Daily GK Updates - 3rd December, 2019

NATIONAL UPDATES:

1. Indigenous Faith Day celebrated in Arunachal Pradesh: Donyi Polo Cultural & Charitable Trust and Indigenous Faith & Cultural Society of Arunachal Pradesh celebrated ‘Indigenous Faith Day’ on 1st December. The celebrations were held at Pasighat with religious fervour. The day is celebrated to protect and promote the indigenous faith and tribal tradition to keep the ethnic identity of the local tribes.

Note: Arunachal Pradesh Chief Minister: Pema Khandu; Governor: B. D. Mishra.

2. Labour Ministry to celebrate Pension Week from 30th Nov, 2019 to 6th Dec 2019: Labour Ministry has decided to celebrate Pension Week from November 30, 210 to December 06, 2019. The aims of the Pension Week is to increase enrollments under: Pradhan Mantri Shram Yogi Maandhan (PM-SYM) – aim to enroll one crore beneficiaries by March 2020 and National Pension Scheme for Traders and Self-Employed Persons (NPS-Traders) 50 lakhs beneficiaries for NPS-Traders by March 2020 For this, Minister of State(I/C) for Labour and Employment Shri Santosh Gangwar inaugurated a function in New Delhi.

3. India and ADB Sign USD 206 million loan to strengthen urban services in 5 Tamil Nadu cities: The Asian Development Bank (ADB) and the Government of India has signed $206 million loan to develop water supply and sewerage infrastructure in 5 cities of Tamil Nadu. The loan amount will also be used to strengthen capacities of urban local bodies (ULBs) for improved service delivery.

4. Vice President Venkaiah Naidu Launches “Bharatiya Poshan Anthem” Penned by Prasoon Joshi: Indian Vice President M Venkaiah Naidu launched the “Bharatiya Poshan Anthem”. The anthem has been conceptualised by the Ministry of Women and Child Development. It has been written by noted lyricist Prasoon Joshi and sung by Shankar Mahadevan. The ‘Poshan Abhiyan or National Nutrition Mission’ was launched by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in March 2018 to make India malnutrition free by 2022 by ensuring holistic development and adequate nutrition for pregnant women, mothers and children.

5. Lt Gen P S Rajeshwar takes over as C-n-C of Andaman & Nicobar Command: Lt Gen Podali Shankar Rajeshwar took over as the 14th Commander-in-Chief of the Andaman & Nicobar Command (CINCAN). He is a graduate of Indian Military Academy and was commissioned into the Regiment of Artillery in December 1980. A gunner and aviator, he is an alumnus of the Defence Services Staff College, Army War College and National Defence College in New Delhi and Philippines. He has actively taken part in Operation Meghdoot and Operation Rakshak.

INTERNATIONAL UPDATES:

1. Global Migration Film Festival organised in Dhaka: The Global Migration Film Festival (GMFF) was organised in Dhaka, Bangladesh. The festival screened 15 films on the theme of “migration and its various aspects”. The GMFF was started in 2016 and this year it is being organised across many cities in the world. The festival was organised by the International Organisation of Migrants (IOM) and Dhaka University Film Society with the support of the European Union. The Global Migration Film Festival is a global initiative simultaneously being run in many countries of the world to draw attention to the issues of internal migration, forced migration and climate change-related migration to engage people in a conversation on the issue of migration.

Note: Chief of International Organisation of Migrants (IOM) in Bangladesh: Giorgi Gigouri.

IOM is the UN migration agency established in 1951.

2. NATO leaders meet today to mark 70th birthday of alliance: The leaders of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) meet to mark the 70th birthday of the organization in London. The summit includes receptions at Buckingham Palace and Downing Street plus a working session at a golf resort in outer London. The twenty -nine members alliance is the world's biggest military alliance.

Note: NATO was founded in 1949 for the collective defence of its members, linking the security of the United States with its European allies against the Soviet Union. It witnessed the end of communism, defeating the Soviet Bloc without firing a shot.

3. Ursula von der Leyen takes charge as the European commission president: German Ursula von der Leyen (60-years) took charge as the first female President of the European Commission (EC). Von der Leyen served in the federal government of Germany (from 2005 to 2019) as the longest-serving member of Angela Merkel's cabinet. Prime Minister Narendra Modi has congratulated Ursula von der Leyen. Ms Leyen invited Prime Minister Modi to visit Brussels for the next India-EU Summit.

Note: The President of the European Commission is the head of the European Commission, the executive branch of the European Union. The President of the Commission leads a cabinet of Commissioners, referred to as the college, collectively accountable to the European Parliament.

4. Masatsugu Asakawa elected 10th President of ADB: The Board of Governors of the Asian Development Bank (ADB) has unanimously elected Masatsugu Asakawa (61-year) as its new President. Currently, he is the Special Advisor to Japan’s Prime Minister and Minister of Finance. Masatsugu Asakawa will succeed Takehiko Nakao. Mr. Asakawa will assume office as ADB’s 10th President on 17th January 2020.

Note: The Asian Development Bank (ADB) is a regional development bank established on 19 December 1966. Now, ADB has 68 members. ADB headquarter– Metro Manila, Philippines

5. International Day of Persons with Disabilities: 3 December: International Day of Persons with Disabilities is observed on the 3rd of December every year to promote the rights and well-being of persons with disabilities in all spheres of society and development and to increase awareness. The theme for this year is ‘Promoting the Participation of Persons with Disabilities and their leadership: Taking Action on the 2030 Development Agenda.’

Note: International Day of Persons with Disabilities is an international observance promoted by the United Nations (UN) since 1992.

OTHER UPDATES:

SPORTS

1. Karnataka defeats Tamil Nadu to win Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy 2019-20: Karnataka lifted the Syed Mushtaq Trophy 2019-20 (Cricket) after a thrilling one-run win over Tamil Nadu in the final. This is the second consecutive title win for Karnataka. Karnataka rode on skipper Manish Pandey’s 60 runs (45-ball) to post a total of 180/5 in 20 overs. The encounter went to the last over in which off-spinner K Gowtham was asked to defend 13 runs.

Finals Scores:

Karnataka: 180 (5 wkts, 20 Ov)

Tamil Nadu: 179 (6 wkts, 20 Ov)

2. Indian men’s volleyball team beat Pakistan to clinch Gold at 13th South Asian Games: The Indian men’s volleyball team defeated Pakistan by 3-1 in finals at the South Asian Games 2019 to win gold. The bronze medal went to Sri Lanka. Meanwhile, in the women’s final, Indian team beat hosts Nepal 3-2 to clinch the gold. Here also Sri Lanka won bronze. South Asian Games 2019 is being held in Kathmandu, Nepal from December 1-10, 2019.

AWARDS AND HONOURS

1. Tony Joseph wins 2019 Shakti Bhatt First Book Prize: English author Tony Joseph has won the 12th ‘Shakti Bhatt First Book Prize’. He was awarded for his 2018 book, “Early Indians: The Story of Our Ancestors and Where We Came From“. The book tells the tale of the people of South Asia through research in six disciplines, including path-breaking new DNA evidence. The award was instituted in 2008 and it carries a cash prize of Rs 2 lakh along with a trophy. Last year, the prize was awarded to Sujatha Gidla for her Ants Among Elephants: An Untouchable Family And The Making Of Modern India.

DEFENCE

1. Defence Minister addresses Armed Forces Flag Day-CSR Conclave: Defence Minister addresses the Armed Forces Flag Day-CSR Conclave in New Delhi. He has expressed confidence that the corporate sector will contribute generously to the welfare of ex-servicemen. He said common people had generously contributed to ‘Bharat Ke Veer’ Fund for the bereaved families of soldiers who laid down their lives in the line of duty. ‘Bharat Ke Veer’ Fund was established with the help of the corporate sector that assisted the families of martyred Central Armed Police Forces personnel. The Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) Conclave was a unique initiative of the Department of Ex-Servicemen Welfare, Ministry of Defence to create awareness about the challenges faced by the Ex-Servicemen and how the corporate sector can play an important part in their resettlement and rehabilitation.

Note: Defence Minister of India: Rajnath Singh.

                                                

OBITUARIES

1. Veteran actor Shelley Morrison passes away: Former Hollywood actress Shelley Morrison (83-years) passed away at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center in Los Angeles. She had a long 50-year career and was best known for playing a memorable maid from El Salvador, in the original run of “Will and Grace” from 1999 to 2006, becoming part of a cast that won a Screen Actors Guild award for best ensemble in a comedy series.