19-01-22 Daily-Gujarat-GPSC Current Affairs

With increase in yarn prices by almost 70%, backed by rising prices and high export demand, domestic manufacturers of textiles and apparel are losing their competitiveness to international counterparts like Bangladesh and China.

In a bid to let the domestic fabric and apparel manufacturers stay competitive, members of Powerloom Development and Export Promotion Council (PDEXCIL) have sought special export incentives for fabric and apparel makers back Home.

Gujaratis home to some 200 spinning units with an installed capacity of around 50 lakh spindles, according to estimates by All Gujarat Spinners Association (AGSA). According to PDEXCIL members, the government must support MSME exporters by providing intensives in the form of subsidy due to increased cost of yarn, Logistics and raw materials over the past one year.

The increase in cotton prices which has led to the increase in yarn prices was a key issue represented. In the past, Industry players had demanded that yarn exports be restricted so that domestic demand can be met at competitive rates which will help makers stay competitive.

The government has launched a unique awareness campaign in Jammu and Kashmir to increase career opportunities for the union territory’s youth.

Highlights:

In Kashmir, an awareness campaign for growers on the cultivation and processing of aromatic Plants has begun.

Kashmir Valley’s Climate is ideal for growing a wide range of , fruit, and a large amount of plant material that can be used in medicinal and aromatic actions.

Growers took part in the program to raise awareness among youth about the importance of aromatic plant cultivation.

The Indian Institute of Integrative Medicine (IIIM) began an awareness program and the

Department of <a href="https://exam.pscnotes.com/Agriculture-notes-for-state-psc-exams”>Agriculture began a particular awareness program.

The Ministry of Health and Family Welfare recently issued a commemorative postage stamp commemorating the COVID-19 vaccine.

Highlights:

The stamp was issued to commemorate the first anniversary of the National COVID Vaccination Program, also known as the COVID vaccination campaign.

A health care worker is vaccinating a senior citizen on the stamp. The stamp also depicts a COVAXIN vial.

The stamp was created to commemorate the efforts of community workers and frontline health care workers, particularly during the COVID-19 era.

Open Data Week Launched Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs

The Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs initiated Open Data Week, which takes place between 17- 21 January.

Highlights:

It encourages the promotion of innovation in the country’s urban ecosystem. The Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs would publicize high-quality blogs and data sets about intelligent cities throughout the week.

The data will be made available through an open data portal. And over sixty cities have already had success stories published on the portal.

This is undergoing testing and is only accessible to experts.

The Open Data Week will demonstrate the advantages of open data, such as innovation, transparency, and efficiency, as the week has been divided into sections.

The Ministry of Textiles approved 20 strategic research projects in the fields of specialty fibers and geotextiles totaling Rs 30 crores.

Highlights:

These initiatives are part of the government’s flagship program, the ‘National Technical Textiles Mission.’ Four geotextiles () projects were also approved.

A few leading Indian institutes, centers of excellence, and government organizations, including IITs, BTRA, and DRDO, took part in the session, which approved strategic projects for the development of the Indian economy.

These projects contribute to Atmanirbhar Bharat, particularly in Healthcare, Energy Storage, Farming, Industrial and Protective, Fabric Waste Recycling, and Infrastructure facilities.

The National Technical Textiles Mission was established to position India as a global leader in technical textiles and to increase the use of technical textiles in the domestic market.

It intends to increase the size of the domestic market to 40 to 50 billion by 2024.

Raksha Pension Shikayat Nivaran Portal is established by the Ministry of Defense.

Highlights:

Rajnath Singh, the DEFENCE Minister, has established a web Raksha Pension Shikayat Nivaran Portal to address ex-(ESM) servicemen’s and their dependents’ pension-related issues.

On the occasion of Armed Forces Veterans Day, he noted that the portal will allow them to directly file concerns with the Department of Ex-Servicemen Welfare (DESW).

The ministry also announced that the DESW has allocated Rs 320 crore to the Armed Forces Flag Day Fund (AFFDF) to address all backlogs of pending welfare applications, particularly schooling and marriage Awards for ESM widows and dependant children.

A 555.55-carat black diamond known as “The Enigma” was unveiled in Dubai.

Highlights:

It is believed to come from space. Sotheby’s auction house unveiled it.

After a tour in Dubai, the diamond will be begun taking to Los Angeles before being auctioned in London in February 2022.

The number five is significant to the diamond because it has 55 facets. The diamond is expected to fetch at least 5 million Pounds sterling (USD 6.8 million).

Sotheby’s also intends to accept crypto as a form of payment.

The diamond’s shape is inspired by the Middle-Eastern palm sign of Khamsa, which represents strength and protection.