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INDIAN AFFAIRS
8 States achieve 100% household electrification under Saubhagya
8 States have achieved 100% saturation in household electrification under Saubhagya scheme. They are Madhya Pradesh, Tripura, Bihar, Jammu and Kashmir, Mizoram, Sikkim, Telangana and West Bengal. With this a total of 15 states in India have 100 % household electrification now.
Key Points:
i. This announcement was made by RK Singh, Union Minister of State (IC) for Power and Renewable Energy after the ‘Review, Planning & Monitoring (RPM) Meeting with States and State Power Utilities’ in New Delhi, on 29th November 2018.
ii. So far, 2.1 crore connections have been released under Saubhagya. It is expected to achieve 100% saturation in India by 31st December 2018.
iii. Also, the Government is committed to ensure 24×7 access to electricity for all by 31st March 2019.
iv. An award scheme had also been announced, to create healthy competition among DISCOMs (Distribution Company)/Power Departments of States, with awards of more than Rs 300 crore to be won by States/DISCOMs.
About Saubhagya – ‘Pradhan Mantri Sahaj Bijli Har Ghar Yojana’:
♦ Launched – September 2017
♦ Objective – to provide access to electricity to all the remaining households in India
Government launches Bhasha Sangam to introduce school students to 22 Indian languages
On 22nd November 2018, Government has launched ‘Bhasha Sangam’, a unique initiative to introduce school students to 22 Indian languages.
Key Points:
i. Bhasha Sangam has been launched under Ek Bharat Shreshtha Bharat. It will continue till the 21 December 2018.
ii. Bhasha Sangam is a programme for schools and educational institutions to offer multilingual exposure to students in Indian languages.
iii. It also aims to improve linguistic tolerance and respect and promote national integration.
iv. There are 22 languages listed in Schedule VIII of Indian Constitution.
Cope India 2019: India, US air exercise to be held in West Bengal
Air forces of the United States and India will take part in a 12-day joint exercise ‘Cope India 2019’ (CI19) at two air force stations in West Bengal from December 3 to 14, 2018.
Key Points:
i. The exercise will be held at Air Station Kalaikunda and Air Station Arjan Singh (Panagarh) in West Bengal.
ii. This exercise is conducted after a gap of 8 years. The previous edition of this exercise was held in 2010.
iii. This is a bilateral US Pacific Air Forces (PACAF) sponsored Field Training Exercise (FTX).
iv. This will focus on US-Indian mutual cooperation and building on existing capabilities, aircrew tactics and force employment.
v. Around 200 US Airmen with 15 aircraft from the 18th Wing, Kadena Air Base, Japan and 182nd Airlift Wing, Illinois Air National Guard will participate on behalf of United States.
About Cope India:
♦ Started – 2004
♦ Purpose – to incorporate subject matter expert exchanges, air mobility training, air drop training and large-force exercises, in addition to fighter-training exercises
4th India-Mozambique Joint Commission meeting held in New Delhi
On 29th November 2018, India-Mozambique Joint Commission on Economic, Cultural, Scientific and Technical Cooperation held its 4th session in Jawaharlal Nehru Bhavan, New Delhi.
Key Points:
i. The meeting was chaired by the External Affairs Minister of India, Sushma Swaraj, and the Minister of Foreign Affairs & Cooperation of the Republic of Mozambique, Mr. Jose Condungua Antonio Pacheco.
ii. Bilateral relations between the two countries were reviewed. In 2017, India was the largest destination for Mozambican exports, which accounted for 35% of its total export revenue.
iii. Tica-Buzi Highway funded by Indian credit-line of about 150 million US Dollars was implemented recently in Mozambique.
iv. National Archives of India and National Documentation and Information Center of Mozambique, signed a MoU to improve cooperation in the field of archival management.
v. Agreed Minutes of the meeting was signed by both the Ministers.
About Mozambique:
♦ Capital – Maputo
♦ Currency – Mozambican metical
♦ Official language – Portuguese
♦ President – Filipe Nyusi
♦ Prime Minister – Carlos Agostinho do Rosário
India, China ink protocol on Hygiene & Inspection requirements for exports
On 28th November 2018, India and China signed a protocol on hygiene and inspection requirements for the exports.
Key Points:
i. The protocol was signed in New Delhi, during the visit of Chinese Vice Minister, General Administration of Customs of China Hu Wei, who led a 6-member delegation to India.
ii. This move will help India to start export of fish meal and fish oil to China. So far, China had not allowed these exports by India. It had earlier allowed import of rice from India.
iii. China imports fish oil worth USD 143.29 million per year and fish meal worth USD 263.43 million per year.
iv. Hu Wei met India’s Commerce Secretary Anup Wadhawan. They discussed issues of market access for products like milk and milk products, agricultural goods like soy meal, fruits and vegetables, tobacco and pharmaceuticals.
About China:
♦ Capital – Beijing
♦ Currency – Renminbi
♦ Official language – Standard Chinese
♦ President – Xi Jinping
1st ever Indo-Indonesian business forum as part of Indo-Pacific strategies held in Andaman
On 29th November 2018, the first ever India Indonesia Business forum (IIBF) was held at Port Blair in Andaman and Nicobar Islands.
Key Points:
i. The forum was held as part of policies of Delhi and Jakarta to extend their strategic partnership in the Indo-Pacific Region including Indian Ocean Region.
ii. It aimed to improve the commercial and people to people linkages between Andaman and Nicobar Islands of India with Aceh and North Sumatera Province of Indonesia.
iii. A 30-member delegation comprising members of Chamber of Commerce of Aceh, state and local enterprises, shipping and logistics companies, academics, media and officials of Foreign Ministries of India and Indonesia participated.
iv. Members of Andaman Chamber of Commerce and officials of Andaman and Nicobar Administration also participated.
v. This edition of IIBF is a part of continuing engagements between Aceh and Andaman, that started in July 2018, when the 1st Business Forum was held in Aceh.
About Indonesia:
♦ Capital – Jakarta
♦ Currency – Indonesian rupiah
♦ Official language – Indonesian
♦ President – Joko Widodo
Gandhi Smriti and Darshan Samiti (GSDS) Organised ‘South Asia Regional Youth Peace Conference’ in New Delhi to mark celebration of 150th Birth Anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi
On 28th November 2018, Gandhi Smriti and Darshan Samiti (GSDS), under the Ministry of Culture, Government of India organised a 3 day ‘South Asia Regional Youth Peace Conference’ in partnership with UNESCO- MGIEP and Standing Together to Enable Peace(STEP). The conference was held at Gandhi Darshan, Rajghat, Delhi, India and Concluded on 30th November 2018.
Objective:
The objective of the conference is to eliminate stereotypes, prejudices across all borders, to understand micro-macro aspect of the issues, identify common challenges and develop plan of action, to build a network of youth leaders.
Key points:
i. The conference was organized to mark the beginning of celebration of 150th birth anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi.
ii. The Chief Guest in the Inaugural Session was Shri krishna G Kulkarni, great grandson of Mahatma Gandhi and member of Government of India’s Committee to celebrate 150th birth anniversary of Father of the Nation.
iii. About 100 youth leaders from South Asian countries like Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Bhutan, Maldives, Nepal and Sri Lanka and different parts of India came together to discuss different dimensions of ‘peace’.
iv. The thematic thrust areas of the conference included Gender; Interfaith issues; Food Security in the context of Gandhian vision of village economy; Digital Media; Arts, Democracy and Dialogue.
v.‘International Youth Campaign on Kindness for Sustainable Development Goals’ was organised by UNESCO to mobilise the world youth to achieve 17 SDG through acts of kindness.
Ministry of Culture
♦ Headquarters: New Delhi
♦ Minister: Mahesh Sharma, Minister of State (Independent Charge)
♦ Director of Gandhi Smriti and Darshan Samiti: Mr Dipanker Shri Gyan
National Festival for Children of Child Care Institutions (CCIs)- “Hausla 2018” held in NewDelhi
The National Festival for Children of Child Care Institutions (CCIs) – “Hausla 2018” of the Ministry of Women and Child Development (MWCD) was held at Jawahar Lal Nehru Stadium in New Delhi. It was a 4 day event, from 26 to 29th November 2018. Smt Maneka Sanjay Gandhi, Union Minister for Ministry of Women and Child Development and Ms. Mary Kom, Indian Olympic Boxer & Member of Parliament (Rajya Sabha) addressed the ceremony.
Key points:
i. The festival witnessed participation of more than 600 Children drawn from CCIs from 16 states in the various events like painting competition,debate, athletics meet, football, chess competition Safe Neighbourhood Project making activity and speech writing as part of the Festival.
ii. The theme for the event was “Child Safety”.
iii. The Childline India Foundation (CIF) and National Institute of Public Cooperation and Child Development (NIPCCD) will be assisting the Ministry in organizing the events.
iv. The concluding ceremony held on 29th November (evening) at Siri Fort Auditorium, New Delhi in which a cultural programme by the children of CCIs, presentation of Best State Team Award based on performance during Hausla 2018 and Prize distribution to all winners of each individual category was held.
Manipur Sangai Festival-2018 (21st to 30th November)
From 21st November to 30th November,Every year Manipur Tourism Department organizes annual cultural festival known as “Sangai Festival” which was previously known as “Tourism Festival” but in 2010 it was renamed after the State Animal of Manipur Sangai Deer.
Key Points
i. The Sangai Festival is celebrated to promote Manipur as the World Class tourism destination.Theme:To project & showcase the tourism potential and promote “DESTINATION MANIPUR”.
ii. The Festival showcases the culture, handloom, handicraft and fine arts, Cuisines and Music, Indigenous sports, Adventure sports as well as the scenic natural beauty of the Manipur.
iii. Sangai Festival is celebrated at Keibul Lamjao & Loktak Lake, Hapte Kangjeibung and Bheigyachandra Open Air Theatre, Mapal Kangjeibung and Khuman Lampak, Kangshang, Trade & Permanent Exhibition Centre at Lamboi Khongnangkhong.
Highlight
The Princess of Thailand Maha Chakri Sirindhonrn attended the 10-day festival on maiden visit to Manipur. On her two day visit she visited various tourist sites of Manipur and praised India’s “Act East Policy”.
About Manipur
♦ Chief Minister: N. Biren Singh
♦ Governor: Najma Heptulla
♦ Capital: Imphal
♦ State Animal: Sangai Deer
Indian Owl Festival, India’s first owl fest, held in Pune
On 29th and 30th November 2018, the Indian Owl Festival, India’s first owl fest, was held at Pingori village in Purandar taluka of Pune, Maharashtra.
Key Points:
i. The festival was organised by Ela Foundation. It created awareness on owl conservation and feature art forms like pictures, paintings, lanterns, lamp shades, posters, origami, stitched articles, poems and stories on owls.
ii. The festival featured skits and short films on owls. Out of the 262 species of owls that are found in the world, 75 are threatened.
iii. As per a report of Traffic India, a wildlife trade monitoring body, and the World Wildlife Fund (WWF) in 2010, owls were found to be consumed and traded for black magic, street performances, taxidermy, private aviaries/zoos, food, folk medicines, etc.
iv. They are protected under the Wildlife (Protection) Act of India.
About Ela Foundation:
♦ Director – Dr Satish Pande
♦ Type – NGO working towards nature education and conservation
Maharashtra approves 16% Maratha quota; 68% seats now reserved
On 29th November 2018, Maharashtra assembly unanimously approved 16% reservation for the Maratha community in jobs and educational institutes.
Key Points:
i. With this move, the total reservation for OBC, SC/ST groups, other minor social groups, and the Marathas in Maharashtra will be 68% from the existing 52%.
ii. The bill is named the Maharashtra State Reservation (of seats for admission in education institutions in Maharashtra and for appointments in public services and posts under the state) for Socially and Educationally Backward Classes (SEBC) Act, 2018.
iii. It will come into force after Maharashtra Governor C Vidyasagar Rao clears the law.
iv. The Maratha community comprises 32% population of Maharashtra. Reservation for this community has been granted based on the report by the Maharashtra State Backward Class Commission (MSBCC) which declared the Maratha community as socially and educationally backward.
v.Now,Maharashtra stands Second Position after Tamil Nadu in quota quantum “ranking”,Since TamilNadu tops the tally with 69 percent reservations in various categories,which is 1 Percent a head of Maharashtra.Haryana is the third State holds 67 per cent.
Some national parks in Maharashtra:
♦ Gugamal National Park
♦ Sanjay Gandhi National Park
NGT slaps Rs 5 crore fine on West Bengal government for failing to curb air pollution
On 27th November 2018, The National Green Tribunal imposed a fine of Rs 5 crore to be deposited with Central Pollution Control Board within two weeks on West Bengal which fails to comply with the 2 years old directive to improve the air quality in Kolkata and Howrah.
Kolkata and Howrah comes under one of the most polluted cities of the country, so In 2016 NGT recommended several measures to control pollution but West Bengal fails to comply with those direction.
Background of this action:-
The National Green Tribunal (NGT) has imposed Rs 5 crore fine on thermal power plants which do not meet 100% fly ash disposal criteria during electricity generation. The Thermal Power plants on which the fine is imposed needs to deposit Rs 5 crore with Central Pollution Control Board in a month.
Empathy Campaign launched to spread pan-India awareness about hepatitis disease
On 26th November 2018, Institute of Liver and Biliary Sciences (ILBS) launched “Empowering People Against Hepatitis: The Empathy Campaign” to create awareness about Hepatitis B and C disease throughout India.
Key Points:
i. The campaign was launched at Metro Bhawan in New Delhi. It was launched in association with Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC). It is also supported by Airports Authority of India (AAI).
ii. Nearly, 60 million people in India are affected by Hepatitis virus infections that lead to liver cirrhosis and cancer.
iii. At the launch, DMRC staff took a pledge for the cause. ILBS medical and para medical staff carried out screening and vaccination for the volunteers.
iv. Over 250 DMRC staff were screened and vaccinated for hepatitis B and C in the health-check camp.
About Institute of Liver and Biliary Sciences (ILBS):
♦ Director – Shiv Kumar Sarin
♦ Location – New Delhi
About Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC):
♦ Managing Director – Dr. Mangu Singh
INTERNATIONAL AFFAIRS
EU sets goal to be ‘climate neutral’ by 2050
The European Union sets a goal to become the first major economy to be ‘Climate Neural’ by 2050 after that the emissions of greenhouse gases needs to be offset by planting trees or burying the gases underground. As per European Union, this target can be achieved by using Solar and Wind Energy for electricity generation.
Climate Neutrality means the emissions are to be balanced by methods of removing warming gases from the atmosphere by planting new forests or through carbon capturing technologies.
3rd ASEAN – India Business Summit (AIBS) held in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
On 27th November 2018, the 3rd ASEAN (Association of Southeast Asian Nations) India Business Summit was organised by the ASEAN India Business Council (AIBC) Malaysian Chapter in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
Key Points:
i. The Summit consisted of 3 events: ASEAN India Business Conference, ASEAN India Business Excellence Awards and Gala Dinner.
ii .It was organized under the guidance of Ministry of International Trade and Industries.
iii. The award ceremony was presided by the Malaysian Minister of International Trade and Industry YB Datuk Ignatius Darell Leiking.
iv. ASEAN – India Business Summit honours businessmen from the ASEAN and Indian Business community with special achievement awards.
v. Spice Garden group of restaurants owner Pardeep Batra was awarded the special ASEAN – India Achievement award for the businessman of year.
About ASEAN (Association of Southeast Asian Nations):
♦ Secretary-General – Lim Jock Hoi
♦ Headquarters – Jakarta, Indonesia
BANKING & FINANCE
RBI moves to ease liquidity for non-banking finance firms
The Reserve Bank of India in a move to make more liquidity available to non-banking finance firms (NBFCs), has issued a circular to relax the securitisation norms by relaxing the Minimum Holding Period (MHP) requirement.
Key points:
i. The NBFC sector is facing liquidity shortage after Infrastructure Leasing & Finance Services, a core investment company, started defaulting on loans.
ii. The cost of funds has gone up for the non-banking finance firms putting pressure on profitability.
iii. NBFCs are now allowed to securitise loans with maturity of more than five years after holding them for six months on their books, as compared to one year earlier.
iv. The relaxation on the MHP will be allowed when the NBFC retains 20% of the book value of these loans and it shall be applicable to securitisation / assignment transactions carried out during a period of six months from the date of issuance of the said circular.
v. In a separate move aimed at boosting MSME sector exports, the RBI said the interest subsidy that exporters get under the ‘Interest Equalisation Scheme on Pre and Post Shipment Rupee Export Credit’ has been increased to 5% from 3%.
Reserve Bank of India
♦ Governor: Urjit Patel
♦ Headquarters: Mumbai
BUSINESS & ECONOMY
Indian economy likely to grow at 7-7.4 per cent in FY19: NCAER
On 29th November 2018, economic policy think-tank, National Council of Applied Economic Research (NCAER) said that Indian economy is projected to grow at 7-7.4 % in the current fiscal citing comfortable agricultural sector outlook and a marked improvement in the external sector.
Key points:
i. According to a report by the NCAER, the real agriculture Gross Value Added (GVA) is envisaged to grow at 3 per cent and real industry GVA at 7 per cent in 2018-19.
ii. The growth rates of exports and imports, in dollar terms, are estimated at 11.8 percent and 16.9 percent respectively.
iii. According to NCAER’s Mid-Year Review of the Economy these forecasts at constant prices are based on NCAER’s annual GDP macro model.
iv. The current account balance and central fiscal deficit, as percentages of GDP, are projected at -2.3 percent and 3.2 percent respectively.
v. NCAER also estimated that the combined output of Kharif and Rabi food grains during the current year may be in the region of 290 million tonnes, which is slightly higher than last year’s record output.
About NCAER:
♦ National Council of Applied Economic Research President: Nandan Nilekani
♦ NCAER Headquarters: New Delhi
India is the fastest growing e-commerce market: Report by Bain & Company
Consultancy firm Bain & Company’s latest report states that, India has the fastest growing online retail market among top global economies.
Key Points:
i. According to the report, India’s online retail market had a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 53% from 2013 to 2017.
ii. This rapid growth is due to heavily discount-driven e-commerce marketplaces, improvement in delivery infrastructure and increased smartphone penetration and data usage.
iii. India’s total e-commerce retail sales in 2017 was nearly $20 billion. As per the studies, another $50 billion of online e-commerce could be introduced by adding new users and bringing back the currently inactive old users.
iv. Inspite of the rapid growth, online retail penetration in India is low at 5% compared to markets like China (20%) and the US (12%). India was in 8th rank in terms of online retail penetration among 11 countries.
v. In India, consumer electronics segment has the highest online penetration (17%, which is e-commerce sales as percentage of total retail sales). It is followed by apparel and footwear (9%) and beauty and personal care (1%).
vi. Food & grocery had overall retail sales of nearly $530 billion in 2017. It has one of the lowest online penetrations at 0.1%.
AWARDS & RECOGNITIONS
Indian Navy commander (Pilot) Vijay Varma,Captain (Pilot) P Rajkumar win Asian of The Year award for Kerala flood rescue
On 28th November 2018, An Indian Navy Commander (Pilot) Vijay Varma and Captain (Pilot) P Rajkumar were honoured at the 7th ‘Asian of The Year’awards acknowledging their selfless service and bravery in rescue operations during the devastating floods in Kerala. The winners were announced at the Straits Times Global Outlook Forum 2019 held in Singapore.
Key points:
i. Commander Varma, 42, winched up a pregnant woman who gave birth just after being airlifted to safety, during the rescue operation in a district of the port city of Kochi.
ii. Captain Rajkumar, 54, winched 26 people up from a rooftop in Kochi while hovering between trees and other houses besides pulling up a wheelchair-bound pregnant woman. Rajkumar ended up with 32 people on board.
iii. The award was presented to them by The Straits Times, a well-known Singapore daily.
iv. Other notable persons who shared the honour with the Indian Navy officers include Singaporean paraglider late Ng Kok Choong, individuals involved in the Tham Luang cave rescue in Thailand, Dr Sutopo Purwo Nugroho, Singapore NGO Mercy Relief, and ASEAN Coordinating Centre for Humanitarian Assistance on Disaster Management (AHA Centre).
Singapore
♦ Capital: Singapore City
♦ Currency: Singapore dollar
♦ Indian Navy Chief of the Naval Staff (CNS): Admiral Sunil Lamba
♦ Indian Navy Headquarters: New Delhi
UNESCO lists wrestling, reggae and raiho-shin rituals as global treasures to be preserved
On 29th November 2018, the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) added Jamaican reggae, Georgian wrestling and Japanese raiho-shin rituals as among the new elements to its list of “intangible heritage” for the world to treasure and improve the visibility of often little-known and understood arts traditions.
The announcement came at a gathering of the Intergovernmental Committee for the Safeguarding of the Intangible Cultural Heritage in Mauritius, which is meeting till December 1 to inscribe new elements to its much coveted intangible heritage list. Every year UNESCO updates its Intangible Cultural Heritage Lists, which seeks to ensure that traditions of essential cultural significance are preserved. The concept of protected list was started in 2008.
About the newly listed items in intangible heritage list:
i. Ssirum: The traditional Korean form of wrestling has been a popular pastime (and indeed the national sport) in Korea since the fourth century. Ssireum is a staple of holidays and festivals with every men and women, children and seniors stepping into the ring, determined to earn an ox (the traditional award for winners) and the title of “Jangsa”.
ii. Reggae: Reggae music was born in the 1960s and was made famous by artists like Bob Marley and Peter Tosh. It is a unique Jamaican musical form which became the medium through which marginalized people made their voices heard. It can be experienced at the largest reggae festival in Jamaica, Reggae Sum fest, which is held every year in mid-July in Montego Bay.
iii. Raiho-shin: This is a Japanese folk ritual in which people will dress up in outlandish costumes and masks that depict deities and visit the homes of their neighbors, a representation of the belief that gods visit communities in order to celebrate the New Year or the changing of seasons.
iv. As-Samer: This is celebrated across many areas of Jordan and consists mainly of dancing and singing. It is performed on various occasions, most commonly during weddings.
v. Chidaoba: Practised in Georgia, this culturecombines elements of wrestling, music, dance and special garments. The practice encourages a healthy lifestyle and plays an important role in intercultural dialogue.
vi. Hurling: This field game from Ireland which dates back 2,000 years, features strongly in Irish mythology. Played by two teams using a wooden “hurley” sticks and a small “sliotar” ball, hurling is considered as an intrinsic part of Irish culture and plays a central role in promoting health and wellbeing, inclusiveness and team spirit.
vii. Spring festive rites of Kazakh horse breeders: This Kazakhstani festival marks the end of the old and beginning of a new annual horse-breeding cycle. The rites involve skills inherited from nomadic ancestors, adapted to meet present-day conditions to ensure its continued viability.
The Indian items that are already in the list are Ramlila, recitation of sacred Buddhist texts in the Himalayan region, Chhau dance from eastern India, yoga, and the Kumbh Mela.
United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO)
♦ Headquarters: Paris, France
♦ Chairperson: Audrey Azoulay
APPOINTMENTS & RESIGNS
World Gold Council appoints David Tait as next CEO
On 28th November 2018, the market development organization for the gold industry, The World Gold Council announced the appointment of David Tait who has a very successful career in the financial services industry as the incoming Chief Executive Officer (CEO).
i.David began his professional career at Goldman Sachs. Before his appointment as the CEO of World Gold Council, he worked as the Global Head of Fixed Income Macro Products at Credit Suisse.
ii.He will succeed Aram Shishmanian, who served as CEO over the last 10 years.
ENVIRONMENT
Global temperatures on track to rise 3-5 degrees by 2100: UN
On 29th November 2018, United Nations World Meteorological Organization in its annual report said that Global temperature may rise by 3-5 degree Celsius by the end of this century, which is higher than the target to limit the increase in temperature to 2 degrees Celsius or less.
Key Points
i. As per United Nations, the Greenhouse gas concentration are at a record level and if this trend continues the earth temperature will rise significantly.
ii. It is vital to limit the rise in Global temperature to 2 Degree Celsius in order to avert extreme weather conditions, rising sea levels and loss of plants and animal species.
iii. As per 2015 Paris Climate Conference, Countries pledged to limit the rise in the temperature to 2C by reducing the use of fossil fuels which are the primary cause of Global Warming.
About United Nations
♦ Secretary General: Antonio Guterres
♦ Headquarters: New York, USA
SPORTS
AIBA set to introduce ‘protest system’ at 2019 Men’s World championship
On 29th November 2018, The International Boxing Association (AIBA) announced that it will introduce a “Protest System” for coaches and boxers in next year’s Men World Championship to be held in Moscow, Russia which will also acts as a qualifier for 2020 Olympic Games.
The proposed new system for boxers and coaches has been tested at the 2018 Youth Olympic Games in Buenos Aires and recently concluded Women’s World Championship in Delhi.
IMPORTANT DAYS
Day of Remembrance for all Victims of Chemical Warfare – 30 November
On 30th November 2018, Day of Remembrance for all Victims of Chemical Warfare was observed all over the world.
Key Points:
i. The United Nations observes the Day of Remembrance for all Victims of Chemical Warfare on 30th November each year.
ii. This day offers an opportunity to pay tribute to the victims of chemical warfare, and to reaffirm the commitment of Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW) to eliminate the threat of chemical weapons.
iii. This day also promotes the goals of peace, security, and multilateralism.
About Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW):
♦ Purpose – implementing body for the Chemical Weapons Convention, which came into force on 29 April 1997
♦ Member states – 193
♦ Headquarters – The Hague, The Netherlands
♦ Director General – Fernando Árias González
International Day of Solidarity with the Palestinian People-November 29
On 29th November every year since 1977 United Nations organizes “The International Day of Solidarity with Palestinian People” as a reminder to the unresolved unrest caused after Israel Occupied East Jerusalem in the 1967 Six-day war.
Key Points
i. On 29th November which is also known as Solidarity Day, United Nations adopted the Resolution 181, the partition plan for Palestine in 1947.
ii. Israel see entire city of Jerusalem as its Capital whereas Palestinians see the eastern sector as the Capital of their new future state.
ii. United Nations Secretary General Antonio Guterres proposed a two state solution to bring desired long lasting solution to the problem.
About Israel
♦ Capital: Jerusalem
♦ Currency: Israeli new shekel
