Focus Merit

Category: All Current Affairs

India listed as 5th biggest Geo-political Risk of 2020

January 9, 2020

India under Prime Minister Narendra Modi has been listed as the 5th biggest Geo-political Risk of 2020. The listing was done by Eurasia Group in its report. The report states. The Top 10 Risks of 2020 are as followed:

1. Rigged!: Who Governs The US?
2. The Great Decoupling
3. US – China
4. MNCs Not to the rescue
5. India Gets Modi-Fied
6. Geopolitical Europe
7. Politics Vs. Economics of Climate Change
8. Shia Crescendo
9. Discontent in Latin America
10. Turkey

The Eurasia Group releases its ‘Top 10 Risks’ of the Year report annually considering one of the principal geopolitical indicators among global investors, multinational firms and various financial and business consultancies.

India’s economy to reach $7 trillion by 2030: Deutsche Bank

January 9, 2020

Deutsche Bank has projected that Indian economy will reach $7 trillion by 2030. The estimation was stated by Deutsche Bank in its research report “Imagine 2030”. According to the report, India will grow with the Nominal GDP growth rate of just over 10% in the next decade. Indian economy is presently valued at $3 trillion.

India’s economic growth may remain below potential in the near term. However, ongoing government measures are expected to provide a major push to its potential in the future. The decision to reduce corporate tax rate will likely incentivise greater foreign direct investment flow into the country and support private investment.

NADA bans Women weightlifter Sarbjeet Kaur for 4 years

January 9, 2020

Indian women weightlifter Sarbjeet Kaur has been banned for 4 years from the sport by the National Anti Doping Agency (NADA). This ban was imposed on her for involving in doping violation. The sample of Sarbjeet was collected during 34th Women Senior National Weightlifting Championship held at Vishakhapatnam. The Agency found her guilty of anti-doping rule violation.

According to NADA, her sample had presence of prohibited substance namely — Di-hydroxy-LGD-4033 (LGD 4033 METABOLITE), Selective Androgen Receptor Modulations (SARM), and Ostarine (Enobosarm). Sarbjeet had previously won the 71kg event at the women’s national weightlifting championships in February last year.

Dr. A Sakthivel appointed as the new chairman of AEPC India

January 9, 2020

Dr. A Sakthivel has been appointed as the new chairman of Apparel Export Promotion Council of India (AEPC) for the period 2020-21. He will replace HKL Magu. He is also the first person in the history of AEPC, who is sworn-in for the fourth time as Chairman of the AEPC.

Dr A Sakthivel has not only contributed his time and work to the Council, but also served as Managing Committee Member of Federation of Indian Exporters organisation (FIEO) for more than a decade. He was also the President and Regional Chairman of FIEO, Southern Region. 

Zoran Milanovic wins Croatia presidential election

January 9, 2020

Former Prime Minister Zoran Milanovic won Croatia’s presidential election. He belongs Social Democratic Party (SDP). He defeated centre-right incumbent Kolinda Grabar-Kitarovic, who was the first female president of Croatia.

Milanovic, the Social Democrat candidate, took 52.7 percent of the vote, while President Kolinda Grabar-Kitarovic garnered 47.3 percent. Milanovic who will take office on 19 February, will have a higher profile as President than usual, as Croatia has just taken over the rotating presidency of the European Union for six months.

5th Asia Pacific drosophila research conference in Pune, Maharashtra

January 9, 2020

The 5th edition of the Asia Pacific Drosophila Research Conference (APDRC5) is being held in Pune, Maharashtra. The conference is being conducted in India for the 1st time.  It is organised by the Indian Institute of Science Education and Research (IISER).

The aim of the conference is to promote the interaction of Drosophila researchers in the Asia-Pacific region with their peers in the rest of the world. It will bring together scientists from all over the world who use the fruit fly, Drosophila, as a model organism to address basic and applied questions.

Jasbinder Bilan wins 2019 Costa Children’s Award

January 9, 2020

Jasbinder Bilan has won the UK based Costa Children’s Award 2019 . She has won the award for her debut novel ‘Asha and the Spirit Bird’. She will receive 5,000 pounds as prize money associated with the award. Jasbinder’s novel “Asha and the Spirit Bird” was shortlisted from 144 other entries. The Costa Children’s Award is awarded annually in 5 categories: First Novel, Novel, Biography, Poetry and Children’s Book.

Institutions to get status of ‘Institution of National Importance’

January 9, 2020

The union cabinet granted the approval making the status of Institution of National Importance to a cluster of Ayurvedic institutions at Gujarat Ayurved University in Jamnagar. With the (INI) status, Jamnagar Ayurveda University will become the first Ayurveda institute to join the ranks of the IIT’s and AIIMS. The status of the institution will provide it with the autonomy to upgrade the standard of Ayurveda education, frame various courses in Ayurveda as per national and international demand.

Govt authorizes Rs. 5559 cr for “Indradhanush” gas grid project

January 9, 2020

The Union Government has authorized the amount of Rs 5559 crore for 1656 Km long Indradhanush Natural Gas Pipeline Grid project. The amount will be provided as Viability Gap Funding (VGF). The amount will be used to set up Natural Gas Pipeline Grid connecting 8 North Eastern states which includes: Assam, Arunachal Pradesh, Meghalaya, Manipur, Mizoram, Nagaland, Tripura and Sikkim. 

The total expenditure of the project is estimated as Rs 9,256 crore and the above sanctioned amount is expected to cover 60% of the project. The Indradhanush Gas Grid project is expected to provide natural gas to different types of customers and will also reduce the dependence on liquid fuels.

SBI announces RBBG scheme

January 9, 2020

The State Bank of India has announced ‘residential builder finance with buyer guarantee’ (RBBG) scheme. The aim of the scheme is to giving a push to residential sales and improve homebuyers’ confidence.

The scheme will focus on affordable housing projects priced up to 2.50 crore rupees in 10 cities initially. Under this scheme, the guarantee would be given by the bank until the project gets the occupation certificate (OC).