Current Affairs 1st February 2019

Current Affairs 1st February 2019 - Important Points

• Government announces rise in Research Fellowship on - 30th January 2019
• Martyrs Day is celebrated on - 30th January 2019
• Renaming of Department of Industrial Policy & Promotion by - President
• Minister of Railways Piyush Goyal awarded Carnot Prize by - Kleinman Center for Energy Policy

Current Affairs 1st February 2019 - Details

Government announces rise in Research Fellowship on - 30th January 2019

The Union Science & Technology Minister, Dr Harsh Vardhan, on January 30th, 2019 declared rise in the fellowship of research scholars & acquaintances with effect from January 1st, 2019.
The rise will be applicable for of Ph.D students & other research people enrolled in any area of science & technology, including Physical & Chemical Sciences, Engineering, Mathematical Sciences, Agricultural Sciences, life Sciences, Pharmacy, and many more.
Significant highlights of rise in Research Fellowship

• The rise in fellowship will directly advantage more than 60000 research fellows & also deliver a template to the States to consider rise in their fellowship rates. 
• The Fellowship of the Junior Research Fellows in the 1st 2 years of Ph.D program has been raised from Rupees 25000 to Rupees 31000/month. 
• For the enduring tenure of Ph.D, Senior Research Fellow will receive Rupees 35000/month instead of the current Rupees 28000/month. 
• There is substantial 30-35% rise in the financial rewards for the scientists involved in the Research & Development projects as Research Associates.
• The apex bracket of Research Associateship is static at Rupees 54000 and all the research fellows will also be eligible to House Rent Allowance according to Central Government guidelines.

Renaming of Department of Industrial Policy & Promotion by - President

The Department of Industrial Policy & Promotion has been renamed as the Department for Promotion of Industry & Internal Trade.
Mandate for the Newly Named Department

• The recently named department will operate under the Union Ministry of Commerce. The order released by the President explains that the department would operate with issues related to start-ups, easing ease of doing business among others.
• The theme matter of internal trade which was under the ambit of the Ministry of Consumer Affairs has been relocated to the newly named department.
• With this new mandate, both internal & external business has been brought under one Ministry (Ministry of commerce & industry). This will make sure better co-ordination & benefit in promoting the growth of both segments of the trade.
• For a long time, Confederation of All India Traders Association was asking for a separate Ministry of
  Internal Trade. Confederation of All India Traders pursues the formation of a separate department by merging Internal & external trade is a step forward in the formation of a separate Ministry.

Martyrs Day is celebrated on - 30th January 2019

30th January was celebrated as Martyrs Day to commemorate the brave martyrs of India who have
sacrificed their lives for the nation. January 30th marks the death anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi. On January 30th, 1948, at the age of 78, Mahatma Gandhiji were murdered by Nathuram Godse. Godse thought that Gandhiji favoured the political strains of India’s Muslims during the partition of India.
There were cautions about life threats to Gandhiji, which was declined by Gandhiji to toe the
government’s stand that he needed security. Gandhiji threatened to leave Delhi if defence was thrust
upon him. His followers cite that had he accepted security his murder could have been stopped.
Important Highlights

• On the occasion of Martyrs Day, the President, the Vice President, the PM, the Defence Minister, & the 3 Service Chiefs gather at the Gandhiji’s samadhi at Raj Ghat memorial & amateur wreaths.
• Bugles and a 2-minute silence in memory of Indian martyrs is celebrated across the nation at 11 AM & participants hold all-local prayers & sing tributes in the honour of Martyrs.
• March 23rd which is the death anniversary of Bhagat Singh, Shivaram Rajguru & Sukhdev Thapar is also observed as Martyrs Day in the State of Punjab.

Minister of Railways Piyush Goyal awarded Carnot Prize by - Kleinman Center for Energy Policy

The Union Minister of Railways & Coal, Piyush Goyal has been bestowed the ‘Carnot Prize 2018’ for the
transformational upgradations brought by him during his tenure as Union Minister of Power.
Piyush Goyal during his tenure as Union Minister of Power, coal, new & renewable energy, & mines allowed transformational upgradations in the Power Sector which consists fast track electrification of nearly 18000 villages in few of the most remote & inaccessible parts of the nation, rolling out a comprehensive power sector reform plan  UDAY which is the world’s bggest LED bulb distribution programme, & the world’s biggest renewable energy expansion programme. The prize honours his exceptional service towards reforming the power sector in the nation.
While accepting the award Piyush Goyal declared that government has embarked on an ambitious
program to make sure 100% electrification of Railway’s grid in the coming 5 years.
More about Carnot Prize

• The Carnot Prize is the yearly recognition by the United States-based Kleinman Centre for Energy Policy for illustrious contributions to energy policy via scholarship/practice.
• The award has been named after French scientist Sadi Carnot, who in 1824 issued Reflections on the Motive Power of Fire, which became the basis for the 2nd law of thermodynamics.