Daily GK Update- 7th Dec, 2023

 

NATIONAL UPDATES:

 

1. Revanth Reddy takes oath as Telangana CM: Senior Congress leader A Revanth Reddy sworn-in as the Chief Minister of Telangana at Lal Bahadur Stadium in Hyderabad. Governor Dr Tamilisai Soundararajan administered the oath of office and secrecy to Revanth Reddy and a few ministers.

Bhatti Vikramarka Mallu was sworn in as Telangana's Deputy CM. Congress won 64 seats by leaving the ruling Bharat Rashtra Samithi party with 39 seats and forming its first government in the state.

 

2. Garba of Gujarat inscribed in UNESCO's List of Intangible Cultural Heritage: Garba of Gujarat has been inscribed in the Representative List of Intangible Cultural Heritage (ICH) of Humanity by UNESCO. This decision was taken at the Botswana convention of UNESCO. Garba of Gujarat is the 15th ICH element from India to join this list.  The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) Intangible Cultural Heritage is underway in Botswana.

 

3. Government decides to implement component of "Nari Adalat" in phased manner: Union Minister for Women and Child Development Smriti Irani has informed the Rajya Sabha that the Government has decided to implement the component of "Nari Adalat" in a phased manner under Mission Shakti. In the first phase, Assam and the Union  Jammu and  Kashmir have been selected by her Ministry to implement the component of Nari Adalat.  The Central government is implementing 'Mission Shakti' as an umbrella scheme for the safety, security and empowerment of women.

 

4. Mansukh Mandaviya inaugurates 59th Fertiliser Association of India Annual S: Union Minister of Chemicals & Fertilisers Dr Mansukh Mandaviya inaugurates 59th Fertiliser Association of India Annual Seminar 2023 at a glittering function in Delhi. The theme of the seminar was “Innovations in Fertiliser and Agriculture Sectors”. India is the first nation to introduce Nano fertilisers such as Nano DAP and Nano Urea through the Indian Research ecosystem.

 

5. Lok Sabha passes Jammu and Kashmir Reservation & Reorganisation (Amendment): The Lok Sabha has passed the Jammu and Kashmir Reservation (Amendment) Bill, 2023 and the Jammu and Kashmir Reorganisation (Amendment) Bill, 2023. The J&K Reservation (Amendment) Bill amends the Jammu and Kashmir Reservation Act, 2004, regarding reservation in jobs and admission in professional institutions to members of Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes, and other socially and educationally backward classes.

 

6. Rizz Crowned Oxford Word of the Year 2023: This year, a shortlist of eight words was created, all chosen to reflect the mood, ethos, or preoccupations of the past year, and put them to the public to vote for their favourites. Through head-to-head competitions over a four-day voting period, the public narrowed down our shortlist of worthy contenders to four finalists: rizz, Swiftie, prompt, and situationship. ‘rizz’ is a colloquial noun, defined as ‘style, charm, or attractiveness.

 

7. UP Municipality passed proposal to rename Firozabad as Chandra Nagar: Firozabad Municipal Corporation in Uttar Pradesh has approved the proposal to rename Firozabad as Chandra Nagar.

Firozabad is famous for the construction of bangles. It is located 40 kilometres from Agra and 250 km from the capital city on the east side. Uttar Pradesh’s capital Lucknow is about 250 km east from here. Two towns come under Tundla and Shikohabad under the Firozabad district. Earlier the Indian Railways in October announced the renaming of three railway stations -Pratapgarh, Antu and Bishnathganj — in the Pratapgarh district of Uttar Pradesh. Railways informed that the Pratapgarh station was renamed as ‘Maa Belha Devi DhamPratapgarh Junction’, Antu as Maa Chandika Devi Dham Antu, and Bishnathganj as ‘Shanidev Dham Bishnathganj’. Varanasi’s Manduadih Rail Station has also been renamed as Banaras. Uttar Pradesh government also renamed the Jhansi railway station as Veeranagana Laxmi Bai railway station.

 

INTERNATIONAL UPDATES:

 

1. Samir Shah Picked as New Chairman of the BBC: India-born Media Executive Samir Shah named as UK's Preferred Candidate for BBC Chair. He will replace Richard Sharp, who had been forced to resign after his communication with former prime minister Boris Johnson came under scrutiny.

His appointment will almost certainly be ratified by a parliament committee. Samir Shah has worked in television for more than 40 years and has held a number of roles at the BBC, including as head of current affairs.

 

2. International Civil Aviation Day 2023: 7th December: International Civil Aviation Day is observed on 7th December  to emphasize the crucial role of innovation in shaping the future of civil aviation worldwide. It holds special significance as it marks the establishment of the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) in 1944.  This year’s theme, “Advancing Innovation for Global Aviation Development,”.

 

3. Italy withdraws from China's Belt and Road Initiative: Italy has withdrawn from China’s Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), more than four years after becoming the only Group of Seven (G7) nation to sign up. The decision was long-anticipated and signals a strategic shift in Italy’s approach to its relationship with China. The Belt and Road Initiative, spearheaded by Chinese President Xi Jinping, aims to enhance China’s influence globally by investing in infrastructure projects across participating countries.

 

4. Saudi Arabia introduces 96-hour Umrah stopover visa for Indian: Saudi Arabia has introduced a 96-hour stopover visa for Indians traveling to the West or the Middle East. This initiative, part of the Saudi Vision 2030 to streamline Umrah visits, was announced by Saudi Minister of Hajj and Umrah, Tawfiq bin Fawzan. The Umrah Visa, valid for 90 days, enables holders to reside and travel within Saudi Arabia, ensuring an efficient and convenient pilgrimage experience.

 

5. World’s biggest experimental nuclear fusion reactor JT-60SA inaugurated in Japan: The world’s largest and most advanced nuclear fusion reactor ‘JT-60SA’ started its official operations in Japan’s Ibaraki Prefecture. JT-60SA is a joint initiative between the European Union and Japan The experimental nuclear fusion reactor is quite a new technology. However, some say that it is the answer to humanity’s future energy needs by establishing nuclear fusion as a clean energy source. Notably, fusion differs from fission, the technique currently used in nuclear power plants. The process includes fusing two atomic nuclei instead of splitting one. The JT-60SA reactor is a six-storey-high machine, which is kept in a hangar in Naka north of Tokyo. It comprises a doughnut-shaped “tokamak” vessel set to contain swirling plasma heated up to 200 million degrees Celsius.

 

7 December – International Civil Aviation Day: The International Civil Aviation Day is observed every year on 7 December across the globe. The day aims to raise awareness of the importance of civil aviation and its significant contribution to the world economy as well as other fields. Theme 2023 – Advancing Innovation for Global Aviation Development The celebration of the day is linked to the establishment of the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO), which is the regulatory body behind effectively managing international travel, security, and cooperation. ICAO is a United Nations body, which was formed 75 years ago and aims to maintain aviation safety worldwide The celebration day of International Civil Aviation was established in 1994 while commemorating the 50th anniversary of signing the Convention on International Civil Aviation by the International Civil Aviation Organization. Later in 1996, the United Nations General Assembly declared December 7 to be observed as International Civil Aviation Day. The date marks the establishment of ICAO on December 7, 1944.

 

OTHER UPDATES:

DEFENCE

 

1. India observes Armed Forces Flag Day to honour martyrs & soldiers in armed: India observes Armed Forces Flag Day today to honour the martyrs and the soldiers in the armed forces. It has been observed on the 7th of December annually since 1949. Flag Day is aimed at expressing gratitude and celebrating the selfless contribution the soldiers make towards the nation.

 

2. Captain Geetika Koul becomes first woman medical officer to be deployed at Siachen: Captain Geetika Koul has become the first woman medical officer in the Indian Army to be deployed at Siachen, the world’s highest battlefield. This achievement follows her successful completion of rigorous induction training at the esteemed Siachen Battle School, which includes high-altitude acclimatization, survival techniques, and specialized medical procedures. Captain Geetika Koul from the Snow Leopard Brigade becomes the first woman medical officer of the Indian Army to be deployed at the world’s highest battlefield, Siachen after successfully completing the induction training at Siachen Battle School. Siachen, located in the northern Himalayas, poses challenges due to its strategic importance, harsh climate, and demanding terrain

 

3. Vice Admiral Dinesh Tripathi appoints as VC of Naval Staff: The Government of India has appointed Vice Admiral Dinesh K Tripathi as the new Vice Chief of Naval Staff. Currently, at the helm of the Indian Navy’s Western Command headquartered in Mumbai, Vice Admiral Tripathi is set to assume his new responsibilities on January 4, 2024. The present Vice Chief of Navy, Vice Admiral SJ Singh, will be stepping into the role of the new Western Naval Commander. Vice Admiral Tripathi has served in various prestigious roles, including Chief of Personnel at the Integrated Headquarters of the Ministry of Defence (Navy). An alumnus of Sainik School Rewa and the National Defence Academy, Khadakwasla, he joined the Indian Navy in July, 1985. Specialising in Communication and Electronic Warfare, Tripathi has held key roles on frontline warships, such as Signal Communication Officer and Electronic Warfare Officer.

 

SPORTS

 

1. India bags 3 gold, 5 silver, and 1 bronze medals in IBA Junior World Boxing: India bagged three gold, five silver, and one bronze medals at the IBA Junior World Boxing Championship 2023 in Yerevan, Armenia. Akansha won gold in 70 kg category, Pari clinched gold medal in 48 kg weight category, while Nisha won gold in 52 kg category. In 52 kg weight category, Vini won silver medal, while Srishti Sathe won silver medal in 63 kg weight category. In the boys’ category, Jatin won the silver medal in the 54 kg category.

 

BANKING AND FINANCE

 

1. SBI Card joins Bharat BillPay in the credit card category: NPCI Bharat BillPay (NBBL) has integrated SBI Card, one of India’s leading pure-play credit card issuers, into the credit card category of Bharat BillPay. This integration marks a significant advancement, streamlining the credit card bill payment process for millions of customers. NBBL is a wholly-owned subsidiary of the National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI). SBI Card has an extensive customer base, totalling around 1.68 crores.

 

AWARDS AND HONOURS

 

1. Taylor Swift named Time Magazine's person of the year: Taylor Swift has been named Time Magazine's Person of the Year for 2023. The star, whose Eras tour broke box office records and provoked an inquiry into Ticketmaster's sales practices, follows the likes of Barack Obama, Greta Thunberg and Volodymyr Zelensky. The award goes to an event or person deemed to have had the most influence on global events over the past year.

 

Daily GK Update- 6th Dec, 2023

NATIONAL UPDATES:

 

1. Maharashtra govt declares Mahaparinirvan Din a public holiday in Mumbai: Maharashtra govt declares 'Mahaparinirvan Din' a public holiday in Mumbai. Mahaparinirvan Diwas pays tribute to Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar on his death anniversary. This day has been declared as a public holiday in Mumbai and its suburbs as per official notification which states that government and non-government institutions will remain closed on account of Mahaparinirvan Diwas.

 

2. Govt introduces face recognition & Aadhaar identification based eKY: The government has introduced Face recognition and Aadhaar identification based eKYC of farmers to ensure transparency in the PM-Kisan Samman Nidhi scheme (PM-Kisan). In the scheme, an amount of six thousand rupees is transferred annually in three equal installments of two thousand rupees directly into the bank accounts of the farmers. The Government of India has disbursed over 2.60 Lakhs Crore rupees to more than 11 Crore farmers under the PM-KISAN scheme.

 

3. Nagaland Marks 5th Honey Bee Day Celebrating Apicultural Tradition: The 5th Nagaland Honey Bee Day was celebrated under the theme- 'Bee & Honey Trials' at Naga Heritage Village, Kisama.

Under the guidance of the Nagaland Beekeeping and Honey Mission (NBHM) , traditional beekeeping has transformed into a sustainable source of income for many in the state, contributing to economic sustainability. Nagaland currently has over one lakh beekeepers and total honey production in the state stands at 440 Metric Tonnes per annum.

 

4. Jithesh John takes charge as IBBI's Executive Director: Jithesh John took charge as Executive Director, Insolvency and Bankruptcy Board of India (IBBI). IBBI is a key institution in implementing the Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code (IBC). Jithesh John, an Indian Economic Service Officer of the 2001 batch, brings with him over two decades of diverse experience in the Government of India.

 

5. Tamil Nadu Government to set up Footwear Park: The Tamil Nadu (TN) government has planned to set up a footwear manufacturing park at an outlay of Rs 400 crore on a 250-acre land. The industrial project would generate 20,000 new jobs in Ranipet district. Chief Minister Stalin announced this after virtually inaugurating a footwear manufacturing facility set up at an investment of Rs 400 crore by JR One Footwear Pvt Ltd at Eraiyur in Perambalur district, about 250-km south of Chennai.

 

6. Delhi Government Launched Motor Vehicle Aggregator Scheme: Delhi Government has introduced the Delhi Motor Vehicle Aggregator and Delivery Service Provider Scheme. The scheme mandates a complete transition to electric vehicles (EVs) for all cab aggregators and delivery service providers by 2030. The policy applies to all aggregators offering passenger transport services in Delhi. It also includes those engaged in delivery services, including e-commerce vehicles.·

 

7. Revanth Reddy takes oath as CM of Telangana: Telangana Congress president and newly minted Kodangal MLA Revanth Reddy takes oath as the chief minister of the state. The Congress had swept into power, defeating the incumbent BRS by bagging 64 seats in the 119-house assembly

Reddy will be the second man to occupy the CM’s chair in the state, which was formed in 2014.

Born in Mahboobnagar district, Anumula Revanth Reddy started his career in politics with the ABVP while he was a student. He was also associated with the Telangana Rashtra Samithi (now changed to Bharat Rashtra Samithi). Reddy has been an MLA thrice, twice from the TDP and once from the Congress, which he joined in 2017.

 

8. 6 December – National Microwave Oven Day: National Microwave Oven Day is observed every year on 6 December. Objective – To create awareness about the things that a microwave oven can perform and explore ways by which we can simplify our kitchen work. In 1945, Percy Spencer – a self-taught engineer, realised that while working with active radar, a candy bar placed inside his pocket was melting. He used the same technique to make popcorn in a microwave. However, that became a funny story to be told later – the popcorn test blew up in his coworker’s face After multiple trials, microwaves came to be used in the households. It got a negative reputation in the early days because of leaks in some of the models – however, soon microwaves became a necessity in the kitchen.

 

INTERNATIONAL UPDATES:

 

1. UAE's Mohammed Al Ramsi appointed chairman of WRC23: United Arab Emirates' Mohammed Al Ramsi has been appointed Chairman of World Radiocommunication Conference 2023 (WRC 23). The event is being held in Dubai, UAE, from November 20th to December 15th, 2023. WRC is organized by the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) every four years to revise the global use of radio-frequency spectrum, geostationary - satellite and non-geostationary-satellite orbits.

 

2. China Adopts ‘One Province, One Policy’ Approach to Financial Risk Management: China’s National Financial Regulatory Administration, led by Li Yunze, is introducing a groundbreaking approach to tackle financial risks at the provincial level. This move comes in the wake of concerns about the country’s economic struggles, exacerbated by the lingering effects of restrictive Covid Zero policies and a persistent property crisis. Li Yunze’s directive of “one province, one policy” underscores the commitment to customize risk management approaches. This shift aims to enhance the effectiveness of financial policies by acknowledging and addressing the unique challenges faced by individual provinces.

OTHER UPDATES:

DEFENCE

 

1. Indian Army Hosts 'Inno Yodha 2023' for Innovation and Modernization: The Indian Army today 'Idea and Innovation Competition and Seminar -Inno Yodha 2023' in New Delhi. The event aimed at signifying the importance accorded by the Indian Army in embracing modernisation and pursuing technological advancement through indigenization. Chief of the Army Staff General Manoj Pande encouraged the 'Thinking Warriors' in the Indian Army to continue conceptualising practical and innovative solutions for the nation and Indian Army.

 

2. GRSE delivers India’s largest survey vessel INS Sandhayak to Navy: Garden Reach Shipbuilders and Engineers has delivered the largest survey vessel built in India, INS Sandhayak to the Indian Navy on Navy Day. INS Sandhayak is the first in a series of four Survey Vessels (Large) being built by GRSE. The Naval vessel was launched on 05 December 2021. INS Sandhayak is the first of four advanced Survey Vessels (Large) or SVLs. It is a new version of a previous ship with the same name, which was a survey vessel in the Indian Navy from 1981 to 2021. The new INS Sandhayak and its companions are more advanced than the older vessels, which have all been decommissioned. GRSE has partnered with the Indian Navy for the last 62 years after delivery of the first indigenously-built warship INS Ajay in 1961. Since then, GRSE has delivered 70 more warships to the Indian Navy.

 

SPORTS

 

1. Men's Volleyball Club World Championship to begin in Bengaluru: FIVB ( Fédération Internationale de Volleyball) Men's Volleyball Club World Championship 2023 commenced at the Koramangala Indoor Stadium in Bengaluru. This is the first time that the prestigious tournament will be held in India. The five-day tournament will see six teams compete for the top honours. Prime Volleyball League Season 2 champions, Ahmedabad Defenders, will become the first Indian team to feature in the competition.

 

2. 3rd ITF Title by Winning Kalaburagi Open Tennis 2023: India's Ramkumar Ramanathan won his third ITF title by defeating Austria's David Pichler in straight sets in a one-sided men's singles final at the Kalaburagi Open tennis tournament. Ramkumar, who won the ITF Mumbai Open title in early December 2023, defeated Pichler 6-2, 6-1 in just 64 minutes to clinch his third ITF title. Ramkumar, who was a member of the Indian Davis Cup team, received a check of US $ 3200 and 25 ATP points for this victory.

 

SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY

 

1. Indian woman Akshata at NASA on Mars rover mission: Dr Akshata Krishnamurthy is the first Indian citizen to operate the Mars Perseverance rover and currently works for NASA as the mission science phase lead for the NASA-ISRO Synthetic. The scientist had travelled to the US 13 years ago for higher studies and faced numerous challenges as she carved out a space for herself.

The ‘rocket scientist’ obtained her Masters from the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign before pursing a Doctorate at MIT.

 

BANKING AND FINANCE

 

1. Bharti Airtel Becomes the 8th Company to Surpass ₹6 Lakh Crore Mcap: Bharti Airtel, one of India’s leading telecommunications companies, achieved a significant milestone by becoming the 8th company to surpass Rs.6 lakh crore market capitalization. This surge was attributed to the positive market sentiment following the Bharatiya Janata Party’s resounding victory in state elections. The company’s stock witnessed a 2% increase during trade, contributing to a year-to-date gain of 28%.

 

2. RBI cancels licence of Shankarrao Pujari Bank in Maharashtra: The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has cancelled the licence of Shankarrao Pujari Nutan Nagari Sahakari Bank Limited in Kolhapur city. The Commissioner for Cooperation and Registrar Cooperative Societies, Maharashtra, has also been requested to issue an order for winding up the bank and appoint a liquidator for the bank. According to RBI, the licence was cancelled as the bank does not have adequate capital and earning prospects and it does not comply with the provisions of Section 11(1) and Section 22 (3) (d) read with Section 56 of the Banking Regulation Act 1949. The bank has also failed to comply with various other sections of the Banking Regulation Act 1949. As per the data submitted by the bank, 99.85 per cent of the depositors are entitled to receive full amount of their deposits from DICGC.

 

AWARDS AND HONOURS

 

1. Olympian M. Sreeshankar Clinches 35th Jimmy George Foundation Award: Olympian M. Sreeshankar has been honored with the prestigious 35th Jimmy George Foundation Award for emerging as the best sportsperson of Kerala. This recognition comes as a testament to Sreeshankar’s outstanding achievements, including securing the long jump silver medal in both the Commonwealth Games and Asian Games. Sreeshankar’s triumph in being named the best sportsperson of Kerala in the 35th Jimmy George Foundation Award is a testament to his dedication, skill, and consistent excellence in the field of athletics.

 

2. Jason Momoa’s ‘Deep Rising’ movie won ALT Environment Film Festival: Jason Momoa produced “Deep Rising” and director Luke Griswald-Tergis’ “Pleistocene Park” are the top winners at the All Living Things Environment Film Festival. ALT EFF focuses on imperative topics of climate change and the environment at large through the lens of cinema. The festival, which runs till 19 December, is screening over 60 films from 50 countries with shows in across 20 cities in India Deep Rising,” produced by Momoa and directed by Matthieu Rytz, won the best international feature, while the best of the festival award by the Habitat Trust went to Griswald-Tergis’ “Pleistocene Park” at an event.

 

3. ISRO and team Chandrayaan-3 honoured at India Business Leader: Chandrayaan-3 successfully landed on the Lunar South Pole, marking India as the first country to achieve this feat. The mission’s accomplishment solidified India’s status as a space superpower and earned ISRO a prestigious award at the India Business Leader Awards. Chandrayaan-3 endured extreme lunar conditions, showcasing Indian scientific resilience and ingenuity. The Chandrayaan-3 mission endured extreme conditions, including lunar nights with temperatures dropping to minus-280 degrees Celsius. Its Vikram rover navigated uncharted lunar terrain to successfully complete its objectives. On August 23, India’s Chandrayaan-3 made a successful lunar landing, marking a significant achievement as India became the first country to reach the Lunar South Pole.

 

Daily GK Update- 5th Dec, 2023

 

NATIONAL UPDATES:

 

1. India Internet Governance Forum IIGF’23 held in New Delhi: The third edition of the IIGF has been conducted under the overarching theme ‘Moving Forward–Calibrating Bharat’s Digital Agenda’ Calibrating Bharat’s Digital Agenda’ in New Delhi. The first two editions of the IIGF were convened in 2021 and 2022. The Internet Governance Forum (IGF) is a multi-stakeholder platform bringing together representatives from various groups, considering all to be at par to discuss public policy issues related to the Internet.

 

2. RK Singh inaugurates National Conference on “Energy Transition in India”: Union Minister for Power and New and Renewable EnergyK. Singh has inaugurated a two-day National Conference on “Energy Transition in India – Road Travelled and Opportunities Ahead” in Gandhinagar. Organized as a part of the upcoming Vibrant Gujarat Global Summit 2024, the event is being attended by more than 250 Indian and foreign representatives of power and renewable energy sector. The two-day conference was focused on scaling up renewable energy, generation and consumption by considering challenges related to grid integration, financing tools and developing supporting infrastructure. The main objective of this conference is to move forward with an ambitious vision of promoting clean energy and facilitating the energy transition. India is committed to reducing the emission intensity of its GDP by 45 percent by 2030 compare to 2005 level. 80 percent of the carbon emission burden lies with developed countries, which account only one-third of the world’s population.

 

3. PM Modi unveiled the statue of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj at Rajkot Fort”: Prime Minister Narendra Modi has unveiled the statue of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj at Rajkot Fort in Maharashtra’s Sindhudurg district. Modi paid homage to the rich maritime heritage of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj who constructed several coastal and sea forts, including the Sindhudurg Fort. The Maratha empire founder’s seal inspired the new naval ensign that was adopted last year when PM Modi commissioned the first indigenous aircraft carrier, INS Vikrant.

 

INTERNATIONAL UPDATES:

 

1. World Digital Competitiveness Ranking: India ranked 49th; topped by US: The International Institute for Management Development (IMD) unveiled its 2023 World Digital Competitiveness Ranking (WDCR) revealing India’s position at 49th among 64 economies. According to IMD’s study, India has made significant in terms of cybersecurity knowledge but lacks on fronts like technology and future readiness. This ranking shed light on crucial elements contributing to a nation’s digital prowess, a quality gaining paramount importance as technology continues to reshape societies globally. According to IMD, the United States has reclaimed the top spot in this year’s ranking, solidifying its position as a “digital nation” that actively integrates digital technologies, including AI, across governmental, corporate, and individual domains. The Netherlands secured the second position, advancing four places, while Singapore, leading in the technology factor, secured the third spot. Denmark, the previous overall leader, slipped to fourth place due to declines in future readiness and technology factors. Switzerland, excelling in the knowledge factor, maintained its top position, completing the top five.

 

2. The word “Rizz” chosen as the Oxford Word of the Year 2023: Often associated with celebrities and other famous figures, “Rizz” has been chosen by the Oxford University Press as its word of the year 2023. It’s a term Gen Z has mainly embraced, and it beat out words such as “prompt,” “situationship” and “Swiftie” that were considered by Oxford University Press, which publishes the Oxford English Dictionary. While Merriam-Webster’s word of the year was “authentic,” rizz was also under consideration. Collins Dictionary selected “artificial intelligence” as their word of the year in November Last year, the slang term “Goblin mode” took the prize as Oxford’s 2022 word of the year. Oxford described it as a type of behavior when someone is “unapologetically self-indulgent, lazy, slovenly, or greedy, typically in a way that rejects social norms or expectations.

 

3. 5 December – World Soil Day: World Soil Day is observed every year on 5 December. Objective – To highlight the significance of maintaining healthy soil and advocate for the sustainable management of soil resources. Theme for 2023 – Soil and water, a source of life The International Union of Soil Sciences (IUSS) recommended establishing an international day for celebrating soil in 2002. In December 2013, the UN General Assembly designated 5 December 2014 as the 1st official World Soil Day.

 

4. 5 December – International Volunteer Day: International Volunteer Day is celebrated every year on 5 December. Objective – To highlight the contributions of volunteers worldwide and recognize the impact of their selfless actions on communities and societies. Theme 2023 – The Power of Collective International Volunteer Day, established by the United Nations in 1985, provides an opportunity to acknowledge and appreciate the efforts of millions of volunteers who dedicate their time, skills, and resources to make a positive difference.

 

OTHER UPDATES:

 

SPORTS

 

1. Ruturaj Gaikward becomes the fastest Indian to 4,000 T20 runs: Ruturaj Gaikwad has become the fastest Indian to accomplish 4,000 runs in men’s T20 cricket. He accomplished this remarkable feat in only 116 innings. He achieved the feat in the fourth T20I against Australia at the Shaheed Veer Narayan Singh International Stadium in Raipur. The fastest to achieve this landmark is the legendary Chris Gayle, who accomplished it in just 107 innings. Gaikwad’s name sits among illustrious company, with players like Shaun Marsh (113 innings) and Pakistan’s star batter Babar Azam (115 innings) also ahead of him in this regard. The 26-year-old only needed seven runs to achieve 4,000 runs in the shortest format of the game.

 

2. Vaishali Rameshbabu becomes India’s 84th grandmaster: Vaishali Rameshbabu has become India’s 84th grandmaster after surpassing 2500 rating during the 2023 IV Elllobregat Open. Vaishali is now the third female grandmaster from India after Koneru Humpy and Harika Dronavalli. Vaishali and her younger brother R. Praggnanandhaa is now the first sister-brother pair to be grandmasters. She defeated Turkish FM Tamer Tarik Selbes (2238) in the second round to surpass rating and has started the tournament with two consecutive wins. She is now the current world number 11 in women’s ranking with a live rating of 2501.5 and India’s number two.

In the memorable year, Vaishali has won FIDE Women’s Grand Swiss 2023 and qualified for Candidates 2024.

 

3. Amazon acquires ICC cricket rights for Australia till 2027: E-commerce giant Amazon’s streaming service Prime Video has signed a four-year deal with the International Cricket Council (ICC) to provide exclusive live broadcast rights in Australia for ICC cricket, which will be available on Prime Video Australia. The partnership will see Prime Video Australia exclusively stream all men’s and women’s events, including the Men’s and Women’s Cricket World Cups, T20 World Cups, Champions Trophy, U19s, and the World Test Championship Final. The deal includes streaming rights in Australia for 448 live games from 2024 to 2027. The new partnership, which begins in January 2024, will give cricket fans across Australia exclusive access to all matches in every tournament of elite ICC competition in all cricket formats, at no extra cost to a Prime membership.

 

BANKING AND FINANCE

 

1. LIC introduces new whole life insurance policy Jeevan Utsav: Life Insurance Corporation of India (LIC) has launched a special scheme, named Jeevan Utsav. LIC’s Jeevan Utsav is a non-linked, non-participating, individual, savings, whole life insurance plan based on the selected Premium Paying Term (Regular Income to Flexi Income), 10% of the Sum Assured is paid back annually after the specified years. The fact that this plan offers life insurance coverage for the duration of the policyholder’s life is a plus point. This plan is available for age starting from 90 days to 65 years. It gives guaranteed lifelong income and lifelong risk cover.

 

2. Kanchan Devi first woman DG of Doon-based ICFRE: Kanchan Devi, an IFS officer from the 1991 batch of the Madhya Pradesh cadre, was appointed as director general of the Dehradun-based Indian Council of Forestry Research and Education (ICFRE). This marks a historic moment as Kanchan becomes the first woman officer to hold this prestigious position in the premier council under the Union Ministry of Environment, Forest, and Climate Change. The ICFRE, headquartered in Dehradun, plays a crucial role in advising the Government of India, state governments, and various stakeholders, including farmers, industries, and academicians, on forestry research and technologies. It addresses emerging challenges in the field of forest conservation.

 

AWARDS AND HONOURS

 

1. India’s Safeena Husain honoured with Qatar WISE Prize 2023: Safeena Hussain, founder of ‘Educate Girls,’ has become the first Indian woman to bag the WISE Prize worth 5 lakh USD for mobilizing 14 lakh out-of-school girls in Indian villages to get back to mainstream education. The prize, awarded by the Qatar Foundation at the 11th Edition of the World Innovation Summit for Education (WISE) Summit earlier this week in Doha, is one of the most prestigious awards in education. Safeena said, Sixteen years back, when ‘Beti Bachao Beti Padhao’ was unheard of, I had decided to set up Educate Girls, an NGO to bring out-of-school girls back to mainstream education. Even in the 21st century, there are villages in India where goats are considered assets but girls are considered liability. The WISE prize was established in 2009 by the Qatar Foundation.

 

2. ESIC bagged “ISSA Vision Zero 2023” Award at the 23rd World Congress: The Employees’ State Insurance Corporation (ESIC) has bagged the “ISSA Vision Zero 2023” Award at the 23rd World Congress on Safety and Health at Work in Sydney, Australia “Vision Zero” is a transformational approach for the prevention of accidents at workplaces integrating the three dimensions of safety, health, and well-being at all levels of work. ESIC had great success in outreach in the field of safety and health at workplaces by aligning the prevention strategy besides post-accidental mechanism for medical care and cash benefits to the workers and their dependents. The award also underlines the improvements that have been made in the service delivery of the ESI Corporation as well as increase in its administrative and operational efficiency using IT-enabled initiatives

 

3. Amazon won National Award for empowering individual with disabilities:  Amazon India received the National Award for Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities for fostering an inclusive environment for individuals with disabilities awarded by Gol. The award underscores their commitment to diversity and inclusion, making significant strides in empowering persons with disabilities. Amazon India’s focus on inclusivity includes diverse workplace representation.