DAILY CURRENT AFFAIRS 19 November 2021
Annual Status of Education Report (ASER 2021)
- 16th edition of the Annual Status of Education Report (ASER 2021) survey was released. The survey analyzed the impact of Covid-19 on learning.
- It shows an increase in dependence on private tuitions and an absence of ready access to smartphones.
- Specific attention is needed to help make up for learning losses, especially in the lowest classes.
- The ASER survey, which is facilitated by Pratham Education Foundation, is the oldest survey of its kind in the country.
- There was an unprecedented jump in government school students, and a 10-year low in private school enrolments.
- It has reported a growing dependency on private tuition classes.
- There exists a stark digital divide, which carries the risk of severely affecting the learning abilities of primary grade students.
- 65.4% teachers flagged the problem of children being “unable to catch up” as one of their biggest challenges.
- The report captured a decline in the proportion of children not currently enrolled in the 15-16 age group. This is one of the sections which faces the highest risk of dropping out.
‘Bhumi Samvaad’
- The Ministry of Rural Development inaugurated ‘Bhumi Samvaad’ – National Workshop on Digital India Land Record Modernization Programme (DILRMP).
- The Ministry also launched the National Generic Document Registration System (NGDRS) portal and Dashboard.
- The DILRMP was approved by the Cabinet on 21st August 2008.
- For modernization of land records system in the country, a modified programme, viz., the National Land Records Modernization Programme (NLRMP), now renamed as Digital India Land Records Modernization Programme (DILRMP), has been formulated.
- Two Centrally sponsored schemes of Computerization of Land Records (CLR) and Strengthening of Revenue Administration and updating of Land Records (SRA&ULR) were merged.
Guru Nanak Jayanti Celebrated across the Nation
- Guru Nanak Dev Ji Gurupurab, also known as Guru Nanak’s Prakash Utsav and Guru Nanak Dev Ji Jayanti, celebrates the birth of the first Sikh guru, Guru Nanak. One of the most celebrated Sikh gurus and the founder of Sikhism, Guru Nanak Dev is highly revered by the Sikh community. This is one of the most sacred festivals in Sikhism.
- The festivities in the Sikh religion revolve around the anniversaries of the 10 Sikh Gurus. These Gurus were responsible for shaping the beliefs of the Sikhs . Their birthdays, known as Gurupurab, are occasions for celebration and prayer among the Sikhs.
The Sydney Dialogue 2021
- It is an annual summit for emerging, critical and cyber technologies.
- PM delivers keynote address at The Sydney Dialogue, speaks on India’s technology evolution and revolution
- Lists five important transitions taking place in India
- “The biggest strength of democracy is openness. At the same time, we should not allow a few vested interests to misuse this openness”
- ““India’s digital revolution is rooted in our democracy, our demography, and the scale of our economy”
- “We use data as a source of empowerment of people. India has unmatched experience in doing this in a democratic framework with strong guarantees of individual rights”
- “India’s democratic traditions are old; its modern institutions are strong. And, we have always believed in the world as one family”
- Gives a roadmap for democracies to work together that recognizes national rights and, at the same time, promote trade, investment and larger public good
- “It is important that all democratic nations work together on crypto-currency and ensure it does not end up in wrong hands, which can spoil our youth”
Indian Film Personality Award 2021
- Information and Broadcasting Minister Anurag Singh Thakur has announced that the Indian Film Personality Award for the year 2021 will be given to Hema Malini and Prasoon Joshi.
- Announcing the awards, Mr. Thakur said, their contributions to the field of Indian cinema spread over decades and their work enthralled audiences across generations. He said, Hema Malini and Prasoon Joshi are Indian cinematic icons who are admired and respected the world over. He said, the award will be given in the 52nd International Film Festival of India in Goa.
- Hema Malini is an Indian actress, writer, director, producer, dancer, and politician. She made her acting debut in 1963 with the Tamil film Idhu Sathiyam and later on, entered the Hindi cinema as the lead actress of Sapno Ka Saudagar in 1968. Since then, she has acted in over 150 films like Sholay, Seeta Aur Geeta, Satte pe Satta and Baghban among many others.
- Prasoon Joshi is a poet, writer, lyricist, screenwriter and communication specialist and marketer. He published his first book of prose and poetry at the age of 17. Mr. Joshi entered Indian cinema as a lyricist in 2001 with Rajkumar Santoshi’s Lajja. He received the National Film Award for Best Lyrics twice for his work in Taare Zameen Par and Chittagong. In the year 2015, the Government of India has awarded Padma Shri for his contributions towards the field of Arts, Literature and Advertising.
Winter Session of Parliament
- Winter Session of Parliament will commence from 29th of this month and will continue till 23rd of December.
- The Lok Sabha Secretariat in a statement said that the 7th Session of 17th Lok Sabha will commence on 29th November, and subject to exigencies of Government Business, the Session is likely to conclude on 23rd December.
- The Rajya Sabha Secretariat also issued a similar statement in this regard.
U.S. remains India’s Biggest Trading Partner
- The US Consul General in Chennai Judith Ravin has said that the United States remains India’s biggest trading partner with trade increasing from approximately 20 billion US dollars in 2001 to 145 billion dollors in 2019. She was addressing the members of the United States India Business Council after the opening up of the India US Tech Conclave as part of the Bengaluru Tech Summit.
- She noted that the US-India bilateral relationship continues to expand from collaboration on mitigating the impacts of Covid 19 and climate change to space exploration. She said that both countries have joint commitment towards a free and open Indo-Pacific region. She disclosed that US Trade representative Katherine Tai will be in New Delhi on November 22 to hold discussion with Union Minister for Commerce and Industry Piyush Goyal on expanding bilateral trade.
Rezang La Memorial
- Raksha Mantri Shri Rajnath Singh dedicated to the Nation renovated Rezang La Memorial at a solemn ceremony at Chushul in Ladakh on November 18, 2021. The Memorial was constructed in 1963 in the Chushul plains, at an altitude of over 15,000 feet, right at the India-China border to honour the troops of Charlie Company of 13 KUMAON Regiment, who on November 18, 1962, had defended Rezang La and the surrounding areas located at over 16,500 feet on the Kailash Ranges in Eastern Ladakh.
- The decision to renovate the Memorial was taken by Shri Rajnath Singh when he had visited Leh in June 2021. In a major upgradation exercise, the renovation of the Memorial commenced in mid-July and the complex was ready within three months for inauguration on the 59th anniversary of the battle.
- The Raksha Mantri paid homage to the gallant Indian soldiers who fought the Battle of Rezang La and laid wreath at the Memorial. In his address, he said, the courage and sacrifice of the Charlie Company will always inspire future generations, describing the Rezang La memorial as an epitome of the passion, determination, and fearless spirit of the brave hearts of the country.
REVIEW QUESTIONS
- Which of the following is Himalayan pass?
- Banihal pass
- Palghat
- Shenkota
- Thalghat
ANSWER: A
- Which of the following pass situated between Doda and Anantnag, Jammu & Kashmir?
- Banihal pass
- Palghat
- Shenkota
- Thalghat
ANSWER: A
- The Jawahar Tunnel was constructed under which of the following pass?
- Shipki La
- Banihal Pass
- Bara Lacha La
- Rohtang Pass
ANSWER: B
- Which of the following Himalayan pass is situated between India and China?
- Shenkota
- Thalghat
- Bhorghat
- Shipki La
ANSWER: D
- Which of the following is the Trans Himalayan pass?
- Rohtang pass
- Banihal pass
- Aghil pass
- Thaga La
ANSWER: C
- Which of the following pass is located in Western Ghats?
- Palghat
- Jelep La
- Bomdila pass
- Karakoram Pass
ANSWER: B
- Which of the following pass is located between Mumbai and Pune?
- Banihal pass
- Palghat
- Shenkota
- Bhorghat
ANSWER: D
- The land route to the Kailash and the Mansarovar passes through which of the following mountain pass?
- Mana Pass
- Rohtang Pass
- Jalep La
- Shipki La
ANSWER: A
- Which of the following mountain pass has created by the Testa River?
- Nathu La
- Jalep La
- Niti Pass
- Asirgarh
ANSWER: B
- Zoji La pass is in which state?
- Jammu and Kashmir
- Himachal Pradesh
- Ladakh
- Uttarakhand
ANSWER: C
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