We are here for you to provide the important Current Affairs December 18 2018, which have unique updates of all daily 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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INDIAN AFFAIRS
Overview of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s one day long Visit to Uttar Pradesh
- On 16th December 2018, Prime Minister Narendra Modi visited Rae Bareli for the first time where he launched various development projects and Allahabad which is recently renamed to Prayagraj to review the preparation of Kumbh Mela.
- Shri Narendra Modi Visited Modern Coach Factory in Uttar Pradesh where he flagged off the 900th Coach and a Humsafar Rake.
- Prime Minister inaugurated a new Airport Complex, an Integrated Command and Control Centre for the Kumbh Mela at Prayagraj…………………………………………Click here to Read more
Overview of French Foreign Minister Jean-Yves Le Drian’s two-day India Visit
- On 14th December 2018, Mr Jean-Yves Le Drian, Minister of Europe and Foreign Affairs of France, arrived in New Delhi for an official visit to India.France and India are also celebrating the 20th anniversary of their strategic partnership this year.He concluded his 2 day visit on 15th December 2018.
- On 14th December in Mumbai he also conferred the French honour of Knight of the National Order of Merit on renowned producer and Chairman and CEO of the Hyde Park Entertainment Group, Ashok Amritraj while presiding over the closing ceremony of the Second Indo-French Professional Meetings for the Film and Television Industry.
- Indian government signed a deal with France-based European Information Technology Corporation Atos to procure supercomputers worth Rs 4,500 crore for academic and research institutions across India………………..Click here to Read more
Pune District court Became the first Court in India to get facility of e-payment
On 15th December 2018, Pune District court became the first court in India to allow e-payments of court fee, judicial deposits, fines and penalties, the facility which will be eventually available across all courtrooms in the country to bring transparency to cash transactions.
Key Points:
i. The Pune district court administration is starting the e-payment facility in the Shivajinager district and sessions court.
ii. The move in which all the e-payments will be collected https://pay.ecourts. gov.in/epay/ would also help to end the long queues on court premises to pay cash.
iii. The court administration has tied up with State Bank of India (SBI) for the purpose in which civil lawyers and litigants can make payments online round the clock and there will be no additional bank charges for payments up to Rs 2,000.
iv. The person making the e-payment will get a unique case number record (CNR) which will remain the same till matter is disposed of.
v. Chief justice of Bombay High Court RK Menon officially inaugurated the E-payment system.
About Maharashtra:
♦ Chief Minister: Devendra Fadnavis
♦ Governor: C. Vidyasagar Rao
♦ Capital: Mumbai
AWARDS & RECOGNITIONS
NITI Aayog Organises the Third Edition of the Women Transforming India Awards
On 16th December 2018,National Institution for Transforming India( NITI AAYOG) organized the 3rd edition of the Women Transforming India Awards 2018 in NewDelhi and launched the upgraded portal of the Women Entrepreneurship Platform 2.0.The Vice President of India M.Venkaiah Naidu was the chief guest of the event where he presented the awards and launched the portal.
Theme of this year is ‘Women and Entrepreneurship’.
Key points
i. 15 winners have been chosen through an extensive six-month-long process.
ii. The primary objective of Women Entrepreneurship Platform (WEP) is to promote and support both established and aspiring Indian women entrepreneurs.
iii. Many organisations such as Google, UN India Business Forum, CRISIL, SIDBI, NIC, NASSCOM, WEE Foundation, SEWA bank, Mann Deshi Foundation etc. are the partners in the Women Entrepreneurship Platform.Click here to read the winners
About National Institution For transforming India (NITI) AAYOG
♦ CEO: Amitabh Kant
♦ Vice-chairman: Rajiv Kumar
♦ Headquarter: New Delhi
♦ Formed: 1 January 2015
Popular singers Shaan and Arijit Singh were given ‘Sangeet Mahasamman’ award by West Bengal Government
On 15th December 2018,popular singers Shaan and Arijit Singh were given the “Sangeet Mahasamman” award by the West Bengal government at the inaugural session of the Bengal music and folk culture festival held in Kolkata. Legendary singer Sandhya Mukhopadhyay gave away the awards.
Key points
i. Leading Bengali singers like Rupankar Bagchi, Raghab Chattopadhyay, Manomoy Bhattacharya, Saikat Mitra, Pratik Chowdhury and music director Debojyoti Mishra were also given the ‘Sangeet Mahasamman’ awards.
ii. Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee inaugurated the eight-day Bangla Sangeet Mela(Bengal Music Festival) and Biswa Bangla Lok Sanskriti Utsav( Folk Culture Festival)
iii. The government has given cards to two lakh folk artistes or ‘Lok Prasar Shilpi’, and each of them are given Rs 1,000 as monthly allowance.
About West Bengal
♦ Chief Minister: Mamata Banerjee
♦ Governor: Keshari Nath Tripathi
♦ National Park: Buxa National Park,Neora Valley National Park,Singalila National Park and Sundarbans National Park
Catriona Elisa Gray from Philippines bags Miss Universe 2018
On December 16 2018,Miss Universe 2018 was held at Muang Thong Thani, Pak Kret, Thailand. The 24-year-old Filipino-Australian beauty Catriona Elisa Gray from Philippines bagged Miss Universe 2018 title.There are totally 93 contestants from various Countries participated in this contest. She was crowned by Miss Universe 2017 Demi Leigh Nel-Peters of South Africa.
Other Key fact
i. Tamaryn Green, a medical student from South Africa became first runner up and Sthefany Guterrez from Venezuela studying to be a lawyer became second runner-up .
ii. Spain’s Angela Ponce made history as the first transgender woman to compete with other contestant for the title of Miss Universe.
iii. India’s Nehal Chudasama failed to enter it to the Top 20 of the Miss Universe 2018.This show hosted by Emmy Award-winning Steve Harvey.
APPOINTMENTS & RESIGNS
Kamal Nath sworn in as 18th Chief Minister of Madhya Pradesh
On December 17 2018,Congress leader Kamal Nath,72 took oath as 18th Chief Minister of Madhya Pradesh after the 2018 Rajasthan Legislative Assembly election at Bhopal,Madhya Pradesh. Governor Anandiben Patel administered the oath of office of Kamal Nath.He Succeeds Shivraj Singh Chouhan,who hold the Office as C.M. from 2005 till 16th December 2018.
The Congress won 114 seats, has secured support of 121 MLAs, including SP (1) and BSP (2) legislators and four independents, to cross the majority mark of 116 seats in the 230-member Assembly.Congress took away the rule from BJP who ruled over 15 years.
Madhya Pradesh CM Kamal Nath announces farm loan waiver
As soon as he has taken as oath of CM of Madhya Pradesh, Kamal Nath signed the file for waiving loans of up to Rs 2 lakhs of Madhya Pradesh farmers.
Some facts about Madhya Pradhesh
Four sites in Madhya Pradesh have been declared World Heritage Sites by UNESCO.They are Khajuraho Group of Monuments (1986) including Devi Jagadambi temple, Khajuraho, Buddhist Monuments at Sanchi (1989) and the Rock Shelters of Bhimbetka (2003).
Bhupesh Baghel Sworn in as third Chief Minister of Chhattisgarh
On 17th December,2018,Congress leader Bhupesh Baghel Sworn in as third Chief Minister of Chhattisgarh,at an indoor stadium Raipur,Capital of Chhattisgarh.The Swearing in Ceremony is administered by Governor Anandiben Patel.
KeyPoints:
i. Bhupesh Baghel Succeeds Raman Singh,who was the Chief Minister of Chhatisgarh from 2003 to 2018.
ii. Two senior Congress leaders T.S. Singhdeo and Tamradwaj Sahu also sworn in as cabinet ministers.
iii.Within hours of being sworn-in as Chhattisgarh Chief Minister, Bhupesh Baghel announced to waive off farm loans amounting to Rs 61 billion.The new government has also decided to raise minimum support price of paddy to Rs 2,500 per quintal.
iv.The Swearning in Ceremony was attended by Senior Congress leaders, including party chief Rahul Gandhi, former prime minister Manmohan Singh and Mallikarjun Kharge attended the oath-taking ceremony of Bhupesh Baghel as the chief minister of Chhattisgarh.
Static Take aways from the article:
♦ Governor will administer Chief Minister Swearing in ceremony.
♦ Minimum age of the Chief Minister is 25.
♦ C.M’s term:5 Years.
Ashok Gehlot sworn-in as 12th Chief Minister of Rajasthan,Sachin Pilot as his Deputy CM
On December 17 2018, Ashok Gehlot took oath as the Rajasthan 12th Chief Minister of Rajasthan whereas Sachin Pilot took oath as the Deputy Chief Minister after the successful lead in 2018 Rajasthan Legislative Assembly election.
Key Points:-
i. Governor Kalyan Singh administered the oath at the historic Albert Hall in Jaipur,Rajasthan.
Congress President Rahul Gandhi, former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, outgoing chief minister Vasundhara Raje attended the event.
ii. Ashok Gehlot was a senior congress leader who has selected for Chief Minister third time. He was a Chief Minister for the first time in 1998 and again in 2008.
Some Important National Parks & Wildlife
Keoladeo National Park of Bharatpur, Sariska Tiger Reserve of Alwar, Ranthambore National Park of Sawai Madhopur, and Desert National Park of Jaisalmer
Sandip Somany takes over as new FICCI President;Uday Shankar as Vice President
On December 17 2018 ,Sanitary ware firm HSIL(Hindustan Sanitaryware and Industries Ltd)’s CMD Sandip Somany has been elected as the new President of FICCI( Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry) for the year 2018-19 during its 91st annual general meeting.
Sangita Reddy,a current Joint Managing Director Apollo Hospitals has been elevated as FICCI Senior Vice President,while Uday Shankar,current Chairman and CEO of Star India and President of 21st Century Fox Asia-Pacific for Asia has joined the chamber as Vice President.
SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY
World’s oldest known plant virus named Zea mays chrysovirus 1 (ZMCV1) discovered
On December 17 2018, World’s oldest plant virus dating back 1,000 years named Zea mays chrysovirus 1(ZMCV1) has been discovered by scientist at a Native American archeological site.The previous oldest was found about 750 years ago.
Other Facts:-
i. This new plant virus has discovered when research team examined ancient plant material from Antelope House, an Ancestral Puebloan ruin located at Canyon de Chelly National Monument, Arizona. Using carbon 14 dating, researchers confirmed that the age of the ancient samples was about 1,000 years old.
ii. The Ancestral Puebloans who lived in the canyon planted crops such as maize, beans and squash. It’s clear from these remains that maize was a major food source for the inhabitants.
iii. The maize remnants recovered at Antelope House consisted of cobs, ears with kernels, individual kernels, husks, leaves, shanks, stem portions and tassels.
ENVIRONMENT
Mount Soputan Volcano erupts on Sulawesi Island of Indonesia
On 16th December 2018, Central Indonesia’s Mount Sopurat Volcano erupted twice on Sulawesi Island sending ash about 7.5 km high in the sky.Mount Soputan was located on the northern part of Sulawesi island,Indonesia.Indonesia has around 129 active volcanoes and Mount Soputan is one of them.
i. The most active volcanoes of Indonesia are Kelud and Merapi.
ii. Indonesia,is prone to earthquakes and volcanic eruptions due to its location on the Pacific “Ring of Fire.”
iii. The Ring of Fire is a major area in the Pacific Ocean, approx 25000 miles, where about 75% of the world’s volcanoes are located. The Ring-of-Fire is also called as the Circum-Pacific Belt.
About Indonesia
♦ Capital: Jakarta
♦ Currency: Indonesian rupiah
♦ President: Joko Widodo
SPORTS
Belgium defeated The Netherland and won their First Men’s Hockey World Cup Championship held in Bhubaneswar,Odisha
- On December 16,2018, Belgium defeated Netherland in Shoot Out Match and won their First Men’s Hockey World Cup Championship,which is 14th edition of the Hockey World Cup
- It is organized by International Hockey Federation(FIH).Mascot: Turtle ‘Olly’ is the official Mascot of the Championship.
- India was placed at sixth place in the Hockey World Cup 2018 after losing to Netherland…………………….Click here to Read more
Winners:
| Title | Winners |
| Winner | Belgium |
| First Runner Up | The Netherland |
| Second Runner Up | Australia |
| Best Player | Arthur Van Doren of Belgium |
| Goalkeeper of the tournament | Primin Blaak of Netherland |
| Young player of the tournament | Thijs van Dam of Netherland |
| Top goalscorer | Blake Govers of Australia and Alexander Hendrickx of Belgium |
| Fair play award | Spain |
Joshna Chinappa wins record-equalling 16th national title; Mahesh Mangaonkar bags firstIn Squash
On December 16 2018,Joshna Chinappa and Mahesh Mangaonkar secured the women’s and men’s singles titles at the National Squash Championships held in New Delhi .
i. Chinappa matched Bhuvaneswari Kumari’s record of 16 national titles while Mangaonkar claimed his first victory.
OBITUARY
Filmmaker Tulsi Ramsay passed away
On 14th December 2018, filmmaker Tulsi Ramsay, 77 passed away due to chest pain in Kokilaben Hospital Mumbai.Tulsi Ramsay, was the son of F U Ramsay and was one of the seven brothers.
i. He was known for directing cult horror films like ‘Veerana’, ‘Purani Haveli’ and ‘Bandh Drawaza.The other Six are Kumar Ramsay, Shyam Ramsay, Keshu Ramsay, Arjun Ramsay, Gangu Ramsay, and Kiran Ramsay.
ii. He also directed films like Do Gaz Zameen Ke Niche, Hotel, Purana Mandir, and the popular ’90s TV series, Zee Horror Show.
iii. He ran a production company, Tulsi Ramsay Production located at Andheri in Mumbai.
Malayalam film director Ajayan passes away
On 14th December 2018,Ajayan, the Malayalam film director and son of legendary writer and communist leader Thoppil Bhasi died at a private hospital at the age of 66.
i. He was an alumnus of the Adayar Film Institute also taken his practical lessons under noted directors like Bharathan and Padmarajan.
ii. He made just one movie named “Perumthachan” and received national and state awards.
iii. Ajayan won the Indira Gandhi Award for best debut film of a director and Kerala State film award for Best Debut Director in 1990.
Renowned classical singer Pandit Arun Bhaduri passes away in Kolkata
On December 17 2018,a legendary classical singer Pandit Arun Bhaduri ,75 passed away in Kolkotta due to his pro-longed illness.Pandit Bhaduri, a well known and one of the masters of Bengali songs and Bhajans.In 2014, he had conferred Bangabibhusan award.
BOOKS & AUTHORS
Book named “God of Sin: The Cult, The Clout and Downfall of Asaram Bapu” released after court nod
On 16th December 2018, book on self-styled godman Asaram Bapu released after a Chandigarh court refused to stay its publication.The Book is Authored by Ushinor Majumdar
i. The plea was filed seeking a permanent injunction against publishing of the book.
ii. Book was published by Penguin Random.
iii. “God of Sin”is about Asaram’s journey to spiritual godhood, his fall from grace and the long and arduous road to bring him to justice.
IMPORTANT DAYS
UAE President declares 2019 as ‘Year of Tolerance’
On 15th December 2018, United Arab Emirates (UAE) President H.H. Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan has declared 2019 to be the “Year of Tolerance.” to highlight UAE as the Global Capital of Tolerance, instilling the values of co-existence and peace in local, regional and international communities
The Year of Tolerance will focus on “Five Pillars”.
i. First one aims to deepen the values of tolerance and co-existence among cultures and peoples by concentrating on teaching the youth on the values of tolerance.
ii. The second pillar will focus on solidifying the UAE as the global capital for tolerance, via a series of projects with dialogue between various cultures and civilizations
iii. The third will enact multiple cultural programmes and contributions to build tolerant communities.
iv. The fourth pillar will see legislative and policy-oriented objectives that contribute mandating cultural and religious tolerance.
v. The fifth pillar will promote tolerance and co-existence through media initiatives.
About UAE
♦ Capital: Abu Dhabi
♦ Currency: UAE dirham (AED)
