Current Affairs for SSC CGL Exams - 26 January 2021

SSC CGL Current Affairs

Current Affairs for SSC CGL Exams - 26 January 2021

::NATIONAL::

President Ram NathKovind approves 455 Gallantry and other defense decorations to Armed Forces personnel on Republic Day

President Ram NathKovind has approved awards of 455 Gallantry and other Defence decorations to Armed Forces personnel and others on the eve of 72nd Republic Day celebrations.
These include one Mahavir Chakra, 05 Kirti Chakras, 05 Vir Chakras, 07 Shaurya Chakras, 04 Bar to Sena Medal (Gallantry),130 Sena Medal (Gallantry), one NaoSena Medal (Gallantry), 04 VayuSena Medal (Gallantry), 30 ParamVishishtSeva Medal (PVSM), 04 UttamYudhSeva Medal (UYSM), 51 AtiVishishtSeva Medal (AVSM), 11 YudhSeva Medal (YSM), 03 Bar to Sena Medal (Devotion to Duty),43 Sena Medal (Devotion to Duty) including 02 COVID Warriors, 08 NaoSena Medal (Devotion to Duty), 14 VayuSena Medal (Devotion to Duty), 03 Bar to VishishtSeva Medal (VSM) including one COVID Warrior and 131 VishishtSeva Medal (VSM) including 12 COVID Warriors.
Besides these, the President has approved the Mention-in-Despatches Award for 54 personnel on the recommendation of the Army Headquarters.
Earlier, Ram NathKovind, unveiled a portrait of NetajiSubhas Chandra Bose at RashtrapatiBhavan on Saturday.
The unveiling was to mark the beginning of year-long celebrations to commemorate the 125th Birth Anniversary Year of NetajiSubhas Chandra Bose.

::INTERNATIONAL::

Oxfam released 'Inequality Virus Report' at WEF in Davos

The world’s ten richest men have seen their combined wealth increase by $540 billion (£400 billion) during the pandemic, while the crisis threatens a lost decade in the fight against poverty, Oxfam revealed today in a report published on the opening day of the World Economic Forum’s Davos Agenda.
The increase in the wealth of the ten richest is more than enough to both pay for a Covid-19 vaccine for everyone on the planet and reverse the rise in poverty caused by the pandemic. However, while the wealth of the richest increases, support for the poorest is being squeezed with the UK and other donors cutting aid to the world’s poorest.
Oxfam’s report* The Inequality Virus *found that Covid-19 has the potential to increase economic inequality in almost every country at once, the first time this has happened since records began over a century ago. It sets out how a rigged economy is enabling a super-rich elite to amass wealth in the middle of the worst recession since the Great Depression, while billions of people are struggling amid the worst job crisis in over 90 years. Unless rising inequality is tackled, half a billion more people could be living in poverty on less than $5.50 (£4.00) a day in 2030, than at the start of the pandemic.
“These facts are shameful. Governments cannot continue to look the other way, they must act. Fair taxation on the very richest could help with the global recovery, raise more money to fight poverty and help shape more equal societies.”
Rising inequality means it could take at least 14 times longer for the number of people living in poverty to return to pre-pandemic levels. The total wealth of billionaires hit $11.95 trillion (£8.8 trillion) in December 2020, equivalent to G20 governments’ total Covid-19 recovery spending.

::ECONOMY::

India proposes green tax on old vehicles

The proposal will now go to different states for consultations before it is formally notified.
The minister also approved the policy of deregistration and scrapping of vehicles owned by government departments and PSU that are more than 15 years old. It is to be notified, and will come into effect from April next year.
Revenue collected from the green tax would be used to tackle pollution, according to the statement.
It is estimated that commercial vehicles, which constitute about five percent of India's total vehicle fleet, contribute about 65-70 percent of total vehicular pollution.
The main principles to be followed while levying the green tax are that transport vehicles older than eight years could be charged green tax at the time of renewal of fitness certificate at the rate of 10 to 25 percent of road tax, personal vehicles to be charged green tax at the time of renewal of registration certification after 15 years and that public transport vehicles like city buses are to be charged lower green tax.
Higher green tax (50 percent of road tax) is proposed for vehicles being registered in highly polluted cities.
Among other proposals for imposition of green tax is differential tax, depending on fuel (petrol/diesel) and type of vehicle.

::SCIENCE AND TECH::

Next-generation surface-to-air Akash missile successfully test-fired

Achieving a major milestone in the ongoing Surface to Air Missile (SAM) programme, India on Monday successfully conducted the first test of Akash-New Generation (NG) aiming to bolster country’s air defence capabilities.The missile was launched from a mobile platform at the Launching Complex - III of the Integrated Test Range off Odisha coast at about 2.30 pm against an electronic target.
Defence sources said, the missile intercepted the target with text book precision having met all the test objectives by performing high manoeuvrs during the trajectory. Performance of the command and control system, onboard avionics and aerodynamic configuration of the missile was successfully validated during the maiden trial.Akash-NG is a new generation SAM system meant for use by Indian Air Force to intercept high manoeuvring low radar cross section aerial threats.
This advanced variant comes with Active Electronically Scanned Array (AESA) multi-function radar that features all three functions - search, track and fire control in one platform. The earlier version is guided by phased array fire control radar.The missile, with canisterised launcher and much smaller ground system footprint, has been developed with better deployability compared to other similar systems. The multi function radar was tested for its capability of integration with new missile system.
The new Akash system can defend an area of at least 10 times better compared to any short range SAM and is capable of engaging up to 10 targets simultaneously. The earlier variant has a maximum range of 30 km, while Akash-NG can strike targets up to 70 km.Akash is India’s first indigenously designed, developed and produced air defence system. It also is the cheapest surface to air missile ever produced in the world with supersonic powered intercept.

::SPORTS::

PT Usha's coach OM Nambiar talks about 'late' Padma Shri recognition

Usha was conferred the Padma Shri in 1985 while Nambiar, presented the Dronacharya that year, had to wait for another 36 years before the nation's fouth highest civillian honour.
The man, who moulded Usha into one of India's finest athletes during his mentorship from 1977 to 1990, said he couldn't stop weeping once Usha was done with that race.
"It is absolutely true that I wept when we knew that Usha missed the bronze by one-hundredth of a second in 400m hurdles in 1984 Olympics. I was inconsolable," Nambiar said.
"I cannot forget that moment. An Olympic medal for Usha was my biggest lifetime dream,"