NATIONAL UPDATES:
1. PM
Modi inaugurates the Saryu Nahar National Project in UP: Prime Minister
Narendra Modi has inaugurated the Saryu Nahar National Project in Balrampur,
Uttar Pradesh. The project will provide assured water for irrigation to over 14
lakh hectares of land and benefit about 29 lakh farmers, mainly in eastern
Uttar Pradesh. Uttar Pradesh Governor Anandiben Patel, Chief Minister Yogi
Adityanath, Union Minister for Jal Shakti Gajendra Singh Shekhawat, Deputy
Chief Minister Keshav Prasad Maurya were among those present at the project
inauguration programme. About the project:
(1) The project has been completed at a
cost of over Rs 9,800 crore, out of which more than Rs 4,600 crore was
provisioned in the last four years.
(2) The project will cater to the problem
of water shortage mainly in eastern UP/ Purvanchal with assured water for
irrigation.
(3) The Saryu canal project also involves
the interlinking of five rivers — Ghaghara, Saryu, Rapti, Banganga and Rohini —
to ensure optimum usage of water resources of the region.
2.
Karnataka & UNDP signed LoU as a part of ‘Code-Unnati’: Department of
Youth Empowerment & Sports, Government of Karnataka has signed a Letter of
Understanding (LoU) with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) as a
part of the State-level initiative ‘Code-Unnati’ to improve the access to
entrepreneurship and employment opportunities among the youths, including
women. The initiative involves United Nations Volunteers (UNV) and is supported
by SAP India Lab’s CSR Strategies will be implemented in 4 districts of
Bengaluru Rural, Ramanagara, Dakshina Kannada and Raichuru. Fifty colleges,
including government pre-university, ITIs, polytechnics and Arts & Science
colleges, have already been identified to work with the faculty members and
student communities in areas of Training and Capacity Building, Training in the
21st Century & Digital Skills, Entrepreneurship Development, Innovation
Challenges, Boot Camps, Corporate Volunteering and Industry Connect.
Note: United Nations Development Programme
Founder: 1965; United Nations Development Programme Headquarters: New York,
United States; United Nations Development Programme Administrator: Achim
Steiner.
3.
Uttar Pradesh holds the top position in Total Registered EVs: Winter Session of
the Parliament, Nitin Gadkari, Union Minister of Road Transport & Highways,
informed the Rajya Sabha on the state of Electric Vehicles (EV) in India. As
per the data, India has a total of 870,141 registered EVs, with Uttar Pradesh
(UP) holding the top spot with 255,700 registered EVs. UP is followed by Delhi
(125,347), Karnataka (72,544), Bihar (58,014) and Maharashtra (52,506) in
successive positions. The Central Government of India has reduced the Goods
& Service Tax (GST) on Electric Vehicles & related products.
(a) GST on EVs: 5% (previously 12%)
(b) GST on EV Chargers & Charging
Stations: 5% (previously 18%)
Note: Uttar Pradesh Capital: Lucknow; Uttar
Pradesh Chief Minister: Yogi Adityanath; Uttar Pradesh Governor: Anandiben
Patel.
4.
Himachal govt set up General Category Commission: Himachal Pradesh
govt announced setting up a Commission for upper castes, on the lines of Madhya
Pradesh. The Commission, to be named as ‘Samanya Varg Aayog’, will be
formalised through a legislative enactment in three months’ time when the state
assembly meets next in February-March 2021 for the budget session of the House.
A Scheduled Caste Commission is already in operation in Himachal Pradesh and is
chaired by former Shimla MP Virendra Kashyap. As per the 2011 population
census, Himachal Pradesh has a population of 68.56 lakhs of which 19.29 lakh,
which is 25.22 per cent, are SCs, while the other 4 lakhs are STs, which is
5.71 % and other 9.03 lakh are OBCs, which is 13.52%.
Note: Himachal Pradesh Capital: Shimla
(Summer), Dharamshala (Winter); Himachal Pradesh Governor: Rajendra Arlekar;
Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister: Jai Ram Thakur.
INTERNATIONAL UPDATES:
1.
China launches “Shijian-6 05” satellites for Space Exploration: China successfully
launched a new group of satellites Shijian-6 05 into space from the Jiuquan
Satellite Launch Center in northwest China for space exploration and new
technology tests. The satellites were launched by a Long March-4B rocket which
marked the 400th mission of Long March series carrier rockets. The information
about the number of satellites has not been specified. As the message reads,
they will be used for space exploration and new technology tests.
Note: China Capital: Beijing; China
Currency: Renminbi; China President: Xi Jinping.
2.
Indian-American Gautam Raghavan elevated to key White House position: US President Joe
Biden has elevated Indian-American political advisor Gautam Raghavan as the
head of the White House Office of Presidential Personnel. White House
Presidential Personnel Office (PPO), also written as Office of Presidential
Personnel, is the White House office tasked with vetting new appointees. The
PPO is one of the offices most responsible for assessing candidates to work at
or for the White House. A first-generation immigrant, Raghavan was born in
India, raised in Seattle and graduated from Stanford University. He is the
editor of the book ‘West Wingers: Stories from the Dream Chasers, Change
Makers, and Hope Creators Inside the Obama White House’.
OTHER UPDATES:
SPORTS
1.
AIBA rebrands itself as IBA, to secure boxing’s Olympic future: The International
Boxing Association has changed its acronym from AIBA to IBA, promising to adopt
a set of governance reforms so as to keep the sport’s inclusion at the 2028
Olympics. Boxing, weightlifting and modern pentathlon were all left off the
initial list of sports for the 2028 Los Angeles Games and were asked to make changes
by the International Olympic Committee.
Note: International Boxing Association
Headquarters: Lausanne, Switzerland; International Boxing Association
President: Umar Kremlyov; International Boxing Association Founded: 1946.
BANKING AND FINANCE
1.
Bank of Baroda launches bob World Wave: Bank of Baroda (BoB) has launched a
solution for digital banking payments, named bob World Wave. Wearable
technology is witnessing the rise of tremendous interest across the world and
lenders are using this opportunity to adopt the more convenient and cashless
digital payments systems. This is an innovative solution, intended to perfectly
deliver preventive health actions as well as easier payment transactions.
Bank’s on the go wearable payment solution, bob World Wave is designed to
ensure convenient and seamless digital payments by our customers. It is
anticipated that 10% of the small ticket payments will be made via wearable
devices in the next two years.”
bob World Wave: Core features:
(1) The bob World Wave wearable device will
allow customers to monitor their Sp02, body temperature, heart rate and blood
pressure.
(2) With bob World Wave, the Bank is
providing an exclusive 3-months free wellness package along with a personal
health coach, doctor teleconsultation and interactive video coaching.
(3) The device will provide contactless
payments of up to Rs 5000 in all NFC enabled PoS devices. Customers can do
contactless payments above Rs. 5000 using a PIN.
(4) The Bank will also provide a dummy
plastic card (with the same card number printed as that of the wearable device
along with expiry date and CVV) to enable customers to do e-commerce
transactions at ease.
Note: Bank Of Baroda Headquarters:
Vadodara, Gujarat, India; Bank Of Baroda Chairman: Hasmukh Adhia; Bank Of
Baroda MD & CEO: Sanjiv Chadha.
BUSINESS AND ECONOMY
1.
Bajaj Allianz General Insurance starts ‘#Care4Hockey’ Campaign: A leading private
general insurer in India, Bajaj Allianz General Insurance has started its
‘#Care4Hockey’ Campaign to elevate field Hockey’s recognition in India. The
company has partnered with Padma Shri (2020) Rani Rampal, Indian Women’s Hockey
Team Captain, who will be the face of the campaign. ‘#Care4Hockey’ is a one of
its kind campaign which aims to support the development of Hockey in India from
the grass-root level.
About the ‘#Care4Hockey’ campaign: ‘#Care4Hockey’ is
a one of its kind campaign from the Company with a goal to support the
development of Hockey in India from the grass-root level. As a part of this
association, the Company will contribute towards supporting underprivileged
children pursuing hockey in terms of coaching, nutrition, and equipment. With
this campaign, the company hopes to support in the development of hockey at the
grassroots level, thus providing an opportunity for many, in making their mark
in the world and become future role models of tomorrow.
Note: Bajaj Allianz General Insurance
Founded: 2001; Bajaj Allianz General Insurance Headquarters: Pune, Maharashtra;
Bajaj Allianz General Insurance CEO & MD: Tapan Singhel.
DEFENCE
1.
India successfully tests long-range Supersonic Missile Assisted Torpedo: India has
successfully test-fired a long-range Supersonic Missile Assisted Torpedo
(SMART) off the Balasore coast in Odisha. The weapon system is being developed
by the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) for the Indian
Navy. The system has been designed to enhance anti-submarine warfare capability
far beyond the conventional range of the torpedo.
About the system: The system is a
next-generation missile-based standoff torpedo delivery system. During the
test, the full range capability of the missile was successfully demonstrated.
The system has been designed to enhance anti-submarine warfare capability far
beyond the conventional range of the torpedo. This was a textbook launch, where
the entire trajectory was monitored by the electro-optic telemetry system, various
range radars including the downrange instrumentation and downrange ships. The
missile carried a torpedo, parachute delivery system and release mechanisms.
2.
Defence Minister Rajnath Singh inaugurates Swarnim Vijay Parv: Defence Minister
Rajnath Singh has inaugurated Swarnim Vijay Parv commemorating 50 years of
India’s victory in the 1971 war. He inaugurates ‘Wall of Fame -1971 Indo-Pak
War’ at the inaugural ceremony. Swarnim Vijay Parv is an event commemorating
the valour & professionalism of the Armed Forces and their contribution to
the liberation of Bangladesh in the Indo-Pak 1971 war, at India Gate Lawns in
New Delhi on December 12, 2021. The event marks the culmination of year-long
celebrations of 50 years of India’s victory in 1971. The event will be opened
to the public after the inauguration. Many dignitaries, including those from
Bangladesh, will be present.
OBITUARIES
1. Gothic novel author Anne Rice passes away: American gothic-fiction writer Anne Rice, best known for The Vampire Chronicles novel series, passed away. Anne Rice’s debut novel, published in 1976, Interview with the Vampire revolves around a vampire named Louis de Pointe du Lac, who narrates the story of his life to a reporter. Her other works: Pandora, Violin, Christ the Lord: Out of Egypt, The Witching Hour etc.
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