NATIONAL UPDATES:
1. Steel Minister launches first Green
Steel Brand of India: Jyotiraditya Scindia
(Steel Minister) has launched the India's first Green Steel Brand
'KALYANI FeRRESTA' in New Delhi on 20th December 2022. This
first-of-its-kind steel was manufactured by a Pune-based Steel company,
Kalyani group. It was manufactured by using renewable energy
resources, leaving zero carbon footprints in the environment. The plant
where green steel is being produced has the capacity to manufacture
250,000 tonnes of steel. Steel Minister Jyotiraditya Scindia
launched India's first Green Steel Brand - KALYANI FeRRESTA in New Delhi today.
This first-of-its-kind steel has been manufactured by a Pune-based Steel
company, Kalyani group by using renewable energy resources, leaving zero carbon
footprints in the environment.
2. Puducherry aces 2022 Social Progress
Index: According to the 2022 Social
Progress Index, Puducherry has been emerged as the best-performing States,
followed by Lakshadweep, and Goa. Top three performing districts: Shimla,
Solan, and Aizawl The index assesses states and districts based on 12
components across three critical dimensions - Basic Human Needs, Foundations of
Wellbeing, and Opportunity. The report was prepared by Institute for
Competitiveness and the Social Progress Imperative and mandated by EAC-PM.
Puducherry has the highest SPI score of
65.99 in the country, attributable to its remarkable performance across
components like Personal Freedom and Choice, Shelter, and Water and Sanitation.
Lakshadweep scored 65.89 and Goa closely follow with 65.53. Jharkhand and Bihar
scored the lowest.
3. IICA launches programme to create
Impact Leaders in areas of ESG: Indian Institute
of Corporate Affairs (IICA) has launched a programme to create Impact
Leaders in the areas of Environmental-Social-Governance (ESG). IICA is an
autonomous institution under the aegis of the Ministry of Corporate
Affairs. Leena Nandan (Environment Secretary) was the Chief Guest at the launch
of the programme. IICA has also formed a National Association of Impact Leaders
which is a membership-based association only for ESG professionals. Indian Institute of Corporate Affairs has launched a
programme to create Impact Leaders in the areas of
Environmental-Social-Governance (ESG). IICA is an autonomous institution under
the aegis of the Ministry of Corporate Affairs.
4. Dinesh Kumar Shukla appointed as new
chief of AERB: Senior nuclear scientist, Dinesh
Kumar Shukla has been appointed as the chairperson of the Atomic
Energy Regulatory Board (AERB) for a period of three years. He
has succeeded G. Nageswara Rao to the top post.
Prior to this
role, he has been the executive director of the AERB. He was a graduate in
mechanical engineering from the Jabalpur University, Shukla joined the
Department of Atomic Energy (DAE) in 1981.
5. Nitin Gadkari launched Surety Bond
Insurance product from Bajaj Allianz: Union Minister for Road
Transport and Highways Nitin Gadkari has launched one of India’s
first-ever Surety Bond Insurance products from Bajaj Allianz. Surety Bond
Insurance — which will help replace bank guarantees — is expected to optimize
capital for contractors while giving a fillip to the country’s infrastructure
sector. This product launch is in line with the Government’s vision to up-scale
the infrastructure development in the country. In Budget 2022-23, Finance
Minister Nirmala Sitharaman announced that Surety Bond Insurance would be
allowed as a substitute for bank guarantees in case of government procurement
and also for gold imports. Surety Bond Insurance, which is mainly aimed at
infrastructure development, is a risk transfer tool that shields the principal
from the losses that may arise in case the contractor fails to perform their
contractual obligation.
6. Assam government launched Orunodoi
2.0 scheme: Assam government has launched a special scheme
Orunodoi 2.0. The flagship scheme of the state government aimed at providing
financial security to financially disadvantaged families. Around 17 lakh women
have been receiving an amount of Rs 1,250 each on the 10th of every month
through the Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) method under the first phase of this
social sector scheme April 2023 onwards, all the existing beneficiaries of the
Deen Dayal Divyangan Pension Yojana and Indira Miri Widow Pension Scheme would
be subsumed under Orunodoi 2.0. Divyangans and transgenders would also be
included under the ‘Orunodoi’ scheme.
7. Jyotiraditya Scindia launched
India’s first Green Steel Brand: Steel Minister
Jyotiraditya Scindia has launched India’s first Green Steel Brand ‘KALYANI
FeRRESTA’ in New Delhi. This first-of-its-kind steel has been manufactured by a
Pune-based Steel company, Kalyani group by using renewable energy resources,
leaving zero carbon footprints in the environment. The plant where green steel
is being produced has the capacity to manufacture 250,000 tonnes of steel.
INTERNATIONAL UPDATES:
1. UAE to host World Trade Organisation
Ministerial Conference 2024: The 13th
edition of the World Trade Organization ministerial conference will be
held in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates in February 2024. The
WTO’s 12th Ministerial Conference (MC12) took place in June 2022 in
Geneva. For the UAE, hosting the meeting is part of its own push to position
itself as a global hub for business amid growing competition in the Middle
East. WTO was founded in 1995.The WTO is the successor to the General
Agreement on Tariffs and Trade (GATT).
2. Global Food Security Index (GFSI)
2022: India ranked 68th; topped by Finland: The Global
Food Security Index (GFSI) 2022 report has been released by the
British weekly The Economist.
The 11th Global Food
Security Index shows a deterioration in the global food environment for the
third year, threatening food security. In this report, South Africa overtook
Tunisia to become the most food-secure country in Africa. It measures the
underlying drivers of food security based on the following factors-
Affordability, Availability, Quality and Safety, Natural Resources and
Resilience. India is ranked at 68th position along with Algeria with the
overall score of 58.9. China’s position is at 25th with the score of
74.2. While Finland topped.
India was ranked at 71st
position in the Global Food Security (GFS) Index 2021 of 113 countries with an
overall score of 57.2 points on the GFS Index 2021.
OTHER UPDATES:
SPORTS
1. Karim Benzema announces retirement
from international football: France
forward Karim Benzema announced his retirement
from International football after the FIFA World Cup
2022 came to an end. Benzema ends his time with France with 37 goals in 97
appearances.
When Benzema
made his debut for France against Austria in March 2007, he scored while
playing as a substitute. He was included in the France team for Euro 2020, and
he ended up being the third-highest scorer with four goals.
2. Rehan Ahmed becomes youngest to
claim 5 wickets on Test Cricket debut: England’s leg-spinner Rehan Ahmed has become the
youngest men’s Test cricketer to take a five-wicket haul on debut during
the ongoing third match against Pakistan. He made his Test debut at 18 years
and 126 days during Pakistan and England match. He claimed three wickets in six
overs on his way to 5-48 in the second innings against Pakistan. Rehan broke
the record of now-Australian captain, right-arm fast-bowler Pat Cummins, who
was 18 years and 193 days when he took 6-79 on his Test debut against South
Africa in 2011.
BANKING AND FINANCE
1. Leh - J&K bank signs MoU to
provide banking facilities to the UT employees: UT Ladakh and the Jammu and Kashmir Bank Ltd have
signed a Memorandum of Understanding to provide banking
facilities to the UT employees. Under the MoU, J&K Bank would give the
most favoured client status to the UT Administration as well as the active
permanent employees who have their salary accounts in J&K Bank Aim: To
increase awareness about banking facilities
J&K Bank
will also organize various financial literacy camps at its centres for UT
employees. Union Territory Ladakh and the Jammu and
Kashmir Bank Ltd signed a Memorandum of Understanding, MoU, to provide banking
facilities to the UT employees. Under the MoU, J&K Bank would give the most
favoured client status to the UT Administration as well as the active permanent
employees who have their salary accounts in J&K Bank.
2. SEBI to introduce regulatory
framework for 'execution only platforms': Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) has
announced that it will introduce a regulatory framework for
"Execution Only Platforms (EOP)" for direct plans of mutual fund
schemes. The new rules will make make it convenient for investors to make
investment via Execution Only Platforms (EOPs) as well as appropriate
investor protection mechanisms. It will have investor protection
mechanism, cyber security requirements, pricing of services and grievance
redressal. SEBI on Tuesday
said it will introduce a regulatory framework for "Execution Only
Platforms" for direct plans of mutual fund schemes in a bid to further
promote the penetration of such instruments as an investment vehicle.
3. Paytm, HDFC ERGO launches insurance
for digital transactions: Paytm has
partnered with the HDFC ERGO General Insurance to launch a group
insurance plan called ‘Paytm Payment Protect’. Aim: To insure transactions
made through UPI across all apps and wallets.
With the
new insurance offering users would be able to secure themselves
against mobile fraudulent transactions up to Rs 10,000. To avail this insurance, users
need to pay Rs 30 per annum. Higher cover options for cover up to Rs 1 lakh per
annum will soon be added to the product
AWARDS AND HONOURS
1. Sethrichem Sangtam awarded first
Rohini Nayyar prize for rural development: Sethrichem Sangtam (40) has been honoured with
the first Rohini Nayyar prize for outstanding contribution to rural
development. Reason: To triple the incomes of 1,200 marginalised farmers
in Eastern Nagaland. He introduced them fruit growing, prompting the
farmers to change from shifting farming to permanent farming. He
was awarded the prize by NITI Aayog Vice Chairman, Suman Bery. The
award was instituted by the family of late Dr. Rohini Nayyar.
2. Gujarat's Vadnagar, Modhera Sun
Temple on UNESCO sites tentative list: Gujarat's Vadnagar town, Sun Temple at Modhera, and
the rock cut sculptures of Unakoti in Tripura have been added to
the tentative list of UNCESO World Heritage Sites. The UNESCO tentative list is
an “inventory of those properties which each State Party intends to consider
for nomination”.
With the
addition of these three sites, India now has 52 sites on the UNESCO
tentative list.
India has
a total of 40 sites which enjoy the UNESCO World Heritage tag. Gujarat so far has four World Heritage
Sites: Champaner-Pavagadh Archaeological Park, Rani ki Vav (Queen's Stepwell),
Historic City of Ahmedabad and Dholavira. The Wild Ass Sanctuary in Little Rann
of Kutch has been on the tentative list since 2006.
DEFENCE
1. Indian Navy receives
indigenously-built Scorpene-Class Submarine 'Vagir': Indian Navy has received the fifth
indigenously-built Scorpène submarine 'Vagir', of Project - 75
Kalvari Class submarines. These submarines are being constructed at
Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders Limited Mumbai, under collaboration with M/s Naval
Group, France. The submarine would shortly be commissioned into the Navy and
enhance its capability. Project - 75 includes the indigenous construction
of six submarines of Scorpene design.
Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders Limited (MDL) Mumbai delivered the
fifth Scorpène submarine, Vagir of Project - 75 Kalvari Class submarines to the
Indian Navy today. The Defence Ministry said, the submarine would shortly
be commissioned into the Navy and enhance its capability. Project - 75 includes
the indigenous construction of six submarines of Scorpene design. These
submarines are being constructed at Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders Limited (MDL)
Mumbai, under collaboration with M/s Naval Group, France.
2. Indian Navy launches INS Arnala,
first ship of ASW SWC Project: Indian Navy
has launched 'Arnala', first ship of ASW SWC Project at Kattupalli,
Chennai. This ship built by Garden Reach Shipbuilders & Engineers
(GRSE). The contract for building eight ASW SWC ships was
signed between Defence Ministry and GRSE, Kolkata in April 2019. Arnala
class of ships will replace the Abhay class ASW Ships of the Indian
Navy and are designed to undertake anti-submarine operations in coastal
waters and Low Intensity Maritime Operations. Arnala, the first ship of the ASW SWC Project, being built by Garden
Reach Shipbuilders & Engineers, GRSE for the Indian Navy was launched
yesterday, December 20 at Kattupalli, Chennai. She made her first contact with
the water of the Bay of Bengal at 1040 hrs at the launch ceremony graced by Rasika
Chaube, Financial Adviser, Ministry of Defence.
3. Indian forces acquiring 'Pralay'
ballistic missile: The Indian defence
forces will induct 'Pralay' ballistic missiles that can hit targets from 150 to
500 km. Pralay is a quasi-ballistic surface-to-surface missile. Pralay is powered
with solid propellant rocket motor with the capability to destroy
enemy targets within a range of 150 to 500km. The proposal moved by the
Indian defence forces is at an advanced stage and is scheduled to be taken
up for clearance during a high-level meeting. Indian forces acquiring 'Pralay'
ballistic missile for striking targets at 150-500 Km
4. Major General Mohit Seth takes over
as GoC Kilo Force: Major General Mohit
Seth took over as the General Officer Commanding (GOC) of the Counter
Insurgency Force Kilo. He took over from Major General Sanjiv Singh Slaria who
has been moved to Northern Command headquarters in Udhampur, Major General
Slaria’s tenure saw the Kilo Force take distinctive steps towards peace and
stability in North Kashmir. Major General Seth was commissioned into the 3
MADRAS Regiment in December 1991. Major General Mohit Seth has also served as
Indian Army Liaison Officer, High Commission of India, and United Kingdom.
5. INSV Tarini to participate in 50th
edition of Cape Town to Rio Race 2023: INSV
Tarini has set sail for an expedition to Cape Town, South Africa for
participating in the 50th edition of Cape to Rio Race 2023. This ocean
sailing race will be flagged off on 2nd January 2023 from Cape Town and will
culminate at Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. Objective – To train crew onboard, in
essential seamanship skills including Navigation, Communication, and Planning.
During the expedition,
while transiting from Goa to Rio de Janeiro via Cape Town and back, INSV Tarini
would be covering a distance of almost 17000 nautical miles. The crew, over a
period of 5-6 months in this trans-oceanic voyage is expected to face extreme
weather and rough sea conditions of the Indian, Atlantic, and Southern oceans.
INSV Tarini is known for circumnavigating the globe with an all-women officer crew in the historic expedition titled ‘Navika Sagar Parikrama’ in 2017.
No comments:
Post a Comment