UTTAR PRADESH
Govt plans to establish potato centre in Uttar Pradesh
The Uttar Pradesh government is working on a plan to establish a branch of the International Potato Centre in the state. The central government has already given in-principal approval for the project. Agra is being considered as a suitable location for the branch as the district is a major producer of the tuber in the state.
The state government had inked an agreement with the International Potato Center (known as CIP for its Spanish term Centro International de la Papa), a research facility based in Lima, Peru, that seeks to reduce poverty and achieve food security on a sustained basis in developing countries through scientific research and related activities on potato, sweet potato and other roots and tuber crops.
Agra being a major potato producer in the state is being considered a favorable location. The potato centre will mainly focus on research to improve quality, enhance production and processing of different varieties of tubers. The aim of the state government is to help farmers and increase export of potato.
According to the horticulture department records, potato is grown on 7 lakh hectares in 75 districts of UP. The annual production of different varieties of potato in the state is 1.55 crore metric tonnes, which is 30 per cent of the national production. However, 95 per cent of potato produced in UP is not processed. Compared to the domestic demand, around 10 lakh metric tonnes of potato is produced in the state in excess. Oversupply of potato in the market causes the prices to crash, and every year, farmers complain of not getting suitable price for their produce.
CIP is one of the 15 specialized research centres of the Consultative Group of International Research (CGIAR), an international consortium of agriculture research organization.
INTERNATIONAL
International Tea Day 2019
The United Nations (UN) has declared May 21 as International Tea Day on the recommendations of India, however, this day is celebrated on December 15 Every Year.
The proposal was made by India at the International Food and Agriculture Organization’s (FAO) Intergovernmental Group meeting held in Milan 4 years ago.
The United Nations General Assembly has also recognized the tea’s medicinal properties as well as cultural importance.
The season of quality tea production starts in May only in most of the tea producing countries.
Bangladesh celebrated 49th Victory Day on 16 December
Bangladesh celebrated its 49th Victory Day on 16 December 2019. The event marks the day when Bangladesh attained liberation from Pakistan and became an independent nation in 1971. It became a nation under the leadership of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman.
On this day, President of Bangladesh Abdul Hamid and Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina paid tributes to the martyrs of the Liberation War and placed wreaths at the National Mausoleum in Savar.
A Victory Day Parade by the armed forces of Bangladesh was held.
The second 2 plus 2 dialogue between India and the US to be held on 18 December
The second 2+2 dialogue between India and the US has been scheduled to be held on 18 December 2019 in Washington, the US. Both countries are expected to take stock of the entire range of strategic ties between the two countries. The information was announced by the Ministry of External Affairs. The Indian side will be represented by Minister of external affairs S Jaishankar and defence minister Rajnath Singh.
The first round of the meeting on the 2+2 Ministerial Dialogue was held in New Delhi in September 2018. The dialogue focused on the need to uphold the peaceful resolution of territorial maritime disputes. It also aimed to promote market-based economics, fundamental rights, supporting good governance, and liberties and to prevent external economic coercion.
NATIONAL
Greta Thunberg was named as the 2019 Person of the Year by TIME magazine
The news magazine Time has named the teenage climate activist Greta Thunberg in 2019 Person of the Year. She was named as she inspired millions of people in 150 countries to protest climate change. She has also delivered blunt and powerful speeches to leaders urging them to address the issue.
The 16-year-old is a Swedish environmental activist on climate change. In 2018, she became kn0own for her activism as she spent her school days outside the Swedish parliament to call for stronger action on global warming.
Vijay Diwas is celebrated on 16 December
Vijay Diwas is celebrated on 16 December every year. The day aims to commemorate the victory of India over Pakistan in 1971. The day also a remembrance of the brave soldiers of India and Mukti Joddhas who sacrificed their lives for a noble cause.
o mark the day, a wreath-laying ceremony was held at Vijay Smarak at Fort William the Head Quarters of Eastern Command in Kolkata, West Bengal.
India organizes an International Seminar on Climate Smart Farming Systems
The International Seminar on Climate Smart Farming Systems for BIMSTEC countries began on 11 December 2019. It will be held from 11-13 December in New Delhi. The seminar was inaugurated by Dr. Trilochan Mohapatra, Secretary DARE.
It is organized by the Department of Agricultural Research & Education, Ministry of Agriculture & Farmer’s Welfare and Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR).
Cabinet approved the 2019 Aircraft Amendment Bill
The Cabinet chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi approved the introduction of the Aircraft (Amendment) Bill, 2019. The Bill amend the Aircraft Act, 1934 (XXII of 1934).
The bill will enhance the maximum limit of fine from the existing Rs.10 lakh to Rs.1 crore.
It will include the regulation of all areas of air navigation to the Aircraft Act, 1934.
It will fulfill the requirements of the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) by enabling the three regulatory bodies in the Civil Aviation sector in India to become more effective.
Rajya Sabha passed the 2019 International Financial Services Authority Bill
Rajya Sabha passed the International Financial Services Authority Bill, 2019. The Lok Sabha passed the Bill on 11 December. It is expected that IFSCs will provide Indian companies easier access to global financial markets and also enable the development of financial markets in India.
The bill aims to set up world-class unified regulator for international financial services combining powers and functions of Reserve Bank of India (RBI), Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI), Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority (IRDAI) And Pension Fund Regulatory and Development Authority (PFRDA).
The authority comprises a chairperson and one member each nominated by the RBI, SEBI, IRDAI, and PFRDA.