BIHAR
NITI Aayog’s innovation index: State finishes last
Bihar has finished last by getting 17th rank in the second edition of the India Innovation Index, 2020 released by NITI Aayog on Wednesday. The state had secured 16th rank in the country in the first edition of the index in 2019.
Interestingly, the overall score of the state has almost doubled in one year from 7.99 in 2019 to 14.48 now, but its rank has dropped one notch. The state has shown improvement on various parameters where it fared badly last time.
The ranking was done on innovation inputs, including five enabler parameters – human capital, investment, knowledge workers, business environment, business environment and safety and two performance parameters – knowledge output and knowledge diffusion. The overall enabler score of Bihar was recorded at 14.43 with last position while in performance, the state stood 15th spot with 14.53 score.
The state ranked last in investment and business environment with 2.49 and 5.17 scores, respectively, while it secured 16th rank in knowledge workers with 3.51 score. In human capital and safety and legal environment, the state has bagged 15th spot with 20.98 and 40.02 scores, respectively. In the performance parameters, the state has ranked 12th.
The NITI Aayog report says that in the offenses under IT/IP related acts, Bihar has tied for the top position with the lowest proportion of such offenses, which can be accrued to low reporting of such cases.
INTERNATIONAL
International Customs Day: 26 January
The International Customs Day (ICD) is observed on 26 January every year.
The objective of this day is to recognise the role of customs officials and agencies and focus on the working conditions and challenges that customs officers face in their jobs.
The day was instituted by the World Customs Organization (WCO) to commemorate the day in 1953 when the inaugural session of the Customs Cooperation Council (CCC) was held in Brussels, Belgium.
In 1994 the CCC was renamed World Customs Organization (WCO).
China surpasses United States as largest recipient of FDI
China was the largest recipient of foreign direct investment (FDI) in 2020, according to a report released by the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD).
China overtook the United States to gain the top position in 2020.
The country attracted $163 billion inflows in 2020, compared to $134 billion attracted by the United States,
However, in 2019, the United States had received $251 billion in inflows and China received $140 billion.
Overall, the global FDI had fallen by 42% in 2020, attracting an inflow of an estimated $859 billion, compared to $1.5 trillion in 2019.
NATIONAL
Nation celebrates 72nd Republic Day
Nation celebrates its 72nd Republic Day on 26 January 2021.
The main function was held at Rajpath in the National Capital where President Ram Nath Kovind took the salute of the parade.
The Republic Day Parade ceremony commenced with Prime Minister Narendra Modi visiting the National War Memorial.
The parade began from Vijay Chowk, as usual, but will culminate at the National Stadium instead of ending at the Red Fort.
This year, there was no Chief Guest from Foreign countries due to the pandemic.
Thirty-two tableaux, 17 from States and Union Territories, nine from various Ministries or Departments and Paramilitary Forces and six from the Ministry of Defence roll down the Rajpath.
India Ranks 7th in Global Climate Risk Index 2021 of Germanwatch
India has been placed among the top 10 most affected countries by climate change, in the Global Climate Risk Index 2021 published by the Bonn-based environmental think tank Germanwatch.
India ranked as the seventh worst-hit country in terms of climate change in 2019.
The Global Climate Risk Index 2021 is the 16th edition of the annual report and has taken into account the data available for 2019 and from 2000 to 2019.
The index analyses and ranks to what extent countries and regions have been affected by impacts of climate related extreme weather events (storms, floods, heatwaves etc.)
Top 3 countries : Mozambique, Zimbabwe and Bahamas were the top three most affected countries in 2019 respectively.
UP becomes first Indian State to have 2 Expressway airstrips for landing & take-off of fighter planes
In Uttar Pradesh, a new 3,300-metre-long airstrip has been constructed near Kurebhar on Purvanchal Expressway.
With this new airstrip, Uttar Pradesh has become the first state in India having two airstrips on expressways.
Uttar Pradesh also has an airstrip on Lucknow-Agra Expressway.
Airstrips on expressways are designed to facilitate emergency landing and take-off of fighter planes.
Joint Tri-service Exercise AMPHEX – 21 held in Andaman & Nicobar
A large-scale tri-service joint amphibious exercise AMPHEX – 21 was held in Andaman & Nicobar group of islands from 21 – 25 Jan 2021.
The exercise involved participation of troops of Army, Navy as well as the Indian Air Force.
The joint force executed multi-domain, high intensity offensive and defensive manoeuvres in the Andaman Sea and Bay of Bengal.
The Ex KAVACH for defence of Andaman & Nicobar Islands was also a part of AMPHEX– 21.
The exercise AMPHEX – 21 was aimed at validating India’s capabilities to safeguard the territorial integrity of it’s island territories, enhance operational synergy and joint warfighting capabilities amongst the three Services.
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