{"id":54497,"date":"2020-02-10T21:00:44","date_gmt":"2020-02-10T15:30:44","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/blogadmin.forumias.com\/?p=54497"},"modified":"2020-02-26T18:26:38","modified_gmt":"2020-02-26T12:56:38","slug":"9-pm-current-affairs-brief-february-10th-2020","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/forumias.com\/blog\/9-pm-current-affairs-brief-february-10th-2020\/","title":{"rendered":"9 PM Current Affairs Brief \u2013 February 10th, 2020"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.thehindu.com\/news\/cities\/kolkata\/arsenic-resistant-rice-cultivated-in-west-bengal\/article30771631.ece\">Arsenic-resistant\nrice cultivated in West Bengal<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>News:<\/strong> Researchers in West Bengal have developed and commercialised a rice\nvariety that is resistant to arsenic.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Facts:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\"><li>The new rice variety is called\nMuktoshri, also known as IET 21845.<\/li><li>It has been jointly developed by\nthe Rice Research Station at Chinsurah, under West Bengal\u2019s Agriculture\nDepartment and the National Botanical Research Institute, Lucknow.<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.republicworld.com\/technology-news\/science\/nasa-mysteriously-fixes-voyager-2-probes-interstellar-glitch.html\"><strong>NASA\nMysteriously Fixes Voyager-2&#8217;s Interstellar Glitch From 11.5 Billion Miles Away<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>News:<\/strong> NASA has managed to fix its Voyager-2 probe\nremotely, almost 11.5 billion miles away from its location.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Facts:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\"><li>Voyager 2 was launched by NASA in 1977.<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Achievements:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\"><li>Voyager 2 is the only\n spacecraft to study all four of the solar system\u2019s giant planets (Jupiter,\n Saturn, Uranus and Neptune.) at close range.<\/li><li>Voyager 2 discovered a 14th\n moon at Jupiter.<\/li><li>Voyager 2 was the first\n human-made object to fly past Uranus.<\/li><li>At Uranus, Voyager 2\n discovered 10 new moons and two new rings.<\/li><li>Voyager 2 was the first\n human-made object to fly by Neptune.<\/li><li>At Neptune, Voyager 2\n discovered five moons, four rings, and a \u201cGreat Dark Spot\u201d &#8211; a huge\n spinning storm in the southern atmosphere of Neptune which was about the\n size of the entire Earth.<\/li><li>Second spacecraft to enter interstellar\n space (November 2019). The first spacecraft to do so was Voyager 1 in\n 2012.<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/indianexpress.com\/article\/explained\/explained-behind-keralas-ban-on-cfl-and-filament-bulbs-from-november-2020-6256059\/\"><strong>Explained:\nBehind Kerala\u2019s ban on CFL and filament bulbs from November 2020<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>News:<\/strong> Kerala\nwill impose a ban on the sale of compact fluorescent lamps (CFL) and\nincandescent (filament) bulbs starting November 2020 as part of sustainable\nenergy policy. It is in line with \u2018Filament-free Kerala\u2019 envisaged in 2018 as\npart of the state\u2019s Urja Kerala mission.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Facts: <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Filament-free Kerala Project<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\"><li><strong>Aim:<\/strong> Replace incandescent bulbs and\nCFLs with the more energy-efficient LED bulbs. <\/li><li>The project is implemented by the KSEB and Energy Management Centre,\nKerala.<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Urja\nKerala mission<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\"><li>It is an energy generation and\nconservation program which aims at integrated development of electricity sector\nin the state.<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Five\nKey projects under the Mission<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ol class=\"wp-block-list\"><li><strong>Soura<\/strong> &#8211; to establish 1000 MW of solar\npower capacity in the state by 2021<\/li><li><strong>Filament free Kerala<\/strong><\/li><li><strong>Dyuthi 2021&nbsp;<\/strong>\u2013 &nbsp;aims modernization of\ntransmission structure of power in the state<\/li><li><strong>Transgrid 2.0<\/strong> \u2013 aims at Power Highway \u2013\nCreating High capacity transmission lines to reduce the transmission losses<\/li><li><strong>eSafe<\/strong> &#8211; a massive publicity campaign to\nsensitize the users of electricity on its safety aspects.<\/li><\/ol>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Additional\nInformation<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Unnat Jyoti by Affordable LEDs for All\n(UJALA) scheme<\/strong>: <\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\"><li>Launched by Ministry of Power\nin 2015<\/li><li>It seeks to promote efficient\nlighting and enhance awareness on using efficient equipment.&nbsp;<\/li><li>It is spearheaded by the Energy\nEfficiency Services Limited.<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/economictimes.indiatimes.com\/news\/economy\/infrastructure\/pms-constituency-varanasi-among-20-best-performing-smart-cities-to-guide-laggard-ones\/articleshow\/74044189.cms?from=mdr\"><strong>Urban\nMinistry devises smart city plan for top 20 to help bottom 20<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>News:<\/strong> <strong>The\nUnion Housing and Urban Affairs Ministry has adopted a 20-20 formula to\nimplement Smart Cities Mission. <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Facts:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>About 20-20 plan<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\"><li>20 best performing cities (according to internal rankings) have been\npaired up with the 20 bottom cities and they will work as \u201csister cities\u201d. The pairing has been done\nbased on culture and region.<\/li><li>The pair of sister cities will have to sign a MoU before February 20 to\nensure expeditious execution of projects and report compliance to the Smart\nCities Mission Directorate<\/li><li>Sister Cities will undertake a 100-day challenge from the day of its\nannouncement to enhance the ranks and performance of the bottom 20 cities.<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Additional Information<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Smart\nCities Mission:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\"><li>It was launched in 2015 by the Ministry\nof Housing and Urban affairs.<\/li><li><strong>Aim:<\/strong> to develop 100 smart cities across\nthe country by 2022 making them citizen friendly and sustainable.<\/li><li><strong>Objective<\/strong>: To promote sustainable and\ninclusive cities that provide core infrastructure and give a decent quality of\nlife to its citizens a clean and sustainable environment and application of\n\u2018Smart\u2019 Solutions<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/indianexpress.com\/article\/explained\/lessons-from-a-melting-antarctic-glacier-6259453\/\"><strong>Explained:\nLessons from a melting Antarctic glacier<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>News:<\/strong> A New York University study reported water at\njust two degrees above freezing point at Thwaites\u2019s \u201cgrounding zone\u201d or\n\u201cgrounding line\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Facts:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>About Thwaites Glacier<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\"><li>Thwaites Glacier is located in western Antarctica and flows into Pine\nIsland Bay, a part of the Amundsen Sea<\/li><li>According to NASA, the Thwaites Glacier is currently responsible for\napproximately 4% of global sea level rise. It holds enough ice to raise the world ocean\nby more than 2 feet.<\/li><li>It is estimated that it would collapse into the sea in 200-900 years. It\nis often called the Doomsday Glacier because of the risk it faces and poses. <\/li><li>A 2019 NASA-led study had discovered a giant cavity growing at the bottom\nof the Thwaites Glacier<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"389\" height=\"303\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blogadmin.forumias.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/02\/Picture1-13.png?resize=389%2C303&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"Image result for thwaites glacier antarctica map\" class=\"wp-image-54506\"\/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Additional Information:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Grounding Line<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\"><li>The grounding line is the place\nbelow a glacier at which the ice transitions from grounded ice sheet to freely\nfloating ice shelf on the ocean.<\/li><li>The location of the line is a\npointer to the rate of retreat of a glacier.<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"331\" height=\"261\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blogadmin.forumias.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/02\/Picture2-11.png?resize=331%2C261&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"https:\/\/images.indianexpress.com\/2020\/02\/NATA.jpg\" class=\"wp-image-54507\"\/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/indianexpress.com\/article\/explained\/explained-what-is-storm-ciara-which-has-hit-several-countries-in-europe-6259357\/\"><strong>Explained:\nWhat is storm Ciara, which has hit several countries in Europe<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>News:<\/strong> a major extra tropical cyclone named \u201cCiara\u201d has hit northern Europe.\n<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>&nbsp;Facts:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\"><li>Extra tropical&nbsp;cyclone\/\ntemperate cyclone is a type of storm&nbsp;system&nbsp;formed in middle or\nhigh&nbsp;latitudes, in regions of large\nhorizontal&nbsp;temperature&nbsp;variations&nbsp;called&nbsp;frontal zones.<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>The main\ncharacteristics of a temperate cyclone are as under:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ol class=\"wp-block-list\"><li>In the Northern Hemisphere, the\nwinds of a depression (cyclone) circulate round the centre in an anti-clockwise\ndirection, while in the Southern Hemisphere, the winds blow in a clockwise\ndirection.<\/li><li>They originate where warm\ntropical air meets cold polar air, the former ascending over the latter with\nthe formation of frontal surfaces.<\/li><li>Their general direction of\nmovement is from west to east in the mid-latitudes (westerlies), but specific\npaths are often curved and sometimes erratic<\/li><\/ol>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Formation\nof a Temperate Cyclone:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Polar\nFront Theory (Frontal Theory):<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\"><li>The polar front theory about the origin of temperate cyclones\n was put forward by V. Bjerknes in 1918.<\/li><li>The period of cyclone from its inception (cyclogenesis) to its\n termination (frontolysis or occlusion) is called the \u2018life cycle of\n cyclone\u2019 which is completed through six successive stages:<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"487\" height=\"416\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blogadmin.forumias.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/02\/Picture3-5.png?resize=487%2C416&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"Image result for stages of extratropical cyclone\" class=\"wp-image-54508\"\/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<ol class=\"wp-block-list\"><li><strong>Stage I: <\/strong>involves the convergence\n of two air masses of contrasting physical properties and directions.<\/li><li><strong>Stage II: <\/strong>It is called the \u2018<em>incipient\n stage\u2019<\/em> during which the warm and cold air masses penetrate into the\n territories of each other.<\/li><li><strong>Stage III: <\/strong>It is mature when the\n cyclone is fully developed and isobars become almost circular<strong>.<\/strong><\/li><li><strong>Stage IV: <\/strong>Warm sector is narrowed\n in extent due to the advancement of cold front at a faster rate than warm\n front, and cold front comes nearer to warm front.<\/li><li><strong>Stage V:<\/strong> starts with the occlusion\n of cyclone when the advancing cold front finally overtakes the warm front\n and occluded front is formed.<\/li><li><strong>Stage VI: <\/strong>warm sector completely\n disappears, occluded front is eliminated and ultimately cyclone dies out.<\/li><\/ol>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/news.un.org\/en\/story\/2020\/02\/1057011\">Africa Union Summit held at\nAddis Ababa<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>News:<\/strong> African Union Summit was held at Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. The theme\nof the summit was \u201cSilencing the Guns\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Facts:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>African\nUnion<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\"><li>It is a continental body\nconsisting of the 55 member states that make up the countries of the&nbsp;African&nbsp;Continent. It is a\npermanent observer at the United Nations General Assembly.<\/li><li><strong>Establishment:<\/strong> In 2002 through Sirte\nDeclaration.<\/li><li><strong>Headquarters:<\/strong> Addis Ababa, Ethiopia<\/li><li><strong>Objectives: <\/strong><ul><li>To achieve greater unity,\ncohesion and solidarity between the African countries and African nations.<\/li><\/ul><ul><li>To defend the sovereignty,\nterritorial integrity and independence of its Member States.<\/li><\/ul><ul><li>To accelerate the political and\nsocial-economic integration of the continent.<\/li><\/ul><\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"718\" height=\"678\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blogadmin.forumias.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/02\/Picture4-2.png?resize=718%2C678&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"Image result for african union countries map\" class=\"wp-image-54509\"\/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/indianexpress.com\/article\/explained\/telling-numbers-indians-living-abroad-uae-lok-sabha-mea-6259449\/\"><strong>Explained:Indian\nDiaspora<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>News:<\/strong>The\nMinistry of External Affairs has informed Lok Sabha that there are over 1.36\ncrore Indian nationals living abroad.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Facts:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>About\nIndian Diaspora:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\"><li>Indian Diaspora is a generic term\nused for addressing people who have migrated from the territories that are\ncurrently within the borders of India.<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Key\ntakeaways from the Data:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\"><li>The highest number of Indians\nabroad are living in the United Arab Emirates which comprises about one-fourth\nof all Indians abroad.<\/li><li>The UAE is followed by Saudi\nArabia, the US, Kuwait , Oman, Qatar , Nepal, UK, Singapore and Bahrain.<\/li><li>According to the World Bank\u2019s\nMigration and Development Brief,India is the world\u2019s top recipient of\nremittances with its diaspora sending a whopping $79 billion back home in 2018.<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Additional\ninformation:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>About\nPravasi Kaushal Vikas Yojana(PKVY):<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\"><li>The Pravasi Kaushal Vikas Yojana\n(PKVY) is aimed at skilling Indians seeking employment abroad.<\/li><li>It is being implemented by the\nNational Skill Development Corporation (NSDC)&nbsp; through its training\npartners and in consultation with the Ministry of External Affairs and the\nSkill Development Ministry.<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>About Know\nIndia Programme:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\"><li>It is a programme of the Ministry\nof External Affairs for engagement with Indian origin youth(between 18-30\nyears) to enhance their awareness about India, its cultural heritage, art and\nto familiarise them with various aspects of contemporary India.<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>About Madad\nPortal:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\"><li>It was launched in 2015.It seeks to\nhelp Indian citizens living abroad to file consular grievances online on the\nservices offered by the Indian missions abroad.<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/indianexpress.com\/article\/explained\/sc-says-cant-issue-mandamus-for-job-promotions-quota-what-is-mandamus-6259338\/\"><strong>SC says\ncan\u2019t issue mandamus for job promotions quota:What is mandamus?<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>News:<\/strong>The\nSupreme Court has ruled that reservation in the matter of promotions in public\nposts is not a fundamental right and the court cannot be compelled to issue\nmandamus directing state governments to provide reservations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Facts:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>About\nWrits:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\"><li>A Writ is a formal written order\nissued by the Supreme Court or High Court in the name of the sovereign power.<\/li><li>Article 32 empowers the Supreme\nCourt and Article 226 empowers the High Courts to issue writs to a person or\nauthority including the government.<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Types of\nWrits:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Mandamus:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\"><li>Mandamus is a Latin word which\nmeans We Command.It is a command issued by the court to a public official\nasking him to perform his official duties that he has failed refused to\nperform.&nbsp;<\/li><li>It can also be issued against any\npublic body, a corporation, an inferior court, tribunal or government for the\nsame purpose.<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Limitations\nof Mandamus:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\"><li>Under Article 361, mandamus cannot\nbe granted against the President or Governor of a State for the exercise and\nperformance of the powers and duties of his office or for any act done or\npurporting to be done by him in the exercise and performance of those powers\nand duties.<\/li><li>It also cannot be issued against a\nprivate individual or body except where the State is in collusion with the\nprivate party for contravening a provision of the Constitution or a statute.<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Other\nwrits:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Habeas\nCorpus:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\"><li>Habeas Corpus is a Latin term which\nmeans you may have the body.It is an order issued by the court to a person who\nhas detained another person to produce the body of the latter before it.&nbsp;<\/li><li>The court then examines the cause\nand legality of detention.It would set the detained person free, if the\ndetention is found to be illegal.Thus, this writ is a bulwark of individual\nliberty against arbitrary detention.<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Prohibition:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\"><li>Prohibition means &#8216;to forbid&#8217;. It\nis issued by a higher court to a lower court or tribunal to prevent the latter\nfrom exceeding its jurisdiction or usurping a jurisdiction that it does not\npossess.<\/li><li>The writ of prohibition can be\nissued only against judicial and quasi-judicial authorities.It is not available\nagainst administrative authorities, legislative bodies and private individuals\nor bodies.<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Certiorari:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\"><li>Certiorari means to be certified.It\nis issued by a higher court to a lower court or tribunal either to transfer a\ncase pending with the latter to itself or to squash the order of the latter in\na case.&nbsp;<\/li><li>It is issued on the grounds of\nexcess of jurisdiction or lack of jurisdiction or error of law.Thus, unlike\nprohibition which is only preventive,certiorari is both preventive as well as\ncurative.<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Quo\nWarranto:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\"><li>In the literal sense, it means &#8216;by\nwhat authority or warrant&#8217;.It is issued by the court to enquire into the\nlegality of a claim of a person to a public office.Hence,it prevents illegal\nusurpation of public office by a person.<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/indianexpress.com\/article\/explained\/this-word-means-fermentophone-fermentation-6259459\/\"><strong>This Word\nMeans:Fermentophone<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>News:<\/strong>Recently,Joshua\nRosenstock of the Worcester Polytechnic Institute has shown that the chemical\nprocesses of fermentation can be used to create spontaneous tunes called\nFermentophone<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Facts:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>About\nFermentation:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\"><li>Fermentation is the chemical\nbreakdown of a substance by microorganisms such as bacteria or yeasts which\nresults in some of the most delicious foods and beverages including cheese,\nchocolate and wine.<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>About\nFermentophone:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\"><li>The Fermentophone is defined as an\nedible musical instrument made of fermented fruits to showcase how fermentation\ncan make music.<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.livemint.com\/news\/india\/india-developing-new-200-km-strike-range-pranash-ballistic-missile-11581256503188.html\"><strong>India\ndeveloping new 200-km strike range Pranash ballistic missile<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>News:<\/strong>India\nis working on a new tactical ballistic missile called Pranash missile.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Facts:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>About\nPranash missile:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\"><li>Pranash is a surface-to-surface missile\nbeing developed by the Defence Research and Development Organisation(DRDO).<\/li><li>It will be a non-nuclear missile\nwhich will be propelled by a single-stage solid propellant engine.<\/li><li>The missile is capable of striking\ntargets at a range of 200km.It will be used by both the Indian Air Force and\nArmy for destroying enemy targets at short ranges.<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/economictimes.indiatimes.com\/news\/politics-and-nation\/india-bangladesh-nepal-expedite-sub-regional-connectivity-network\/articleshow\/74041070.cms\"><strong>BBIN\ncountries agree on quick implementation of MVA<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>News:<\/strong>Bangladesh,\nBhutan, India, and Nepal(BBIN) have held a meeting to finalize the Passenger\nand Cargo Protocols for implementation of the BBIN Motor Vehicles\nAgreement(MVA).<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Facts:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>About BBIN:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\"><li>Bangladesh,Bhutan,India and Nepal\nhad signed a framework Motor Vehicles Agreement (MVA)in June 2015.<\/li><li><strong>Aim:<\/strong>Toprovide\nseamless people-to-people contact and enhance economic interaction by\nfacilitating cross border movement of people and goods.<\/li><li>However,Bhutan has not yet ratified\nthe pact for its entry to come into force.But it has provided its consent for\nthe entry into force of the MVA among Bangladesh, India and Nepal without\nobligation to Bhutan.<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Significance\nof BBIN:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\"><li>It would permit unhindered movement\nof passenger and cargo vehicles among the four countries.&nbsp;<\/li><li>It will promote safe, economical\nefficient and environmentally sound road transport in the sub-region and will\nfurther help each country in creating an institutional mechanism for regional\nintegration.<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"750\" height=\"389\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blogadmin.forumias.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/02\/Picture5-2.png?resize=750%2C389&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-54510\"\/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"http:\/\/www.newsonair.com\/Main-News-Details.aspx?id=381075\"><strong>Guru\nRavidas Jayanti being celebrated across country<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>News:<\/strong>Guru\nRavidas Jayanti, the birth anniversary of Sant Ravidas is being celebrated\nacross the country on February 9th,2020.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Facts:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>About Guru\nRavidas:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\"><li>Guru Ravidas was a 14th century\nsaint and reformer of the Bhakti movement in North India.<\/li><li>He was born as a member of an\nuntouchable leather-working Chamar caste.<\/li><li>He gained prominence due to his\nbelief in one God and his unbiased religious poems.<\/li><li>He advocated for the removal of\nsocial divisions of caste and gender and promoted unity in the pursuit of\npersonal spiritual freedoms.<\/li><li>The famous saint poetess,Mirabai\nwas a disciple of Guru Ravidas.<\/li><li>Around 41 poems of Guru Ravidas\nwere included in \u2018Guru Granth Sahib\u2019, the religious text of the Sikhs.<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.livemint.com\/news\/world\/rbi-to-create-digital-payments-index-to-assess-capture-extent-of-digitalisation-11580971350471.html\"><strong>RBI to\nrelease Digital Payment Index by July 2020<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>News:<\/strong>The\nReserve Bank of India announced that it will create a Digital Payment Index by\nJuly 2020.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Facts:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>About the\nIndex:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\"><li><strong>Aim:<\/strong>To capture\nthe extent of digitization of monetary payments in the country.<\/li><li>The index will have a\nclassification of urban, semi-urban and rural geographies to analyze the kind\nof digital payments that are gaining acceptance.<\/li><li>It will also help the regulator and\ngovernment to understand the adoption of digital payments in the country.<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"http:\/\/www.newsonair.com\/News?title=External-Affairs-Minister-Jaishankar-addresses-India---Central-Asia-Business-Council-in-New-Delhi&amp;id=380944\"><strong>India-Central\nAsia Business Council launched in New Delhi<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>News:<\/strong>The\nExternal Affairs minister has recently attended the India-Central Asia Business\nCouncil.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Facts:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>About the\nIndia-Central Asia Business Council:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\"><li>The Council was formed by the\nFederation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FICCI) along with five\nindustry bodies of Central Asian countries (Kazakhstan, the Kyrgyz Republic,\nTajikistan, Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan).<\/li><li>The council has decided to\nestablish four working groups including on energy, agro and food processing,\ntourism and pharmaceuticals to present recommendations for ways to further\nboost trade.<\/li><li>The council also examined the\nviability of establishing air corridors between and Central Asia to boost trade\nin perishable goods, agricultural and food products.<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Additional\ninformation:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>About Air\nCorridors:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\"><li>The proposed air corridors would\ninclude regular cargo flights with special clearing and customs facilities to\nexpedite the movement of goods especially fresh fruit and other agricultural\nproduce.<\/li><li>It would be similar to the one\nIndia had established in 2018 with Afghanistan.<\/li><\/ul>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Arsenic-resistant rice cultivated in West Bengal News: Researchers in West Bengal have developed and commercialised a rice variety that is resistant to arsenic. Facts: The new rice variety is called Muktoshri, also known as IET 21845. It has been jointly developed by the Rice Research Station at Chinsurah, under West Bengal\u2019s Agriculture Department and the&hellip; <a class=\"more-link\" href=\"https:\/\/forumias.com\/blog\/9-pm-current-affairs-brief-february-10th-2020\/\">Continue reading <span class=\"screen-reader-text\">9 PM Current Affairs Brief \u2013 February 10th, 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-54497","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":"","cached_date":1704950047},"jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/forumias.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/54497","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=54497"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/forumias.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/54497\/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=54497"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/forumias.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=54497"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/forumias.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=54497"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}