SIPVS Knowledge is Power
- Rank of India Improves in International Tourist Arrivals
As per the UNWTO definition, International Tourist Arrivals (ITAs) comprises two components namely Foreign Tourist Arrivals (FTAs) and Arrivals of Non-Resident Nationals.
The UNWTO in its barometer ranks countries in terms of their ITAs.
So far only the figures of FTAs were compiled in India. However, now India has started compiling the data arrivals of Non-Resident Indians (NRIs), also.
As per the latest UNWTO Barometer for March 2017, Rank of India in International Tourist Arrivals in both 2014 and 2015 is 24 as against the previous rank of 41 and 40 in the year 2014 and 2015, respectively.
With this inclusion the share of India in the ITAs has also increased from 0.68% (based on FTAs) to 1.12% in the year 2015.
- Jordan’s Azraq refugee camp becomes first to run entirely on solar energy
A refugee camp in Jordan has become the first in the world to be powered by renewable energy.
About 20,000 Syrian refugees living in the desert camp of Azraq will be able to use electricity generated by a solar plant.
The new $9.6m two-megawatt solar plant was built by the Ikea Foundation’s Brighter Lives for Refugees campaign and is expected to save $1.5m a year, which the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees will be able to use to improve sanitation, shelters and organise activities around the camp.
- International Museum Day: 18 May
International Museum Day (IMD) is an international day a celebration that held every year on 18 May, coordinated by the International Council of Museums (ICOM).
The theme of International Museum Day 2017 is “Museums and contested histories: Saying the unspeakable in museums”.
- India to host annual meet of AfDB
PM Narendra Modi will inaugurate the annual meeting of African Development Bank (AfDB) on May 23 at Gandhinagar.
It is the first time in the history of AfDB Group that India will be hosting the annual meetings.
The core theme of the event is “Transforming agriculture for wealth creation in Africa”.
The meetings will be held from May 22 to 26.
Points to Remember
The African Development Bank Group (AfDB) is a multilateral development finance institution established by Laston M. to contribute to the economic development and social progress of African countries.
The AfDB was founded in 1964 and comprises three entities: The African Development Bank, the African Development Fund and the Nigeria Trust Fund.
It is headquartered in Abidjan, Ivory Coast. AfDB has 78 member countries.
Akinwumi Adesina is the President of the African Development Bank.
- DRDO chief S Christopher gets one-year extension
Eminent scientist S Christopher was given a one-year extension, till May next year, as chief of the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO).
Christopher is also Secretary, Department of Defence Research and Development (DoDRD). He will continue to hold both the charges for one more year.
Christopher was in May 2015 appointed Director General of the DRDO for a two-year term.
- Indian-origin steel tycoon bags global award in UK
Britain’s Indian-origin steel tycoon Sanjeev Gupta has bagged a top global award for his successful acquisitions and drive to transform the steel industry in the UK, India and beyond.
Gupta, the executive chairman of the Liberty House Group received the title of ‘CEO of the Year’ at the prestigious Platts Global Metals Awards in London.
- PM releases 2 part book series on M.S. Swaminathan
The Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi, has released a two-part book series on the eminent agricultural scientist Dr. M.S. Swaminathan.
The series is titled – M.S. Swaminathan: The Quest for a world without hunger. Several Union Ministers and other dignitaries were present on the occasion.
Praising the dedication and commitment of Prof. Swaminathan, the Prime Minister described him as a “Kisan Vaigyanik” – Farmers’ Scientist; rather than just a “Krishi Vaigyanik” – Agricultural Scientist.
Source :- Daily Current Affairs Capsule
