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NATIONAL AFFAIRS
Visit of Abdullah Ali Al Yahya, Foreign Minister of Kuwait to India From December 3-4, 2024
H.E. Abdullah Ali Al Yahya, Minister of Foreign Affairs of the State of Kuwait, arrived in New Delhi(Delhi) paid a visit to India from December 3 to December 4, 2024 at the invitation of Union Minister Dr. S. Jaishankar, Ministry of External Affairs (MEA).
- This marked his first official trip to India in this capacity, highlighting the strong and evolving ties between the two nations.
Highlights of the Visit:
i.A key highlight of H.E. Abdullah Ali Al Yahya’s visit to India was the bilateral meeting with External Affairs Minister (EAM) Dr. S. Jaishankar at Hyderabad House, New Delhi (Delhi). During the meeting, the leaders conducted a comprehensive review of India-Kuwait relations, focusing on several critical areas:
- Political and trade ties
- Investment and energy cooperation
- Food security
- Cultural and people-to-people exchanges
ii.The leaders also exchanged views on pressing regional and international issues, further strengthening their shared understanding and cooperation.
iii.Foreign Minister (FM) of the State of Kuwait, Abdullah Ali Al Yahya also met Prime Minister (PM) of India Narendra Modi, who highlighted the enduring historical bonds between the two nations.
India & Kuwait sign MoU to establish JCC:
i.One of the key outcomes of the visit was the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to establish a Joint Commission for Cooperation (JCC).
- The MoU was signed by External Affairs Minister (EAM) S Jaishankar and Kuwait’s Foreign Minister Abdullah Ali Al Yahya in New Delhi.
ii.The JCC aims to streamline collaboration and ensure regular monitoring of bilateral engagements across diverse fields.
iii.This commission, led by the foreign ministers of both countries, will serve as a comprehensive platform to evaluate and enhance bilateral relations.
iv.Under the JCC framework, New Joint Working Groups will be set up in sectors like trade, investment, education, technology, agriculture, security, and culture.
- Existing groups in areas such as hydrocarbons, health, and consular matters will continue to function under this umbrella mechanism.
About Kuwait:
Emir– Sheikh Nawaf Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah
Prime Minister (PM)- Sheikh Ahmad Al Abdullah Al Sabah
Capital– Kuwait City
Currency– Kuwaiti Dinar (KWD)
NITI Aayog Launched “Trade Watch Quarterly” for Q1FY25 in New Delhi
On 4th December 2024, Suman Bery, the Vice Chairperson of National Institution for Transforming India (NITI Aayog) launched NITI Aayog’s latest report titled “Trade Watch Quarterly: April-June (Q1) FY25” in New Delhi, Delhi. The report provides a comprehensive overview of the country’s trade for the Q1 of Financial Year 2024-25 (FY25).
- The report provides a holistic snapshot of India’s trade position, combining global demand-supply perspectives, sector-wise performance, and insights into emerging trade opportunities.
i.As per the report, India’s total trade performance for the 1st Half (H1) of 2024 reached USD 576 billion with Year-on-Year (Y-o-Y) growth of 5.45% compared to 2023.
ii.The report highlighted that merchandise exports showed consistent growth as exports has increased by 5.95% to USD 110 billion in Q1FY25, while imports surged by 8.40% to USD 173 billion.
iii.The report showed that India’s Trade Intensity Index (TII) score was greater than 1 with 84 countries, which represented 38.82% of global GDP and 67% of its total exports in 2023.
About National Institution for Transforming India (NITI Aayog):
It is India’s premier policy think tank, which came into existence on 1st January, 2015 by replacing Planning Commission. It plays a crucial role in framing long-term policies and programs for the country.
Chairman- Prime Minister (PM) Narendra Modi
Headquarters- New Delhi, Delhi
>> Read Full News
BANKING & FINANCE
World Bank Report: India’s External Debt Increases by USD 31 Billion to USD 647 Billion in 2023
According to the World Bank’s latest International Debt Report (IDR) 2024, India’s total external debt has increased by USD 31 billion to USD 646.79 billion in 2023.The report revealed that interest payment increased from USD 15.08 billion (in 2022) to USD 22.54 billion (in 2023).
- As per the report, the total external debt owed by all Low-and-Middle-Income Countries (LMICs) reached record USD 8.8 trillion, which marks an increase of 8% over 2020.
- While, the debt for the International Development Association (IDA)-eligible nations touched to USD 1.1 trillion, an increase of approximately 18%.
i.As per the report, the long-term debt stocks have increased by 7% to USD 498 billion in 2023, while short-term debt stocks decreased marginally to USD 126.32 billion in 2023.
ii.The report showed that external debt stock as percentage of exports was 80%, while debt servicing 10% exports in 2023.
iii.On 3rd December 2024, the World Bank has approved a USD 188.28 million loan to Maharashtra to boost its economy, particularly in underdeveloped districts of the state.
About World Bank (WB):
President– Ajay Banga
Headquarters– Washington DC, the United States of America (USA)
Established– 1944
>> Read Full News
India and ADB Sign USD 50 Million Loan for Climate Resilient Water Harvesting in Meghalaya
On December 5 2024, the Government of India (GoI) and the Asian Development Bank (ADB) signed a significant USD 50 million loan agreement to enhance water security and climate resilience in Meghalaya.
- The Climate-Adaptative Community-Based Water-Harvesting Project aims to address water scarcity, improve agricultural productivity and strengthen community resilience to climate change through advanced water harvesting systems.
- The project aligned with the Meghalaya State Water Policy (MSWP) 2019 will integrate climate adaptation strategies into water resource management.
Signatories:
The loan agreement was signed by Juhi Mukherjee, Joint Secretary at the Ministry of Finance(MoF) and Mio Oka, ADB’s India Resident Mission Country Director.
Key Points:
i.The project will create 3,000 hectares of reliable irrigation areas benefiting local farmers and enhancing agricultural productivity.
ii.The initiative will focus on the construction of 532 small water storage facilities across 12 districts in Meghalaya.
iii.The project includes the establishment of 50 weather stations for climate data collection and monitoring along with the introduction of micro irrigation systems in the Garo, Jaintia and Khasi regions of Meghalaya.
iv.The project will pilot renewable energy micro hydropower systems in 3 water harvesting facilities offering sustainable energy solutions to local communities.
v.ADB will assist the state in implementing the MSWP and provide guidance on developing water security plans at the village level with active involvement from local committees and water user associations.
vi.The project also focuses on capacity building for local institutions including the Meghalaya State Watershed and Wasteland Development Agency (MSWWDA) and the Soil & Water Conservation Department (SWCD).
About Meghalaya:
Chief Minister (CM)– Conrad K Sangma
Governor- C. H. Vijayashankar
Capital– Shillong
National Park– Balphakram National Park & Nokrek Ridge National Park
About Asian Development Bank (ADB):
President – Masatsugu Asakawa
Headquarters– Manila, Philippines
Established– 1966
Members- 69
Axis Bank launches ‘ARISE Women’s Savings Account’ to empower women financially
On December 5 2024, Axis Bank Limited, one of India’s leading private sector banks, has introduced the ‘ARISE Women’s Savings Account’, a specialized solution aimed at empowering women financially.
- It was launched by Arundhati Bhattacharya, Chairperson and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Salesforce India Private Limited in the presence of Amitabh Chaudhry, Managing Director (MD) & CEO, Axis Bank and Munish Sharda, Executive Director of Axis Bank.
About ARISE Women’s Savings Account:
This account provides an array of exclusive benefits, including access to women specific financial experts, personalized investment options, healthcare discounts, and much more.
Key features:
i.Family Banking Program: Extend benefits to family members, with the option to link children’s accounts without initial funding.
ii.Exclusive Banking Perks: Enjoy zero locker fees for the first year, higher transaction limits, and quarterly airport lounge access.
iii.Comprehensive Healthcare Coverage: Avail discounts on women specific diagnostic tests, unlimited consultations with doctors and access to wellness sessions.
iv.Lifestyle Benefits: Discounts on beauty products, childcare benefits, and a complimentary Swiggy One membership.
Key Points:
i.Account holders also receive the ARISE Debit Card offering higher transaction limits with Rs.5 lakhs on Point of sale (POS) and Rs.1 lakh at Automated Teller Machine (ATM). It also provides rewards as well as a Complimentary Non Equity Option (NEO) Credit Card with discounts on services like BookMyShow and Zomato.
ii.The account also includes several financial solutions such as guidance from women experts, discounted stock recommendations and a waiver of (Annual Maintenance Charge) AMC on Demat accounts for the first year.
iii.Healthcare benefits are comprehensive with discounts of up to 70% on diagnostic tests, unlimited consultations with top hospital experts and access to wellness programs.
iv.The account comes with different balance maintenance criteria based on location starting at Rs 3,000 in rural areas to Rs 16,000 in metro areas.
v.By offering a robust suite of features tailored to women’s needs the ARISE Women’s Savings Account aims to create an equitable banking ecosystem empowering women to reach their financial potential.
Note: According to the National Statistical Office (NSO) data, which reveals that women hold just 20.8% of India’s total bank deposits, despite constituting 36.4% of all bank account holders.
About Axis Bank Limited:
Managing Director (MD) & Chief Executive Officer (CEO)– Amitabh Chaudhry
Headquarters– Mumbai, Maharashtra
Established– 1993
Tagline- Badhti Ka Naam Zindagi
SEBI Approves Angel One AMC for Mutual Fund Operations
In November 2024, the Security Exchange Board of India (SEBI) has approved Angel One Asset Management Company (AMC) Limited, a wholly owned subsidiary of Angel One Limited, to act as the AMC for Angel One Mutual Fund (MF) which will specialise exclusively in passive investment strategies.
i.Angel One AMC aims to deliver user-friendly investment products to retail investors across the country, leveraging its digital infrastructure and distribution network.
ii.According to fintech firm Angel One, Angel One Mutual Fund will offer passive investment products like index funds and Exchange-Traded Funds(ETFs), providing clients with a low-cost, transparent, and convenient way to build wealth.
Note: Angel One Limited, founded in 1996, is an Indian stockbroking firm affiliated with the Bombay Stock Exchange (BSE), National Stock Exchange (NSE), National Commodity & Derivatives Exchange (NCDEX), and Multi Commodity Exchange of India (MCX).
AWARDS & RECOGNITIONS
India Honored with the ISSA Good Practice Award for Asia and Pacific 2024
On December 3 2024, India was honored with the prestigious International Social Security Association (ISSA) Good Practice Award for Asia and Pacific 2024. The award was presented by Dr. Mohammed Azman, President of ISSA during the Regional Social Security Forum held from December 3 to 5, 2024 in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
i.The Employees’ Provident Fund Organisation (EPFO) under the Ministry of Labour and Employment (MoL&E) has received 5 Certificates of Merit (CoM) for its innovative and inclusive social security initiatives, including: Communication Channels: enhancing stakeholder engagement; Prayaas-prioritizing pensioners, among others.
ii.It has also received a Special Mention for Digital Life Certificate or Jeevan Pramaan Patra, is an additional facility which enables the pensioners to file their Life Certificates through a biometric authentication system that is Aadhaar-based.
About International Social Security Association (ISSA):
President – Dr. Mohammed Azman
Headquarters – Geneva, Switzerland
Founded – 1927
>> Read Full News
Indian-origin Jasleen Kaur Wins Turner Prize 2024 for Her Exhibition Alter Altar
Indian-origin Scottish artist Jasleen Kaur has been awarded the prestigious Turner Prize 2024 for her thought-provoking exhibition, Alter Altar. Actor James Norton presented the award along with a prize of Great Britain Pound(GBP) 25,000 (approximately Rs 26.84 lakh) to Jasleen Kaur at the ceremony took place at Tate Britain in London, United Kingdom (UK).
- The other artists who were shortlisted alongside Jasleen Kaur includes Pio Abad, Claudette Johnson, and Delaine Le Bas.
i.Jasleen Kaur’s ‘Alter Altar Exhibition’ reflects themes of identity, migration, and cultural inheritance, drawing inspiration from her family’s journey as migrants to Scotland.
ii.Jasleen Kaur’s exhibition is on display at Tate Britain until February 2025, alongside other shortlisted artists.
>> Read Full News
ICC Wins 2024 OPCW-The Hague Award
In November 2024, the Indian Chemical Council (ICC) was honoured with the “2024 Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons(OPCW)- The Hague Award” for its contribution to Chemical Disarmament during the 29th Session of the Conference of the States Parties (CSP) held in The Hague, the Netherlands.
- The award was presented by Ambassador Fernando Arias, Director-General of the OPCW, and Jan van Zanen, Mayor of The Hague, presented the award to ICC Director General, D. Sothi Selvam, who received the award on behalf of the Council.
i.This award recognises the ICC’s underscores the Council’s role in promoting chemical safety, industry-wide security, and compliance with international norms.
ii.The Chemical Weapons Convention (CWC), which came into force in 1997, is an international treaty with 193 States Parties, aiming for the total elimination of chemical weapons.
Note:
The OPCW was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 2013 for its efforts in chemical disarmament. To honor individuals and organizations contributing to the CWC’s goals, the OPCW established the OPCW The Hague Award in 2014.
- Hubert Foy, Director of the African Center for Science and International Security received the 2023 OPCW-The Hague Award
Octanom Tech Recognized Among Forbes India’s “Select 200 Companies with Global Business Potential”
In November 2024, Mumbai(Maharashtra) based Octanom Tech Private Limited, a leader in financial technology innovation, has been named to Forbes India’s “Select 200 Companies with Large Global Business Potential” at the D Globalist Entrepreneur Mobility Summit (DGEMS) 2024 in New Delhi(Delhi).
i.This accolade is expected to accelerate Octanom Tech’s global growth, paving the way for new partnerships and reinforcing its leadership in financial technology innovation.
ii..Octanom Tech’s flagship platform, Hedged.in, is India’s first “Hedged Style” trading solution, empowering traders with low-risk, structured products designed to safeguard against market downturns and volatility.
Note: The company was founded by financial expert Rahul Ghose and aims to reduce global investment losses by USD 100 billion, focusing on risk mitigation rather than profit maximization.
APPOINTMENTS & RESIGNATIONS
Devendra Fadnavis Sworn-in as 21st CM of Maharashtra; Eknath Shinde & Ajit Pawar as Deputy CM
On December 5 2024, Devendra Fadnavis, leader of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), was sworn in as 21st Chief Minister (CM) of Maharashtra, marking his 3rd term following the Mahayuti alliance’s victory. The BJP-Shiv Sena-NCP Mahayuti coalition has a majority of 230 seats in the 288-members in the Maharashtra Assembly election held in November 2024.
- Maharashtra’s Governor CP Radhakrishnan administered the oath of office at a grand ceremony held at Azad Maidan in Mumbai,Maharashtra.
- The swearing-in ceremony was attended by Prime Minister(PM) Narendra Modi, Union Ministers Rajnath Singh, Ministry of Defence(MoD), Amit Shah, Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA), and Nitin Gadkari, Ministry of Road Transport & Highways(MoRTH) along with Bollywood stars and industrialists like Shah Rukh Khan, Salman Khan, Mukesh Ambani and Kumar Mangalam Birla.
Other Appointments:
Eknath Shinde of Shiv Sena and Ajit Pawar of the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) also took their oaths as Deputy CM of Maharashtra.
About Devendra Fadnavis:
i.Devendra Fadnavis, member of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS), became the youngest mayor of the Nagpur Municipal Corporation and the second-youngest mayor in the country at the age of 22 in 1997 after Arya Rajendra(21).
ii.He was the President of BJP’s Maharashtra state unit from 2013 to 2015.
iii.He was first elected to the Maharashtra Legislative Assembly in 1999. He was selected as the CM of Maharashtra for the first time in 2014 and remained till 2019.
- He became the second youngest Chief Minister (CM) of Maharashtra at the age of 44, after Sharad Pawar who became the CM at 38 in 1988.
iv.He was sworn in for the second time on 22 November 2019 but resigned on 26 November 2019.
v.From 2019 to 2022, he served as the Leader of the Opposition in the Maharashtra Legislative Assembly.
vi.He served as the Deputy CM of Maharashtra, alongside Ajit Pawar in the Eknath Shinde government.
About Maharashtra:
Chief Minister (CM)– Devendra Fadnavis
Governor– CP Radhakrishnan
Capital– Mumbai
Airports- Chhatrapati Shivaji International Airport & Pune International Airport
ACQUISITIONS & MERGERS
SEBI Approves Roshni Nadar’s Majority Acquisition in HCL Tech and HCL Infosystems
The Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) has granted approval to Roshni Nadar to acquire a majority shareholding in two promoter group companies of (Hindustan Computers Limited) HCL Group,HCL Techologies Limited and HCL Infosystems Limited from her father, Shiv Nadar.HCL Corp is a non-deposit taking systematically important non-banking finance company (NBFC).
- Roshni Nadar will acquire a 47% stake each in Vama Sundari Investments Private Limited (VSIPL) and HCL Corporation Private Limited, increasing her stake in these companies to 57%.
- Currently, In HCL Infosystems, HCL Corp holds 49.95 per cent of the equity share capital, while VSIPL has a 12.94 per cent holding.
- HCLTech Ownership: VSIPL holds 44.17%, and HCL Corp holds 0.17%.
Current Shareholding:
- VSIPL: Roshni Nadar holds 10.33%, Shiv Nadar holds 51%.
- HCL Corp: Roshni Nadar holds 10.33%, Shiv Nadar holds 51%.
SEBI has set certain conditions for the exemption, with the acquisition needing to be completed within 1 year.Roshni Nadar is required to file a report with SEBI within 21 days of the acquisition’s completion.
SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY
ISRO launches ESA’s Proba-3 mission to study sun’s corona
On December 5 2024, the Indian Space Research Orgaisation(ISRO) has successfully launched the European Space Agency’s (ESA) Proba-3 mission from the First Launch Pad (FLP), Satish Dhawan Space Centre, Sriharikota, Andhra Pradesh(AP). using the highly reliable Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle (PSLV)-XL rocket. This was the world’s first precision formation-flying mission.
- This is the 61st flight of the 44.5-meter(m) tall PSLV-C59 rocket and 26th with the PSLV-XL variant.
- This mission aims to enhance our understanding of the Sun’s corona, the outer layer of its atmosphere, and marks a significant collaboration between the ISRO and the ESA.
- Proba-3’s launch marks the first ESA mission to fly with an ISRO launcher since the Proba-1 mission in 2001 and is expected to operate for two years.
Key Highlights:
i.Proba-3 is a technology demonstration mission funded under ESA’s General Support Technology Programme. It is designed to show precise formation flying, and its launch was facilitated by NewSpace India Ltd. (NSIL), the commercial arm of ISRO.
ii.The Proba-3 mission consists of two satellites – Coronagraph (310 kilogram(kg)) and Occulter (240 kg) which are designed to study the Sun’s corona, the outermost layer of its atmosphere by creating artificial solar eclipses in space.
- The two satellites will create an approximately 150-metre-long solar coronagraph to study the Sun’s faint corona closer to the solar rim.
iii.These twin satellites will function in a precise formation, maintaining a distance of 150m apart while flying together.
iv.This unique arrangement allows the Occulter to block out the Sun’s bright disk, which will enable the Coronagraph to observe the faint corona in more detail.
- This artificial eclipse will provide scientists with up to six hours of continuous observation during each 19-hour orbit, equivalent to approximately 50 natural solar eclipses each year.
v.During active formation flying, the Coronagraph will act as the leader, equipped with a hydrazine propulsion system while the Occulter spacecraft will follow, using cold gas thrusters to maintain its position.
- This coordination will help in implementing complex maneuvers such as resizing their separation distance and retargeting their orientation and copying the functionality of a single large spacecraft.
vi.The mission consists of various advanced systems to enable precise formation flying. These include star trackers, GPS (Global Positioning System) receivers, inter-satellite radio links, optical cameras, LEDs (Light-emitting diode), and laser-based sensors.
vii.The mission is also equipped with additional scientific payloads, including the Digital Absolute Radiometer (DARA), which will measure the Sun’s total energy output, known as total solar irradiance which will help in understanding the energy input driving Earth’s climate.
About Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle (PSLV):
i.The Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle (PSLV), India’s third-generation launch vehicle, is an expendable medium-lift launch vehicle designed and operated by the ISRO.
- The first PSLV was successfully launched in October 1994.
- It was developed with an aim to launch Indian Remote Sensing (IRS) satellites into Sun-synchronous orbits.
ii.PSLV-XL is the upgraded version of Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle in its standard layout boosted by more powerful, stretched strap-on boosters with 12 tons of propellant load.
iii.PSLV-C59 involves four stages and carries a total payload mass of approximately 320 tonnes.
iv.The first use of PSLV-XL was the launch of Chandrayaan-1 by PSLV-C11.
About Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO):
Chairman – Sreedhara Panicker Somanath
Headquarters – Bengaluru, Karnataka
Founded– 1969
Founder -Vikram Sarabhai
About European Space Agency (ESA):
Director General(DG) – Josef Aschbacher
Headquarters – Paris, France
Founded – 1975
ENVIRONMENT
New frog species “Raorchestes asakgrensis” discovered in Meghalaya
Meghalaya’s biodiversity has gained global recognition with the discovery of a new frog species, Raorchestes asakgrensis, in the Eman Asakgre Community Reserve. The species is named after the Eman Asakgre Community Reserve, honoring the local community’s support during the research in biodiversity conservation.
- The Newly Discovered Raorchestes asakgrensis was found at an elevation of 174 meters in Eman Asakgre, this small arboreal frog is distinctive for its pointed snout and visible tympanum.
- The discovery was published in Herpetozoa, the international Journal.
- Males measure about 20.49 mm in snout-vent length, with females slightly larger at 22.8 mm. Males call from shrubs at dusk, perched 1.5 meters or higher, with calling activity peaking after the first monsoon rains.
i.This study, supported by the National Mission on Himalayan Studies and the Stiftung Artenschutz Amphibian Conservation Fund, highlights the crucial role of community reserves in safeguarding biodiversity.
ii.The team of scientists RS Naveen, SR Chandramouli, S Babu, AM Ryndongsngi, PV Karunakaran, and Honnavalli N Kumara conducted extensive field surveys in the Garo and Khasi Hills between 2020 and 2022 and they rediscovered two frog species, Raorchestes garo and Raorchestes kempiae last described over a century ago in 1919 by George Boulenger.
SPORTS
Syed Modi International 2024: PV Sindhu and Lakshya Sen won singles titles
Indian shuttlers Pusarla Venkata (P.V) Sindhu and Lakshya Sen won the women’s and men’s singles titles, respectively, at the Syed Modi India International Super 300 tournament held from 26th November 2024 to 1st December 2024 at the Babu Banarasi Das Indoor Stadium in Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh (UP).
- P.V Sindhu defeated the world number 119 Wu Luo Yu of the People’s Republic of China to win the Women’s Singles finals 21-14, 21-16.
- Lakshya Sen defeated Jia Heng Jason Teh of Singapore to win the Men’s Singles finals 21-6, 21-7.
Note: It was the 37th tournament of the 2024 BWF World Tour.
>> Read Full News
Men’s Junior Asia Cup 2024: India defeats Pakistan to win its fifth title
The Indian hockey team defeated Pakistan by 5-3 in the final to win the Men’s Hockey Junior Asia Cup 2024 held from 26th November to 4th December in Muscat, Oman.
- This victory marked India’s fifth title (2004, 2008, 2015 and 2023.) and a 3rd in succession following the victories in 2015, 2023 and 2024
- Pakistan secured the 2nd spot in the tournament while Japan defeated Malaysia by 2-1 to claim the 3rd spot.
Key Points
i.Hockey Indiaannounced a cash reward of 2 lakhs to each player and 1 lakh to each support staff member on the title win.
Note: Indian Junior Men’s Hockey Team currently coached by two-time Olympic medallist Parattu Raveendran (PR) Sreejesh and lead by Amir Ali
Awards
| Award | Player |
|---|---|
| Player of the Tournament | Araijeet Singh Hundal (India) |
| Goalkeeper of the Tournament | Rafaizul Saini (Malaysia) |
| Leading Goal scorer | Sufyan Khan (Pakistan) |
| Rising Player of the Tournament | Yamato Kawahara (Japan) |
Achievements of Indian Junior Men’s Hockey Team
The team has won the Junior World Cup twice – 2001 World Cup in Hobart, Australia and in 2016 in Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh (UP). They have also won Sultan of Johor Cup in 2013, 2014 and 2022.
About Men’s Hockey Junior Asia Cup:
i.The Men’s Hockey Junior Asia Cup is a men’s international under-21 field hockey tournament organized by the Asian Hockey Federation.
ii.The tournament was first held in 1988 and serves as a qualification tournament for the Men’s FIH (International Hockey Federation) Hockey Junior World Cup.
iii.The tournament has been won by four different teams: India has the most titles with five and Pakistan follows with three. Malaysia and South Korea have both won the tournament once.
OBITUARY
Indian Classical Musician and Sarod Player ‘Aashish Khan’ Passed Away at 84
In November 2024, Indian Classical Musician and Sarod player ‘Ustad Aashish Khan’ has passed away at the age of 84 in Los Angeles, the United States of America (USA). He was born in 1939 in Maihar, Madhya Pradesh(MP).
- In 2004, he was honoured with the Sangeet Natak Akademi Award (Akademi Ratna), the highest recognition for performing arts.
i.In 2006, Ustad Aashish Khan received a Grammy nomination in the ‘Best Traditional World Music Album’ category for his album “Golden Strings of the Sarode”.
ii.He formed his own Indo-jazz band “Shanti” with tabla maestro Ustad Zakir Hussain in 1969. He also established the Aashish Khan School of World Music in Kolkata, West Bengal(WB).
iii.He made countless contributions to Indian music, with some of his most famous works including scores for films such as Gandhi and A Passage to India.
IMPORTANT DAYS
Indian Navy Day 2024 – December 04 
Indian Navy Day is annually observed across India on December 4th to recognise the role and achievements of the Indian Navy in ensuring the safety of the nation.
- The day also commemorates Operation Trident, Indian Navy’s offensive operation conducted during the Indo-Pakistan war in 1971.
- The theme for 2024 is “Strength and Power through Innovation and Indigenization”.
History:
i.On May 1, 1830, the East India Company came under British control and was granted combatant status, becoming the Indian Navy. In 1858, it was renamed “Her Majesty’s Indian Navy.”
ii.The Indian Navy adopted the Vedic invocation to Lord Varuna, “Sam no Varunah,” as its motto, meaning “Be auspicious unto us, O Varuna.”
- Navy Day was first celebrated on October 21, 1944.
iii.Since 1972, it has been observed on December 4 to commemorate the successful naval operations during the 1971 war, including the missile attack on Karachi harbor, as well as to honor the sacrifices of war martyrs.
iv.The Indian Navy is organized into three commands, each led by a Flag Officer Commanding-in-Chief: Western Command (headquartered in Mumbai), Eastern Command (Visakhapatnam) and Southern Naval Command (Kochi).
About Indian Navy (Nautical Army of Volunteer Yeomen):
Chief of Naval Staff (CNS)– Admiral Dinesh K Tripathi
Headquarters- New Delhi
Established-1950
>> Read Full News
International Volunteer Day for Economic and Social Development – December 05
United Nations (UN)’s International Volunteer Day for Economic and Social Development commonly known as International Volunteer Day (IVD) is annually observed across the globe on 5th December.
- It aims to promote volunteerism, encourage governments to support volunteer efforts and recognize their contributions to achieve Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
- Volunteering makes people part of the solutions. Volunteerism lets people and communities participate in their development.
Background:
i.The United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) adopted the resolution A/RES/40/212 on 17th December 1985 and proclaimed the 5th December of every year as International Volunteer Day for Economic and Social Development.
ii.In November 1997, UNGA passed a resolution A/RES/52/17 and proclaimed 2001 the International Year of Volunteers (IYV).
iii.The first ever International Volunteer Day for Economic and Social Development was observed on 5th December 1985.
>> Read Full News
World Soil Day 2024 – December 05
The United Nations (UN’s) World Soil Day (WSD) was annually observed across the globe on 5th December to raise awareness about the critical importance of healthy soil and promote the sustainable management of soil resources.
- 5th December 2024 marks the observance of the 11th WSD.
- The theme of WSD 2024 is “Caring for soils: measure, monitor, manage”.
Background:
i.On 20th December 2013, the UNGA adopted the resolution A/RES/68/232 and agreed to mark the 5th December of every year as the WSD and declared the year 2015 as the International Year of Soils.
ii.The first ever WSD was observed on 5th December 2014.
Awards and Prizes:
i.The 2024 King Bhumibol World Soil Day Award was presented by FAO to the Water and Soil Department of the Ministry of Agriculture Jahad of the Islamic Republic of Iran.
ii.The 2024 Glinka Prize was given to the Land Development Department (LDD), Ministry of Agriculture and Cooperatives of Thailand.
About Food and Agricultural Organization (FAO):
Director General – QU Dongyu
Headquarters – Rome, Italy
Founded – 1945
>> Read Full News
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