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  • Current Affairs 2nd March 2018

    Updated : 02-Mar-2018

    Current Affairs 2nd March 2018 - Important Points

    • Tokyo 2020 Olympics mascots unveiled  on - 28th February 2018
    • India ranked 47th in Inclusive Internet Index 2018 published by - Economist Intelligence Unit
    •  21st National Conference on e-Governance held in Hyderabad by - DARPG

    Current Affairs 2nd March 2018 - Details

    Tokyo 2020 Olympics mascots unveiled  on - 28th February 2018

    The organising committee of the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games declared that 2 futuristic figures, have been selected as mascots after voting by thousands of Japanese children on February 28th, 2018.
    The voting to select the mascot was held around thousands of schools in Japan. The mascots are focused at improving children's participation in the Games.
    Key Highlights

    • The 3 final designs were selected among 2,042 entrances submitted from all over Japan.
    • The charming mascots defeated the other 2 competing pairs with a vast margin, getting 53% of the votes.
    • The mascots were planned by Japanese illustrator Ryo Taniguchi, who draws characters for language teaching books and organisations.
    • The results were declared in a ceremony at Hoyonomori school in Tokyo's Shinagawa district, which was witnessed by hundreds of students and the mascot artists.
    • About 17,000 primary schools in Japan, approximately 70% of all such schools in the nation, along with few abroad Japanese schools, participated in the voting.
    • The selection panel would be declaring the terms of the mascots during the summer.
       
      Did you know?
    • The organising committee in April 2016 revealed the sanctioned emblems for the Olympic and Paralympic Games.
    • Mascots are significant and famous element of Japanese contemporary culture.

    India ranked 47th in Inclusive Internet Index 2018 published by - Economist Intelligence Unit

    India was graded 47th out of 86 countries in the Inclusive Internet Index-2018, which was published by the Economist Intelligence Unit on February 26th, 2018. The Economist Intelligence Unit was specially made by social media massive Facebook. This year's index enclosed 91% of the world's population and a prolonged data set of 86 nations, increased from 75 nations in 2017.
    Key Highlights

    • The report graded India at the 47th place when it comes to inclusive Internet and connectivity for all because of less use and bad quality. 
    • Among the Asian countries, India presented in the middle at the 12th place from a sum of 23. 
    • India was positioned at the top of the inferior-middle- income brace on most indicators, excluding for availability, where it was graded 13th out of 23.
    • The top 5 in the list consisted Sweden at the first position followed by Singapore, USA, Denmark and South Korea.
    • The bottom 5 in the list consisted Congo at the 86th place followed closely by Malawi, Madagascar, Liberia and Burkina Faso.

    The assessment sections

     Availability: This section assesses the quality and breadth of present infrastructure needed for access and levels of Internet use.
    Affordability: This section assesses the cost of access relative to revenue and the level of competition in the Internet market.
    Relevance: This section assesses the existence and amount of local language and related content.
    Readiness: This section assesses the volume to access the Internet, containing knowledge, cultural acceptance, and holding policy.

    21st National Conference on e-Governance held in Hyderabad by - DARPG

    The 21st National Conference on e-Governance was organised in Hyderabad. This year, subject of the
    conference was “Technology for accelerating Development”. It was held by DARPG, in coordination with Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology.
    Key Points

    • The Conference aided as forum in which Administrative Reforms, Secretaries and Secretaries of
      Information Technology of State Governments, Software Solution providers, industry, IT Managers of Central Governments, and many more took part and exchanged suggestions, discuss issues and problems and also analyse different solution outlines.
    • The Conference also demonstrated best practices, innovative skills and Internet and Computer
      Technology keys. The National e-Governance Awards recognising and endorsing excellence in
      employment of e-Governance creativities by various government branches.
    • The opening session of conference was trailed by three Plenary Sessions related to themes Building User Experience, Universalization and Replication and Governing e-Governance.
    • Apart from this, plenary sessions grounded on e-Governance Good and Best Practices, Emerging Technologies were also apprehended.
      Did you know?
    • E-Governance is one of the topics assigned to Department of Administrative Reforms and Public
      Grievances, Ministry of Personnel, Public Grievances and Pensions under II Schedule to the Allocation of Business Rules, 1961.
    • Department of Administrative Reforms and Public Grievances has been trusted role to encourage e-Governance actions in consonance with the complete national aims and urgencies.
    • Whereas, DeitY’s, under Ministry of Electronics & Information Technology command is to boost e-Governance to empower residents, boost inclusive and maintainable growth of Electronics, IT & ITeS trades.