{"id":54363,"date":"2020-01-15T21:00:17","date_gmt":"2020-01-15T15:30:17","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/blogadmin.forumias.com\/?p=54363"},"modified":"2020-02-26T16:59:40","modified_gmt":"2020-02-26T11:29:40","slug":"9-pm-current-affairs-brief-january-15th-2020","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/forumias.com\/blog\/9-pm-current-affairs-brief-january-15th-2020\/","title":{"rendered":"9 PM Current Affairs Brief \u2013 January 15th, 2020"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/indianexpress.com\/article\/explained\/explained-why-eruption-of-a-tiny-complex-volcano-is-causing-concern-6216667\/\"><strong>Explained:\nWhy eruption of a tiny, \u2018complex\u2019 volcano is causing concern<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>News: Taal Volcano erupted on 12<sup>th<\/sup>\nJanuary<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Facts:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>About Taal Volcano<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\"><li>It is located on the island of Luzon, in Philippines.<\/li><li>It is classified as a \u201ccomplex\u201d volcano.<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"328\" height=\"349\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blogadmin.forumias.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/02\/Picture6.png?resize=328%2C349&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"Image result for Taal volcano map\" class=\"wp-image-54379\"\/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Additional Information:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Volcano: <\/strong>A volcano on Earth is a vent or fissure in\nthe planet&#8217;s crust through which lava, ash, rock and gases erupt<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Major\nTypes of Volcano<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ol class=\"wp-block-list\"><li><strong>Cinder cone volcanoes (also called scoria cone<\/strong>s): Occur as single volcanoes or as secondary volcanoes known as\n&#8220;parasitic cones&#8221; on the sides of composite or shield volcanoes.\nExample: Mt Tabor, Mt Zion<\/li><li><strong>Complex\/ Stratovolcano:<\/strong> built of layers\nof alternating lava flow, ash and blocks of unmelted stone. They result from a\nconduit system of vents leading from a magma reservoir beneath the surface.\nVesuvius, Taal, Mt Fuji, Mt Cotopaxi.<\/li><li><strong>Shield volcanoes:<\/strong> huge, gently sloping\nvolcanoes built of very thin lava spreading out in all directions from a\ncentral vent. Example: Mauna Loa in Hawaii<\/li><\/ol>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"750\" height=\"246\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blogadmin.forumias.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/02\/Picture7.png?resize=750%2C246&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"volcanoes\" class=\"wp-image-54380\"\/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Why\nis Philippines prone to volcanic activity and Earthquakes?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\"><li>Philippines lies along the Ring\nof Fire &#8211; a zone of major seismic activity. The country is situated at the\nboundaries of two tectonic plates \u2014 the Philippines Sea Plate and the Eurasian\nplate<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/indianexpress.com\/article\/explained\/explained-who-is-diego-the-tortoise-whose-sex-drive-saved-his-species-6214926\/\">Espa\u00f1ola\nGiant tortoises<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>News:<\/strong> The Gal\u00e1pagos National Park has announced it is ending Giant\nTortoise Restoration Initiative (GTRI), captive breeding program, for Espa\u00f1ola\nGiant Tortoises<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Facts:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>About\nEspa\u00f1ola Giant Tortoises<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\"><li>It is a species of Giant tortoises.\nGiant tortoises are the longest-lived of all vertebrates, averaging over 100\nyears.<\/li><li><strong>Geographic Range<\/strong>: Espa\u00f1ola Island\n<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p> in the&nbsp;Gal\u00e1pagos&nbsp;Islands of Ecuador.\n\n<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\"><li><strong>IUCN Status:<\/strong> Critically Endangered<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Additional\nInformation:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Gal\u00e1pagos Island: It is a part of the\nRepublic of Ecuador, are an archipelago of volcanic islands distributed on\neither side of the equator in the Pacific Ocean. It is a World Heritage Site.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"750\" height=\"374\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blogadmin.forumias.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/02\/Picture8.png?resize=750%2C374&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"Image result for Gal\u00e1pagos Island location map&quot;\" class=\"wp-image-54381\"\/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Harvest\nFestivals in India<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>News:<\/strong> Harvest festivals celebrated across India on 15<sup>th<\/sup>\nJanuary <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Facts:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-table\"><table class=\"\"><tbody><tr><td>\n <strong>Festival<\/strong>\n <\/td><td>\n <strong>State\/Region<\/strong>\n <\/td><\/tr><tr><td>\n Makar Sankarnti\n <\/td><td>\n North India&amp; Karnataka\n <\/td><\/tr><tr><td>\n Pongal\n <\/td><td>\n South India Especially Tamil Andu\n <\/td><\/tr><tr><td>\n Magh Bihu\n <\/td><td>\n Assam\n <\/td><\/tr><tr><td>\n Uttarayan\n <\/td><td>\n Gujarat\n <\/td><\/tr><tr><td>\n Sajhi\n <\/td><td>\n Himla District Of Himachal Pradesh\n <\/td><\/tr><tr><td>\n Kicheri\n <\/td><td>\n Uttar Pradesh\n <\/td><\/tr><tr><td>\n Pedda Panduga\n <\/td><td>\n Andhra Pradesh\n <\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/energy.economictimes.indiatimes.com\/news\/oil-and-gas\/indian-oil-corporation-launches-special-nato-class-diesel-for-indian-navy\/73251236\"><strong>Indian\nOil Corporation Launches Special NATO Class Diesel for Indian Navy<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>News:<\/strong> Vice Admiral G S Pabby launched the Upgraded\nHigh Flash High-Speed Diesel (HFHSD- IN 512)<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Facts:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>About Upgraded High Flash High-Speed\nDiesel (HFHSD- IN 512)<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\"><li>It has been developed by Indian Oil Corp (IOC). It is being supplied from\nHaldia and Paradip refinery.<\/li><li>It has the unique combination of low pour and Cold filter plugging point\n(CFPP) and High Flash Point. <\/li><li>It has the highest cetane number amongst all marine diesel fuel.<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Significance:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\"><li>possesses the best rheological and detergent characteristics<\/li><li>lesser environmental impact due to low Sulphur content<\/li><li>provide fuel of better quality than that mandated to all foreign navies\nunder bilateral\/ multi-national logistics support pacts<\/li><li>Would be key enabler in the Navy\u2019s \u2018Mission Based Deployment\u2019 on a global\nscale.<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.thehindu.com\/news\/national\/aser-flags-poor-learning-outcomes-in-schools\/article30569671.ece\">Annual\nStatus of Education Report Flags Poor Learning Outcomes in Schools<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>News:<\/strong> NGO Pratham released Annual Status of Education Report (ASER 2018)<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Facts:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Key\nASER 2018 (Rural) findings<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Enrolment:\n<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\"><li>Since 2007, the enrolment of\nchildren for the age group 6 to 14 has been above 95%.<\/li><li>1% of children in the 15-16 age\ngroup are not in school.<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Learning\nLevels: <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\"><li>Five-year old children in\nprivate schools fared better in learning tasks than those in govt. schools and\nanganwadis<\/li><li>Only 16% of children in Class 1\ncan read text at the prescribed level, while almost 40% cannot even recognise\nletters.<\/li><li>Only 41% of these children\ncould recognise two digit numbers<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>State-wise\nDisparity:<\/strong> In Uttar Pradesh, over 60% of Class 3\nchildren cannot recognise letters or read words whereas in Himachal Pradesh\nover 70% of children are either at grade-level or only close behind.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/indianexpress.com\/article\/explained\/explained-how-is-a-language-declared-classical-in-india-what-benefits-it-enjoys-6216415\/\"><strong>Explained:\nHow is a language declared \u2018classical\u2019 in India, what benefits it enjoys<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>News:<\/strong>At\nthe 93rd edition of the Akhil Bharatiya Marathi Sahitya Sammelan,a resolution\nwas passed demanding the declaration of Marathi as a \u2018Classical\u2019 language.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Facts:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>About\nClassical languages:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\"><li>Currently, six languages enjoy the\n\u2018Classical\u2019 status namely Tamil (declared in 2004), Sanskrit (2005), Kannada\n(2008), Telugu (2008), Malayalam (2013), and Odia (2014).<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Guidelines\nfor declaring a classical language:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\"><li>High antiquity of its early\ntexts\/recorded history over a period of 1500-2000 years;<\/li><li>A body of ancient literature\/texts,\nwhich is considered a valuable heritage by generations of speakers;<\/li><li>The literary tradition be original\nand not borrowed from another speech community;<\/li><li>The classical language and\nliterature being distinct from modern, there may also be a discontinuity\nbetween the classical language and its later forms or its offshoots.<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Benefits\nprovided to a classical language:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\"><li>Two major annual international\nawards for scholars of eminence in classical Indian languages.<\/li><li>A Centre of Excellence for studies\nin Classical Languages is set up.<\/li><li>The University Grants Commission\n(UGC) is requested to create to start at least in the Central Universities,a\ncertain number of Professional Chairs for the Classical Languages so declared.<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/pib.gov.in\/PressReleseDetailm.aspx?PRID=1599406\"><strong>Union\nPetroleum minister to launch \u2018Saksham\u2019<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>News:<\/strong>Union\nPetroleum minister is set to launch \u2018Saksham\u2019, an annual one-month long people\ncentric fuel conservation mega campaign of PCRA.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Facts:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>About\nSaksham:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\"><li>Saksham is a people-centric fuel\nconservation mega campaign of Petroleum Conservation Research Association(PCRA)\nunder the aegis of Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas.<\/li><li>The campaign aims at creating\nfocused attention on fuel conservation through people centric activities.<\/li><li>It also aims to intensify efforts\nfor making citizens aware about conservation and effective utilization of\npetroleum products leading to better health and environment.<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Additional\ninformation:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>About PCRA:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\"><li>Petroleum Conservation Research\nAssociation (PCRA) is a registered society set up under the aegis of Ministry\nof Petroleum &amp; Natural Gas, Government of India.&nbsp;&nbsp;<\/li><li>PCRA is engaged in promoting energy\nefficiency in various sectors of economy.&nbsp;&nbsp;<\/li><li>It also helps the government in\nproposing policies and strategies for petroleum conservation aimed at reducing\nexcessive dependence of the country on oil requirement.<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.downtoearth.org.in\/news\/health\/amr-flu-pandemic-again-top-who-s-list-of-top-health-challenges-for-2020-68788\"><strong>WHO\nreleases Global Health Challenges for 2020<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>News:<\/strong>TheWorld Health Organization(WHO) has released a list of 13 urgent global\nhealth challenges for 2020.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Facts:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>About the\n13 challenges:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\"><li>Climate Crisis<\/li><li>Delivering Health in Conflict and\nCrisis<\/li><li>Healthcare&nbsp; Equality<\/li><li>Expanding Access to Medicines<\/li><li>Infectious Diseases<\/li><li>Preparing for Epidemics<\/li><li>Dangerous Products like unsafe\nfood, and unhealthy diets<\/li><li>Investing in People Who Defend Our\nHealth<\/li><li>Keeping Teens Safe as more than one\nmillion adolescents aged 10 to 19 years die every year<\/li><li>Earning Public Trust<\/li><li>Harnessing New Technologies such as\ngenome editing and artificial intelligence.<\/li><li>Rise of Antimicrobial Resistance<\/li><li>Clean Water, Sanitation, Hygiene as\nabout one in four health facilities globally lack basic water, sanitation, and\nhygiene(WASH) services.<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Additional\ninformation:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>About World\nHealth Organization (WHO)<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\"><li>The World Health Organization is a\nspecialized agency of the United Nations that is concerned with international\npublic health.<\/li><li>It was established on 7th April\n1948, and headquartered in Geneva, Switzerland. Every year,7th April is\ncelebrated as the World Health Day.<\/li><li>The WHO is a member of the United\nNations Development Group. It has 194 member states.<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.indiatoday.in\/india\/story\/bhil-tribe-controversy-madhya-pradesh-mppsc-exam-question-paper-1636397-2020-01-13\"><strong>Bhil\ntribe termed alcoholic, criminal-minded in MPPSC exam<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>News:<\/strong>Recently,the\ncontroversial references to the Bhil tribe by Madhya Pradesh Public Service\nCommission(MPPSC) has received severe criticism from civil society groups.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Facts:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>About Bhil\nTribe:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\"><li>The word Bhil is derived from the\nBillu which mean Bows.They are mostly found in Chhattisgarh, Gujarat, Karnataka,\nMadhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Andhra Pradesh and Rajasthan.<\/li><li>The Bhil tribes have been mentioned\nin epics like Mahabharata and Ramayana.&nbsp;<\/li><li>They are the best archers and also\nexcellent in geographical knowledge and third largest tribe in India after the\nGonds and Santhals.<\/li><li>Currently,the source of income for\nBhils are Agriculture and Animal Husbandry.<\/li><li>The Baneshwar fair is the main\nfestival celebrated among the Bhils.This fair is held during the period of\nShivaratri and is dedicated to Baneshwar Mahadev also known as Lord Shiva.<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/indianexpress.com\/article\/explained\/explained-article-131-on-which-kerala-has-based-its-challenge-to-the-caa-6216611\/\"><strong>Explained:\nArticle 131,on which Kerala has based its challenge to the CAA<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>News:<\/strong>Recently,the\nKerala government has moved the Supreme Court against the Citizenship\n(Amendment) Act.This will make Kerala the first state to challenge the law\nunder Article 131 of the Constitution.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Facts:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>About\nArticle 131:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\"><li>The Article 131 vests the Supreme\nCourt with original jurisdiction over disputes occurring between states or\nbetween states and the Centre.&nbsp;<\/li><li>The original jurisdiction means the\npower to hear a case for the first time, as opposed to appellate jurisdiction\nin which the court reviews the decision of a lower court.<\/li><li>Further,unlike the original\njurisdiction under Article 32 which gives the top court the power to issue\nwrits but the jurisdiction in Article 131 is exclusive meaning it is only the\nSupreme Court which has this authority.&nbsp;<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Disputes on\nwhich Article 131 can be used:<\/strong>The Supreme Court shall to\nthe exclusion of any other court have original jurisdiction in any dispute on:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\"><li>between the Government of India and\none or more States; or<\/li><li>between the Government of India and\nany State or States on one side and one or more other States on the other; or<\/li><li>between two or more States<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Exception:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\"><li>The dispute must involve a question\n(whether of law or fact) on which the existence or extent of a legal right\ndepends.<\/li><li>The jurisdiction shall not extend\nto a dispute arising out of any treaty, agreement or other similar instrument\nwhich having been entered into or executed before the commencement of this\nConstitution continues in operation after such commencement or which provides\nthat the said jurisdiction shall not extend to such a dispute.<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Cases\nrelated to Article 131:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\"><li>In State of Bihar v. Union of India\nthe court held that the dispute between the state of Bihar and the Hindustan\nSteel Ltd did not fall under Article 131 as Hindustan steel was not considered\nto be a state.<\/li><li>In the case of State of Rajasthan\nv. Union of India, the question was whether the word states come under the\nmeaning of the state government or not.The Supreme Court held that it had the\noriginal jurisdiction to entertain the proceeding.<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.thehindu.com\/sci-tech\/health\/who-endorses-indigenous-molecular-diagnostic-tool-for-tuberculosis-diagnosis\/article30568353.ece\"><strong>WHO\nendorses indigenous molecular diagnostic tool for tuberculosis diagnosis<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>News:<\/strong>The\nWorld Health Organisation(WHO) has endorsed TrueNat which is an indigenous\nmolecular diagnostic tool for tuberculosis(TB) diagnosis.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Facts:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>About\nTrueNat:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\"><li>The TrueNat is a new molecular test\nthat can diagnose TB in one hour as well as testing for resistance to the drug\nrifampicin.<\/li><li>The test has been developed by the\nIndian firm MolBio Diagnostics Pvt Ltd Goa.<\/li><li>The test works by rapid detection\nof TB bacteria using the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) technique.<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Additional\ninformation:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>About\nTuberculosis (TB)<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\"><li>Tuberculosis<strong>(<\/strong>TB) is an\ninfectious airborne bacterial disease caused by Mycobacterium tuberculosis.<\/li><li>When TB infection becomes resistant\nto the first line of treatment \u2014 isoniazid and rifampicin it is called\nMulti-drug resistant TB (MDR-TB).&nbsp;<\/li><li>However,when the infection becomes\nresistant even to the second-line treatment it is called Extensively-drug\nresistant tuberculosis (XDR-TB).<\/li><li>According to the Global\nTuberculosis Report 2019,India had 26.9 lakh TB patients in 2018.<\/li><li>TB kills an estimated 4.8 lakh\nIndians every year and more than 1,400 every day.India has the highest TB\nburden in the world and also has more than a million \u2018missing\u2019 cases every year\nthat are not notified.<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>About\nPolymerase chain reaction(PCR):<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\"><li>Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) is\na common laboratory technique used to make many copies (millions or billions)\nof a particular region of DNA.<\/li><li>The goal of PCR is to make enough\nof the target DNA region that it can be analyzed or used in some other way.<\/li><li>PCR is used in many areas of\nbiology and medicine, including molecular biology research, medical\ndiagnostics, and even some branches of ecology.<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/pib.gov.in\/newsite\/PrintRelease.aspx?relid=197423\"><strong>India\nMeteorological Department(IMD) celebrates 145th Foundation Day<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>News:<\/strong>The\nIndian Meteorological Department(IMD) is celebrating its 145th Foundation day\non 15th January,2020.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Facts:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>About India\nMeteorological Department (IMD)<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\"><li>India Meteorological Department\n(IMD) was established in 1875.It is an agency of the Ministry of Earth Sciences\nof the Government of India.<\/li><li>It is the principal agency\nresponsible for meteorological observations, weather forecasting and\nseismology.<\/li><li>IMD is also one of the six Regional\nSpecialised Meteorological Centres of the World Meteorological Organization.<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Mandate of\nIMD:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\"><li>To take meteorological observations\nand to provide current and forecast meteorological information for optimum\noperation of weather-sensitive activities like agriculture, irrigation,\nshipping among others.<\/li><li>To warn against severe weather phenomena\nlike tropical cyclones, norwesters, dust storms, heavy rains and snow, cold and\nheat waves, which cause destruction of life and property.<\/li><li>To provide meteorological\nstatistics required for agriculture, water resource management, industries, oil\nexploration and other nation-building activities.<\/li><li>To conduct and promote research in\nmeteorology and in various allied disciplines.<\/li><li>To detect and locate earthquakes\nand to evaluate seismicity in different parts of the country for development\nprojects.<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Additional\ninformation:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Initiatives\ntaken by IMD:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Abou\nMeghdoot:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\"><li>Meghdoot is a mobile app launched\nto assist farmers.It has been developed by the Indian Meteorological Department\nand Indian Institute of Tropical meteorology and the Indian Council of\nAgricultural Research.<\/li><li>The app provides forecast relating\nto temperature, rainfall, humidity, and wind speed and direction which play\ncritical roles in agricultural operations and advisories to the farmers on how\nto take care of their crops and livestock.<\/li><li>It provides information in the form\nof images, maps and pictures to help the farmer to have a clearer picture of\nwhat is in store.<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>About\nSAMAR:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\"><li>The Indian Meteorological\nDepartment(IMD) had launched a System of Aerosol Monitoring and Research(SAMAR)\nin 2016.<\/li><li>It helps the country in studying\nconcentration of black carbon in the atmosphere due to air pollution and its\nimpact on climate.<\/li><li>It is equipped with many\nsophisticated equipments including 12 sky radiometers which studies aerosols\ndifferent properties and determine how it impacts the climate over a longer\nperiod of time.<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.thehindu.com\/news\/national\/other-states\/assam-gst-authority-wants-bihu-committee-artistes-paid-in-cheques\/article30544015.ece\"><strong>Assam\u2019s\nRongali Bihu artists decry order on cheque payments<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>News:<\/strong>Assam\u2019s\nGoods and Services Tax authority has asked the Bihu committees to make all\ntransactions through cheques during the Bihu festival.If complied with,the\nartistes would have to pay 18% GST.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Facts:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>About Bihu\nfestival:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\"><li>Assamese Bihu is one of the most\nimportant cultural festivals of Assam, which celebrates the change in\nseasons.&nbsp;<\/li><li>It mainly caters to the agrarian\nculture and society of the state and marks the beginning of Assamese New Year\nand harvest season.<\/li><li>During the festival,Bihu\nDance,which is a popular folk dance associated with the state of Assam is also\nperformed.<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Types of\nBihu festival:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\"><li><strong>Bhogali or Magh Bihu<\/strong>:The\nMagh Bihu festival is celebrated during January.It sees the first harvest of\nthe season being offered to the gods along with prayers for peace and\nprosperity.<\/li><li><strong>Rongali or Bohag Bihu:<\/strong>It\nis observed in April.Rongali or Bohag Bihu is the Assamese New Year and Spring\nfestival.The Rongali Bihu coincides with Punjabi New Year Baisakhi.<\/li><li><strong>Kongali or Kati Bihu<\/strong>:It\nis observed in October.During this festival,Bodo people of Assam light lamps\nand pray to God for a thriving harvesting season.<\/li><\/ul>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Explained: Why eruption of a tiny, \u2018complex\u2019 volcano is causing concern News: Taal Volcano erupted on 12th January Facts: About Taal Volcano It is located on the island of Luzon, in Philippines. It is classified as a \u201ccomplex\u201d volcano. Additional Information: Volcano: A volcano on Earth is a vent or fissure in the planet&#8217;s crust&hellip; <a class=\"more-link\" href=\"https:\/\/forumias.com\/blog\/9-pm-current-affairs-brief-january-15th-2020\/\">Continue reading <span class=\"screen-reader-text\">9 PM Current Affairs Brief \u2013 January 15th, 2020<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":61,"featured_media":48116,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[14],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-54363","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-9-pm-brief","entry"],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/forumias.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/06\/9-PM-Brief.png?fit=1000%2C500&ssl=1","views":{"total":0,"cached_at":1700797898,"cached_date":1704941101},"jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/forumias.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/54363","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/forumias.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/forumias.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/forumias.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/61"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/forumias.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=54363"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/forumias.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/54363\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/forumias.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/48116"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/forumias.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=54363"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/forumias.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=54363"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/forumias.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=54363"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}