Daily GK Update- 5th Dec, 2021

 

NATIONAL UPDATES:

 

1. Centre appoints Committee to revisit criteria for determining EWS: Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment has formed a three-member committee to review the criteria for reservation for the Economically Weaker Sections (EWS) category in terms of the provisions of the explanation to Article 15 of the Constitution. The committee has been asked to complete its work within three weeks. Former Finance Secretary Ajay Bhushan Pandey will head the committee. The announcement to appoint a committee and revisit the EWS reservation criteria has come after the Supreme Court intervention. The SC is hearing petitions challenging the government notice issued in July which provides for a 10 per cent EWS quota in NEET admissions. The members of the committee are former:

Ajay Bhushan Pandey – former finance secretary, GOI (Chairman)

Prof. V K Malhotra – Member secretary of Indian Council of Social Science Research (ICSSR)

Shri Sanjay Sanyal – Principal economic advisor to GOI (Member Convenor)

 

2. Lt Gen Manoj Kuma Mago appoints to head National Defence College: Lt Gen Manoj Kumar Mago has taken over as the Commandant of National Defence College (NDC), New Delhi. He hails from Ludhiana, was commanding the 10 Corps at Bathinda before being given the assignment at NDC that entails evolving a strategic culture among the country’s senior-most officials of the military, the civilian bureaucracy and the Indian Police Service. Lt Gen Mago, who passed out of Indian Military Academy, Dehradun, was commissioned into the 7th Battalion of the Brigade of Guards in 1984. He later commanded 16 Guards.

 

3. Sanjay Dutt roped in as Brand Ambassador for 50th year Celebrations of Arunachal Pradesh: The Arunachal Pradesh (AP) Government has signed Bollywood actor Sanjay Dutt as the brand ambassador and award-winning filmmaker and branding expert Rahul Mittra as brand advisor of the occasion of their golden jubilee celebrations, marking the 50th year of the naming of the state. Sanjay Dutt launched a media campaign for the month-long celebrations, from 20th January to 20th February 2022 at the Mechuka valley of AP’s Shi-Yomi district. As part of the media campaign, Sanjay Dutt will feature in a series of promotional videos on, Tourism in the State, Initiatives on substance and drug abuse along with youths and also on Serious concerns for the state in recent years.

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

 

4. Narotam Sekhsaria’s autobiography “The Ambuja Story” released soon: Former Vice Chairman/Founder/Promoter, Ambuja Cements Ltd, Narotam Sekhsaria has authored his autobiography titled ‘The Ambuja Story: How a Group of Ordinary Men Created an Extraordinary Company’ which is set to be released in December 2021. The book features the story of his rise from a small-time cotton trader to setting up one of the largest cement companies in the country, Ambuja cement, one of India’s finest companies.

About the book: The year was 1983. A cotton trader, still in his early thirties, began to dream big. His aspiration was to become an ‘industrialist’. The venture he was about to embark on was uncharted territory for him. He knew nothing about cement, limestone or anything remotely associated with it. This book vividly captures that engaging story, the determination and perseverance that went into building one of India’s finest companies.

 

5. Cyclone Jawad to hit Odisha, Andhra and West Bengal: The low-pressure area in the Bay of Bengal is expected to intensify into Cyclone Jawad which is likely to reach the north Andhra Pradesh, south Odisha coasts and some parts of West Bengal. The storm, once developed, will be called Jawad (pronounced Jowad), as named by Saudi Arabia. After Yaas in May and Gulab in September, this will be the third cyclone headed towards the east coast this year.

A rotational list of the names of cyclones is maintained by the World Meteorological Organisation (WMO), with the names specific for each tropical zone. If a cyclone is especially deadly then its name is never used and is replaced by another name. The list has a total of 169 names at present which will be used on a rotational basis.

Note: World Meteorological Organisation Headquarters: Geneva, Switzerland; World Meteorological Organisation Founded: 23 March 1950; World Meteorological Organisation President: David Grimes.

 

INTERNATIONAL UPDATES:

 

1. EIU’s WoLiving Indexrldwide Cost of 2021 announced: Economist Intelligence Unit’s (EIU) has announced the Worldwide Cost of Living Index 2021. According to the Index, Tel Aviv, Israel has become the most expensive city in the world to live in in 2021, pushing Paris, France and Singapore jointly to occupy the second spot with Zurich and Hong Kong at the fourth and fifth spots respectively. Tel Aviv climbed from 5th place to the top in 2021 due to the rising value of the Israeli currency shekel against the US Dollar along with the increase in the price of grocery and transport. Syria’s Damascus was ranked as the world’s cheapest city.

Key points of the Index:

(1) Globally, supply chain issues, exchange rate shifts, and changing consumer demand has increased price on commodities and other goods. Transport acquired the fastest gains in the price index followed by the rising energy prices.

(2) The prices of goods and services have risen 3.5% in 2021 which is doubled to 1.9% in 2020.

(3) Rome, Italy saw the biggest drop in the ranking from 32nd to 48th place, Tehran, Iran rank increased from 79th to 29th place.

(4) Hong Kong had the most expensive petrol prices, at $2.50 per litre. The prices of branded cigarettes went up 6.7% on average.

Worldwide Cost of Living 2021 Index: The Worldwide Cost of Living Index examines the cost of living in 173 cities and measures impactful global events. The cost of the living study is conducted twice a year.

Note: Economist Intelligence Unit Established: 1946; Economist Intelligence Unit Headquarters: London, United Kingdom; Economist Intelligence Unit Global Chief Economist, Managing Director: Simon Baptist.

 

2. International Volunteer Day: 5th December: International Volunteer Day (IVD), also called International Volunteer Day for Economic and Social Development is observed on 5 December every year. International Volunteer Day Theme 2021: “Volunteer now for our common future”. The purpose of the day to celebrate the efforts of volunteers and organizations and offer the opportunity to promote volunteerism, encourage governments to support volunteer efforts and recognize volunteer contributions to the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) at local, national and international levels.

History of the day: The International volunteer day was first observed and mandated by the UN General Assembly in 1985. It was observed through Resolution A/RES/40/212 on 17 December 1985. This day offers a chance to individual volunteers, communities, and organizations in order to promote their contributions to the development at the local, national and international levels.

 

3. World Soil Day: 5th December: World Soil Day is celebrated every year on December 5 to raise awareness of the importance of soil quality for human well-being, food security and ecosystems. World Soil Day 2021 (#WorldSoilDay) and its campaign “Halt soil salinization, boost soil productivity” aims to raise awareness of the importance of maintaining healthy ecosystems and human well-being by addressing the growing challenges in soil management, fighting soil salinization, increasing soil awareness and encouraging societies to improve soil health.

History of the day: In June 2013, the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) Conference unanimously endorsed World Soil Day. It was also adopted officially in the 68th United Nations General Assembly. As a result, World Soil Day was for the First time Officially celebrated on 5th December 2014. The date of 5 December was chosen because it corresponds with the official birthday of the late H.M. King Bhumibol Adulyadej, King of Thailand, who was one of the main proponents of this initiative.

Note: Food and Agriculture Organisation Headquarters: Rome, Italy; Food and Agriculture Organisation Head: Qu Dongyu; Food and Agriculture Organisation Founded: 16 October 1945.

International Union of Soil Sciences President: Laura Bertha Reyes Sánchez (Mexico); International Union of Soil Sciences Founded: 1924; International Union of Soil Sciences Headquarters: Vienna, Austria.

 

OTHER UPDATES:

 

BANKING AND FINANCE

 

1. SBI signs MoU with Usha International for Empowering Women: State Bank of India (SBI) has signed an agreement with Usha International Limited (UIL) for empowering women entrepreneurs by providing financial assistance. The financial assistance will be provided under the Joint Liability Group model. This is the first of its kind collaboration between UIL and SBI in coming forward together for the upliftment of the social and economic status of women entrepreneurs in rural areas of the country by making them self-reliant and providing equal opportunity for achieving financial growth and inclusion. About the MoU:

(1) As per the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed between SBI and UIL, branches of the bank in Uttarakhand, Delhi, Western UP, and NCR Haryana will be financing women entrepreneurs to Usha Silai School to purchase sewing machines for enhancement and up-gradation of technical sewing skills or to purchase thread of clothes, etc. Related to above for running their livelihood.

(2) UIL has already been providing necessary training to these women through USHA Silai Schools across the country.

(3) This relationship will bring a new synergy among the women entrepreneurs and lead towards holistic development, SBI has given the name ‘NAVCHETNA’ to this relationship.

Note: State Bank of India Founded: 1 July 1955; State Bank of India Headquarters: Mumbai; State Bank of India Chairman: Dinesh Kumar Khara.

 

BUSINESS AND ECONOMY

 

1. FASTag toll collection reaches record Rs 3,356 crore in October: Toll collection through FASTag recorded an all-time high of 214.23 million (about 21.42 crore) transactions in October worth Rs 3,356 crore, indicating higher economic and transport-related activities, particularly during the festive season. According to the government data, toll collection through FASTag recorded 193.6 million transactions amounting to Rs 3,000 crore in September, while in August, it had recorded 201.2 million transactions worth 3,076.56 crore. Also, the toll collection through FASTag recorded an all-time high of 122.81 crore.

 

AWARDS AND HONOURS

 

1. V Praveen Rao wins 7th Dr. M.S. Swaminathan Award for 2017-19: Vice-Chancellor (VC) of Professor Jayashankar Telangana State Agricultural University, V Praveen Rao wins the 7th Dr M S Swaminathan Award for the period 2017-19. It is a biennial national (every 2 years) award that was presented by the retired ICAR (Indian Council of Agricultural Research) Employees Association (RICAREA) and Nuziveedu Seeds Limited. It carries a cash prize of INR 2 lakh and a citation.

Highlights of the award: The Selection Committee, headed by former ICAR Director-General, RS Paroda has decided to select V Praveen Rao for the award recognising his contributions in the fields of ‘agricultural research, teaching, extension and administration’. Praveen Rao handled 13 research and 6 consultancy projects on micro-irrigation in India, Israel and South Africa.

About Dr M S Swaminathan Award: This prestigious award was instituted in 2004 in honour of Dr M.S. Swaminathan the main architect of India’s Green Revolution. This award is a lifetime achievement award for outstanding contributions to agricultural research and development and for overall food security and sustainability of agriculture.

The award is open to all, irrespective of his/her nationality.

 

2. ‘Naoroji: Pioneer of Indian Nationalism’ by Dinyar Patel wins NIF Book Prize 2021: A biography titled ‘Naoroji: Pioneer of Indian Nationalism’, authored by Dinyar Patel and published by Harvard University Press selected as the winner of the 4th Kamaladevi Chattopadhyay NIF (New India Foundation) Book Prize 2021. The bookmarked the life events and legacy of Dada Bhai Naoroji. It also contains the historical background of India’s National Movement during the 19th century. The winning book was selected on the basis of a jury’s decision chaired by political scientist Niraja Gopal Jayal, Nandan Nilekani and Manish Sabharwal and historians Srinath Raghavan and Nayanjot Lahiri.

About Kamaladevi Chattopadhyay (New India Foundation) Book Prize: The prize is named after institution-builder Kamaladevi Chattopadhyay who had contributed significantly to the freedom struggle, women’s movement and other fields. The prize is given for the high-quality non-fiction literature on modern and contemporary India and carries a cash award of INR 15 lakh and a citation.

 

OBITUARIES

 

1. Veteran Telugu film lyricist ‘Sirivennela’ Seetharama Sastry passes away: The renowned Telugu film lyricist and Padma Shri awardee, ‘Sirivennela’ Chembolu Seetharama Sastry passed away at the age of 66 years. In 1986 the movie ‘Sirivennela’ directed by K Viswanath made him famous and also gave him a second name as ‘Sirivennela’ Seetharama Sastry. He got the first ‘Nandi Award for best lyricist for ‘Sirivennela’, presented by the Andhra Pradesh state government. Filmfare Award for Best Lyricist- Telugu, Padma Shri (2019) and He won ‘Nandi’ Awards several times.