Daily GK Update- 18th Dec, 2022

 

NATIONAL UPDATES:

 

1. Meghalaya CM inaugurates PA Sangma football stadium: Meghalaya CM, Conrad K Sangmaat has inaugurated a football stadium at the P A Sangma Sports Complex, Dakopgre in Tura. The stadium and the two indoor stadiums are built over a combined area of over 17,000 sqm. The indoor stadiums, along with gymnasium, swimming pool, a table tennis Hall, squash hall and a badminton hall will be ready for inauguration by December 2023. The government has also launched a talent identification programme for athletes.

It was a moment of pride for them as the much-awaited Football Stadium was inaugurated by Chief Minister Conrad K Sangmaat at the PA Sangma Sports Complex in Tura on Friday. The dignitaries present included Health Minister James PK Sangma. A bust of former Lok Sabha Speaker, the late PA Sangma, was unveiled on the occasion.

 

2. Rajasthan’s Tal Chhapar sanctuary gets protection: The famous Tal Chhapar blackbuck sanctuary in Churu district of Rajasthan has received a protective cover against a proposed move of the State government to reduce the size of its eco-sensitive zone. The World Wildlife Fund for Nature has also taken up a major project for the conservation of raptors in the sanctuary, spread in an area measuring 7.19 sq. km. The Rajasthan High Court has intervened through a suo motu public interest litigation to protect the sanctuary.

The famous Tal Chhapar blackbuck sanctuary in Rajasthan’s Churu district has received a protective cover against a proposed move of the State government to reduce the size of its eco-sensitive zone. The World Wildlife Fund for Nature (WWF) has also taken up a major project for the conservation of raptors in the sanctuary, spread in an area measuring 7.19 sq. km.

 

3. AIIMS Delhi campus declared ‘tobacco-free zone’: The All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) Delhi premises have been declared as a “Tobacco Free Zone”. Smoking and spitting of tobacco on the premises of AIIMS Delhi are prohibited and are a punishable offence with a fine of Rs 200. The Director AIIMS has issued guidelines in this regard and mentioned the risk factor for leading causes of death and a number of Non-Communicable Diseases (NCD) including cancers, and lung disorders. Tobacco is a prominent risk factor for leading causes of death and a number of non-communicable diseases (NCD), including cancer, cardiovascular diseases, and lung disorders. AIIMS New Delhi was established in 1956 and is under the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare.

 

4. 18 December – Minority Rights Day: Minority Rights Day is observed every year on 18 December. Objective – To safeguard the individual rights of the religious, ethnic, racial, or linguistic minorities in the country. On December 18, 1992, the United Nations adopted the day as Minorities Rights Day. It is the responsibility of the government to improve minority conditions. The state is also responsible for creating awareness about their linguistic, national, cultural, and religious identity in the country. Theme 2022 – All in 4 Minority Rights

INTERNATIONAL UPDATES:

 

1. India announced candidature for UNSC membership for 2028-29 term: External Affairs Minister (EAM) S Jaishankar announced the candidature of India for non-permanent membership at the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) for the 2028-29 term. India assumed the monthly rotating Presidency of the UNSC in December. This is the second time India got the Presidency after holding the top spot in August 2021. India has presided over the Security Council during its two-year tenure as an elected member. UNSC rules of procedure say that the Council presidency rotates between each of the 15 members of the UNSC in alphabetical order.

 

2. 18 December – International Migrants day: International Migrants Day is observed annually on December 18. This day is observed to guarantee that the rights of migrants are equally respected and not violated.The United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) proclaimed December 18 as International Migrants Day on December 4, 2000. On this day in 1990, the UNGA adopted the International Convention on the Protection of the Rights of All Migrant Workers and Members of Their Families.

 

OTHER UPDATES:

 

SPORTS

 

1. Indian Women's Hockey Team beat Spain to lift 2022 FIH Nations Cup: Indian Women's Hockey team has defeated Spain by 1-0 in the final to win the FIH Women's Nations Cup 2022, held in Valencia, Spain, from 11 to 17 December 2022. Hockey India has announced Rs 2 Lakh for each player and 1 Lakh rupees for each support staff of the Indian Women's Hockey Team.

Indian has also got promoted to the 2023-24 FIH Hockey Women's Pro League. Goalkeeper of the tournament: Savita Punia In Hockey, the Indian Women's Hockey Team defeated Spain 1-0 in the Final to win the FIH Women's Nations Cup 2022 in Valencia, Spain yesterday. Indian remained undefeated during the tournament and also got promoted to the 2023-24 FIH Hockey Women's Pro League. This was the inaugural season of the Women's FIH Nations Cup, with a promotion to next year’s Women’s Pro League hockey up for grabs for the winner.

 

BANKING AND FINANCE

 

1. Sebi issues performance benchmarking guidelines for PMS industry: The Securities and Exchange Board of India (Sebi) has introduced performance benchmarking and categorisation for the portfolio management services (PMS) industry. The move will help investors assess and compare the performance of service providers. This move will come into effect from April 1, 2023. The SEBI has directed portfolio managers to adopt an additional layer of broadly defined investment strategies categorised as equity, debt, hybrid, and multi-asset.

Vora added: “For example, a multi-asset or hybrid strategy that is compared to equity benchmarks might grossly outperform in bear market and underperform in a bull market, therefore misrepresenting the strategy performance. Having relevant benchmarks helps in fair evaluation of the strategy.”

 

2. AU Small Finance Bank joined hands with HDFC Life for bancassurance: AU Small Finance Bank has joined hands with the HDFC Life for bancassurance business model. This partnership would enable diverse customers of AU Small Finance Bank to access the entire range of life insurance products offered by HDFC Life. According to the Swiss Re report (2019), India has the highest protection gap of 83% in comparison to other insurance markets.

HDFC Life MD & CEO: Vibha Padalkar

AU Small Finance Bank MD & CEO: Sanjay Agarwal

This partnership would enable diverse customers of AU Small Finance Bank to access the entire range of life insurance products offered by HDFC Life, thus fulfilling their need for financial protection. The said arrangement will aim to further enrich the Bank's life insurance offering by enabling its customers to access the digital platform and the touch points of HDFC Life for servicing.

 

3. HDFC Securities launches investor education platform ‘Roots’: HDFC Securities has launched a dedicated platform providing comprehensive investor education and market analysis named Roots. It offers multiple forms of valuable information, including articles, bite-sized tips, podcasts by experts, video tutorials and explainers, and live social media feed on the Indian financial markets This platform produces content which are being searched on Google by current or prospective investors and traders.

HDFC Securities CEO: Dhiraj Relli

 

AWARDS AND HONOURS

 

1. India's Sargam Koushal won Mrs World 2022 title: Sargam Koushal (Mumbai) has won the title of Mrs World 2022, after defeating contestants from 63 countries. Mrs World 2021, Shaylyn Ford (U.S.A) has presented the crown to Mrs. Koushal at a ceremony held at Westgate Las Vegas Resort and Casino. Mrs Polynesia was named the first runner-up, followed by Mrs Canada as the second runner-up. India has won this title after 21 years.

Dr Aditi Govitrikar had won the Mrs World title in 2001.

 

2. Tennis player, Rafael Nadal won ATP Fans' Favorite Award 2022: Spanish tennis player, Rafael Nadal has won the Fan’ Favorite singles title at the Association of Tennis Professionals, ATP Awards 2022. Carlos Alcaraz (Spain) has won the title of Most Improved Player of the Year at the ATP awards 2022. Fan’s favourite (doubles): Nick Kyrgios and Thanasi Kokkinakis

Newcomer of the Year: Holger Rune

Comeback Player of the Year: Borna Coric

Coach of the Year: Juan Carlos Ferrero

Arthur Ashe Humanitarian Award: Andy Murray

 

3. NMDC wins IEI Industry Excellence Award 2022: National Miner, NMDC won the coveted IEI (Institution of Engineers, India) Industry Excellence Award 2022 in Chennai, Tamil Nadu. The largest producer of the iron ore in the country was felicitated at the 37th Indian Engineering Congress for its outstanding performance and high level of business excellence.

N R K Prasad, CGM (IE & MS), NMDC has received the award from Dr. K Ponmudy, Minister for Higher Education, Government of Tamil Nadu. National Miner NMDC won the coveted IEI (Institution of Engineers, India) Industry Excellence Award 2022 on Friday 16^th December,2022 in Chennai. The largest producer of the iron ore in the country was felicitated at the 37th Indian Engineering Congress for its outstanding performance and high level of business excellence. On behalf of NMDC, Shri N R K Prasad, CGM (IE & MS), received the award from Dr. K Ponmudy, Minister for Higher Education, Government of Tamil Nadu.

 

DEFENCE

 

1. Missile destroyer INS Mormugao commissioned into Indian Navy: INS Mormugao (D67), second warship of the P15B class of stealth guided-missile destroyers, has been commissioned at Naval Dockyard, Mumbai on December 18, 2022. It was designed by the Indian Navy’s in-house organisation Warship Design Bureau. It was constructed by Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders Limited (MDL), Mumbai. It has 70-km MRSAM system, torpedo and rocket launchers.

The event marked the formal induction of the second of the four ‘Visakhapatnam’ class destroyers. Indian Naval Ship (INS) Mormugao (D67), second warship of the P15B class of stealth guided-missile destroyers, was commissioned in the august presence of Raksha Mantri Shri Rajnath Singh at Naval Dockyard, Mumbai on December 18, 2022. The event marked the formal induction of the second of the four ‘Visakhapatnam’ class destroyers, indigenously designed by the Indian Navy’s in-house organisation Warship Design Bureau and constructed by Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders Limited (MDL), Mumbai.