National
‘Banking on Electric Vehicles in India’ Report
⇒ NITI Aayog, Rocky Mountain Institute (RMI), and RMI India released a report, titled ‘Banking on Electric Vehicles in India’ on 21 January 2022. It outlines the importance of priority-sector recognition for retail lending in the electric mobility ecosystem.
- The report provides considerations and recommendations to inform the inclusion of EVs in the Reserve Bank of India’s priority-sector lending guidelines.
Key Points:
» Banks and non-banking financial companies (NBFCs) in India have the potential to achieve an electric vehicle (EV) financing market size of Rs 40,000 crore (USD 5 billion) by 2025 and Rs 3.7 lakh crore (USD 50 billion) by 2030.
» Priority-sector lending aims to expand financial access and support employment opportunities in India.
- In order to meet these goals, the report highlights that the RBI may consider various EV segments and use cases based on five parameters:
- Socio-economic potential
- Livelihood generation potential
- Scalability
- Techno-economic viability
- Stakeholder acceptability
» The report indicates that electric two-wheelers, three-wheelers, and commercial four-wheelers are early segments to prioritise under PSL.
» To maximise the impact of the inclusion of EVs, the report also recommends a clear sub-target and penalty mechanism for priority sector lending to renewable energy and EVs.
» Furthermore, it suggests recognition of EVs as an infrastructure sub-sector by the Ministry of Finance and the incorporation of EVs as a separate reporting category under the RBI.
Flame at Amar Jawan Jyoti merged with the eternal flame at National War Memorial
⇒ In a befitting solemn ceremony held on 21 January 2022, the flame at Amar Jawan Jyoti was merged with the eternal flame at National War Memorial with full military honours.
About:
- National War Memorial was inaugurated and dedicated to the Nation by the Hon’ble Prime Minister on 25 Feb 2019.
- The Memorial stands testimony to the sacrifices made by our gallant soldiers since Independence. The Memorial houses the eternal flame which exemplifies the supreme sacrifice made by a soldier in the line of duty thus making him immortal.
- Since its inauguration, all homage ceremonies are being conducted only at the National War Memorial, including those on National Days.
Chairman of ICHR
⇒ Professor Emeritus, Kurukshetra University Raghuvendra Tanwar has been appointed as the chairman of the Indian Council of Historical Research (ICHR), New Delhi.
The Union Ministry of Education issued a notification on 5 January 2022 to appoint Professor Tanwar as the Chairman of ICHR for three years.
The primary aim of ICHR is to promote historical research, and encourage scientific and objective writing of history.
India’s oldest sloth bear, Gulabo, died
⇒ India’s oldest sloth bear, fondly named Gulabo, died in January 2022 at the age of 40 at the Van Vihar National Park and Zoo in Bhopal. The female sloth bear, who was rescued from a Madaari or street performer in May 2006 at the age of 25 years.
Van Vihar National Park is situated on the banks of Upper Lake of Bhopal. It runs a rescue and breeding centre for sloth bears.
India’s first sanitary napkin-free village
⇒ Kerala Governor Arif Mohammad Khan on 13 January 2022 declared Kumbalangi, a small village in Ernakulam district, as the India’s first sanitary napkin-free village.
Under campaign “Avalkayi”, more than 5,000 menstrual cups have been distributed among girls and women and they have been given training by volunteers for three months about their use and advantages.
Ernakulam MP Hibi Eden initiated the “Avalkayi” campaign under the Pradan Mantri Sansad Adarsh Gram Yogana. Indian Oil Corporation and Hindustan Lifecare Limited Management Academy (through ‘Thingal’ scheme) are partners in it. The campaign aims at making women aware of advantages of menstrual cups and dispelling their fears.
Kumbalangi, an island village on the outskirts of Kochi surrounded by backwaters, is the first eco-tourism village of the country and known for its traditional Chinese nets.
10th Chairman of ISRO
Eminent rocket scientist S Somanath has been appointed the new chairman of the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) as well as the Space Secretary. Mr Somanath is the 10th chairman of ISRO.
His appointment as the Space Secretary and the Space Commission Chairman is for a combined tenure of three years from the date of joining of the post.
Sports
ICC Players of the Month for February 2022
⇒ Attacking India batter Shreyas Iyer and star New Zealand all-rounder Amelia Kerr have been voted ICC Players of the Month for February 2022.
ICC Men’s Player of the Month, February 2022: Shreyas Iyer
ICC Women’s Player of the Month, February 2022: Amelia Kerr
2022 Australian Open Grand Slam tennis tournament
⇒ The 2022 Australian Open Grand Slam tennis tournament was held from 17 to 30 January, 2022 at Melbourne Park, Victoria, Australia. It was the 110th edition of the Australian Open.
Read More About 2022 Australian Open Grand Slam Tennis Tournament
Important Day
Statehood Day
⇒ Manipur, Meghalaya and Tripura celebrated their Statehood Day on 21st January.
- In 1972, these three states became full-fledged states under the North Eastern Region (Reorganisation) Act, 1971.
Death
European Parliament President David Sassoli
⇒ European Parliament President David Sassoli died in Italy on 11 January 2022.
David Maria Sassoli was an Italian politician and journalist. He served as the president of the European Parliament from 3 July 2019 until his death on 11 January 2022.