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INDIAN AFFAIRS
New Delhi to hosts ICOMOS at 19th Triennial General Assembly
International Council for Monuments and Sites (ICOMOS) will be organising ICOMOS General Assembly and Scientific Symposium 2017 in New Delhi from 11th – 15th December 2017.
i. Theme of the Scientific Symposium is “Heritage and Democracy“.
ii. The objective of this event is to promote international co-operation and strengthen understanding in the field of heritage conservation.Over 1000 delegates from 68 countries around the world are expected to attend this event…………………………….Click here to Read more
India declared free from Trachoma, a bacterial infection of eye
On December 9, 2017, Union Health Minister J P Nadda announced that India has been declared free from infective Trachoma.
About Trachoma and related information:
i. Trachoma is a contagious disease caused by bacterium Chlamydia trachomatis. It causes inflamed granulation on the inner surface of the eyelids.
ii. If left untreated, Trachoma infection can lead to permanent blindness.
iii. Announcement in this regard was made by Mr. J P Nadda while releasing the National Trachoma Survey Report (2014-17) in New Delhi.
iv. Mr. Nadda outlined that India has been able to get rid of Trachoma on account of various efforts including provision of antibiotic eye drops, availability of safe water, personal hygiene, availability of surgical facilities for chronic Trachoma and improved environmental sanitation.
Mahesh Sharma Inaugurates ‘Bodhi Parva: BIMSTEC Festival of Buddhist Heritage’
On December 8, 2017, Mahesh Sharma, Minister of State for Culture (Independent Charge), inaugurated ‘Bodhi Parva: BIMSTEC Festival of Buddhist Heritage’ in New Delhi on December 08, 2017.
Highlights of ‘Bodhi Parva: BIMSTEC Festival of Buddhist Heritage’:
i. Jeetendra Narayan Dev, Minister for Culture, Tourism and Civil Aviation of Nepal, and Heads of Missions of Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi-Sectoral Technical and Economic Cooperation (BIMSTEC) member countries were also present at the inauguration function.
ii. India is hosting this three-day festival as part of celebrations of 20th anniversary of BIMSTEC.
iii. ‘Bodhi Parva: BIMSTEC Festival of Buddhist Heritage’, is expected to create awareness of BIMSTEC’s rich and common heritage.
iv. Various activities lined up during the course of this festival include, exhibition of international and Indian Buddhist art and architecture, guided meditation and chanting by Buddhist monks and choir, discourses by eminent scholars and practitioners of Buddhism, screening of film on Buddhism, quiz show, food trail, dance and music performances.
‘Operation Synergy’ – Rescue mission for Cyclone Ockhi
‘Operation Synergy,‘ a joint rescue mission by the Navy, the Air Force, Coast Guard and states fisheries department has so far rescued 252 fishermen stranded in the seas after cyclone Ockhi, in Kerala.
Operation Synergy:
i. The Navy’s ships, including INS Shardul, INS Nireekshak, INS Khabra and INS Kalpeni, and seven other vessels are actively involved in the rescue operations.
ii. In addition to this, two helicopters and two naval aircrafts have also been deployed in the region. The State Minister for Fisheries Mercykutty (Kerala) told, several fishermen had reached ports and harbours in Maharashtra, Goa, Gujarat and Lakshdweep.
About Indian Coast Guard (ICG):
♦ Headquarters – New Delhi
♦ Director – General – Rajendra Singh
♦ Motto – We Protect
Maharashtra govt offers cash rewards to local bodies to go plastic-free
Maharashtra State government has decided to offer cash rewards to gram panchayats and urban local bodies for making their respective areas plastic-free.
i. Maharashtra has placed a state-wide ban on plastic bags below 50 microns. However, the ban has not been effectively implemented.
ii. State Government believes that cash award scheme will encourage the involvement of local bodies and general masses for effective implementation of the plastic ban.
iii. Under the cash award scheme, three villages from one revenue division each will be selected. First prize will be Rs 5 lakh.
iv. Maharashtra Government will soon come up with a similar cash award scheme for municipal councils and municipal corporations which will have much bigger prize money.
Quick Facts about Maharashtra:
♦ Capital – Mumbai
♦ Current Chief Minister – Devendra Fadnavis
♦ Current Governor – C. Vidyasagar Rao
♦ Important National Park – Sanjay Gandhi National Park
Odissa CM Naveen Patnaik inaugurates Purvasha Folk & Tribal Art Museum
On December 9, 2017, Odisha Chief Minister, Naveen Patnaik inaugurated Purvasha Folk and Tribal Art Museum set up at Barkul near Chilika. Mr. Patnaik inaugurated this museum through video conferencing.
Purvasha Folk & Tribal Art Museum in Odisha:
i. Purvasha Folk & Tribal Art Museum is an endeavour of Society for Development of Rural Literature, which has been set up to promote the cultural heritage of Odisha.
ii .This museum will promote, protect and project the great cultural heritage of Odisha at a global platform.
iii. Society for Development of Rural Literature is also organising folk carnival to showcase Odisha’s inimitable culture.
iv. On the same day, Mr. Patnaik also launched the website of ODIART Centre.
BANKING & FINANCE
ADB approves $346 mn loan to upgrade Karnataka highways
On December 8, 2017, international financial organisation, Asian Development Bank (ADB) has announced that it has approved a loan of USD 346 million to fund highway upgradation project in Karnataka.
i. Funds procured through this loan will be deployed to improve 419 km of state highways by upgrading it to two and four-lane highways.
ii. Besides, the upgradation will also include construction of planned pedestrian, installation of women-friendly amenities, marked crossings and proper signage.
iii. Under this project, a road safety survey will also be carried out to identify critical accident spots across the state highways and implement remedial measures.
iv. The total project cost has been estimated to be USD 655 million, out of which, state government will provide USD 202 million and USD 107 will be raised through private sector investment.
Quick Facts about Asian Development Bank (ADB):
♦ Formed in – 1966
♦ Headquarters – Manila, Philippines
♦ Current President – Takehiko Nakao
BUSINESS
Govt signs pact with German firm for Urban Transport project
On December 8, 2017, Union Housing and Urban Affairs (HUA) Ministry signed an agreement with Germany’s GIZ for technical cooperation in the implementation of transport projects in Coimbatore (Tamil Nadu), Bhubaneshwar (Odisha) and Kochi (Kerala).
i. This agreement was signed by the Mukund Kumar Sinha, HUA Ministry’s officer on special duty and Wolfgang Hanning, GIZ Country Director in the presence of HUA Minister, Hardeep Singh Puri.
ii. Germany’s Deutsche Gesellschaft fur Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) is leading provider of international cooperation services.
iii. The main aim of this agreement is to improve planning and implementation of sustainable urban transport in these cities.
iv. The projects enlisted in this agreement will entail investment of Euro 4 million through GIZ over a period of three years.
Quick Facts about Germany:
♦ Capital – Berlin
♦ Currency – Euro
♦ Currency Chancellor – Angel Merkel
♦ Important River – Rhine
Domestic private jets won’t need DGCA nod for overseas flights
Domestic private jet operators will no longer need clearance from Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) for overseas flights.
Revised norms for overseas flights by domestic private jets:
i. As per current norms, prior permission (called YA number) of DGCA was mandatory for Indian-registered charters or private jets to fly out of India.
ii. Now onwards, DGCA will straightaway issue an authorisation, having five year validity, to private aircraft operators for carrying out overseas flights based on International Civil Aviation Organsiations (ICAO’s) Standards and Recommended Practises (SARPs).
iii. To carry out international operations, the approved operators will only have to file a flight plan with the concerned Air Traffic Control (ATC) unit.
iv. Aircraft operators have welcomed this move and have considered it as regulator’s attempt to enhance the ease of doing business in the aviation sector.
v. Revised norms will come into effect from December 15, 2017 and will be applicable at airports with custom and immigration facilities.
AWARDS & RECOGNITIONS
Hindi writer Mamta Kalia to get the 27th Vyas Samman
Renowned Hindi writer, Mamta Kalia has been chosen for 27th Vyas Samman for her novel “Dukkham Sukkham”.
i. Mamta Kalia was born in 1940 in Vrindavan, Uttar Pradesh. She has authored 11 novels and a dozen collections of short stories.
ii. Novel “Dukkham Sukkham”, for which Ms. Kalia has been chosen for Vyas Samman was published in 2008. It is a saga of a lower middle-class family’s three generations and focuses on the transition in relations and situations of our society.
iii. Ms Kalia has been chosen for Vyas Samman 2017 by a selection committee headed by Vishwanath Prasad Tiwari. Mr. Tiwari is a renowned author and also the director of Sahitya Akdemi.
iv. Earlier, Ms. Kalia has been awarded with “Yashpal Katha Samman” from Uttar Pradesh Hindi Sansthan, “Ram Manohar Lohia Samman” and “Sahitya Bhushan Samman”.
About Vyas Samman:
♦ Instituted by – K K Birla Foundation
♦ First Awarded in – 1991
♦ Awarded to/for – an Indian citizen in recognition for an outstanding work of Hindi literature, published in the last 10 years
Odia poet Rabi Singh wins Atibadi Jagannath Das Samman
Odia poet Rabi Singh has been named the winner of the Atibadi Jagannath Das Samman instituted by the Odisha Sahitya Akademi, for the year 2017.
Rabi Singh – Atibadi Jagannath Das Samman:
i. A decision in this regard was taken at a meeting of the Odisha Sahitya Akademi under the chairmanship of its President Harihar Mishra.
ii. Apart from Rabi Singh, 15 eminent litterateurs – Sanatan Mohanty, Rajat Kumar Kar, Bhupen Mohapatra, Nabakishore Prusty, Ramchandra Mohanty, Surendra Kumar Moharana, Trinath Sahu, Laxmidhar Jena, Banshidhar Rout, Panchanan Mishra, Anjali Panda, Nakula Chandra Sahu, Anil Chandra Das, Kumuda Chandra Das and Gobardhan Nayak will also be honoured at the award ceremony.
About Sahitya Akademi:
♦ Headquarters – Rabindra Bhawan, Delhi
♦ President – Dr. Vishwanath Prasad Tiwari
♦ Formation – 1954
♦ Purpose – promotion of literature in the languages of India
APPOINTMENTS & RESIGNS
Jeeva Sagar appointed as the Ambassador of India to the State of Kuwait
On 7th December 2017, K. Jeeva Sagar was appointed as the next Ambassador of India to the State of Kuwait.
Jeeva Sagar – Ambassador of India to the State of Kuwait:
i. K. Jeeva Sagar is an IFS (Indian Foreign Service) Officer of 1991 batch. He is presently Joint Secretary in the Ministry of External Affairs.
ii. He has been appointed as the next Ambassador of India to the State of Kuwait. He is expected to take up his assignment shortly.
Countries exporting large quantities of oil:
♦ Saudi Arabia, Russia, Iraq, Canada, United Arab Emirates, Nigeria, Angola and Kuwai
Raffaele Bergamasco appointed Performance Director for women’s boxing
Italian coach Raffaele Bergamasco, has been elevated to the position of Performance Director for India’s senior women pugilists.
Raffaele Bergamasco – Performance Director for women’s boxing:
i. Raffaele Bergamasco has been appointed as Performance Director for women’s boxing. He will now also be a part of the team coaching the elite women along with coaching the Youth Womens team.
ii .He was the man behind India’s best ever medal haul at the recently-concluded AIBA Womens Youth Boxing Championship.
About Boxing Federation of India (BFI):
♦ President – Ajay Singh
♦ Secretary General – Jay Kowli
♦ Location – Gurgaont
ENVIRONMENT
Bengaluru Signs C40 network to work together to tackle air pollution
Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) has signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with the C40 cities network to work together to tackle air pollution.
Information about MoU between BBMP and C40 Cities:
i. C40 Cities Climate Leadership Group (C40) is geared towards tackling climate change and taking actions to reduce greenhouse gas emissions in urban areas and thereby increasing the health and wellbeing of urban citizens.
ii. Under the MoU between BBMP and C40, experts from different cities across the world will share their experience and advice with Bengaluru on measure taken to tackle air pollution.
iii. The advice will be pertaining to actions to be taken in the areas of city transport, buildings, waste management and renewable energy.
iv. This MoU holds special significance as 80 per cent of urban citizens around the world live in excess of the World Health Organisation (WHO) limits of air quality.
New form of matter ‘excitonium’ discovered
Researchers from University of California and University of Illinois have proven the existence of new form of matter called excitonium.
About excitonium:
i. Excitonium is made up of excitons and exhibits macroscopic quantum phenomena just like a superconductor.
ii. Excitons are particles that are formed in a very strange quantum mechanical pairing.
iii. A novel technique called momentum-resolved electron energy-loss spectroscopy (M-EELS) was used by researcher to prove the existence of excitonium.
iv. A Harvard theoretical physicist named Bert Halper had coined the term ‘excitonium’ in the 1960s.
v. This breakthrough will help to shed light on quantum mechanical mysteries. However, its utility for technological applications is yet not clear.
SPORTS
India wins five medals at 10th Asian Airgun Shooting Championships
Indian shooters bagged five medals on the opening day of the 10th Asian Airgun Shooting Championships which is being held in Wako City, Japan.
India wins 5 medals at Asian Airgun Shooting Championships:
i. Ravi Kumar won an individual bronze in the men’s 10m air rifle event. Arjun Babuta won individual silver in the junior men’s 10m air rifle event.
ii. In men’s 10m air rifle, Ravi Kumar, Gagan Narang and Deepak Kumar won Team Silver. In the junior men’s 10m air rifle, Arjun Babuta, Krishna Prasad Tejas and Sunmoon Singh Brar won Team Silver.
iii. In the women’s 10m air rifle, Anjum Moudgil, Pooja Ghatkar and Meghana Sajjanar, won Team Silver.
About 10th Asian Airgun Shooting Championships:
♦ Dates – 6 -12 December 2017
♦ Venue – Wako City, Japan
♦ Hosted by – Asian Shooting Confederation (ASC)
Rafael Nadal, Garbine Muguruza crowned ITF world champions
On 8th December 2017, Spaniards Rafael Nadal and Garbine Muguruza were named as the International Tennis Federation (ITF) world champions.
Rafael Nadal, Garbine Muguruza – ITF world champions:
i. This is the first time in 19 years the awards have gone to players from the same country. Rafael Nadal has been named the International Tennis Federation (ITF) world champion for the third time.
ii. Garbine Muguruza won the ITF world champion award for the first time after capturing the Wimbledon title and moving to the world number one ranking for the first time.
About International Tennis Federation (ITF):
♦ Headquarters – London, England, UK
♦ Membership – 211 national associations
♦ President – David Haggerty
Chandika Hathurusingha appointed Sri Lanka Cricket coach
On 8th December 2017, Chandika Hathurusingha was appointed as Sri Lanka cricket team head coach with effect from December 20, 2017.
Chandika Hathurusingha – Sri Lanka cricket team head coach:
i. Chandika Hathurusinghe rejoins Sri Lanka Cricket after previous terms as head coach of the Sri Lanka A team (2006-2009) and shadow coach of the national team (2009-2010).
ii .Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) had negotiated his release from Bangladesh where he was head coach. He is expected to coach Sri Lanka to the 2019 World Cup in England.
About Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC):
♦ Founded – 1975
♦ Affiliation – International Cricket Council
♦ President – Thilanga Sumathipala
♦ Secretary – Mohan de Silva
OBITUARY
Tamil journalist Sundaresan passes away
On 7th December 2017, senior Tamil journalist and humourist Ja Ra Sundaresan died at a private hospital in Chennai.
Death of Sundaresan:
i. Sundaresan was 87 years old. He is survived by his wife and three sons. He was born in Jalakantapuram of Salem district in September 1930.
ii. He had assumed the pseudonym of Bhakkiyam Ramasami. He has worked in Tamil weeklies, Kumudam and Kalkandu. He had authored over 1,000 short stories and two dozen novels.
Some famous temples of Madurai:
♦ Meenakshi Amman Temple – Madurai
♦ Gangaikonda Cholapuram Temple – Thanjavur
♦ Kailasanatha Temple – Kancheepuram
♦ Azhagar temple – Madurai
Indian-origin South African freedom fighter Laloo Chiba passed away
On 8th December 2017, veteran Indian-origin South African freedom fighter Laloo Chiba died at his home in Lenasia, Johannesburg, South Africa.
Death of Laloo Chiba:
i. Laloo Chiba was 87 years old. He was a political prisoner on the Robben Island along with former South African President Nelson Mandela.
ii. He was hospitalised after a mild heart attack a few days ago, but was discharged later on. He is survived by his wife Luxmi, and his three daughters and grandchildren.
iii. He was a former platoon commander in the military wing of the African National Congress (ANC). Chiba was a founder member of the Ahmed Kathrada Foundation.
African National Congress (ANC):
♦ Founded – 1912
♦ Headquarters – Johannesburg
♦ President – Jacob Zuma
♦ Chairman – Baleka Mbete
France’s king of rock, Johnny Hallyday passed away
France’s best-known rock star Johnny Hallyday died after a battle with lung cancer.
Death of Johnny Hallyday:
i. Johnny Hallyday was 74 years old. He had sold more than 100 million albums and headlined 50 major tours.
ii. He was never taken seriously abroad, but was by far the best-known rocker in France. He was made a knight of the French Legion d’Honneur in 1998.
About Eiffel Tower:
♦ Named after the engineer Gustave Eiffel
♦ Type – Observation tower, Broadcasting tower
♦ Location – Paris, France
♦ Architect – Stephen Sauvestre
IMPORTANT DAYS
International Anti-Corruption Day – December 9
Across the world, International Anti-Corruption Day is observed on 9th December every year.
Background Information and Theme:
i. On October 31, 2003, United Nations General Assembly adopted the United Nations Convention against Corruption and also designated 9th December as ‘International Anti-Corruption Day’.
ii. ’International Anti-Corruption Day’ is observed to create awareness of corruption and highlight the role of United Nations Convention against Corruption in combating and preventing it.
iii. United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) has revealed that, in developing countries, funds lost due to corruption are estimated at 10 times the amount spent by government on development assistance.
iv. Theme for ‘International Anti-Corruption Day’ 2017 is ‘United against corruption for development, peace and security’.
