Daily Current Affairs

Capsule 17th January

2019

1. First human rights TV channel Launched in London

The world’s first television channel dedicated to human rights was launched in London by the International

Observatory of Human Rights (IOHR). It would be a web-based channel and would deliver human rights issues

to audiences in over 20 countries across Europe, Latin America and the Middle East. The broadcasts of the

channel can be viewed via the netgem.tv interactive platform.

The programmes are currently broadcasted in English and eventually hopes to broadcast in other

languages including Farsi, Turkish, Arabic and Russian.

Points to remember

The International Observatory of Human Rights is an independent non-profit and non-governmental

organisation. IOHR partners with local and international human rights group to drive and promote

positive changes and push for justice and the respect of human rights worldwide.

2. Times Higher Education Emerging Economies University Rankings 2019

The London-based Times Higher Education (THE), a global organization that produces data, analysis and

expertise on higher education has released the he Emerging Economies University Rankings 2019.

The 2019 ranking comprises of 450 universities from 43 countries, across four continents.

The Indian Institute of Science has topped the rankings among Indian institutes with 14th rank; the

second spot among Indian Institutes was occupied by the Indian Institute of Technology Bombay with

27th rank.

Points to remember

Comparing with other countries, China continues to lead the ranking with a many as 70 universities

listed in the ranking. Also, it also has to its credit the top spots with its Tsinghua University ranked at

number 1. In fact, Top 4 of the top 5 spots belong to the Chinese Universities.

3. 5th National Swachh Iconic Places

The Ministry of Drinking Water and Sanitation and State Government agencies, local administrations and the

Trusts/ Boards of the Swachh Iconic Places (SIPs) came together for a two-day consultation in Mumbai,

represented by over 100 delegates from across the country. The consultation included a field visit to the

Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus where systematic Sanitation and restoration work is underway.

Points to remember

The Swachh Iconic Places initiative aims to achieve a distinctly higher level of sanitation at these places,

especially in the peripheries and approach areas. Following the clarion call by the Prime Minister to

make Swachhata everybody’s business, the Centre and selected States have taken up joint efforts for

making the country’s iconic places Swachh.

The special Swachhata initiatives at these places have received CSR support from public and private

companies.

4. President of India to inaugurate Gandhian Resurgence Summit in Prayagraj

The President of India, Shri Ram Nath Kovind, will visit Uttar Pradesh (Prayagraj) on January 17, 2019 to

inaugurate the Gandhian Resurgence Summit.

This Summit is being organised by the Parmarath Niketan, the Harijan Sevak Sangh and the Global

Interfaith WASH Alliance.

5. Numligarh Refinery Assam capacity to be expanded from 3 MMTPA to 9 MMTPA

The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs, chaired by the Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi, has given its

approval to the project for capacity expansion of Numaligarh Refinery from 3 MMTPA (Million Metric Tonne

Per Annum) to 9 MMTPA. It involves setting up of crude oil pipeline from Paradip to Numaligarh and product

pipeline from Numaligarh to Siliguri at a cost of Rs.22,594 crore..

Points to remember

The expansion of the refinery will meet the deficit of petroleum products in the North East. It will also

sustain the operations of all North East refineries by augmenting their crude availability.

It will generate direct and indirect employment in Assam and is a part of the Government's Hydrocarbon

Vision 2030 for the North East.

6. Election Commission of India launches Voter Awareness Forums (VAFs) across the country

Voter Awareness Forum (VAF) was launched by Election Commission of India in New Delhi. Similar VAFs

were also launched by the Chief Electoral Officers in the State capitals and by District Election Officers in the

Districts simultaneously.

Voter Awareness Forums are informal Forums for generating awareness around electoral process

through activities like discussions, quizzes, competitions and other engaging activities. All employees of

the Organisation are expected to become members of the VAF with the Head of the Organisation acting

as the Chair.

Points to remember

VAF is part of the Electoral Literacy Club programme of ECI. Launched on the 8th National Voters

Day, 25th January 2018, the ELC programme envisages setting up of Electoral Literacy Club in every

educational institution and Chunav Pathshala at every booth to cover those outside the formal education

system.

7. India’s Satyarup becomes world’s youngest mountaineer to climb 7 peaks, 7 volcano summits

Mountaineer Satyarup Siddhanta conquered Antartica's highest point, Mount Sidley. With this feat, he became

the first Indian and youngest man to climb the seven highest peaks and volcanic summits across all continents.

He achieved the feat at the age of 35 years and 262 days. Australia's Daniel Bull had done it at the age

of 36 years 157 days. Last year, Satyarup had scaled the highest volcanic peak in North America, Pico

de Orizaba.

Satyarup hails from Haridevpur in South Kolkata and is a software engineer by profession.

Points to remember

Mount Sidley is the highest dormant volcano in Antarctica.

8. Cabinet approves recapitalization of Export-Import Bank of India

The Union Cabinet, chaired by the Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi, has approved the recapitalization of

EXIM Bank. The details are as follows:

Issuance of Recapitalization Bonds by Government of India to the tune of Rs.6,000 crore for capital

infusion in Export Import Bank of India (Exim Bank).

The equity will be infused in two tranches of Rs. 4,500 crore in FY 2018-19 and Rs.1,500 crore in FY

2019-20 respectively.

The Cabinet also approved an increase in the authorized capital of Exim Bank from Rs. 10,000 crore to

Rs. 20,000 crore. The recapitalisation bonds will be on the lines issued to Public Sector Banks.

Points to remember

Exim Bank of India (Exim Bank) was established in 1982 under an Act of Parliament as the apex

financial institution for financing, facilitating and promoting India's international trade.

It is regulated by RBI. Exim Bank is the principal export credit agency for India.

9. Gandhi Peace Prize for 2015, 2016, 2017 and 2018 announced

The Gandhi Peace Prize for the years 2015,2016,2017 and 2018 has been conferred on the following

Vivekananda Kendra, Kanyakumari for the year 2015 for their contribution in Rural Development,

Education, Development of natural resources.

For 2016 jointly to AkshayaPatra Foundation for its contribution in providing mid-day meals to millions

of children across India and Sulabh International for its contribution in improving the condition of

sanitation in India and emancipation of manual scavengers.

EkalAbhiyan Trust for the year 2017 for their contribution in providing Education for Rural and Tribal

Children in remote areas pan India, Rural Empowerment, Gender and Social Equality

Shri YoheiSasakawa for the year 2018 for his contribution in Leprosy Eradication in India and across

the world.

Points to remember

The annual award was instituted by the Government of India in 1995 during the commemoration of

125th Birth anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi. The award carries an amount of Rs 1Crore, a Citation in a

scroll, a plaque as well as an exquisite traditional handicraft/handloom item.