Daily GK Update- 2nd Dec, 2022

NATIONAL UPDATES:

 

1. First-ever Tribal Winter Festival held in Bandipora, J&K: A first of its kind, Tribal Winter Festival was organised in Bandipora district of Jammu and Kashmir. This festival was organised by the district administration in collaboration with various departments at Ketson.Aim: To attract tourists and boost employment opportunities. People from Gujjars and Bakerwals (Kashmiri community) have danced together to the beats of dhol (drum). This event has highlighted the customs and traditions of tribals.

A first of its kind Tribal Winter Festival was held in Bandipora district of Jammu and Kashmir on Wednesday, an official spokesperson said.Organised by the district administration in collaboration with various departments at Ketson, the festival witnessed huge public participation, he said.

 

2. Haryana government has launched Nirogi Haryana project: The Haryana government has launched the Nirogi Haryana project across the state. The initial phase of the project began in the District Hospital, Sector 6, Panchkula. The project was inaugurated by Gian Chand Gupta, Haryana Speaker, and Kulbhushan Goyal, Panchkula Mayor. The urban enlisted Antyodaya population would be covered under this scheme. All Antyodaya enlisted families whose income is under 1,80,000 per annum are the beneficiaries for a comprehensive free health check-up followed by required treatment.

About Haryana

Capital – Chandigarh

Chief Minister – Manohar Lal Khattar

Governor – Bandaru Dattatreya

 

3. Supreme Court Bans Two-Finger Test: The Supreme Court on 31 October, reiterated the ban on the “two-finger test” in rape cases, warning that persons using such tests will be deemed guilty of misconduct. Observing that the test was based on a patriarchal mindset that assumed that sexually active women could not be raped, the bench of Justices DY Chandrachud and Hima Kohli regretted that such a method of examination was being used even today.

This court has time and again deprecated the use of two finger-test in cases alleging rape and sexual assault. The so called test has no scientific basis. It instead re-victimises and re-traumatises women. The two finger test must not be conducted. The test is based on an incorrect assumption that a sexually active woman cannot be raped. Nothing can be further from the truth.

 

4. Government-approved Electronics Manufacturing Cluster at Ranjangaon: Union Minister of State for Electronics and Information Technology Rajeev Chandrasekhar announced that an Electronics Manufacturing Cluster is to be developed in the Ranjangaon area of Maharashtra.

The Electronics Manufacturing Clusters will be developed for 500 crores. Electronics Manufacturing Clusters are expected to generate thousands of jobs in the coming years and will attract an investment of over 2,000 crores.Union Minister Rajeev Chandrasekhar informed that the Electronics Manufacturing Clusters have been approved to make Maharashtra into an electronics hub.The government will invest upto 500 crore in this project. The Electronics Manufacturing Clusters project has joined Tamil Nadu, Noida, and Karnataka in making an aggressive pitch to emerge as a powerful electronic hub.

 

5. UP government launched ‘One District One Sport’ scheme: UP CM, Yogi Adityanath has launched One District One Sport (ODOS) on the lines of One District One Product (ODOP) scheme of the government. Objectives: (1) Promoting sports culture and keeping the younger generation healthy, and (2) Providing a platform for sportspersons to nurture talents and skills Under this scheme, one sport will be identified in each of the 75 districts of UP. State govt will take necessary steps to find district-wise sport-specific talents.

Lucknow (Uttar Pradesh) [India], November 30 (ANI): In his mission to promote sports and sportspersons of Uttar Pradesh, Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath has launched One District One Sport (ODOS) on the lines of the highly successful One District One Product (ODOP) scheme of the government.

The scheme serves the two interrelated objectives of the government, including promoting sports culture and keeping the younger generation healthy in the state and providing a platform for sportspersons to nurture their talents and skills in order to take part in prestigious national and international championships and win medals.

 

6. Nagaland celebrated 60th statehood day: Nagaland celebrated its 60th statehood day on 1 December 2022.

It became the 16th State of the Union of India on 1st December 1963.On the occasion, Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio launched ‘SAHYOG project’ of Nagaland Police and also flagged off Nagaland Police Special Operation Group Vehicles.

A framework agreement was signed between the Centre and the Nationalist Socialist Council of Nagalim (Isak-Muivah) in 2015 after over 80 rounds of negotiations since a ceasefire pact was sealed in 1997 to solve the decades-old problem. Nagaland has also hosted the 23rd Hornbill Festival 2022 at Naga Heritage Village Kisama from 1 st-10th December 2022.

 

7. 2 December – National Pollution Control Day: National Pollution Control Day is observed every year on 2 December.

Objective – To raise awareness about pollution control measures and the prevention of industrial disasters. The day is especially observed in the memory of people who lost their lives in the Bhopal gas tragedy of 1984.

 

 

 

INTERNATIONALUPDATES:

 

1. India to assume chairmanship of Wassenaar Arrangement on 1st January, 2023: According to the MEA, India will take chairmanship of the Wassenaar Arrangement for a year on January 1, 2023. At the 26th annual plenary of the Wassenaar Arrangement held in Vienna from Nov 30- Dec 1, 2022, Eoin O’Leary (Ireland’s ambassador) has handed over the chairmanship to Jaideep Mazumdar (India’s ambassador). Jaideep Mazumdar is the permanent representative to the UN and international organisations in Vienna. India joined the Wassenaar Arrangement in Dec 2017.

India will assume chairmanship of the plenary of the Wassenaar Arrangement for a year on January 1, 2023, just five years after joining the 42-member voluntary export control regime that monitors transfers of conventional weapons and dual-use goods.

At the 26th annual plenary of the Wassenaar Arrangement held in Vienna during November 30- December 1, Ireland’s ambassador Eoin O’Leary handed over the chairmanship to India’s ambassador Jaideep Mazumdar, who is the permanent representative to the UN and international organisations in Vienna.

 

2. India assumes the Presidency of UN Security Council for December 2022: India has taken charge as the President of the UN Security Council for December 2022. This is the second time in its two-year tenure as an elected member of the UNSC that India has assumed the Presidency of the Council. Earlier, India had assumed the Presidency of the UNSC in August 2021 The presidency of the Council is held by each of the members in turn for one month (English alphabetical order of member states) Permanent Representative of India to UN: Ruchira Kamboj.

India has assumed the Presidency of the UN Security Council for the month of December. It is the second time in its two-year tenure as an elected member of the UN Security Council that India has assumed the Presidency of the Council. India had earlier assumed the Presidency of the UNSC in August 2021.

 

3. Ghana to assume Presidency of UN Security Council: West African country, Ghana assumes the rotating monthly Presidency of the United Nations Security Council. During the month of November 2022, Ghana shall preside over the meetings of the Council (adoptions, debates and consultations) and, under its authority, shall represent the Security Council in its capacity as an organ of the United Nations. Ghana rejoined the UN Security Council on January 1, 2022. It is the third time Ghana is holding a non­permanent seat on the Council. Ghana was first given the opportunity to serve on the council from 1962 to 1963, and was back for the period of January 2006 – December 2007.

 

4. Sylhet Festival inaugurated by Ministers of India and Bangladesh: G Kishan Reddy (Union Minister of Tourism) and Dr AK Abdul Momen (Bangladesh Foreign Affairs Minister) have inaugurated the Sylhet Festival 2022 at Silchar in the Barak Valley, Assam on 2nd Dec, 2022. The event was attended by Himanta Biswa Sarma (Assam CM), K Hari Babu (Mizoram Governor) It was jointly organised by Ministry of Culture and India Foundation It is being organised in the context of the historical relationship between Sylhet and Barak Valley of South Assam.Union Minister of Tourism, Culture and Development of North Eastern Region G Kishan Reddy and Bangladesh Foreign Affairs Minister Dr AK Abdul Momen will inaugurate the Sylhet Festival 2022 at Silchar in the Barak Valley of Assam today.

 

5. 2 December – World Computer Literacy Day: World Computer Literacy Day is celebrated every year on December 2.

Objective – To encourage digital literacy across all cultures and communities worldwide. The day, which has been observed on December 2 each year since 2001, promotes technological skills amongst groups that have traditionally had limited access to computers, especially children and women. Theme 2022 – Literacy for human-centered recovery: Narrowing the digital divide.

 

 

 

 

OTHER UPDATES:

 

SPORTS

 

1. Stephanie Frappart becomes first woman to referee at men’s 2022 FIFA WC: Stephanie Frappart (French) has become the first female referee at the men’s 2022 FIFA World Cup Qatar. She has taken charge of the group stage game between Costa Rica and Germany, held on December 2, 2022. Neuza Back (Brazil) and Karen Diaz Medina (Mexican) are the other women officials who have been designated for the same fixture. In 2021, she became the first woman to referee a men’s World Cup qualifying match (Netherlands against Latvia).

The French official will take charge of the group stage game between Costa Rica and Germany on December 2. In the process, she will become the first woman to take charge of a World Cup game in the competition’s 92-year history.Brazil’s Neuza Back and Mexican Karen Diaz Medina are the other women officials who have been designated for the same fixture.

 

2. Formula-1 racing: Max Verstappen won Mexican Formula 1 GP 2022: Red Bull driver Max Verstappen finished in first place at the Mexican Grand Prix 2022 to claim his record-setting 14th win of the season. Mercedes’ Lewis Hamilton and Red Bull’s Sergio Perez finished second and third respectively.

 

Verstappen 14th victory of the season sees him pass Michael Schumacher and Sebastian Vettel for the most race wins in a single season in Formula One history. Verstappen is now the most successful driver in the history of the Mexican GP, having secured his fourth title. It was the 34th race win of his career & 14th win of the 2022 season.

 

BANKING AND FINANCE

 

1. Protean and Fino Payments Bank tie-up for PAN card issuance services: Fino Payments Bank has tied up with Protean eGov Technologies (formerly NSDL e-Governance Infrastructure Limited) to expand PAN card issuance services in India (especially in rural areas). With this, Fino become the first payments bank to act as PAN Service Agency (PSA) of Protean and facilitate paperless PAN issuance services. At Fino Bank, people can apply for PAN card through Aadhaar based authentication, without the need to submit or upload any documents.Fino Payments Bank has tied up with Protean eGov Technologies (formerly NSDL e-Governance Infrastructure Limited), a market leader in universal, citizen centric and population scale e-governance solutions, to expand PAN card issuance services in India, especially in rural areas.

The association makes Fino the first payments bank to act as PAN Service Agency (PSA) of Protean and facilitate paperless PAN issuance services. The tie-up allows Protean to expand its reach in the interiors of the country through Fino Bank’s phygital network of over 12.2 lakh merchant points.

 

2. YES Bank acquired 9.9 percent stake in JC Flower ARC: Yes Bank has signed a Share Purchase Agreement (SPA) with JC Flowers Asset Reconstruction Company (ARC), acquiring a 9.9 percent stake in the ARC at Rs 11.43 per share. The 9.9% stake represented 12,370,050 equity shares in JC Flowers ARC at ₹11.43 per share. Yes Bank’s board has approved the sale of stressed loans worth Rs 48,000 crore to JC Flowers. JC Flowers ARC is an asset reconstruction company incorporated on May 06, 2015. As of March 31, 2022, the ARC has a turnover of ₹19.91 crore.

About Yes Bank

Founded – 2004

Headquarters – Mumbai, Maharashtra

MD & CEO – Prashant Kumar

Tagline – Experience our Expertise

 

3. India to receive over record $100 billion in remittances in 2022: WB: According to the World Bank’s Migration and Development brief, remittance flows to India are predicted to increase by 12% to $100 billion in 2022. While Mexico is placed second, followed by China, and the Philippines. This will help India maintain its top spot. The World Bank said the strong growth rate forecast for 2022 was noteworthy given that it came after a surge of 10.2 percent in 2021. Global remittance flows, including advanced economies, are expected to reach $794 billion in 2022. Remittances to low and middle-income countries increased by about 5 percent to over $626 billion in 2022. Remittances to India were enhanced by wage hikes and a strong labor market in the United States and other OECD countries.

About World Bank

Founded – 1944

Headquarters – Washington Dc

President – David Malpass

MD & CFO – Anshula Kant

Chief Economist – Carman Reinhart

Executive Director – Rajesh Khullar   

Member Countries -189

 

AWARDS AND HONOURS

 

1. KIIT conferred Rashtriya Khel Protsahan Puruskar 2022: Kalinga Institute of Industrial Technology (KIIT) has conferred the Rashtriya Khel Protsahan Puruskar 2022. The award was presented by President Draupadi Murmu to Dr Achyuta Samanta (Founder of KIIT and KISS). The award presented to KIIT in recognition of KIIT's sustained focus towards the development of sports since its inception. The University has sponsored the education and training of hundreds of sportspersons (including: Dutee Chand, Olympian CA Bhavani Devi).

 

2. Kerala green start-up Tree Tag bags award in 2022 Climathon: Green start-up of Kerala, Tree Tag has won Climathon-2022 prize, under the category Life On Land. This hackathon was organized by the Kerala Startup Mission (KSUM) in collaboration with EY Global Delivery Services, UNDP, Startup India, Global Shapers Kochi, NASSCOM and TiE Kerala. The winners has received a prize money of Rs 5 lakh. Climathon-2022 has focussed on climate change with the theme of securing a sustainable and climate-resilient future.

A green start-up by climate-conscious individuals from Kerala, striving to reduce carbon emissions through tech-integrated afforestation projects, has emerged first in the recently held Climathon-2022.Tree Tag, the start-up, received Rs five lakh as prize money in the hackathon which was held in Kerala Technology Innovation Zone (KTIZ), Kochi on November 26-27.

 

DEFENCE

 

1. India and Singapore conclude bilateral exercise 'Agni Warrior': The 12th Edition of a bilateral exercise between the Singapore & Indian Army, 'Agni Warrior' has been concluded on 30 November 2022. Location: Field Firing Ranges, Devlali, Maharashtra During the exercise, both armies have showcased the joint firepower planning, execution and use of New Generation Equipment by the Artillery arm of both armies. Aim: To enhance the mutual understanding of drills & procedures and improving interoperability between the two armies.

The 12th Edition of Exercise Agni Warrior, a bilateral exercise between the Singapore & Indian Army, which had commenced on 13 November 2022 concluded at Field Firing Ranges, Devlali (Maharashtra) on 30 November 2022. Exercise Agni Warrior, involved showcasing joint firepower planning, execution and use of New Generation Equipment by the Artillery arm of both armies.

Exercise also included participation by both sides in a joint computer war-game as part of joint planning process. Both sides utilised niche technology and Artillery Observation Simulators as part of joint training phase. Expert academic discussions were conducted on modern trends in Artillery and refinement of Artillery planning process. Indigenously manufactured Artillery guns and howitzers also participated during the final phase of the exercise.

 

2. ICG Advanced Light Helicopter Mk-III commissioned in Chennai: Indian Coast Guard Advanced Light Helicopter (ALH) Mk-III squadron has been commissioned by DG VS Pathaniaon at ICG Air Station, Chennai.

The commissioning of 840 Sqn (CG) is indicative of the leap towards self-reliance in the field of helicopter manufacturing, in line with the government’s vision of ‘Aatmanirbhar Bharat’. A total of 16 ALH Mk-III aircraft have been inducted into the Indian Coast Guard in a phased manner and four of these aircraft are positioned in Chennai. The ALH Mk-III helicopters, are indigenously manufactured by Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL). It will provide a major fillip to the abilities of Indian Coast Guard in the security-sensitive waters off Tamil Nadu and Andhra region.

 

3. Joint HADR Exercise ‘Samanvay 2022’ concluded in Agra: The Annual Joint Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief (HADR) Exercise ‘Samanvay 2022’ has been conducted at Air Force Station, Agra. It is an annual joint multi-agency exercise involving various stakeholders from India and representatives from the Association of Southeast Asian Nations. Defence Minister Rajnath Singh was the chief guest of the ceremony.

Recent Exercise

Ø  A joint military exercise between India-Malaysia “Harimau Shakti-2022” has been started at Pulai Klang in Malaysia

Ø  The 13th edition of the bilateral exercise between the Indian navy and the Royal Oman navy Naseem Al Bahr-2022 organized on the coast of Oman.

Ø  India-Indonesia joint exercise ‘Garuda Shakti’ kicks off in Karawang, Indonesia

Ø  The 3rd edition of the ‘Pan-India’ Coastal Defence Exercise ‘Sea Vigil-22’ has concluded.

Ø  18th edition of India-US joint military exercise ‘Yudh Abhyas’ started in Uttrakhand

 

 

 

 

OBITUARY

 

1. Former President of China Jiang Zemin passed away: Former President of China Jiang Zemin passed away recently at the age of 96. He was the Communist Party general secretary for 13 years. Jiang Zemin was a Chinese politician who served as general secretary of the Chinese Communist Party from 1989 to 2002. He also served as chairman of the Central Military Commission from 1989 to 2004, and as president of China from 1993 to 2003. He was appointed the president after the Tiananmen Square protests. As the general secretary, he has guided China’s rise to global economic power as he welcomed capitalists into the Communist Party. He had also helped pulling in foreign investment after China joined the WTO.