Current Affairs for SSC CGL Exams - 29 JULY 2019
::NATIONAL::
PM addresses nation through Mann kiBaat programme
- Prime Minister NarendraModi has said, the people of Jammu and
Kashmir want good governance and those who spread hatred and pose hurdles
will never succeed in their sinister plans.
- Sharing his thoughts in the Mann Ki Baat Programme on All India
Radio, Mr Modi said, the people of Kashmir are eager to join the national
mainstream, and their enthusiasm is reflected in the community mobilisation
programme known as 'Back to Village’ in the state.
- Citing the success of the programme, the Prime Minister said,
large scale participation of people in this programme proves that the power
of development is stronger than the might of bullets and bombs.
- The Prime Minister described the year 2019 as very fruitful for
India in the realm of Space. He said the nation watched with pride as
Chandrayaan II made strides into Space from Sriharikota. He added that
visuals of Chandrayaan II lifting off filled people's hearts with glory,
zest and joy.
- The Prime Minister said his call to conserve water in the previous
Mann Ki Baat episode has evoked an immense response. He said people have
shared information on traditional methods and the media has embarked upon
quite a few innovative campaigns. He also hailed Haryana where crops that
require meagre water are being encouraged.
Himalayan states demand green bonus and a separate ministry
- Himalayan States on Sunday came together at a conclave here to
demand a separate Ministry to deal with problems endemic to them and a green
bonus in recognition of their contribution to environment conservation.
- Explaining the rationale behind the demand for a green bonus,
Uttarakhand Chief Minister Trivendra Singh Rawat said most of the country’s
rivers originate in the Himalayas and therefore, the Himalayan States had to
play the most significant role in the PM’s water conservation initiative.
::ECONOMY::
Opposition questions government’s airport privatisation move
- The Congress on Sunday attacked the Union government over its
airport privatisation process and alleged that the Adani group was being
favoured in the entire exercise.
- The party made the charge after The Hindu reported on how the
government had ignored the key recommendations of the NITI Aayog and the
Finance Ministry that suggested a cap on the number of airports to be handed
over to a single company and consideration of their prior experience in
handling airport operations.
- “There are 123 airports in the country operational today, and of
these, only 14 are making profits. All the other airports are incurring a
loss. Out of these 14 airports, five have been given to the Adani group,”
Congress spokesperson PawanKhera said at a press conference.
- After a bidding process conducted by the Airports Authority of
India, Adani Enterprises Limited emerged as the highest bidder.
- Mr.Khera said that though the Adani group might have emerged as
the highest bidder in the tendering process, the Department of Economic
Affairs (DEA) of the Finance Ministry had recommended a cap.
- “During the UPA regime, one company, GMR, had qualified for both
Delhi and Mumbai, but it was decided that one group will not be given more
than one airport. Here too, the DEA had suggested that no company be given
more than two airports,” he said.
::INTERNATIONAL::
India- Nepal logistics summit inaugurated
- Prime Minister of Nepal KP Sharma Oli has stressed upon smooth and
quality logistics between India and Nepal.
- Inaugurating India-Nepal Logistics Summit in Kathmandu today
Mr.Oli said, smart logistics plays a crucial role in making trade and
transit arrangements easy, hassle-free and cost-effective.
- He said Nepal and India have a significant volume of trade,
investment, tourism and people-to-people movement for which smooth and
quality logistics including easy transit facilities is very essential.
- He also said connectivity remains a topmost agenda in bilateral
cooperation and many initiatives have been taken on crucial components of
road, rail, inland waterways and air connectivity.
- In his address, Indian Ambassador to Nepal Manjeev Singh Puri
said, India is fully committed to providing all necessary support to Nepal
in achieving its goal of prosperity.
::SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY::
UN report suggests new guidelines to improve infant diets
- Commercial baby foods often contain too much sugar and display
confusing ingredient lists, according to a UN report that proposed new
guidelines on Monday to improve infant diets.
- The World Health Organization (WHO) examined nearly 8,000 products
from more than 500 stores in Austria, Bulgaria, Israel and Hungary between
November 2017 and January 2018.
- A high sugar intake can increase the risk of overweight and dental
cavities, the organisation warned. And early exposure to overly sweet
products can create a potentially harmful lifelong preference for sugary
foods.
- Up to 60% of inspected food products were labelled as suitable for
infants under six months old, contrary to WHO recommendations, “that infants
receive exclusively breast milk for the first six months of life”, said the
report.
- The WHO said it was updating its guidelines to help member
countries adopt new legislation to curb high sugar intake. The WHO wants the
promotion of breast milk substitutes to end, and recommends that children
between six months and two years be fed nutrient-rich foods prepared at
home.
::SPORTS::
Mary Kom and Simranjitkaur win gold
- Six-time world champion Mary Kom in 51kg category and
SimranjitKaur in 60kg category grabbed a gold each in 23rd President's Cup
Boxing Tournament in Labuan Bajo, Indonesia.
- The Olympic bronze medallist Mary decimated Australian April
Franks 5-0 in finals. SimranjitKaur defeated Indonesia's Asian Games bronze
medallist HasanahHuswatun 5-0 in the final bout.