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Click here for Current Affairs November 30 2019
INDIAN AFFAIRS
1st ‘two-plus-two’ dialogue between India & Japan held in New Delhi
On November 30, 2019, inaugural meeting of India-Japan Foreign and Defence Ministerial Dialogue, which is the “two-plus-two” (2+2) dialogue between India and Japan, was held in New Delhi. The dialogue was held with the aim of boosting bilateral security and defence cooperation and is expected to strengthen “India-Japan Special Strategic and Global Partnership”.
Key Points:
i.The delegation from the Indian side was led by Defence Minister Rajnath Singh and External Affairs Minister(EAM) Subrahmanyam Jaishankar. The Japanese delegation was led by Japan’s Foreign Affairs Minister Toshimitsu Motegi and Defence Minister Taro Kono.
ii.As part of the dialogue the two nations will also exchange views on the situation in the Indo-Pacific region and efforts taken under India’s ‘Act East Policy’ and Japan’s ‘Free and Open Indo-Pacific Vision’.
iii.The meeting was conducted in pursuance of the decision taken by Prime Minister(PM) shri Narendra Modi and his Japanese counterpart Shinzo Abe during the 13th India-Japan Annual Summit held in Japan in October 2018.
About Japan:
Capital- Tokyo (also the largest city).
Currency- Japanese yen.
Emperor- Naruhito.
Era- Reiwa.
7th edition of India-Sri Lanka joint military & Army exercise “MITRA SHAKTI 2019” begins in Pune, Maharashtra
On December 1, 2019, The 7th edition of India-Sri Lanka joint Military & Army Exercise MITRA SHAKTI–VII: 2019 has started at Aundh Military Station, Pune, Maharashtra with the aim to build and promote positive relations between the armies of India and Sri Lanka.
The exercise will be conducted for 14 days upto 14 December 2019& will involve sharing and learning from each others experiences.
Key Points:
i.Lieutenant General Kuldip Singh Brar, major general, general staff (operations) headquarters Southern Command reviewed the parade in presence of a number of officials of the participating nations.
ii.This exercise is based on Counter Terrorist Operations in urban and rural environment under United Nations mandate.
iii.The sixth edition of the exercise was held in Sri Lanka.
About Mitra Shakti:
Started in 2013, exercise Mitra Shakti is in continuation of a series of joint exercises that is conducted annually as part of military diplomacy to enhance cooperation between the armies of India & Sri Lanka.
Govt extended mandatory FASTag rollout deadline to December 15,2019
On November 29, 2019, the government has extended the deadline for enrolling to the mandatory FASTag for toll payments on national highways to December 15, 2019. Previously the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways(MoRT&H) announced December 1, 2019 as the deadline for enrolment.
Key Points:
i.Inorder to facilitate sufficient lead time to citizens to obtain FASTag, all lanes have now been declared with ‘FASTag lane of Fee Plaza’ by December 15, 2019.”
ii.Hybrid lane: One lane in the toll plaza in each direction has been decided to be kept as ‘hybrid lane’ for accepting FASTag and other modes of payment.
iii.The National Electronic Toll Collection (NETC) programme, under MoRT&H, has been implemented on a Pan-India basis of FASTag in ensuring seamless movement of traffic and collection of user fee as per the notified rates, using passive radio frequency identification (RFID) technology.
iv.As of now, nearly 70 lakh FASTags have already been issued to vehicles. Assistance related to FASTags can be availed from calling helpline number, ‘1033‘. Vehicles without FASTag will be charged twice the normal rate at the toll gates.
About FASTags:
Fact1- FASTags are prepaid rechargeable tags developed by the National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI) to meet the electronic tolling requirements in India.
Fact2- The FASTag will be affixed on the windscreen of the vehicle for toll collection.
India becomes the 1st country in the world to make Haj 2020 process completely digital
As per the Union Minister of Minority Affairs Shri Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi, India has become the 1st country where the entire process of Haj 2020 has gone 100% digital after he signed a bilateral agreement for the pilgrimage with the Saudi Haj Minister Dr Mohammad Saleh bin Taher Benten in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia on December 1, 2019.
Key Points:
i.Now there are digital facilities like online application, e-Visa, Haj Mobile App, ”e-MASIHA” (E-Medical Assistance System for Indian Pilgrims Abroad) health facility, “e-luggage pre-tagging” will be provided.
Digital pre-tagging : It has been arranged by the airlines, so that Haj pilgrims have all kinds of information in India itself, such as which room of which building in Mecca Medina and what number bus after landing at the airport will have to be taken, will get it.
Mobile app: The SIM card of the passengers will be connected to the Haj mobile app, so that they will get the latest information related to the Haj. A total of 100 telephone line information centers have been started at Haj House in Mumbai in 2019.
”e-MASIHA:In this, information related to the health of each Haj pilgrim will be available online.
HGO: Haj Group organizers (HGO) have also been linked to the 100% digital tax portal http://haj.nic.in/pto/. It contains information about the package of all the authorized organizers.
ii. In 2020, two lakh Indian Muslims will go on Haj pilgrimage without any Haj subsidy.
About Haj:
It is an annual Islamic pilgrimage to Mecca, Saudi Arabia, the holiest city for Muslims.
About Saudi Arabia:
Capital– Riyadh
Currency– Saudi riyal
King– Salman bin Abdul Aziz Al Saud
A 2-day conference on ‘Ek Bharat Shreshta Bharat’ with a focus on ‘Jal shakti’ and ‘Disaster management’ held in Jammu
On November 31, 2019, Dr Jitendra Singh, the Minister of State (MoS) for Personnel, Public Grievances and Pensions, has inaugurated the 2-day Regional Conference on ‘Ek Bharat Shreshta Bharat’ with focus on ‘Jal Shakti and Disaster Management’, organized by the Department of Administrative Reforms and Public Grievances (DARPG) in association with Governments of Tamil Nadu and Union Territory of Jammu & Kashmir, held in Jammu.
Key Points:
i. During the conference, Singh also released the Special issue of e-Magazine Minimum Government Maximum Governance based on Successful Innovations in Governance in the UTs (Union Territories) of Jammu & Kashmir (J&K) and Ladakh. It also talks about the integration of CPGRAMS (Centralized Public Grievance Redress and Monitoring System ) Portal of Government of India and Awaaz-e-Awam Portal of Jammu & Kashmir.
ii.The conference witnessed the technical sessions such as Rejuvenation of Rivers- Cauvery and Jhelum, Reducing Water Consumption in Agriculture, Water Warriors Discussion & had sessions regarding disaster management like Urban Flooding, Management of Floods, Forecasting & Early Warning, Emergency Responses and NDRF (National Disaster Response Force )Rescue Operations-2014 Srinagar Floods and 2015 Chennai Floods.
iii.It saw the participation of 350 delegates from State Government including District Collectors, District SP’s, Additional District Collectors, Food & Civil Supplies Department, Communication, Flood-affected Families, among others.
About Ek Bharat Shrestha Bharat:
It is a scheme launched by Prime Minister of India Narendra Modi on 31st October 2016.It launched an initiative to boost the cultural connection between the states, in which one state of the country will connect to other states of the country on annual basis and both will promote the rich tradition of each other through events like song and dance festivals, food festivals,etc.
Konark Festival & International Sand Art Festival 2019 begins in Odisha with colorful presentations
On December 1, 2019, Odisha Governor Ganeshi Lal has inaugurated the 5-day long 30th edition of Konark festival, a showcase of Odisha’s art, culture and tradition has started in Odisha. The theme of the festival is based on eco-tourism, culture, Fairs, women empowerment, and no to plastic and heritage.
Key Points:
i.Along with this, The 8th edition of the International Sand Art Festival 2019 , with Padmashree Awardee and globally renowned sand artist Shri. Sudarshan Pattnaik as its brand ambassador and chief curator, has been started in Chandrabhaga Beach in Odisha.
ii.The open-air auditorium with the majestic Sun Temple in the backdrop hosted Odissi and Kathak dance shows and music performed by artists, while the Sand Art Festival has around 123 artists from all over India and USA (United States of America), Ireland, Denmark, Russia, Canada, Togo and Sri Lankan artists are participating.
About Odisha:
Capita– Bhubaneswar
Chief minister– Naveen Patnaik
20th Edition of Hornbill festival began in Nagaland on December 1
On 1st December 2019, the 20th edition of the Hornbill festival began in Heritage Kisama, an Amphitheatre in Kohima, Nagaland, it is also the 57th Statehood Day of Nagaland. The festival is organized by Nagaland Government and is celebrated for the promotion of tourism and for the exhibition of the state’s tradition and culture.
Key Points:
i.The festival is celebrated for ten days. The host of the opening ceremony of the festival were Ravindra Narayana Ravi, Governor and Neiphiu Rio, Chief Minister (CM) of Nagaland. The closing ceremony will be held on 10th December 2019.
ii.The festival included colourful display of Naga culture themed as “Colours of Nagaland”.
About Nagaland:
Deputy Chief Minister(CM)- Yanthungo Patton
Capital- Kohima
Largest City- Dimapur
Number of Districts- 12
INTERNATIONAL AFFAIRS
Saudi Arabia becomes 1st Arab nation to assume the G20 presidency
On December 1, 2019, Saudi Arabia became the first country in the Arab world to head G20 (Group of 20) after it took over from Japan. The G20 summit for 2020 will be held in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia under the theme of “Realising Opportunities of the 21st Century for All”, from 21-22 November 2020. It will also focus on three aims namely, empowering people, safeguarding the planet, and shaping new frontiers.
Key Points:
i.Saudi will carry forward the Osaka’s (Japan) work under G20 chairmanship and promote multi-layered consultancy.
ii.Saudi Arabia will hold more than 100 events and conferences before the summit, including ministerial meetings.
iii.G20 summit for 2019 was held in Osaka in Japan on June 28 – 29,2019.
About G20:
Formation– 26 September 1999
Purpose– Bring together systemically important industrialized and developing economies to discuss key issues in the global economy.
Membership– 20 members (Argentina, Australia, Brazil, Canada, China, Germany, France, India, Indonesia, Italy, Japan, Mexico, Russia, Saudi Arabia, South Africa, South Korea, Turkey, the United Kingdom and the United States & and the European Union)
APPOINTMENTS & RESIGNATION
Soma Roy Burman appointed as the 24th Controller General of Accounts (CGA) and 7th woman CGA
On 1st December 2019, Soma Roy Burman was appointed as the 24th Controller General of Accounts (CGA), Ministry of Finance, Department of Expenditure, Soma Burman is also the 7th woman to be in that post. She succeeds J. P. S. Chawla.
Key Points:
i.Before taking charge as the CGA, Soma Burman worked as Additional Controller General of Accounts in the office of CGA (Accounting and Finance). She has also played a major role in strengthening Public Financial Management in the Union Government.
ii.In her 33-year career, Soma Burman has worked in different ministries such as Home Affairs, Information & Broadcasting, Industry, Finance, Human Resource Development and Shipping, Road Transport and Highways. She has also worked as the Chief Controller (Pension) in the Central Pension Accounting Office (CPAO) and as Director of the Institute of Government Accounts and Finance (INGAF), New Delhi. She has also served as the Deputy Secretary in the Department of Economic Affairs (Budget Division) and Joint Secretary and Financial Adviser, NATGRID, Ministry of Home Affairs.
Hari Mohan got appointed as chairman of Ordnance Factory Board (OFB)
On December 1, 2019, Shri Hari Mohan, a 1982-batch Indian Ordnance Factories’ Service (I.O.F.S.) officer has taken over as the new chairman of Ordnance Factory Board (OFB). He succeeds Shri Saurabh Kumar who has superannuated from the services.
Key Points:
i.Prior to this appointment, Mohan was served as a Member of the OFB and was in charge of the Weapons, Vehicles and Equipment (WV&E) division of the OFB.
ii.Hari Mohan,who was awarded the ‘Ayudh Ratna’ award in 2018 for his services at the HVF(Heavy Vehicles Factory, Avadi,Tamil Nadu),has been a topper of the University of Allahabad and the University of Pune while pursuing bachelor’s and masters degrees in mechanical engineering.
iii.In his 39-year-long career, he served in Bharat Heavy Electricals Limited-BHEL Haridwar, Vehicle Factory Jabalpur, Engine Factory Avadi, Heavy Vehicle Factory Avadi, Ammunition Factory Khadki,OFB New Delhi Office and Ministry of Steel & Mines,etc.
About Ordnance Factory Board (OFB):
Founded– 1712
Headquarters– Ayudh Bhawan, Kolkata, West Bengal
Masatsugu Asakawa elected as the 10th President of Asian Development Bank (ADB)
On 2nd December 2019, Masatsugu Asakawa has been elected as the 10th President of the Asian Development Bank (ADB) by the Board of Governors of the ADB. Asakawa will be assuming office on January 17, 2020, after the resignation of Takehiko Nakao, the current President of ADB. Asakawa will finish the term of Nakao till November 23, 2021.
Key Points:
i.Asakawa is the current Special Advisor to Shinzo Abe, Prime Minister (PM) of Japan and Taro Aso, the Minister of Finance, Japan.
ii.Asakawa has also worked in the Ministry of Finance of Japan, as the Vice Minister of Finance for International Affairs, Chair of the Committee on fiscal affairs from 2011-2016 and visiting professor at the University of Tokyo from 2012-2015 and in Saitama University from 2006-2009.
About Asian Development Bank (ADB):
Headquarters- Ortigas Center, Mandaluyong
President- Takehiko Nakao
Formation- 19 December 1966
Iraq PM Adel Abdul Mahdi announces resignation
Iraq’s Prime Minister (PM) Abdul Mahdi has resigned from his post after heavy protests. He has taken this decision after more than 40 people were killed by security forces in Baghdad and Iraq’s mainly Shia southern cities of Nasiriya and Najaf in anti-government protests.
Key Points:
i.Iraq’s supreme Shiite religious leader Ali al-Sistani has condemned the use of excessive force against the protesters and called for the formation of a new government. The protesters are demanding jobs, elimination of corruption and civic amenities.
About Iraq:
Capital– Baghdad
Currency– Iraqi dinar
President– Barham Salih
SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY
1st night trial of Agni-III Missile held at Abdul Kalam island ITR, Odisha
On November 30, 2019 the first night trial of the nuclear-capable Agni-III surface-to-surface ballistic missile was carried out from a mobile launcher at the Integrated Test Range(ITR) at APJ Abdul Kalam Island off the coast of Odisha.
The night trial was conducted by the Strategic Forces Command of the Indian Army(IA) with logistic support from the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO). The maiden night trial, however, was a failure, due to some manufacturing defect.
Key Points:
i.The missile has a strike range of 3,500 kilometres and weighs around 50 tonnes. It is capable of carrying warhead of about 1.5 tonnes. This was the 4th user trial in the Agni-III series to test its performance.
ii.The Agni-III missile was inducted into the armed forces in June 2011.
iii.Abdul Kalam Island: APJ abdul Kalam island was named after former President of India Shri Avul Pakir Jainulabdeen Abdul Kalam. Before that, the island was known as wheeler island.
About Indian Army(IA):
Founded- 1 April 1895.
Headquarters- New Delhi
Motto- “Service Before Self”
Commander-in-Chief- President Ram Nath Kovind.
Chief of Army Staff- General Bipin Rawat.
ENVIRONMENT
New fish species “Schistura syngkai”, discovered in Meghalaya
On November 30, 2019, a team of scientists led by Prof Khlur Mukhim of Lady Keane College, Shillong, Meghalaya have discovered a new fish species in West Khasi Hills district of Meghalaya. The fish which has the scientific name “Schistura syngkai” was found at the Twahdidoh stream, a tributary of Wah Blei river.
Journal: the details of the discovery has been published in the journal “zootaxa” https://www.biotaxa.org/Zootaxa/article/view/zootaxa.4701.2.5
Key Points:
i.The specimens of the fish has been sent to the Zoological Survey of India(ZSI) in Kolkata, West Bengal and Gauhati University Museum of Fishes in Guwahati,Assam.
ii.Fish features: Both sexes of the fish have golden-brown bodies along with blackish lateral stripes and slightly emarginate tail fins.
iii.Mukhim had previously discovered a blind fish species that lives 1,600 feet inside a limestone cave in East Jaintia Hills district of Meghalaya.
About Meghalaya:
Capital- Shillong.
Governor- Tathagata Roy.
Chief minister- Conrad Sangma.
SPORTS
Sports ministry launched logo, jersey & mascots of 3rd Khelo India Youth Games 2020 in Guwahati, Assam
On November 30, 2019, The union sports minister Shri Kiren Rijiju launched the 3rd edition of the Khelo India Youth Games (KIYG) at Karmabir Nabin Chandra Bordoloi Indoor Stadium in Guwahati, Assam. The games are scheduled to be held from January 10-22, 2019.Composite logo, players jersey, mascots and theme song of the 3rd edition of the games was launched during the launch. Over 10,000 students will be participating in a total of 451 medal events.
AOA to launch ‘Grassroot Olympic – Mission Talent Hunt’ to groom talent:
- On November 18, 2019, the Assam Chief Minister(CM) Shri Sarbananda Sonowal announced that the Assam Olympic Association (AOA) would launch a program called ‘Grassroot Olympic – Mission Talent Hunt‘ to identify the sports talent in the state and groom them. It is also to be noted that Sonowal is also the president of the association.
- Regarding this, a committee under the chairmanship of Vice Chairman of the Association and Minister of State for Health Pijush Hazarika was also formed during the meeting.
- The AOA will organize sports events in 5 categories covering players from 10 to 60 years of age in the state….Click here to Read More
India defeated Pakistan in Davis Cup tie for 2020 held in Nur-Sultan, Kazakhstan
The tie match between India and Pakistan for the International Tennis Federation’s (ITF’s) Davis cup 2020, was held at the National Tennis Center, in Nur-Sultan, Kazakhstan from November 29-30,2019. India defeated Pakistan in the tie match.
Leander Paes extends Davis Cup record:
Indian tennis player Leander Paes bettered his own Davis Cup record which he created in 2018 by winning 43rd doubles match. He became the most successful doubles player in Davis Cup history after his 43rd win, surpassing Italian Nicola Pietrangeli. This year he has extended the record by winning his 44th doubles match along with debutant Jeevan Nedunchezhiyan.
Key Points:
i.In the singles match, India’s Ramkumar Ramanathan defeated Pakistan’s Muhammad Shoaib in the opening singles match.
ii.India’s Sumit Nagal has also earned his first-ever Davis Cup win, defeating Huzaifa Abdul Rehman in the second singles match.
About International Tennis Federation:
Founded- 1 March 1913.
Headquarters- London, United Kingdom(UK).
President- David Haggerty.
13th South Asian Games (SAG) 2019 begins in Kathmandu, Nepal
On 1st December 2019, The 13th South Asian Games (SAG) or XIII South Asian Games began in Kathmandu, Nepal. The event takes place for ten days between 1-10 December 2019 in Kathmandu, Pokhara and Janakpur cities in Nepal. Bidya Devi Bhandari, President of Nepal attended SAG’s opening ceremony held in the Dasharath Stadium.
- Krishnasar, a blackbuck antelope is the official mascot of the SAG.
- India is represented by 487 athletes and led by Tejinder Pal Singh and P U Chitra. India’s flag-bearer at the SAG is Tejinder Pal Singh, a Short put player.
Key Points:
i.Nanda Kishor Pun, Vice President, Ganesh Prasad Timilsina, Chairman of the National Assembly, Ishwor Pokharel, Deputy Prime Minister of Nepal and also Ministers from other South Asian countries and a large number of other honourees dignified the opening ceremony.
ii.The games feature seven South Asian Nations. The participants include 2700 athletes from Nepal, India, Bangladesh, Pakistan, Maldives, Bhutan, and Sri Lanka, who are to participate in 26 different sports games and compete for 1119 medals including 319 gold medals.
iii. Paras Khadka, Nepali Cricketer took oath representing players and Deepak Thapa, Nepal’s Badminton Referee took oath on behalf of referees and judges of the games.
About Nepal:
Capital- Kathmandu
Currency- Nepalese Rupee
Prime Minister- Khadga Prasad Sharma Oli
OBITUARY
Freedom fighter & former MP Laxminarayan Nayak passed away at the age of 101 in Madhya Pradesh
On November 30, 2019 freedom fighter and former Member of Parliament(MP) Laxminarayan Nayak passed away at the age of 101 at Niwari town in Madhya Pradesh due to old age ailments. Born in 1918 at Nimchauni in Tikamgarh of Madhya Pradesh, Nayak represented Khajuraho (Madhya Pradesh) Lok Sabha seat as Member of Parliament(MP) from 1977 -1980.
Key Points:
i.Prior to representing the lok sabha seat, he was elected as a Member of the Legislative Assembly(MLA) from Niwari in 1957.
About Madhya Pradesh:
Capital- Bhopal.
Chief minister- Kamal Nath.
Governor- Lalji Tandon
National Parks(NP)- Kanha NP, Bandhavgarh NP, Panna NP, Satpura NP, Madhav NP, Sanjay NP, Pench NP, Van Vihar NP.
Paramananda Sahu, theatre artist from Odisha dies at 72
On 30th November 2019, renowned Theatre artist Paramananda Sahu died at 72 in Balasore, Odisha. He died due to old-age related illness and was confined to bed for a long time.
Key Points:
i.Paramananda Sahu has acted in more than hundred dramas and was an artist in the All India Radio (AIR) also known as Akashvani, and Doordarshan, a television network.
About Odisha:
Capital- Bhubaneswar
Governor- Ganeshi Lal
Chief Minister- Naveen Patnaik
All India Radio (AIR):
Director-General- Shri F. Sheheryar
Owner- Prasar Bharati
Headquarters- Sansad Marg, New Delhi
Launched on- 8 June 1936
American musician & songwriter Irving Burgie passes away at the age of 95
On December 1, 2019, Irving Louis Burgie (also known as Lord Burgess), an American musician & songwriter , was best known for popularise Caribbean music with hit songs like Day-O (The Banana Boat Song-1952), has passed away due to heart failure, at his home in Queens, US (United States). He was 95.
i.Born on July 28, 1924, in New York, Burgie composed 34 songs for singer Harry Belafonte, including 8 of the 11 songs on the Belafonte album Calypso (1956), the first album of any kind to sell one million copies.He also wrote songs for the Kingston Trio (“The Seine,” “El Matador,” and “The Wanderer”) and for other groups.
ii.Burgie described himself as “a folklorist” and performed in the stages between New York and Chicago,US
BOOKS & AUTHORS
Book ‘The Legacy of Militancy in Punjab’ by Inderjit Singh Jaijee & Dona Suri released
On November 30, 2019 a new book titled “The Legacy of Militancy in Punjab: Long Road to Normalcy‘” by civil rights activist Inderjit Singh Jaijee and journalist Dona Suri was released. The book is about how Punjab’s militancy affected judiciary by delaying trials, how the popular culture has been influenced and how the youth today are still responding to conditions in the northern state.
The book also aims to portray the developments in post-militancy Punjab regarding politics, govt policies, and functioning of police and courts among other things.
Publisher: The book is published by ‘SAGE’.
Key Points:
i.Militancy convulsed (suffer in violence) Punjab from roughly 1984 to 1994. The insurgency was a threat to the unity and integrity of India due to the militant Sikh ethno nationalism known as Khalistan movement. Normalcy returned later, however it still left lasting scars.
ii.Khalistan movement: It is a Sikh separatist movement seeking to create a separate country called Khalistān (“The Land of the Khalsa”) in the Punjab region as a homeland for Sikhs.
About Punjab:
Fact- Punjab is called as “land of 5 rivers”. They are Jhelum, Chenab, Ravi, Sutlej, and Beas.
Capital- Chandigarh.
Chief minister- Amarinder Singh.
Governor- Vijayender Pal Singh Badnore.
IMPORTANT DAYS
Labour Ministry celebrating Pension Week (30th Nov-6th Dec 2019) to increase enrolments under PM-SYM & NPS-Traders
Pension week is being celebrated from November 30 to December 6. The central function of the event was inaugurated by Minister of State(I/C) for Labour and Employment, Santhosh Gangwar. The Pension week aims at enrolling 1 crore recipients under the Pradhan Mantri Shram Yogi Maan-Dhan (PM-SYM) and 50 lakh recipients under National Pension Scheme for traders and self-employees (NPS-Traders) by March 2020.
About Pradhan Mantri Shram Yogi Maan-dhan (PMSYM):
i.The scheme is for unorganized workers like street vendors, mid-day meal workers, head loaders, brick kiln workers, cobblers, domestic workers,etc. The eligibility of the person is their monthly income should not be more than Rs.15,000 and they should be between 18-40 years old and they should not be a member of any organized sectors like New Pension Scheme (NPS), Employees’ State Insurance Corporation (ESIC) scheme or Employees’ Provident Fund Organization (EPFO) and he/she should be an Income Tax (IT) payer….Click here to Read More
Day of Remembrance for all Victims of Chemical Warfare observed on Nov 30, 2019
The Day of Remembrance for all Victims of Chemical Warfare is observed annually on November 30 under the resolution (OPCW C-20/DEC.10). The day was officially recognized by the United Nations(UN) at the 20th session of the Conference of the States Parties to the Chemical Weapons Convention (CSPCWC) and has been celebrated since 2005.
Aim: The day is observed as a tribute to the victims of chemical warfare and also aims to reaffirm its commitment to the Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW) to eliminate the threat of chemical weapons.
Key Points:
i.Chemical Weapons were used on a massive scale during World War I (WWI), which resulted in more than 100,000 fatalities. Adopted in 1993, the Chemical Weapons Convention entered into force on 29 April 1997 to completely curb the usage of chemical weapons.
ii.The current OPCW Member States represent about 98% of the global population and landmass, as well as 98% of the worldwide chemical industry.
iii.In 2013, the Nobel Peace Prize was awarded to the OPCW “for its extensive efforts to eliminate chemical weapons”.
About Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons(OPCW):
Founded- 29 April 1997.
Headquarters- The Hague, Netherlands.
Director General(DG)- Fernando Arias.
10th Indian Organ Donation Day observed on November 30, 2019
The 10th Indian Organ Donation Day (IODD) was observed on November 30, 2019, to create awareness on organ donation and to motivate people in donating organs after their death. The day was first observed in the year 2010 and has been organized by the National Organ & Tissue Transplant Organization (NOTTO).
The Union Minister of Health and Family Welfare(MoH&FW) Shri Harsh Vardhan presided over the 10th Indian Organ Donation Day in New Delhi, which was observed on November 30, 2019. The event was organized by the National Organ & Tissue Transplant Organization (NOTTO). Shri Vardhan along with Shri. Ashwini Kumar Choubey, Union Minister of State (Mos- HFW), administered the Organ Donation Pledge.
Maharashtra surpassed Telangana & TN in deceased organ donation list:
Dr. Harsh Vardhan gave away awards for the states that performed well in organ donation and organ transplants. This year 2019, Maharashtra topped the states in maximum no. of donations surpassing Telangana and Tamil Nadu that usually top the ranking….Click here to Read More
World AIDS (Acquired immunodeficiency syndrome) day, observed on December 1, 2019
On 1st December 2019, World AIDS (Acquired immunodeficiency syndrome) day was observed and the Government of India has organized an event in New Delhi to create awareness of the day. The theme of the event was ‘Communities make Difference’. The event was organized by the National AIDS Control Organization (NACO).
Key Points:
i.The participants of the event include people living with HIV (Human Immunodeficiency Virus), Development Partners, Civil Society Organizations, Communities, Students, Social Media, Senior officers, and staff of Ministries/Departments and State AIDS control societies.
ii.World AIDS Day was first observed in the year 1988 and every year different organizations from across the world bring awareness towards HIV and its prevention. According to the World Health Organization (WHO) report 37.9 million people living with HIV at the end of 2018, out of which 79% have received testing, 62% have received treatment and 53% are subduing of HIV virus with reduced risk of infecting others.
iii. The Indian Government has targeted to end AIDS/HIV as a public threat by 2030 by developing seven years National Strategic Plan (NSP) for HIV/AIDS and STI (Sexually Transmitted Infections). In India, Andhra Pradesh has the highest number of AIDS/HIV patients with a total of 2.7 lakh AIDS/HIV infected people.
About WHO (World Health Organization):
Formation- 7 April 1948
Headquarters- Geneva, Switzerland
Head- Director-General, Tedros Adhanom
International Day for the Abolition of Slavery observed on December 2, 2019
The International Day for the Abolition of Slavery is observed annually by the United Nations(UN) on December 2nd under the resolution (A/RES/317(IV)). The day was adopted by the UN General Assembly(UNGA) in the year 1949 based on the convention of suppression of the trafficking in persons and of the exploitation of the prostitution of others.
Aim: The day aims to eradicate slavery-like human trafficking, sexual exploitation, child labour, forced marriage etc.
Key Points:
i.Facts on slavery: As per the International Labour Organisation (ILO), nearly 40 million people are victims of slavery globally. 1/4th of victims of modern slavery are children. On average, 5.4 victims of modern slavery are there for every 1,000 people in the world.
ii. In 2015, the “50 for Freedom campaign” aims to persuade at least 50 countries to ratify the forced labour protocol by 2019. Currently, there are 42 ratifications.
About International Labour Organisation(ILO):
Formation- 29 October 1919.
Headquarters- Geneva, Switzerland.
Director General(DG)- Guy Ryder.
National Pollution Control Day observed on December 2, 2019
The National Pollution Control Day is observed annually on December 2 to create awareness on controlling and managing pollution produced by industrial processes or human negligence. The day is observed in remembrance of the innocent lives that were lost in the Bhopal gas tragedy in 1984. The year 2019 marks the 35th anniversary of the Bhopal gas tragedy.
Key Points:
i.Bhopal gas tragedy: The Bhopal gas tragedy also known as Bhopal disaster was a gas leak incident on the night of 2-3 December 1984 at the Union Carbide India Limited (UCIL) pesticide plant in Bhopal, Madhya Pradesh. Considered to be the world’s worst industrial disaster, nearly 5lakh people were exposed to methyl isocyanate (MIC) gas leaked from the plant.
World Computer Literacy Day observed on December 2, 2019
World Computer Literacy Day is being observed on 2nd December every year. The day is observed to mark the significance of computers and to promote awareness about computers and other electronic devices.
Key Points:
i.World Computer Literacy Day was first observed in the year 2001 by the National Institute of Information Technology (NIIT).
ii.NIIT, first launched World Computer Literacy Day to mark its (NIIT) 20th anniversary and the results of majority computer users being male and also to encourage the development of computers and technological skills among women and children in India.
About National Institute of Information Technology (NIIT):
Founded- 1981
Headquarters- Gurugram, India
Chairman- Rajendra Singh Pawar
STATE NEWS
Tukaram Dighole, former Minister of Maharashtra dies at 77
On 30th November 2019, Tukaram Sakharam Dighole, former Minister of Maharashtra died at a private hospital following a brief illness at the age of 77 in Nashik. He was the Minister of State for Power and Rural Development in the Shiv Sena-BJP government and Member of the Legislative Assembly (MLA) in Maharashtra from 1995-1999.
Key Points:
i.Tukaram Dighole was also the Director of Nashik District Central Co-operative Bank (NDCC) and the Chairman of Co-operative sugar factory, he also represented the Sinnar Assembly Constituency in Nashik from 1985-1999.
About Maharashtra:
Chief Minister- Uddhav Thackeray
Governor- Bhagat Singh Koshyari
Capital- Mumbai
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