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Monday, December 23, 2024

Daily GK Update- 23rd Dec, 2024

 NATIONAL UPDATES:

 

1. Environment Minister Bhupendra Yadav releases India State of Forest Report 2023: Minister for Environment, Forest and Climate Change, Bhupender Yadav released the ‘India State of Forest Report 2023 (ISFR 2023) at Forest Research Institute,The ISFR has been brought out by the Forest Survey of India (FSI) on a biennial basis since 1987. FSI conducts an in-depth assessment of the country’s forest and tree resources based on the interpretation of remote sensing satellite data and field-based National Forest Inventory (NFI), and the results are published in the ISFR. The India State of Forest Report 2023 is the 18th such report in the series.According to the report, India’s total forest and tree cover spans 827,357 square kilometres, accounting for 25.17% of the country’s geographical area. Additionally, the total forest cover has increased by 1,445 square kilometres compared to the 2021 assessment.

 

2. Rajasthan to spend Rs 100 cr annually on one-district-one-product policy: Rajasthan plans to spend Rs 100 crore annually on the one-district-one-product (ODOP) policy for local artisans, farmers, manufacturers and entrepreneurs.The policy was launched some days ago and it is inspired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s “Vocal for Local” vision, said an official of the state industries department. ODOP will also benefit workers, traders and exporters in the state’s 50 districts.The ODOP initiative targets to foster balanced regional development across all districts of the state. The idea is to select, brand and promote one product from each district of the state to enable holistic socioeconomic growth across all regions.

 

3. Namo Bharat train commuters to get 10 per cent discount on tickets through RRTS app: Namo Bharat train commuters can avail a 10 per cent discount on tickets purchased through the RRTS Connect mobile application as part of the “loyalty points program” launched by NCRTC.National Capital Region Transport Corporation (NCRTC) Managing Director Shalabh Goel launched the initiative at the Sahibabad Regional Rapid Transit System (RRTS).Under the loyalty points program, passengers will earn one point for every rupee spent on Namo Bharat train tickets.Each loyalty point is valued at Rs 0.10 (10 paise) and will be credited to the passenger’s account. These points can be redeemed for ticket purchases. Each loyalty point is valued at Rs 0.10 (10 paise) and will be credited to the passenger’s account.

 

4. Amit Shah chairs 72nd Plenary meeting of NEC at Agartala: The union Home minister and Minister of Cooperation, Amit Shahchaired the 72nd plenary session of the North Eastern Council (NEC) at Agartala, Tripura.The last plenary session of the North Eastern Council was hosted by Agartala in 2008.Under the provision of the North Eastern Council Act 1971, as amended in 2002, the Council meeting is held at least twice a year.What is the North Eastern Council?The North Eastern Council was set up under the North East Council Act 1971 provisions. It was inaugurated on 7th November 1972 by PM Indira Gandhi in Shillong, Meghalaya.Initially, it consisted of seven states of the North East- Assam, Meghalaya, Tripura, Arunachal Pradesh, Nagaland, Mizoram and Arunachal Pradesh.

INTERNATIONAL UPDATES:

 

1. Former SC Judge Justice Madan Lokur appointed chairperson of U.N. Internal Justice Council: Former Supreme Court judge Madan B Lokur has been appointed as chairperson of the United Nations Internal Justice Council (IJC).Lokur has been appointed for a 4-year-tenure ending on 12th November 2028. In a communication to Justice Lokur.The General Assembly of the UN established the IJC as part of the new internal justice system to help ensure independence, professionalism and accountability in the administration of the UN’s justice system. Justice Madan Lokur retired as a judge of the Supreme Court on 31 December, 2018, after a tenure of more than 6 years.

 

2. 21 December – World Basketball Day: World Basketball Day, celebrated on 21 December, honors one of the most popular sports globally.This date is significant as it marks the birth anniversary of Dr. James Naismith, the inventor of basketball. Dr. Naismith first introduced basketball in December 1891 while teaching at the International YMCA Training School in Springfield, MassachusettsThe global significance of basketball was officially acknowledged by the United Nations General Assembly on August 25, 2023, through the adoption of resolution A/RES/77/324. This resolution declared December 21 as World Basketball Day, celebrating the sport’s ability to bring together people from all walks of life.

 

OTHER UPDATES:

 

SPORTS 

 

1. National Rifle Association Of India to host ISSF Junior World Cup 2025: India will host of the International Shooting Sport Federation (ISSF) Junior World Cup Rifle/Pistol/Shotgun 2025.This will be the third top ISSF event to be held in the country after the senior World Cup in Bhopal in 2023 and the season-ending ISSF World Cup Final earlier this year, reinforcing India’s stature as one of the sport’s top destinations in the world.This will be the ninth top level Shooting championship to be held in India over the past decade but the first ISSF Junior World Cup. Before this India had hosted to continental championships and six ISSF competitions, including two World Cup Final competitions besides four senior ISSF World Cups.

 

2. India clinches U19 ACC Women’s T20 Asia Cup Title: In Women’s Cricket, India clinched the inaugural Under-19 ACC Women’s T20 Asia Cup title at Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, after defeating Bangladesh by 41 runs in the final.Chasing a target of 118, Bangladesh was bowled out for a modest 76 runs in just 18.3 overs. For India, Aayyushi Shukla claimed three wickets, while Parunika Sisodia and Sonam Yadav took two wickets each.Earlier, India, batting first, scored 117 for seven in their allotted 20 overs. Gongadi Trisha was the top scorer with a solid 52 runs off 47 balls. For Bangladesh, Farjana Easmin shone with the ball, picking up four wickets.The tournament, which began on 15th December, featured six of the best teams from the continent vying for the title. India, led by Niki Prasad, remained unbeaten throughout the competition.

 

BANKING AND FINANCE

 

1. India signs $350 million loan agreement with ADB to expand manufacturing sector: The Government of India and the Asian Development Bank (ADB) signed a $350 million policy-based loan under the second subprogram of Strengthening Multimodal and Integrated Logistics Ecosystem (SMILE) program.The SMILE program is a programmatic policy-based loan (PBL) to support the government in undertaking wide-ranging reforms in the logistics sector in India.The programmatic approach comprises two subprograms, which aim to expand India’s manufacturing sector and improve the resilience of its supply chains.The program establishes and operationalizes a comprehensive policy framework to enhance logistics efficiency through (i) strengthening the institutional bases for multimodal logistics infrastructure development at the national, state, and city levels; (ii) standardizing warehousing and other logistics assets to strengthen supply chains and incentivize greater private sector investment; (iii) improving efficiencies in external trade logistics; and (iv) adopting smart systems for efficient and low emission logistics.

 

2. SEBI directs MIIs to adopt uniform policy on data sharing for research: The market regulator Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) directed stock exchanges, clearing corporations, and depositories to adopt a uniform policy for sharing data meant for research and research publications undertaken by accredited academic institutions.These market infrastructure institutions (MIIs) have been asked to segregate such data into two baskets—one that can be shared with the public and the second that cannot be made public.The first basket will include only aggregate and analysed data, such as reporting and disclosure data mandated by regulators. The segregation is intended to prevent the disclosure of any personal, sensitive, or confidential information in the public domain.The second basket includes know-your-customer (KYC) information, trade logs, and holding details of an entity or individual, along with the identity of the entity or individual. Further, even anonymised data that could potentially identify the individual or entity will not be shared in the public domain.

 

3. Tata Power, Canara Bank partner to offer loans for rooftop solar systems: Tata Power Renewable Energy, a unit of Tata Power, has partnered with state-run Canara Bank to drive the adoption of rooftop solar systems under the government-backed PM Surya Ghar Scheme, offering affordable financing options to Indian households.The initiative aims to simplify access to clean energy solutions by providing loans for residential solar installations.Loans of up to Rs 2 lakh are available for systems with a capacity of up to 3 kW (kilowatt), requiring a 10 per cent margin and no collateral, with an interest rate of 7 per cent per annum and a 10-year repayment period.For larger systems, ranging from 3 kW to 10 kW, loans of up to Rs 6 lakh are offered with a 20 per cent margin, no collateral, and a 10 per cent annual interest rate over a decade.

 

AWARDS AND HONOURS

 

1. Ashwini Vaishnaw confers 69th Ati Vishisht Rail Seva Award 2024: Union Railway and Information and Broadcasting Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw conferred the 69th Ati Vishisht Rail Seva Award 2024 to 101 employees and officers for their exceptional contributions to the Indian Railways.The 101 awardees have been selected across various categories, including innovation leading to improvement in productivity, revenue generation, safety, improvement in operation, security, project completion, and sports.In addition to the individual awards, 22 Shields have been presented to the best-performing Railway Zones in various categories, recognizing their outstanding achievements and contributions to the overall performance of the Indian Railways.

 

2. Jaishankar receives ‘Sri Chandrasekarendra Saraswathi’ award for leadership: External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar was awarded the Sri Chandrasekarendra Saraswathi National Eminence Award for Public Leadership by the South Indian Education Society (SIES).

· Bhutan’s royal honour – Renowned Indian educationist Arun Kapur

· Jamsetji Tata Award by Indian Society for Quality (ISQ) – Kiran Mazumdars

· J C Daniel Award for 2023 – J C Daniel Award

· Social Security Good Practices at Asia-Pacific forum in Saudi – EPFO

· 3rd PSU Transformation Award under the “Innovative Product Development” category – Solar Energy Corporation of India (SECI)

· Aster Guardians Global Nursing Award 2024 – Nurse Maria Victoria Juan (from Philippines)

 

 

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