 222 Squadron, also known as Tigersharks, was raised in September 1969 at Ambala and was moved to Halwara in 1971. It was deployed in active combat operations in the 1971 war. Later it was moved back to Ambala in 1975 and from there to Hindon in 1985. The squadron later operated Mig­27 fighters and was ‘numberplate’ in March 2011. Addressing the IAF personnel at the “Tigersharks” induction ceremony, Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) General Bipin Rawat called upon the Squadron to operate in close coordination with the Navy and Army as the Su­-30MKI fighter planes with BrahMos missiles were going to be a game-changer for the Indian armed forces.

7) NIC TechConclave 2020

• The Union Minister for Law & Justice, Communications and Electronics & Information Technology, Shri Ravi Shankar Prasad to inaugurate the 2nd edition of ‘NIC TechConclave 2020’, a two-day event is organized by the National Informatics Centre (NIC), at Pravasi Bhartiya Kendra, Chanakyapuri, New Delhi
• This year’s theme is ‘Technologies for NextGen Governance’.

Aim Of Conclave

• The NIC has been instrumental in steering the application of Information and Communications Technology (ICT) at various levels in the Government. This application is an important component of Digital India, a flagship program of the Government to transform India into a digital nation. Besides setting up National ICT Infrastructure for the Government, NIC has also designed and developed solutions/platforms for various sectors of the Government at the Centre and State. This facilitates wider transparency, data-driven planning & management and enhancement in the quality of Services.
• The ICT landscape in the country has changed tremendously due to the emergence of new technologies and path-breaking innovations, facilitating efficient service delivery to citizens and transparent dissemination of information. The adoption of these technologies will be instrumental in the digital transformation of the country.
• This Conclave will contribute immensely to the capacity building of Government officers across the country and help in delivering high-quality citizen-centric services.
• The speakers in the Conclave are experts from the IT industry who will share their expertise in various areas like Cyber Security, Hyperscale Architecture, Design Thinking, etc.

8) Check Post at Jogbani-Biratnagar

• The Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi, will jointly inaugurate the second Integrated Check Post (ICP) at Jogbani-Biratnagar tomorrow with Prime Minister of Nepal, Shri K.P. Oli.  The second Integrated Check Post at Jogbani-Biratnag is built with Indian assistance to facilitate trade and people’s movement across the India-Nepal border. 
• Both Prime Ministers will also witness the remarkable progress in the Government of India assisted post-earthquake housing reconstruction projects in Nepal. Out of GoI’s commitment to building 50,000 houses in Gorkha and Nuwakot districts, 45,000 have already been completed.

9) Youth Co: Lab National Innovation Challenge

• Atal Innovation Mission (AIM) NITI Aayog and United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) Sunday hosted a three day long Youth Co: Lab -national innovation challenge here in Delhi after a series of successful challenges held in past two phases across the country.
• With efforts of AIM and UNDP to support young people by catalyzing youth-led innovation, empowering them through Youth Co: Lab, four winning teams made it the list to represent India at the Youth Co: Lab Regional Innovation Challenge in Malaysia slated to be held in April this year.
• Youth Co: Lab launched in collaboration by AIM and UNDP earlier, aims at fostering technology, promoting youth leadership and social entrepreneurship in India.
• UNDP and Atal Innovation Mission hosted a three day Youth Co: Lab National Innovation Challenge, 17-19 January 2020 in Delhi in which 30 selected teams participated.

About Youth Co: Lab 

• Co-created in 2017 by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and the Citi Foundation, Youth Co: Lab aims to establish a common agenda for Asia-Pacific countries to invest in and empower youth to accelerate the implementation of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) through leadership, social innovation and entrepreneurship. 
• By developing 21st-century skills, catalyzing and sustaining youth-led start-ups and social enterprises across the region, Youth Co: Lab is positioning young people front and center to solve the region’s most pressing challenges. 
• With a presence in over 20 countries in Asia and the Pacific, Youth Co: Lab was launched in India last year in October, in collaboration with Atal Innovation Mission, NITI Aayog. 

10) 186 Agri products testing laboratories set up by APEDA

• Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority (APEDA) has added 135 laboratories to existing 51 recognized laboratories.  With this initiative, APEDA recognition of laboratories has reached 186 laboratories across the country. The number of laboratories has increased in states with exporting potentials like Maharashtra (35), Gujarat (23), Andhra Pradesh & Telangana (10), Tamil Nadu (23) and Karnataka (17). Laboratory testing requirements are crucial in the Agri export supply chain.
• For increasing the laboratory network further, APEDA has taken a policy decision for simplification of APEDA recognition of laboratories.  It has been decided that the laboratories which are NABL accredited will be recognized by APEDA and the same will be added in the network of APEDA recognition laboratories.  This will enable APEDA to continuously expand its recognition network of laboratories across the country and will enable the exporters to have easy access to the laboratories for testing of APEDA scheduled products for exports.

11) Indigenous Aircraft Carrier (IAC-P71)

• The progress of the Indigenous Aircraft Carrier (IAC-P71) project was reviewed by the Empowered Apex Committee (EAC) headed by Shri Ajay Kumar, Defence Secretary, on 20 Jan 20 at Cochin Shipyard Limited. The review critically examined the current status of the project as the IAC is in a very advanced stage of construction and is scheduled to commence Basin Trials in early 2020 followed by the Sea Trials by mid-2020. This is the 13th EAC Review Meeting of the Project and the first to be held after the signing of the Phase-III of the IAC Contract on 31 Oct 2019 between Government of India, Ministry of Defence & Cochin Shipyard Limited.
• IAC construction is in an advanced state with all four Gas Turbines, main engines having been started, Power Generation Systems comprising of eight Diesel Alternators ready and trials of ship’s major systems and auxiliary equipment in progress. IAC had successfully completed the Pre-Contractors Sea Trials dry dock work package in Dec 2019. Basin trials are conducted for proving the propulsion, transmission and shafting systems and are scheduled in the early half of 2020. The Aircraft Carrier would be ready to commence the Sea Trials once the Basin trials are successfully completed.    

12) An outbreak of Novel Coronavirus in China: Actions taken by the Health Ministry

As per WHO update (as of 11th January 2020) in all, 41 cases of Novel Coronavirus have been reported so far from China [including one death (a further update is awaited)]. As per WHO risk assessment, the risk for global spread, as of now, remains low.

Various measures have been initiated by the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, as a matter of abundant precaution.

• MoHFW has written to Ministry of Civil Aviation (MoCA) to facilitate thermal screening at the International airports of Delhi, Mumbai, Kolkata, Chennai, Bengaluru, Hyderabad and Cochin for the airlines to follow International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) guidelines for managing and notifying anybody reporting illness on flights originating from China and disembarking in India. MoCA has instructed for in-flight announcements for India bound flights.
• MoHFW has also written to the Ministry of External Affairs to provide details of travelers from Wuhan city who have sought a visa to travel to India, since 31stDecember, 2019 and to counsel the applicants while issuing the visa. They have also been requested to provide daily details. As for the E-visa issue Ministry of Home Affairs is being approached.
• Ministry of External Affairs has also been requested to disseminate travel advisory (in local languages) to Indian Embassies in China and adjoining countries for wider circulation and passenger information.
• Port and Airport Health Organizations have been sensitized and thermal screening has been initiated at the international airports of Delhi, Mumbai, and Kolkata and will be initiated today at Chennai, Bengaluru, Hyderabad and Cochin airports. The Airport Health Organizations at the airports of Delhi, Mumbai, and Kolkata have put up signages at prominent locations informing the public about self-reporting of illness. The hospitals attached to these airports have been reviewed for the provision of isolation and critical care facilities. Immigration officers manning the counters have been sensitized at these airports.
• Integrated Disease Surveillance Programme has issued an advisory to all States/UTs for SARI surveillance to pick up any travel-related case reported in the community and follow up contacts of suspect/confirmed cases.
• National Institute of Virology, Pune is fully geared up to test samples of nCoV. Ten other laboratories under the Indian Council of Medical Research’s Viral Research and Diagnostics Laboratories network are also equipped to test such samples if a need arises.
• Adequate stock of Personal Protection Equipment is being maintained by the Medical Stores Organization.
• Rapid response teams of the States/UTs have been trained in the management of the MERS-CoV outbreak (a similarly placed virus, reported from the Middle East) in the year 2014. More recently these Rapid Response Teams of all States/UTs, APHO/PHOs and Regional Directors of this Ministry have also been trained (in Nov-Dec, 2019) on the management of high-risk pathogens in the context of Ebola virus disease outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo.