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Daily Current Capsules - 09th October 2019

Environment Conservation
India launches "Green Crackers" in its bid to curb air pollution

Relevance IN - Prelims (about the green crackers) + Mains (GS III environment conservation - steps taken by the government)
What's the NEWS
  • In a bid to resolve the crisis of air pollution, the Government launched green firecrackers.
  • The Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) labs have been successful in developing various environment-friendly fireworks such as sound emitting crackers, flowerpots, pencils, chakkar and sparklers.
Know! about the green firework
  • These fireworks, based on new formulations developed by CSIR, have been manufactured and are available in the Indian market for consumers and sellers.
  • CSIR has developed new formulations for reduced emission light and sound emitting crackers with 30% reduction in particulate matter using Potassium Nitrate as an
  • Also these green crackers will be equipped with a green logo as well as a Quick Response (QR) coding systems which have been developed for differentiation of green crackers from conventional crackers. This QR coding system will also help the consumers to track the cracker using smart phones and other devices as well.
  • The emissions testing facilities for the new fire crackers have been set up at CSIR-NEERI as well as their approved National Accreditation Board for Testing and Calibration (NABL) facilities
  • A Raw Materials Compositional Analysis (RACE) facility has been launched in Sivakasi to facilitate manufacturers for testing their raw materials and chemicals. About 530 emissions testing certificates have been issued to fireworks manufactures for new and improved formulations meeting the stipulated guidelines of green crackers.
  • Firstly, for immediate improvement CSIR-NEERI developed improvements in conventional formulations based on Barium Nitrate to meet the stipulated norms of green crackers.
  • CSIR-NEERI has also developed new formulations for reduced emission light and sound emitting crackers with 30% reduction in particulate matter.
Clear definition of green crackers
  • CSIR-NEERI along with Petroleum and Explosives Safety Organisation (PESO), Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) and Ministry of Environment, Forests & Climate Change (MoEFCC) have also evolved a clear definition of green crackers with a view to educate the regulators and the public on ways and means to demarcate green crackers from conventional crackers.
  • Apart from defining green crackers, baseline values for benchmarking green crackers and assessing Barium levels in conventional crackers and green crackers, have been laid down for legal and policy interventions.
  • A green logo as well as a Quick Response (QR) coding system has also been developed for differentiation of green crackers from conventional crackers.
National Events
Golden Jubilee Edition of International Film Festival of India(IFFI)
Relevance IN - Prelims (about IFFI)
What's the NEWS
  • The 50th International Film Festival of India,2019 will witness over 200 best films from 76 countries, 26 feature films and 15 non feature films in Indian panorama section and around 10,000 people and film lovers are expected to participate in the golden jubilee edition.
Know! more about IFFI Golden jubilee edition
  • The IFFI is celebrating its Golden Jubilee edition , 12 prominent films in different languages that have completed 50 years in 2019 ,will also be showcased from 20th to 28th November.
  • DadasahebPhalke Award winner Shri. Amitabh Bachchan's outstanding contribution to Cinema will be honoured and celebrated through a package of his impactful and entertaining films in the 50th edition
  • Indian Panorama is a flagship section of IFFI, which showcases the best of contemporary Indian Feature and Non-Feature Films of the years. This year, the Feature Film Jury was headed by acclaimed filmmaker and screenwriter Shri Priyadarshan. The Jury has chosen the film HELLARO (Gujarati) directed by Abhishek Shah as the Opening Feature Film of Indian Panorama 2019.
Know! about IFFI
  • The International Film Festival of India (IFFI), founded in 1952, is one of the most significant film festivals in Asia.
  • Held annually, currently in the state of Goa, on the western coast of the country, the festival aims at providing a common platform for the cinemas of the world to project the excellence of the film art; contributing to the understanding and appreciation of film cultures of different nations in the context of their social and cultural ethos; and promoting friendship and cooperation among people of the world.
  • The festival is conducted jointly by the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, Directorate of Film Festivals and the Government of Goa
Economic Development
National e-Assessment Centre
Relevance IN - Prelims (about National e-Assessment Centre (NeAC) + Mains (GS III economic developments - ease of doing business
What's the NEWS
  • The Income Tax Department is ushering in a paradigm shift in its working by introducing faceless e-assessment to impart greater efficiency, transparency and accountability in the assessment process. There would be no physical interface between the tax payers and the tax officers.
Know! about NeAC
  • The setting up of National e-Assessment Centre (NeAC) of the Income Tax Department is a momentous step towards the larger objectives of better taxpayer service, reduction of taxpayer grievances
  • Under the new system, tax payers have received notices on their registered emails as well as on registered accounts on the web portal www.incometaxindiaefiling.gov.in with real time alert by way of SMS on their registered mobile number, specifying the issues for which their cases have been selected for scrutiny.
  • The replies to the notices can be prepared at ease by the tax payers at their own residence or office and be sent by email to the National e-Assessment Centre by uploading the same on the designated web portal.
  • This is another initiative by CBDT in the field of ease of compliance for our tax payers.
Bilateral Relations
India, Bangladesh sign MoU for setting up a coastal surveillance system radar in Bangladesh
Relevance IN - Prelims (about India - Bangladesh relations) + Mains (GS II Bilateral relations)
What's the NEWS
  • India and Bangladesh inked a important MoU that will enable Delhi to set up a coastal surveillance system radar in Bangladesh besides deciding to further expand connectivity network corridors boosting Delhi's Indo Pacific strategy with Dhaka emerging as a key pillar in that vision.
  • Under India's Act East Policy, Bangladesh is provided opportunities to expand connectivity corridors.
  • Both India and Bangladesh are set to increase air, water and rail connectivity to enhance trade between Bangladesh and North Eastern India. As part of this decision, the countries decided to operationalize
After the summit between PMs Narendra Modi and Sheikh Hasina the two sides signed seven pacts -
  • MoU for providing a Coastal Surveillance System
  • Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) on the use of Chattogram and Mongla Ports for Movement of goods to and from India
  • MoU on withdrawal of 1.82 cusec of water from Feni River by India for drinking water supply scheme for Sabroom town, Tripura
  • Agreement concerning Implementation of the Lines of Credit (LoCs) committed by India to Bangladesh
  • MoU between University of Hyderabad and University of Dhaka
  • Renewal of Cultural Exchange Programme MoU on Co-operation in Youth Affairs.
The two leaders also inaugurated through video-link three bilateral development partnership projects
  • Import of Bulk LPG from Bangladesh
  • Inauguration of Vivekananda Bhaban (students hostel) at Ramakrishna Mission, Dhaka
  • Inauguration of Bangladesh-India Professional Skill Development Institute (BIPSDI) at the Institution of Diploma Engineers Bangladesh (IDEB), Khulna
Establishment of Coastal Surveillance Radar System
  • Both Prime Ministers welcomed the initiatives for development of closer Maritime Security Partnership, and noted the progress made in finalization of an MoU on Establishment of Coastal Surveillance Radar System in Bangladesh and encouraged both sides for early signing of the MoU.
  • India has provided such systems to Mauritius, Seychelles, Maldives and planning one in Myanmar.
  • The coastal surveillance system will pave way for Indo Bangladesh White Shipping Agreement in future.
  • This will be useful amid growing terror threats via seas and growing presence of China in the Bay of Bengal region.
  • The Leaders welcomed the conclusion of Standard Operating Procedures for the use of Chattogram and Mongla ports for movement of goods to and from India, particularly to and from the North East of India, which could create a win-win situation for both economies.

Defence
Army's biggest mountain combat exercise 'Him Vijay' begins in Arunachal Pradesh

Relevance IN - Prelims (about the exercise Him Vijay) + Mains (GS III various security challenges and their management in border areas)
What's the NEWS
  • Indian Army undergoing its biggest transformation has started its biggest mountain assault exercise.
  • Exercise ‘Him Vijay' has begun. As it is in phases the first important phase will be from 7 -10 October and the other phase will be from 20- 24 October
Know! about the exercise
  • The exercise is to test mobility, communication and coordination of such huge body of fast-moving troops in difficult terrain. Indian Army is metamorphosing itself to incorporate changes for modern and quick and short war
  • Three Battle Groups, each comprising around 4000 soldiers, are participating which will include troop mobilisation, mountain assault and air assault. Elements of special forces will also be part of it.
  • The exercise will include threes battle groups, each comprising of 4,000 soldiers. This is the largest military exercise in the history of Indian defense.
  • The exercise includes mountain assault and air assault as well.Air force and Army helicopters will be transferring troops and equipment at the terrain of upto 15,000 ft.
  • The exercise is being done more than 100 kilometres inside the Indian Territory from the Line of Actual Control. It has been positioned with the annual ‘Op Alert' which the Army's 3 Corps (Tezpur) and 4 Corps (Rangapahar) carry.
  • The sensitivities arose as Chinese President Xi Jinping will be in India from October 11-13 for the second informal bilateral meeting with the Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi in Chennai.
Integrated Battle Groups (IBGs)
  • It is an important exercise for validation of the operational concepts of the newly raised Integrated Battle Groups (IBGs) to meet the requirements of modern warfare keeping the military progress of the enemy threats in mind."
  • It was in late 2018 that Army, after a major study and discussions, decided to re-configure certain fighting formations of the Army. Integrated Battle Groups both on the Western and Northern borders have been created for quicker and formidable launch of attack on enemy.
  • The IBGs will be a body of about 5-6 Units but their configuration will depend on the operational terrain and aim Indian forces want to achieve.
  • The Combat Arms like the Infantry, Armoured, Artillery and Mechanised Infantry will be at one place to train together. Depending on mountain, desert or plains the combat support units of the engineers, signals, ordinance and supply will be integrated. There will be Integrated Infantry Battle Groups, Integrated Armoured Battle Groups and Integrated Artillery Battle Groups.
India - China
  • India and China share a boundary (Line of Actual Control- LAC) of 3488 kilometres of which 1126 kilometres lie between Arunachal Pradesh and Tibet. There are differences regarding the perception of Line of Actual Control
Environment Conservation
The Wildlife Week
Relevance IN - Prelims (about the wildlife week + about National Board of Wildlife) + Mains (GS III environment conservations)
What's the NEWS
  • Wildlife Week is celebrated all over the country in the month of October from 2nd to 8th October every year with the view to preserve the fauna means the animal life of the India.
  • Wildlife Week is celebrated every year from 2nd October to 8th October to raise awareness about protection of wildlife.
  • A Wild Life Week celebration was planned to arouse the general awakening of the normal people in the country towards the protection of wildlife
  • Theme: Life Below Water: For people and planet
Know! more about it
  • The week was first celebrated in 1972. The event is organized by National Board of Wildlife since its establishment in 1972.
Know! about National Board of Wildlife:
  • The NBWL has been constituted under the Wildlife Protection Act,1972. NBWL advises the government on policy and strategy for wildlife conservation.
  • It also reviews proposals for non-forestry use of forestland within National Parks and Wildlife Sanctuaries and issue or deny permissions.
  • The NBWL is chaired by the Prime Minister. It also comprises of a Standing Committee headed by Union Environment Minister.
  • The Wildlife Protection Act,1972 specifies that the committee should comprise of 10 eminent ecologists and five NGOs. The committee considers the merits of projects that come to it for scrutiny.
Prelims Factoids
The 39thWorld Congress of Poets (WCP)
Relevance IN - Prelims (about world congress of poet)
What's the NEWS
  • The valedictory session of the 39th World Congress of Poets (WCP)
  • The 39th World Congress of Poets was inaugurated at the Kalinga Institute of Industrial Technology at Bhubaneswar in Odisha
  • Theme: Compassion through Poetry.
  • The theme aims to promote peace and brotherhood through poetry.
  • The event was inaugurated by the Odisha Chief Minister. Vice President Venkaiah Naidu attended the event.
Know! about World Congress of Poetry (WCP)
  • The WCP was founded in 1969. It was held at Manila, Philippines the first time. It is being organized by WAAC - World Academy of Arts and Culture.
  • The WAAC conducts poetry workshops, art exhibits, dance, music, cultural exchange programs.
  • The organization maintains a library at Taipei, Taiwan. WAAC serves UIA - Union of International Associations. UIA is a research institute and documentation center headquartered at Brussels. It was founded in 1907. It monitors international organizations, association and their challenges.

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