NATIONAL UPDATES:
1.
NITI Aayog releases ‘Vision 2035: Public Health Surveillance in India’: NITI Aayog has
released a white paper titled ‘Vision 2035: Public Health Surveillance in
India’ on 14 December 2020. The ‘Vision 2035: Public Health Surveillance in
India’ is a continuation of the work on Health Systems Strengthening. The
building blocks for this vision are an interdependent federated system of
governance between the Centre and states. About the “Vision 2035: Public Health
Surveillance in India”:
(1) The vision of this white paper is to
make India’s public health surveillance system more responsive and predictive
to enhance preparedness for action at all levels.
(2) The citizen-friendly public health
surveillance system will ensure individual privacy and confidentiality, enabled
with a client feedback mechanism.
(3) India aims to provide regional and
global leadership in managing events that constitute a public health emergency
of international concern.
(4) Public health surveillance (PHS) is an
important function, requiring primary, secondary, and tertiary levels of care.
(5) The white paper lays out India’s vision
of 2035 for public health surveillance through the integration of the
three-tiered public health system into Ayushman Bharat.
Note: Chief Executive Officer of NITI
Aayog: Amitabh Kant; Chairperson of NITI Aayog: PM Narendra Modi.
2.
9th Sustainable Mountain Development Summit held in Dehradun: The 9th edition of
Sustainable Mountain Development Summit (SMDS) held in Dehradun, Uttarakhand.
The four-day-long summit was organised by Indian Mountain Initiative (IMI) and
hosted by Sustainable Development Forum Uttaranchal (SDFU), Dehradun. The theme
for 2020 SMDS was ‘Emerging Pathways for Building a Resilient Post COVID-19
Mountain Economy, Adaptation, Innovation and Acceleration’.
About the Summit: The Summit deliberated on
issues such as migration, water security, climate resilience and innovative
solutions for the farm sector, and disaster risk reduction in the Indian
Himalayas. The focus of the summit was on building pathways toward a resilient
and sustainable mountain economy in the context of a post-COVID-19 scenario and
Climate Change.
3.
Ola to set up world’s largest scooter factory in Tamil Nadu: The
SoftBank-backed mobility platform, Ola has signed a Memorandum of Understanding
(MoU) with the Tamil Nadu government, to set up its first factory in the state,
at an investment of Rs 2,400 crore. Upon completion, the Ola factory in Tamil
Nadu will be the largest scooter manufacturing facility in the world.
Initially, the factory will have an annual manufacturing capacity of 2 million
units.
The factory is in line with Prime Minister
Narendra Modi’s vision of an AtmaNirbhar Bharat and will make India a
manufacturing hub for two-wheeled electric vehicles. The new factory will also
reduce the dependence of India on import of electric vehicles, boost local
manufacturing, create jobs and also improve the technical expertise in the
country.
Note: Tamil Nadu Capital: Chennai; Tamil
Nadu Chief Minister: Edappadi K. Palaniswami; Tamil Nadu Governor: Banwarilal
Purohit.
4.
Maharashtra Cabinet clears draft bill for proposed ‘Shakti Act’: The Maharashtra
Cabinet approved the introduction of two draft bills pertaining to the
prevention of incidents of violence and atrocities against women and children
in the state. The “Maharashtra Shakti Criminal Law (Maharashtra Amendment)
Bill, 2020” has been drafted along the lines of the Andhra Pradesh Disha Act
Criminal Law (AP Amendment) Act, 2019. Once passed by the state legislature it
will be called the “Shakti Act”. The second draft bill, which is meant for the
implementation of the Shakti legislation, has been named as Special Court and
Machinery for Implementation of Maharashtra Criminal Law, 2020.
5.
World class incubation centre in offing in Maharashtra: In a bid to
provide basic amenities and conducive atmosphere to new entrepreneurs, a world
class incubation centre is in the offing in Maharashtra. The state government
would sign a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with the Cornell University from
New York, USA for setting up the incubation centre. With this, Maharashtra will
become the first state in the country to come up with such a centre. The
incubation centre will come up at Ghansoli in Navi Mumbai on a thirteen
thousand square feet land. Besides, it will cost seven crore rupees annually to
implement the project. A financial provision of five crore rupees has been done
from the Maharashtra Industrial Development Board. While the remaining fund of
one crore rupees each will be allocated from the social justice department and
tribal development department.
6. A
book titled ‘Dharma’ authored by Amish Tripathi: The 2nd
non-fiction book by author Amish Tripathi is titled “Dharma: Decoding the Epics
for A Meaningful Life”. The book offers practical, philosophical lessons drawn
from ancient Hindu epics. It is co-authored by his sister Bhavana Roy. It is to
be published by Westland. His last non-fiction book ‘Immortals India’ was
launched in 2017.
INTERNATIONAL UPDATES:
1.
India provides US$ 2 million to UNRWA for Palestinian Refugees: India contributed
another USD 2 million to the UN Palestine refugee agency, fulfilling its
commitment of USD five million in aid annually to support its programmes and
services, including education, health care, relief and social services for
Palestinian refugees. The USD 2 million cheque was presented to UNRWA by
Representative of India in Palestine, Sunil Kumar, bringing New Delhi’s total
contribution to the agency providing basic services to Palestinian refugees to
USD 5 million in 2020
2.
Sabrina Filzmoser and Flavio Canto appointed IJF Climate Ambassadors: Austria’s Sabrina
Filzmoser and Brazil’s Flavio Canto have been appointed as International Judo
Federation (IJF) climate ambassadors by IJF President Marius Vizer, in a bid to
spread the message of environmentalism. The pair is now expected to talk about
global warming and use judo as a positive influence in delivering this message.
OTHER UPDATES:
SPORTS
1.
Odisha to host 2023 FIH Men’s Hockey World Cup: The International
Hockey Federation (FIH) had announced that the 2023 FIH Men’s Hockey World Cup
will be hosted in Odisha, for a second consecutive time. The tournament will be
held at two venues, Bhubaneswar and Rourkela. The Men’s Hockey World Cup 2018
was also hosted by Odisha. The 2023 tournament will be 15th edition of the
Men’s FIH Hockey World Cup. It will be held at the Kalinga Stadium in
Bhubaneswar and at the Biju Patnaik Hockey Stadium in Rourkela. FIH Hockey
World Cup is held after every four years.
Note: Chief Minister of Odisha: Naveen
Patnaik; Odisha Capital: Bhubaneswar; Odisha Governor: Ganeshi Lal.
BANKING AND FINANCE
1.
Max Life Insurance launches critical illness rider and a wellness app: Max Life Insurance
Company Ltd. announced the launch of ‘Max Life Critical Illness and Disability
Rider’ along with ‘Max Fit’ — a comprehensive wellness programme. Max Life’s
newly launched ‘Max Life Critical Illness and Disability Rider’ provides
comprehensive financial protection against a range of critical illnesses and
disability. With many critical illnesses linked to lifestyle related habits,
Max Life wants customers to stay fit, active and maximise their personal health
and wellbeing. Max Fit is a wellness app designed to lead customers on a path
of protection through holistic fitness and wellness. In line with the company’s
brand philosophy of “#YouAreTheDifference”, the app promises to provide patrons
with a unique and exciting opportunity to work towards a healthier lifestyle
with the ultimate aim of helping them realise that health is their biggest
asset.
BUSINESS AND ECONOMY
1.
CRISIL slows contraction rate for India at -7.7% in FY21: Rating agency
CRISIL has lowered the contraction rate of India’s GDP and now expects the
growth rate of the Indian economy to contract 7.7% in the ongoing fiscal
2020-21, compared to the 9% forecast in September 2020, due to
“faster-than-expected” recovery in the second quarter. For the fiscal 2021-22
(FY22), CRISIL expects the growth to bounce back to 10%.
AWARDS AND HONOURS
1.
Myanmar’s Paul Sein Twa receives Goldman Environmental Prize 2020: International Union
for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Asia Regional Office awarded Paul Sein Twa,
for Goldman Environmental Prize 2020 for Asia. This award is given to him for
his efforts in promoting the self-determination of the Karen people in managing
their natural resources.
About Paul Sein Twa: Paul is the co-founder
of the Karen Environmental and Social Action Network (KESAN), established in
2001. Paul and his team at KESAN supported Karen indigenous communities in
establishing the Salween Peace Park in Myanmar and on the border of Thailand.
The Peace Park represents a unique
community-based approach to conservation in one of Asia’s biodiversity
hotspots. The Salween Basin is home to vast stretches of teak forests, teeming
with tigers, sun bears, and clouded leopards.
About Goldman Environmental Prize: The
Goldman Environmental Prize is one of the most prestigious environmental prizes
awarded annually to grassroots environmental activists, one from each of the
world’s six geographic regions: Africa, Asia, Europe, Islands and Island
Nations, North America, and South and Central America.
Note: Director-General of International
Union for Conservation of Nature: Dr Bruno Oberle.
International Union for Conservation of
Nature Headquarters: Gland, Switzerland; International Union for Conservation
of Nature Founder: Julian Huxley; International Union for Conservation of
Nature Founded: 5 October 1948.
DEFENCE
1.
GRSE Kolkata launches ‘Himgiri’, its 1st Ship of Project 17A: Himgiri, which is
the first of the three Project 17A ships being built at Garden Reach
Shipbuilders and Engineers Limited (GRSE), Kolkata was launched. The launch of
‘Himgiri’ has showcased GRSE’s commitment towards the building of three
state-of-the-art warships of P17A for Indian Navy.
Under the Project 17A program, a total of
seven ships, four at Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders Limited (MDL) and three ships at
GRSE are being built with enhanced stealth features, advanced indigenous weapon
and sensor fit along with several other improvements. P17A ships are the first
gas turbine propulsion and largest combat platforms ever built at GRSE. Since
its inception, Project 17A has upheld India’s vision for Atmanirbhar Bharat.
OBITUARIES
1.
Dance Pioneer and Padma Shri Awardee Astad Deboo passes away: Astad Deboo, the
pioneer of contemporary dance in India, and a recipient of the prestigious
Padma Shri and Sangeet Natak Akademi awards, passed away after a brief illness.
He was 73. Deboo trained in Kathak as well as Kathakali and went on to combine
the two classical dance forms to create a unique fusion dance form, earning the
tag of ‘pioneer of modern dance in India’. Throughout his long and illustrious
career, he worked with various prominent performers such as Pina Bausch, Alison
Becker Chase and Pink Floyd, and performed in many parts of the world. He was
awarded the Sangeet Natak Akademi Award in 1996 and Padma Shri in 2007.
2.
Veteran Congress Leader Ram Lal Rahi passes away: Veteran Congress
leader and former Union minister Ram Lal Rahi died at a hospital in Uttar
Pradesh’s Sitapur district. He was 86. In his long political career, Rahi was
elected four times from the Misrikh Lok Sabha seat and twice from the Hargaon
seat, where the incumbent BJP MLA is his son Suresh Rahi. He served as the
minister of state for Home Affairs in the Narsimha Rao government in the
nineties.
3. ‘Hind Kesari’-winning wrestler Sripati Khanchanale passes away: Noted Indian wrestler, Sripati Khanchanale, who had won the prestigious ‘Hind Kesari’ title in 1959, passed away. In 1959, Khanchanale won the ‘Hind Kesari’ title by defeating wrestler Rustam-e-Punjab Battasingh at the New Railway Stadium in Delhi. The prestigious ‘Hind Kesari’ title commands the highest respect in the Indian wrestling world. He was also a recipient of the Shiv Chhatrapati award, which is given by the Maharashtra government.
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