By: D.K. Choudhary
PM Modi Inaugurates Second Raisina Dialogue in New Delhi
i. Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi inaugurated the second edition of Raisina Dialogue in New Delhi on January 17, 2017. The conference has been organized by the Ministry of External Affairs and Delhi based prestigious think tank Observer Research Foundation.
ii. The theme of the three day conference is “The New Normal: Multilateralism in a multipolar world”.
iii. More than 250 participants from 65 countries attended the flagship geo-political conference.
iv. PM Modi highlighted that India’s economic development is deeply impacted by the developments in the world and vice-versa. World needs India’s sustained rise as much as India needs world’s rise. India’s economic and political rise represents a regional and global opportunity of great significance.
58th India International Garment Fair Begins in New Delhi
i. The 58th edition of India International Garment Fair (IIGF) was inaugurated by the Union Textiles Minister Smriti Zubin Irani on January 18, 2017 in New Delhi. The three day long fair has been organized by Apparel Export Promotion Council India.
ii. The events is Asia’s largest apparel Fair providing a platform for the overseas buyers to source garments products and develop business relationships with India in the apparel and fashion accessories sector.
iii. The Fair will witness a total of 312 participants from 14 states including Rajasthan, Maharashtra, Delhi, Uttar Pradesh, West Bengal, Haryana, Tamil Nadu, Punjab, Gujarat and Karnataka.
iv. The sellers would showcase products ranging from women’s wear, accessories, kids wear and menswear. Besides, the event will also have theme pavilion and best display awards and fashion shows.
About India International Garment Fair (IIGF)
♦ The India International Garment Fair was started in 1988. The objective of the event is to showcase the latest trends in garment and fashion accessories and to leverage brand India across the globe.
10th Jaipur Literature Festival (JLF) Begins in Jaipur
i. The 10th edition of the Jaipur Literature Festival (JLF) was inaugurated on January 
19, 2017 at the historic Diggi Palace, Jaipur, Rajasthan jointly by Chief Minister Vasundhara Raje, veteran lyricist Gulzar, American poet Anne Waldman and spiritual writer Sadhguru Jaggi Vasudev.
ii. The theme of the 10th edition of JLF is The Freedom to Dream: India at 70. JLF is considered as the ‘Greatest Literary Show on Earth’
iii. The five day event would see the participation by over 250 authors, thinkers, politicians, popular culture icons, speakers, connoisseurs, book lovers among others.
J&K Assembly Unanimously Passes Resolution for Return of Kashmiri Migrants to Valley
i. The Jammu & Kashmir Assembly unanimously passed a resolution on January 19, 2017 for the return of Kashmiri Pandits and other migrants to the Valley.
ii. Hundreds of Kashmiri Pandit families had left the Valley when militancy broke out in 1989.
iii. Former Chief Minister and National Conference (NC) working president Omar Abdullah had proposed to J&K government to move a resolution to favour the return of all sections of people who have migrated in the last 27 years.
iv. The assembly agreed upon creation of good conducive atmosphere for the safe return of the Kashmiri migrants to the valley
Karnataka allows sale of white kerosene in open market
i. Karnataka government lead by Siddaramaiah , has decided to allow the sale of white kerosene in open market. An official order was issued by State Food and Civil Supplies Minister UT Khader on January 18, 2017
ii. The dealers who have interest in selling white kerosene in open market can approach the office of the Food and Civil Supplies in their districts.
Entrepreneurship Development Scheme inaugurated in Mizoram
The Entrepreneurship Development Scheme (EDS) was launched under the New Economic Development Policy (NEDP) by Lalmalsawma in Mizoram, Mizoram Chief Secretary on January 19, 2017.
♦ The State government has allocated Rs.2 Crore for New Economic Development Policy (NEDP)
Benefits of EDS :
i. EDS would be instrumental in the state government’s efforts to achieve market economy from subsistence economy.
ii. It could be instrumental in implementation of 17 Sustainable Development Goals of the United Nations with minimum harm to the environment.
Mizoram :
♦ Under British rule, Mizoram was a part of Assam Province under the name Lushai Hills district and Aizawl was its headquarters.
♦ Mizoram is landlockd with three other states – Assam in north, Manipur in northeast and Tripura in southwest. Mizoram shares international borders with two countries Myanmar in east and Bangladesh in west.
Indian Railways Unveils ‘Mission 41K’ to Save Energy Worth Rs 41,000 crore
i. The Union Railway Minister Suresh Prabhu launched ‘Mission 41K’ on January 17, 2017 to revamp the existing railway system.
ii. The mission aims to save the Indian Railways’ expenditure of Rs 41,000 crore on energy
consumption over the next 10 years.
iii. To achieve this target, the railway has planned a series of measures that includes: switching over 90 percent of traffic to electric traction from diesel, procure electricity at cheaper rates through open market instead of sourcing it through DISCOMs. This would save about 25 percent of energy expenses.
iv. Besides, the railway is exploring new technologies to bring down electric consumption. The railways have already set a target of generating 1000 MW of solar power and 200 MW of wind energy in the last Budget.
Govt inks MoU to set up 1,000 ‘Janaushadhi Kendras’
i. The Bureau of Pharma PSUs of India (BPPI) has signed Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the National Yuva Cooperative Society to set up 1,000 ‘Janaushadhi Kendras‘ under the Pradhan Mantri Bhartiya Janaushadhi Pariyojana (PMBJP) scheme. This was announced by Chemicals and Fertilisers Minister Ananth Kumar.
ii. Aim : To provide medicines at an affordable price.
iii. The central government has targeted to open 3,000 such centers across India by the end of this fiscal year. Nearly 750 Janaushadhi Kendras are opened still now.
iv. Janaushadhi Kendras will be opened in each block and Gram Panchayat
Govt gets 45 initial bids for more than 200 regional routes
i. The Airports Authority of India (AAI) has received 45 initial proposals coming in from 11 bidders covering more than 200 regional routes under Regional Connectivity Scheme (RCS) said by Civil Aviation Minister P. Ashok Gajapathi Raju on January 18, 2017.
ii. These proposals will cover 65 airports out of of which 52 are unserved and 13 are underserved airports.
Regional Connectivity Scheme (RCS) :
♦ The Regional Connectivity Scheme, UDAN (Ude Desh ka Aam Naagrik) was launched on October, 2016 to enhance air passenger traffic in the country by stimulating demand on regional routes.
♦ It will be in operation for a period of 10 years.
