Current Affairs 9 December 2020

We are here for you to provide the important Recent and Latest Current Affairs 9 December 2020, which have unique updates of Latest Current Affairs 2020 events from all newspapers such as The Hindu, The Economic Times, PIB, Times of India, PTI, Indian Express, Business Standard and all Government official websites.

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Top 25 Current Affairs of 9 December 2020

NATIONAL AFFAIRS

PM Inaugurated Construction Work of Agra Metro Project in Agra, UP

i.On December 7, 2020, the inauguration ceremony for the construction work of Phase-1 of the Agra Metro project in Agra, Uttar Pradesh (UP) was held at 15 Battalion PAC parade ground in Agra.
ii.The project was virtually inaugurated by Prime Minister (PM) Narendra Modi in the presence of Union Minister Hardeep Singh Puri, Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs (MoHUA), Chief Minister (CM) of UP, Yogi Adityanath, and UP Governor Anandiben Patel.
iii.The project comprises 2 corridors with a total length of 29.4 km has an approximate outlay of Rs 8,379.62 cr and will be completed in 5 years.
iv.The project will benefit the 26 lakh population of Agra with ‘Ease of Living’ as it will reduce pollution and traffic and also cater to more than 60 lakh annual tourists of the city.
About Uttar Pradesh (UP):
Tiger Reserve– Etawah Lion Safari, Chuka Pilibhit Tiger Reserve, Dudhwa Tiger Reserve
Stadium– Eklavya Sports Stadium, Late Mohan Choubey Pahalvan Sports Stadium, Pandit Madan Mohan Malviya Sports stadium , Buddh International Circuit.
<<Read Full News>>

SJVN virtually sign MoU with IREDA for development of Green Energy Projects

On December 7, 2020, SJVN Limited signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Indian Renewable Energy Development Agency Limited (IREDA) for Green Energy Projects through virtual mode. As per the MoU, IREDA will provide services to SJVN for development of Green Energy Projects, and help SJVN in devising an action plan to create and acquire Renewable Energy Projects for the next 5 years.
i.As part of the MoU, IREDA will undertake Techno-Financial due diligence (identifying suitable technology for particular project sites) for the projects of SJVN.
ii.The partnership is expected to improve the knowledge and technology transfer between the two agencies and will also provide consultancy & research services.
Fact:
India Targets 175 GW Renewable Energy by 2022 – 100 GW Solar, 60 GW Wind, 10 GW Bio-Energy, 5 GW Small Hydro.  89.63 GW of Renewable Energy has already been installed by India.
About SJVN Ltd:
Chairman & Managing Director – N.L. Sharma
Head Office – Shimla, Himachal Pradesh
About Indian Renewable Energy Development Agency Limited (IREDA):
Chairman & Managing Director – Pradip Kumar Das
Headquarters – New Delhi
<<Read Full News>>

IAF Signed MoU with CSIR-NML for Research in Material Science, Engineering

i.On 7th December 2020, the Indian Air Force(IAF) signed a Memorandum of Understanding(MoU) with Council of Scientific & Industrial Research-National Metallurgical Laboratory (CSIR-NML), Jamshedpur, Jharkhand for the research and development in the field of material science and engineering.
ii.The IAF delegation led by Air Marshal Vibhas Pande VSM, Air Officer in charge Maintenance along with senior officials of NML signed the agreement.
iii.This MoU for cooperation in activities of interest to IAF, within the field expertise of CSIR-NML was the development due to IAF’s visit to CSIR-NML.
About CSIR-NML:
Council of Scientific & Industrial Research-National Metallurgical Laboratory (CSIR-NML)
Inaugurated and dedicated on 26th November 1950, CSIR-NML is the 3rd laboratory of the CSIR’s 38 labs.
Director– Dr. Indranil. Chattoraj
Location– Jamshedpur, Jharkhand
<<Read Full News>>

NBCFDC, NSFDC sign MoA with Central Bank of India to implement VISVAS Yojana

On December 7, 2020, National Backward Classes Finance & Development Corporation (NBCFDC) & National Scheduled Castes Finance and Development Corporation (NSFDC) signed a Memorandum of Agreement (MoAs) with Central Bank of India for implementation of ‘Vanchit Ikai Samooh aur Vargon ki Aarthik Sahayta (VISVAS) Yojana’ – an Interest Subvention Scheme of the Ministry of Social Justice & Empowerment, Government of India. With the signing of the agreement, interest subvention for the beneficiaries of the VISVAS Yojana will be provided through the Central Bank of India.
Note: –
Interest Subvention means Government paying part of the Interest on a Loan.
VISVAS Yojana:
i.Launched by the Ministry of Social Justice & Empowerment in September 2020, the scheme has set a target to provide benefits to around 3.28 Lakh People in the 2020-21 financial year.
ii.The objective of the scheme is to reduce the Interest burden on the Underprivileged sections of SCs & OBCs.
iii.The Scheme aims to provide OBC/SC SHGs of loans/borrowings of up to INR 4 Lakh & OBC/SC Individuals with loans/borrowings of up to INR 2 Lakh with an interest subvention benefit of 5%.
About National Backward Classes Finance & Development Corporation (NBCFDC):
Managing Director – K. Narayan
Headquarters – New Delhi
About National Scheduled Castes Finance and Development Corporation (NSFDC):
Chairman cum Managing Director – K. Narayan
Headquarters – New Delhi
About Central Bank of India:
Managing Director & Chief Executive Officer – Pallav Mohapatra
Headquarters – Mumbai, Maharashtra
<<Read Full News>>

NTPC signs MoU with IIFM, Bhopal for Narmada Landscape Restoration Project

NTPC Limited (formerly known as National Thermal Power Corporation) signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Indian Institute of Forest Management (IIFM), Bhopal for the implementation of Narmada Landscape Restoration Project (NLRP). NTPC Ltd & United States Agency for International Development (USAID) will provide the funds in equal proportions for the implementation of the project.
i.The Main Objective of the scheme is to impact the water quality & quantity in the tributaries of River Narmada.
ii.IIFM, Bhopal, Global Green Growth Institute (GGGI) will be the implementation partners.
iv.It will be implemented in Khargone District of Madhya Pradesh along the catchments of tributaries of River Narmada between the Omkareshwar & Maheshwar dams.
v.The tenure of the project will be 4 years.
About NTPC Limited (formerly known as National Thermal Power Corporation):
Chairman & Managing Director – Gurdeep Singh
Headquarters – New Delhi
About Indian Institute of Forest Management (IIFM):
Director – Pankaj Srivastava
Location – Bhopal, Madhya Pradesh
About Global Green Growth Institute (GGGI):
Director General – Frank Rijsberman
Headquarters – Seoul, South Korea
<<Read Full News>>

Central Zoo Authority grants recognition to 2 New Zoos – one each in Bihar & Uttar Pradesh

On December 7, 2020, The 37th General Body meeting of Central Zoo Authority (CZA) chaired by Union Minister for Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC), Prakash Javadekar granted recognition to 2 New Zoos – Rajgir Zoo Safari in Nalanda, Bihar & Shaheed Ashfaque Ullah Khan Prani Udyaan in Gorakhpur, Uttar Pradesh.
Rajgir Zoo Safari:
The Foundation stone for the Zoo was laid by Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar in 2017. The speciality of the zoo is the naturalistic safari enclosure which provides large space for the captive animals.
Shaheed Ashfaque Ullah Khan Prani Udyaan, Gorakhpur:
Shaheed Ashfaque Ullah Khan Prani Udyaan, Gorakhpur, Uttar Pradesh has enclosures for a range of birds, herbivores and carnivores and is expected to be the 2nd Biggest Zoo in Uttar Pradesh after Kanpur Zoological Park.
About Central Zoo Authority:
It is a Statutory Body under the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC)
Chairperson – Union Minister for MoEFCC (Prakash Javadekar)
Headquarters – New Delhi
<<Read Full News>>

PwC India Collaborated with UNICEF & YuWaah to Upskill 300 mn Indian youths over 10 yrs

i.On December 7, 2020, Consulting firm PwC (PriceWaterhouseCoopers) India announced the launch of a strategic collaboration with United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) and YuWaah (Generation Unlimited in India) to upskill 300 million youths in India in the next 10 years.
ii.It should be noted that in November 2019, UNICEF launched Generation Unlimited aka YuWaah in India is aimed at imparting skills & providing employment to 1.8 billion young  people in India in the age bracket of 10-24 years by 2030.
iii.According to the International Labour Organization (ILO), India is staring at a 29 million skill deficit by 2030.
About UNICEF:
Executive Director– Henrietta Holsman Fore
Head Quarter – New York, United States (US)
UNICEF Representative in India– Dr. Yasmin Ali Haque
<<Read Full News>>

Mastercard, ni-msme and CII Partners to Launch Digital Saksham, a Capacity Building Initiative for MSMEs in India

i.On December 7, 2020 Mastercard, National Institute for Micro, Small & Medium Enterprises (ni-msme) and Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) entered into partnership to launch Digital Saksham, a capacity building initiative to drive awareness about digitization for Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises(MSMEs) in India.
ii.Under this 3 year project, more than 3 lakh MSMEs will be trained to adopt digitisation.
iii.The program involves 3 key stages over 3 years from the launch, including outreach, capacity building and adoption of digital tools that will help small businesses.
About National Institute for Micro, Small & Medium Enterprises (ni-msme):
IT was originally set up as Central Industrial Extension Training Institute (CIETI) in New Delhi in 1960 as a Department under the Ministry of Industry and Commerce, Government of India
Director General– S. Glory Swarupa
Chairman of Governing Council of ni-msme & President of Society– Union Minister of MSME, Govt of India
Current Union Minister of MSME– Nitin Jairam Gadkari
HeadQuarters– Yousufguda, Hyderabad
<<Read Full News>>

India only high endemic country to report a decline of 17.6 % in Malaria cases in 2019: WHO World Malaria Report 2020

According to the World Malaria Report 2020 released by the World Health Organization (WHO), India became the only high endemic country to report a decline of 17.6 % in 2019 compared to 2018. India reported the largest fall in Malaria cases in the WHO South-East Asia Region, it reported 5.6 Million cases in 2019 compared to 20 Million cases in 2000. Globally 229 Million malaria cases were reported in 2018 in 87 malaria endemic countries.
As per the ‘World Malaria Report 2020’, Meghalaya has topped the list in reducing malaria cases by 59% in India.
11 Highest-Malaria Burden Countries:
11 highest-burden countries – Burkina Faso, Cameroon, Congo, Ghana, India, Mali, Mozambique, Niger, Nigeria, Uganda and Tanzania accounted for 70% of Global estimated case burden and 71% of Global estimated deaths from Malaria.
List of High Endemic States in India which recorded highest decline of Malaria cases in 2019 (compared to 2018): 

<<Read Full News>>

INTERNATIONAL AFFAIRS

i.On December 7, 2020, a non-profit, non-governmental organization, Germanwatch has released the 16^th edition of Climate Change Performance Index (CCPI) i.e. CCPI 2021 for 57 countries and European Union (EU) in which India was ranked at 10^th spot with a score of 63.98 out of 100.
ii.This was the second consecutive time that India remained in top 10 as it was at 9^th position in 2019 with an overall score of 66.02.
iii.The CCPI is assessed under four categories consisting of 14 indicators.
iv.Notably, the index has placed no country on the first three positions, which states overall very high rating, because countries are not performing well in all index categories. In categories ranking also there are no first three positions.
v.Therefore, Sweden got the best ranking among its competitors but overall it is ranked at 4^th with a score of 74.42. It topped the ranking in the categories GHG Emissions, Renewable Energy and Climate Policy.
About Germanwatch:
Policy Director– Christoph Bals
Location– Bonn & Berlin, Germany
<<Read Full News>>

Nepal, China announced revised height of the World’s Highest Peak Mt. Everest – 8848.86 metres

On December 8, 2020, Nepal and China jointly announced that “8848.86 metres” is the revised height of World’s Highest Peak, Mount Everest.
i.The revised height of Mt.Everest is 86 centimetres more than the previous measure done in 1954 by Survey of India (8, 848 metres).
ii.The decision to re-measure the peak was taken due to many reasons, one of the reasons was the 2015 Nepal Earthquake.
iii.In 2019 during Chinese President Xi Jinping’s Nepal visit, both countries decided to jointly measure and announce the height of the world’s tallest peak.
iv.“Sagarmatha” is the Nepali name for Mount Everest, whereas it is called “Chomolungma” or “Qomolangma”in Tibetian and “Qomolangma Feng” in Chinese.
Mt. Everest:
i.It is a peak in the Himalayan Mountain Range and is located in the Mahalangur Himal Sub-range of Himalayas.
ii.Himalayas covers around 2400 Kms and passes through India, Pakistan, Afghanistan, China, Bhutan and Nepal.

BANKING & FINANCE

Ujjivan Small Finance Bank Introduces ‘Money Mitra’, a Neighbourhood Banking Channel For its Customers

i.On December 7, 2020 Ujjivan Small Finance Bank(SFB) Ltd introduced ‘Money Mitra’, a new channel, to make banking services accessible to its customers in their neighbourhood.
ii.Money Mitra facilitates entrepreneurs of local businesses like kirana / medical stores or Insurance agencies to offer retail banking solutions to Ujjivan SFB customers exclusively.
iii.Ujjivan SFB customers can make a deposit, withdraw money, pay Loan EMI(Equated Monthly Installments) and transfer funds without the need to visit the branch, at the  Money Mitra outlets.
About Ujjivan Small Finance Bank Limited:
It is a wholly owned subsidiary of Ujjivan Financial Services Ltd. It is included in the Second Schedule to the Reserve Bank of India Act, 1934.
Commenced operations as a Small Finance Bank–  February 1, 2017
License– Reserve Bank of India(RBI) issued a licence to the bank under Section 22 (1) of the Banking Regulation Act, 1949
Managing Director(MD) and Chief Executive Officer(CEO)– Nitin Chugh
Headquarters– Bengaluru(Bangalore), Karnataka
<<Read Full News>>

Bank of Baroda Launches Atmanirbhar Women Scheme

i.On December 7, 2020 Sanjiv Chadha, Managing Director(MD) and Chief Executive Officer(CEO) of Bank of Baroda (BoB)  launched ‘Atmanirbhar Women Scheme’ virtually at BOB’s Ramamurthy Nagar branch, Bengaluru, Karnataka.
ii.This launch is part of the bank’s Baroda Gold Loan. The launch was also made simultaneously in 18 branches coming under 18 zones in India.
Purpose of Atmanirbhar Women Scheme- To help women to be self reliant
About Bank of Baroda(BoB):
HeadOffice– Vadodara(earlier known as Baroda), Gujarat
Managing Director(MD) and Chief Executive Officer(CEO)– Sanjiv Chadha
Established– 20 July 1908
Tagline– India’s International Bank
<<Read Full News>>

ADB Approves a $2.5 million Technical Assistance to Help Improve Advanced Biofuel Production in India

i.On December 7, 2020  The Asian Development Bank (ADB) has approved  a $2.5 million (about Rs 18 crore) Technical Assistance(TA) to support advanced biofuel development in India.
ii.This grant is funded from the Asia Clean Energy Fund, financed by the Government of Japan under the Clean Energy Financing Partnership Facility, and the Republic of Korea’s e-Asia and Knowledge Partnership Fund.
iii.Objective of TA-To Help Improve Advanced Biofuel Production in India
About Asian Development Bank (ADB):
Headquarters– Mandaluyong, Manila, Philippines
President– Masatsugu Asakawa
Membership– 68 countries(Including India)
Formed– 1966
<<Read Full News>>

ICICI Lombard and Plum Partners to Co-Create India’s 1st Technologically Powered Group Health Insurance Products

i.On December 7, 2020 ICICI Lombard General Insurance Limited partnered with Plum Benefits Private Limited to co-create India’s first technologically backed group health insurance products.
ii.Aim– To offer employers and employees flexibility, transparent pricing, and exceptional healthcare experience.
iii.ICICI Lombard and Plum, with use of the latest technologies, aims to solve 4 major areas of group health insurance namely, real time pricing, onboarding, policy management and claims.
About ICICI Lombard General Insurance Co. Ltd:
HeadQuarters– Mumbai, Maharashtra
Managing Director(MD) and Chief Executive Officer(CEO)– Bhargav Dasgupta
Established– 2001
About Plum Benefits Private Limited:
HeadQuarters– Bengaluru, Karnataka
Co-Founder & CEO– Abhishek Poddar
Founded– 2019
<<Read Full News>>

ECONOMY & BUSINESS

Fitch revised India GDP forecast for FY21 to -9.4% from -10.5%

On December 8, 2020, Fitch Ratings in its recent Global Economic Outlook-December 2020 upgraded the India’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP) forecast to – 9.4% in FY21 from a previously projected contraction of 10.5%(-10.5%).

• This revision took place after a great economic push from the coronavirus-induced recession in Q2FY21 (July-September).
• The Fitch projections regarding GDP for FY22 and FY23 remained unchanged at 11% and 6.3% respectively. In FY20, there was a GDP growth of 4.2%.

Key Points:
–The consumer price inflation was projected at 4.9% in FY21 and 3.5% in FY22.
–On the global front, it projected a decline in GDP at -3.7% in FY20 compared to -4.4% in the September projection.
–It also revised its annual world GDP growth forecast for FY22 to 5.3% (from 5.2 per cent).

AWARDS & RECOGNITIONS        

MP’s Gwalior  & Orchha named in UNESCO World Heritage Cities List

i.The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) has inscribed the fort cities of Gwalior and Orchha in Madhya Pradesh (MP) in its world heritage cities under urban landscape city programme. This was informed by the state government of MP.
ii.The inclusion will led to the beautification of both cities by the MP Tourism Department in collaboration with UNESCO.
iii.In this regard, UNESCO team will visit the state in 2021 and will prepare a master plan for their development and conservation under the Historic Urban Landscape recommendation.
About UNESCO World Heritage Centre:
Director– Mechtild Rossler
Headquarter– Paris, France
<<Read Full News>>

Invest India Won UNCTAD Investment Promotion Award for 2020

i.On 8th December 2020, “Invest India” won the 2020 UNCTAD Investment Promotion Award by the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD).  The award was presented at the award ceremony organised at the headquarters of UNCTAD, Geneva, Switzerland.
ii.Invest India won the award among 3 winners in 2020: Rwanda Development Board, Kigali, Rwanda and Estonian Investment Agency, a part of Enterprise Estonia in Estonia.
iii.The UNCTAD presented the award to Invest India recognising its best practices like Business Immunity Platform, Exclusive Investment Forum webinar series, its social media engagement and focus COVID-19 response teams.
Invest India:
It is a non-profit venture under the Department of Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade, Ministry of Commerce and Industry.
MD & CEO– Deepak Bagla
Established– 2009
Headquarter– New Delhi
<<Read Full News>>

APPOINTMENTS & RESIGNATIONS       

WHO Foundation Appoints Indian-origin Anil Soni as its 1st CEO

i.On December 8, 2020  WHO Foundation appointed Anil Soni, Indian-origin global health expert as its 1st Chief Executive Officer(CEO) or inaugural CEO. He will take charge on January 1, 2021.
ii.Anil Soni as a CEO will expedite the work of WHO Foundation to invest in innovative, evidence-based initiatives that support WHO(World Health Organisation) to deliver on its mission to ensure healthy lives and improve well-being for everyone.
About WHO Foundation:
Launched– May 2020
Headquarters– Geneva, Switzerland
Founder and Chairman of the Board of the WHO Foundation–  Professor Thomas Zeltner
<<Read Full News>>   

Romanian PM Ludovic Orban Resigned After Losing 2020 Parliamentary Election;Nicolae Ciuca named Interim PM

On 7th December 2020, Ludovic Orban, center-right Prime Minister(PM) of Romania, leader of National Liberal Party (PNL) resigned from his post after the ruling party lost the 2020 parliamentary election held on 6th December 2020. The opposition party Social Democrats (PSD) won with 30.16% votes for Senate and 29.7% for Chamber of Deputies.
Klaus Iohannis, President of Romania appointed Nicolae-Ionel Ciucă, Defence Minister as the Interim Prime Minister
The 2020 Romanian Parliamentary Election:
i.The National Liberal Party (PNL) gained 24.2% and 24.7% of votes for the two houses.
ii.The centrist alliance USR-Plus won around 15.4% of the votes. The USR-Plus is a likely coalition partner of the PNL.
iii.The data of the Romania’s Central Election Bureau states that the voter turnout was only 33%, the record of the lowest turnout for a parliamentary election in Romania.
iv.Around 1 in 3 voters turned up to vote, the turnout votes were very low owing to the concerns over COVID-19 infections.
v.Alliance for Romanian Unity (AUR), the far right nationalist party gained 9% of the vote and will enter the parliament for the first time.
About Ludovic Orban:
i.Ludovic Orban was appointed as the Prime Minister in 2019, he was nominated to the post by President Klaus Iohanni.
ii.He has been serving as the leader of National Liberal Party (PNL) since 2017.
iii.He served as the Minister of Transport in the government of Calin Popescu Tariceanu.
iv.He served as the member of Chamber of Deputies for two terms and served as the President of Chamber of Deputies between 2009 and 2011.
v.He served as the deputy mayor of Bucharest and made his way into top level politics in 2007.
About Romania:
Currency– Romanian leu
Capital– Bucharest

OBITUARY

International Tennis Hall of Fame, Dennis Ralston dies at 78

On 6th December, 2020 Five-time Grand Slam doubles champion Dennis Ralston died at the age of 78. He was the highest ranked American Tennis player for three years and got inducted into the International Tennis Hall of Fame 10 years after his retirement.
Dennis Ralston Career:
i.Born on 27 July, 1942 in Bakersfield, California.
ii.At the age of 17, Ralston attained the greatest success in doubles when he paired with Rafael Osuna of Mexico, to win Wimbledon in 1960.
iii.He Won the 3 Grand Slam finalist in mixed doubles, French championship in 1966 teaming with Clark Graebner, In 1971, he won the mixed doubles Wimbledon Championships along with Arthur Ashe.
iv.Pairing with Chuck McKinley, won titles at the US national championship in 1961, 63 and 64.
v.In Men’s singles, he had a career record of 576-251 and won 41 titles.
vi.He played a big part in the U.S. winning the Davis Cup in 1963.
vii.Captained the team from 1972-75, including its 1972 win over Romania in the final.
viii.After retirement in 1977, he started coaching Chris Evert for 6 years.

BOOKS & AUTHORS

“Romancing Targets: Get Closer to Selling in 7 Steps” Authored by Nidhi Vadhera India’s First Woman Author on Sales

Nidhi Vadhera, India’s first woman on sales authored the book titled “Romancing Targets: Get Closer to Selling in 7 Steps”, which shows a systematic approach to achieve the targets through 7 effective steps, which were examined and explained in the book.
The book was published by Success Gyan Publishing and launched in December 2020.
About the book:
i.The book includes various examples for how systematic approach can ease things out, add to individual learning curves and build strong relationships for aspiring entrepreneurs and corporate professionals.
ii.The book provides a clear understanding about how to sell products and services using the sales process.
iii.It also provides a systematic approach to achieve the sales targets and results, preventing unpleasant outcomes during the process
About Nidhi Vadhera:
i.Nidhi Vadhera, is a leading sales coach, business consultant, entrepreneur, speaker, author and YouTuber who works towards educating aspiring entrepreneurs and corporate professionals to achieve through people and process development.
ii.She is the founder and Director of Vertical Hyphen Sourcing Inc.

IMPORTANT DAYS

36th SAARC Charter Day – December 8

SAARC Charter Day is annually observed across the member countries of South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC) – Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, the Maldives, Nepal, Pakistan and Sri Lanka on 8th December to mark the adoption of SAARC Charter by the member countries in 1985 to establish South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC).
The 8th December 2020 marks the 36th SAARC Charter Day.
SAARC Charter:
The SAARC Charter was signed on 8th December 1985 by the  Heads of State or Government of Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Maldives, Nepal, Pakistan and Sri Lanka at the 1st SAARC Summit held in Dhaka, Bangladesh.
SAARC was established to promote economic and cultural ties amongst SAARC member countries.
Note:
Afghanistan was admitted as the 8th member of SAARC at the 14th SAARC Summit held in New Delhi, India in April 2007.
Events 2020:
i.As a part of the SAARC Charter day celebration Afghanistan hosts the SAARC Youth platform’s webinar on “Youth and Human Rights, Peace Resilience and Economic Situation of Afghanistan”.
ii.Youth Advocacy Network of Pakistan along with SAARC Youth Platform organised a webinar on “The New Possible, A New South Asia for a New Reality: Building Resilient Recovery” on 7th December 2020 to celebrate the SAARC Charter Day 2020.
About SAARC:
Secretary General– Esala Ruwan Weerakoon (Sri Lanka)
Secretariat– Kathmandu, Nepal
Established on– 8th December 1985
Members– Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Maldives, Nepal, Pakistan and Sri Lanka

STATE NEWS

West Bengal Cabinet approves construction of State’s 1st Deep Sea port at Tajpur

On December 7, 2020, West Bengal Cabinet approved the Construction of the State’s 1st Deep Sea Port at Tajpur, Purba Medinipur, West Bengal. The Port is expected to attract investment of about INR 15, 000 Crores and generate employment for 25, 000 people. West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee stated that the port will be built entirely by the West Bengal Government.
Key points:
i.The Tajpur Deep Sea Port under West Bengal Maritime Board & West Bengal Industrial Development Corporation (WBIDC) will boost the seafood exports industry in East Midnapore and also benefits lakhs of fishermen.
ii.It will benefit the iron and steel industries functioning in and around Kharagpur for their export business.
iii.The Main Port of West Bengal is Kolkata Port & Haldia port.
iv.However anchoring of ocean-going vessels is not possible as the depth of the Hooghly river is shallow.
About West Bengal:
Wildlife Sanctuary (WLS) – Ballavpur WLS, Buxa WLS, Chapramari WLS, Sundarbans WLS
Ports – Kolkata Port, Haldia Port
<<Read Full News>>

UP government and IWAI signs MoU to promote Water Tourism

Uttar Pradesh(UP) State tourism department signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Inland Waterways Authority of India (IWAI) to promote water tourism in the state. This will allow the operation of 2 Ro Pax Passenger vessels in varanasi by the tourism department.

Key Highlights:
i.To prepare an action plan to enhance the potential of River tourism.
ii.To Promote river tourism in Saryu river in Ayodhya.
iii.Development of Tour Package to Ayodhya.
iv.Operation of 2 Ro Pax Passenger Vessels in varanasi.

About IWAI:
Headquarters- Noida, Uttar Pradesh
Formed on 27 October, 1986.
Chairman- Amita Prasad

About Uttar Pradesh:
Chief Minister- Yogi Adityanath
Governor- Anandiben Patel
Capital- Lucknow
Gangetic River Dolphins are endangered species in the Ganga river, primarily found in the UP, West Bengal region.

AC GAZE

Justice GR Udhwani of Gujarat High Court Passed Away at 59

On 6th December 2020, Justice GR Udhwani, sitting judge of Gujarat High Court passed away at the age of 59 at a private hospital in Ahmedabad, Gujarat. He died due to COVID-19. He was born on 25th November, 1961 in Ahmedabad. During the career of 30 years he served as additional judge of special Prevention of Terrorism Act (POTA) court and was confirmed as a permanent judge in the High Court in July 2014.

UBS Principal Capital Asia Ltd Sells Over 20 lakh shares of IndusInd Bank Ltd Worth Rs 184.51 crore

On December 4, 2020 UBS Principal Capital Asia Ltd. sold 20,70,000 shares of IndusInd Bank Ltd through open market transaction. The shares were sold at an average price of Rs 891.4 a piece, valuing the transaction at Rs 184.51 crore. BofA Securities Europe SA purchased the shares of IndusInd Bank at the same price. As per the shareholding data of IndusInd Bank for September quarter 2020, UBS Principal Capital Asia held 3.22% stake in the bank as a public shareholder.

NHPC to commission 2, 000 MW Hydropower project on Subansiri River by March 2022

Public Sector Undertaking NHPC stated that the 2, 000 MegaWatt (MW) Hydropower Project on Subansiri River would be commissioned by March 2022. The project is located near North Lakhimpur on the border of Arunachal Pradesh and Assam. The project was delayed due protests by Many groups in Assam.

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