15-01-22 Daily-Himachal Pradesh-HPPSC Current Affairs

Notwithstanding the hardships faced by the in the Covid-induced lockdown, the Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) in the state registered a significant increase in the quarter ending June 2021.

An FDI to the tune of 7.6 million US dollars was received in the state in the first quarter of this financial year till June. Though the states share nationally was merely 0.04 per cent, it reflected an increase vis–vis the quarter ending March 2021 when the FDI had declined to an all-time low of 0.2 million US dollars.

The lockdown badly hit the FDI flow into the state from December 2019 to March 2020. From 10 million US dollars in December 2019, the FDI plummeted to as low as 1.9 million US dollars in March 2020. Though it increased to 4.3 million US dollars in the quarter ending June 2020, it fell to a mere 1.5 million US dollars in the subsequent quarter ending September 2020.

The lockdown was lifted in September 2020, and the FDI again rose to 5 million US dollars in the quarter ending December 2020.

The state had registered its highest ever FDI of 10 million US dollars during the quarter ending December 2019 prior to that. Though this was merely 0.09 per cent of the total FDI flow into India, it was significant for the small hilly state of Himachal. Trade analysts opine that the Union Government has taken a slew of measures to enhance its investment potential.

The Supreme Court has directed the High Courts of the country to provide an estimate of manpower required to create Vulnerable Witness Deposition Centre (VWDC) scheme in their states within three months. It has introduced new definitions to the vulnerable victims.

The Supreme Court has included the sexually assaulted victims in the vulnerable witnesses. The other vulnerable victims are as follows:

Gender neutral victims of sexual assault

Witnesses under threat perception. These witnesses are those included under the Witness Protection Scheme of the Union launched by the Central Government in 2018.

The private companies in India have joined together to form India EdTech Consortium. It was formed under the guidance of Internet Mobile Association of India. It was launched after Government of India announced that it is to launch as policy to regulate the edtech sector, that is Education and technology sector.

EdTech is Education and Technology. Before COVID-19, the education and technology sector were performing normally. They were growing steadily. The COVID induced lock down shut schools and colleges. Suddenly modern choice, that is, remote Learning became the only alternative. Four out of every six edtech startup have succeeded in their respective field during this phase.

The consortium has launched a three page code. It stresses on transparency, warnings of misleading ads. The educational institutions can use their students success as promotion tool only with proper proof of performance.

On January 15, 2022, worlds largest , made of Khadi fabric will be put to display, to celebrate the Army Day.

It will be displayed at Longewala, along the India Pakistan Border in Jaisalmer.

Longewala was the centre stage of historic battle of 1971 between India and Pakistan.

It will be the fifth public display of the Khadi flag.

This will be the 5th public display of the National Flag, after it was first unveiled in Leh on October 2^,

It was displayed later at Hindon Airbase to mark the Air Force Day on October 8, 2021 and at Red Fort on October 21, 2021, marking the completion of 100 crore Covid-19 vaccinations across India.

Furthermore, it was displayed at the Naval Dockyard near Gateway of India in Mumbai, on December 4, 2021, to celebrate Navy Day.

Indian Army Day marks the celebration of not only the brave soldiers, but also marks the transfer of power from British rule to India.

On this day, a grand parade is organised at Cariappa parade ground in Delhi cantonment.

The salute of this parade is usually taken by Indian Army Chief. Thus, in 2022, General Manoj Mukund Naravane will make the salute on the occasion.

Apart from this, the Day also involves a showcase of all the weapons in Indian Army arsenal. The latest kind of weapons, helicopters, drones, etc are displayed with great pride.

The day is marked on January 15, every year because on this day Lieutenant General KM Cariappa was appointed to the post in 1949. He became the first Indian to head the forces. Since then, this day has become a significant day for Indian HISTORY. It was the first time an Indian soldier took reigns of the armed forces.

Indian Army Day is celebrated to honour soldiers of the armed forces in India, for their selfless service.

The day is celebrated at all army command offices across India as well as the headquarters in New Delhi.

North Korea recently tested the RAILWAY-borne missile. With this, North Korea has tested three missiles in January 2022 amidst rising tensions with the US. This has pushed for fresh sanctions by the US.

The railway-borne missile recently tested by the North is a ballistic missile. The missiles that were tested previously were hypersonic missiles.

The missile flew 800 kilometres and struck a target in the east coast of North Korea.

Railway borne missile means the missile is launched from a train.

North Korea tested two railway borne missiles.

The test comes after the South Koreans tested the submarine launched ballistic missile. With this, it became the first country to develop such as system without nuclear weapons. The Koreans have been indulging in arms race and are unveiling more capable weapons and missiles.