DAILY CURRENT AFFAIRS

By admin: Dec. 8, 2022

Indian Navy to participate in the first International Fleet Review of the Bangladesh Navy

Tags: Defence

Indian Navy ships Kochi, Kavaratti and Sumedha arrived in Cox's Bazar, Bangladesh to participate in the maiden International Fleet Review (IFR) being conducted by the Bangladesh Navy (BN). The ships are taking part in a variety of activities being conducted as a part of BN IFR-22 from 06 to 09 December 2022.

International Fleet Review -22 is being conducted by BN this year, to commemorate the Birth Centenary of the Father of the Nation, Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman and to celebrate the Golden Jubilee of the Independence of Bangladesh.  Bangladesh Prime Minister Mrs Sheikh Hasina will be the chief guest at the International Fleet Review. 

International Naval Fleet Review is an event where the ships of the Navy’s of many countries are gathered together in a formation and are paraded.

‘Abua Bugin Hodmo-Our Better Health’ camp organised at Saraikela Kharsawan, Jharkhand

Tags: place in news State News

The Union Ministry of Tribal Affairs organised a free One-Day Mega Health Camp - 'Abua Bugin Hodmo' ('Our Better Health'), at Seraikela Kharsawan, Jharkhand on 4th December 2022. This is the second successful health camp organised in the state to offer improved healthcare services to the tribal people after the Khunti camp's success in June.

The Mega Health Camp was jointly organised by the Union Ministry of Tribal Affairs, Ministry of Ayush, Tata Steel Foundation and the District Administration, envisaging better health and related facilities for the tribal society. 

This health camp's primary objective has been to reduce the burden of three groups of diseases that seriously impair the health of the members of tribal group. 

TB, leprosy, HIV, hepatitis, and other contagious diseases fall under the first category. 

Breast and uterine cancer, sickle cell disease, heart disease, skin conditions, nervous system disorders, and dental problems fall under the second category. The third category includes malnutrition and adolescent health, including maternal and child health nutrition (MCHN+A). 

Union Minister for Tribal Affairs: Arjun Munda

Jharkhand Governor: Ramesh Bais

Jharkhand Chief Minister: Hemant Soren

Universal Health Coverage day 2022 to be celebrated at Varanasi

Tags: place in news Summits

As a precursor to the “International Universal Health Coverage Day’ which is observed on 12th December , the Union Ministry of Health and Family Welfare is organising a  two days conclave ”“Universal Coverage Day (UHC) 2022” on 10th and 11th December 2022 at Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh. Health Ministers of all the states are expected to participate in the event.

The Varanasi event will be inaugurated by the Uttar Pradesh Governor Anandiben Patel in the presence of Union Minister of Health & Family Welfare, Dr. Mansukh Mandaviya. Chief Minister Uttar Pradesh, Yogi Adityanath.

During the event at Varanasi, the 1st Regional Community Health Officers (CHO) Conference for Northern India will be held .Concerned government officials from the medical field from Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Jharkhand, Madhya Pradesh and Uttarakhand will take part in the regional conference.

Universal Health Coverage (UHC) aims that ‘all people have access to needed promotive, preventive, curative and rehabilitative health services, of sufficient quality to be effective, while also ensuring that people do not suffer financial hardship when paying for these services’. 

9th World Ayurveda Congress and Arogya Expo 2022 inaugurated in Goa

Tags: place in news Summits

The  4 day (8-11 December ) 9th World Ayurveda Congress (WAC) was inaugurated on 8 December 2022 at Panaji, Goa in the presence of Union Minister of State for Tourism and Shipping, Ports and Waterways Shripad Naik and the  Chief Minister of Goa  Dr Pramod Sawant.

The main objective of the conference is to provide a global platform for all the stakeholders, including industry leaders, practitioners etc to strengthen the Ayurveda sector, envision its future, and facilitate interaction between professionals and consumers to boost Ayurveda commerce.

Theme of the 9th World Ayurveda Congress and Arogya Expo 2022: Ayurveda for One Health.

A MoU was signed between All India Institute of Ayurveda (AIIA) and Rosenberg’s European Academy of Ayurveda, Germany to facilitate advanced studies in traditional Indian medicine systems.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi is scheduled to attend the valedictory function of WAC on 11 December.

Every year 23 October is observed in India as Ayurveda Day.

Packmach Asia 2022 held in Mumbai

Tags: place in news Summits

An International conference for processing and packaging “PackMach Asia Expo 2002” is being held in Mumbai from 7-9 December 2022. The “PackMach Asia Expo 2002” is being organized by the Institute of Packaging Machinery Manufacturers of India (IPMMI) and Messe Muenchen India with the support of PHD Chamber of Commerce (PHDCCI) as industry partner.

 During the “PackMach Asia Expo 2002 the Union Ministry of  Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises(MSME) organised a buyer seller meet with  PHDCCI to promote the export of packaging solution made by MSME companies .

The exhibition showcased new-to-market products and technologies additionally hosting segments such as packaging, processing, logistics and supply chain among others.

KV Shaji appointed as the new chairman of NABARD

Tags: Person in news

K V Shaji has been named Chairman of the National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development (NABARD) on 7 December. He formerly served as NABARD’s Deputy Managing Director (DMD) till May 21, 2020.

Important facts

• Before joining NABARD, he worked in Canara Bank in various capacities for 26 years.

• As his last assignment, he was in charge of Strategy, Planning and Business Development at the Corporate Office of Canara Bank.

• He successfully handled the project of amalgamation of Syndicate Bank into Canara Bank.

• He was earlier also the Chairman of India’s largest Regional Rural Bank, Kerala Gramin Bank.

• He is a post graduate in Agriculture and holds a PGDM degree in Public Policy from the Indian Institute of Management (IIM), Ahmedabad.

About the NABARD

• It is a development bank focussing primarily on the rural sector of the country. 

• It is a statutory body established in 1982 under National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development Act, 1981.

• Established on the recommendations of Shivaraman Committee.

• Headquarters - Mumbai

DCGI allows the export of SII made Ebola vaccine for export to Uganda

Tags: Science and Technology International News

The  Drugs Controller General of India (DGCI) on 8 December 2022 approved the export of India’s first Ebola vaccine manufactured by Serum Institute of India (SII) to Uganda.

The vaccine has been developed by SII in collaboration with Oxford University, United Kingdom. This vaccine will be used for solidarity clinical trials in Uganda.

The World Health Organisation (WHO) has sought collaboration with manufacturers of Ebola vaccines for the prevention of the disease and has selected ChAdOx1 biEBOV as a potential vaccine for participation in a solidarity clinical trial in Uganda.

Oxford University signed an agreement with Serum Institute of India to manufacture ChAdOx1 biEBOV.

Serum Institute of India situated in Pune is the largest vaccine manufacturer in the world.  SII makes vaccines for Covid-19, diphtheria, BCG, measles, rubella and others.

CEO of SII: Adar Poonawala

Ebola Virus 

It was first reported in 1972 in South Sudan and in a village near Ebola River in Democratic Republic of Congo. Hence it is called the Ebola virus.

The virus can spread through direct contact with an infected animal (bat or nonhuman primate) or a sick or dead person infected with Ebola virus.

ISRO and Social Alpha sign MoU to establish SpaceTech Innovation Platform

Tags: Science and Technology

Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) and Social Alpha on 7 December signed an MoU to launch SpaceTech Innovation Network (SpIN).

Important facts

• It is a one-of-its-kind public-private collaboration for start-ups and SMEs in the space industry.

• This is an important step towards providing further impetus to India's recent space reform policies.

• It will work towards identifying and unleashing the market potential of promising space technology innovators.

• SpIN has launched its first innovation challenge for developing solutions in areas of maritime and land transportation, urbanisation, mapping, and surveying.

About SpaceTech Innovation Network (SpIN)

• It will be India’s first dedicated platform for innovation and venture development for the burgeoning space entrepreneurial ecosystem.

• It will primarily focus on facilitating space tech entrepreneurs in three distinct innovation categories -

1. Geospatial Technologies and Downstream Applications

2. Enabling Technologies for Space & Mobility

3. Aerospace Materials, Sensors, and Avionics

Nirmala Sitharaman among 6 Indians on Forbes list of world's most powerful women

Tags: Reports International News

Forbes on December 7 released its annual list of the 100 Most Powerful Women in the World, 2022, in which six women from India feature.

Important facts

• It includes Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman along with Biocon Executive Chairperson Kiran Mazumdar-Shaw, HCL Tech Chairperson Roshni Nadar Malhotra and Nykaa CEO Falguni Nair along with two more names.

• The Finance Minister of India has been included in this list for the fifth time in a row.

• This list also includes 39 CEOs and 10 heads of state, apart from this it includes 11 billionaires, whose total assets are $ 115 billion.

• The list was determined by four main metrics: money, media, impact and spheres of influence. 

Name of six Indians

1. Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitaraman - ranked 36, is on the list for the fourth time in a row.

2. Roshini Nadar Malhotra, Chairperson of HCLTech - ranked 53rd.

3. Madhabi Puri Buch, Chairperson of the Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) -ranked 54th.

4. Soma Mondal, Chairperson of the Steel Authority of India - ranked 67.

5. Mazumdar-Shaw, executive chairperson and founder of Biocon Limited and Biocon Biologics Limited - ranked 72.

6. Falguni Sanjay Nayar, the founder and CEO of the beauty and lifestyle retail company Nykaa - ranked 89th.

Top 3 women in the world in Forbes list

1. The list was topped by European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, who played a key role in handling COVID -19 crisis, the Russia-Ukraine war, etc.

2. European Central Bank President Christine Lagarde stood at second position on the list.

3. US Vice President Kamala Harris ranked third on the list. 

Iran's Zina "Mahsa" Amini was posthumously ranked 100th on the influential list. His death in September sparked one of Iran's worst public protests.

Indian-American Krishna Vavilala receives US Presidential Lifetime Achievement Award

Tags: Awards Person in news

The United States of America President Joe Biden has conferred the Presidential Lifetime Achievement (PLA) Award on the Indian American Krishna Vavilala. The Presidential Lifetime Achievement is America’s highest honour and is awarded to American citizens, who exhibit outstanding character, worth ethic, and dedication to their communities.

86 years old Krishna Vavilala is from Andhra Pradesh and migrated to the United States. He is a retired Electrical Engineer and is the founder and Chairman of the Foundation for India Studies (FIS). It is a non-profit organisation, whose Indo-American Oral History Project'' won the 2019 Mary Fay Barnes Award for Excellence.

U.N. Convention on Biological Diversity, COP 15 commences in Montreal, Canada

Tags: Environment place in news Summits International News

The United Nations Convention on Biological Diversity, known as Conference of Parties (COP-15) commenced in Montreal, Canada on 7 December 2022. The two weeklong conference (7-19 December 2022) was originally scheduled to be held in Kunming, China in October but was shifted to Montreal, Canada due to covid situation in China. 

This is the second part of the COP15. The first part was hosted by China on 18 August 2021 virtually and the second part was to be held in a face to face conference but it has been shifted from China to Canada. However the host of the COP15 in Montreal is still China.

The Conference focuses on saving the nature

The Biological diversity conference focuses on nature. It is different from the  UNFCCC (United Nation Framework Convention on Climate Change ) organised Conference of Parties(CoP) which focuses on the problem of global warming and climate change due to emission of greenhouse gasses.

The Biological Diversity conference will focus on nature and how to stop and reverse the degradation of our nature by 2030.

Main issues that will be discussed at the Montreal conference are;

• One of the most notable draft targets is to conserve 30% of land and sea areas globally by 2030.
• It will aim to adopt a global framework for biodiversity to halt and reverse losses of the world's plants, animals, and ecosystems.
• Fair and equitable sharing of the benefits of natural genetics resources. 

United Nation Convention on Biological Diversity 

It is a multilateral treaty which was signed by the countries at the Earth Summit in Rio de Janeiro in 1992. It came into force on 29 December 1993. At present 194 countries are its signatories.

It has 3 main objectives:

• The conservation of Biological diversity 
• The sustainable use of the components of biological diversity 
• The fair and equitable sharing of the benefits arising out of the utilization of genetic resources.

 Conferences of the Parties/COP 

• Countries which have signed the conventions are called Conferences of the Parties. The meeting of the Conferences of the Parties is  also called COP
• The first COP -1 was held in Nassau, Bahamas 1994.
• The 14th meeting was held in Sharm El Sheikh, Egypt (17-19 November 2018)
• It is held after every two years but due to covid it was held in 2021. 

Dr Ogarit Younan and Dr Waleed Slyabi of Lebanon gets the Jamnalal Bajaj Award for Promoting Gandhian Values outside India 2022

Tags: Awards Person in news

The Jamnalal Bajaj Foundation has on 8 December 2022 announced the winners of the Jamnalal Bajaj award 2022 .Dr Ogirat Younan and Dr Walid Slyabi of Lebanon was awarded the Jamnalal Bajaj award for Promoting Gandhian Values outside India. 

The Jamnalal Bajaj Foundation was established in 1977, in the memory of Mr. Jamnalal Bajaj, a close associate and adopted fifth son of Mahatma Gandhi. It was inaugurated on 4th November, 1977 by Mr. Morarji Desai, Prime Minister of India. Each award carries a Citation, a Trophy and a Cash Prize of Rs. 10, 00,000.

The Foundation gives 4 awards in different categories. Three are given to Indians and one award, for promoting Gandhian values outside is given to a foreigner.

Jamnalal Bajaj 2022 winners 

For Constructive Works

Nilesh Desai of Madhya Pradesh has been chosen for the Jamnalal Bajaj award for Constructive Works. He is the founder of the Sampark Samaj Sevi Sansthan which works for the upliftment of the Bhil Community.

Award for Application of Science and Technology for Rural Development:

Mansukhbhai Prajapati of Gujarat was awarded the Jamnalal Bajaj award for Application of Science and Technology for Rural Development.    He was selected for his innovation and entrepreneurship in bringing traditional pottery making into the mainstream. His company Mitticool produces clay products and clay pots .He has helped the rural artisans making clay pottery to find new markets and business.

Award for Development and Welfare of Women and Children:

Sophia Saik of Odisha was awarded the Jamnalal Bajaj award for Development and Welfare of Women and Children.  She is a social service activist who works for women empowerment and gender rights. She is a prominent activist for women beedi workers in Odisha.

International Award for Promoting Gandhian Values outside India: 

Dr Ogirat Younan and Dr Walid Slyabi of Lebanon was awarded the Jamnalal Bajaj award for Promoting Gandhian Values outside India. 

They are the founders of the Academic University College for Non-Violence and Human Rights .They are the pioneers of non-violence in Lebanon and Arab world and spreading the Gandhaian ideas in the region.

N Chandrasekaran, Chairman of Tata Sons has been appointed as the Chairman of B20

Tags: Economy/Finance Person in news

The Government of India has appointed Tata Sons Chairman N Chandrasekaran as the chairman of the B20 to lead the business agenda during India’s G20 presidency. India took over the presidency of G-20 from Indonesia on 1 December 2022 and will hold the G-20 Summit meeting on 9-10 September 2023.

The government has also appointed the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) as the B20 India Secretariat. B20 is the voice of the G20 business community and helps in shaping economic policy statements by the G20 grouping over the years.

B20 India work will be conducted through Task Forces and Action Councils, which will develop consensus-based policy recommendations to the G20. It will commence work on various task forces and action councils after the inception meeting, scheduled on 22-24 January 2023, culminating into the B20 India Summit in August 2023.

B20 India has identified priorities for deliberations under the theme “R.A.I.S.E – Responsible, Accelerated, Innovative, Sustainable, and Equitable Businesses. About 100 business policy initiatives will be organised by CII under the B20 calendar across the country during the presidency year.

G20 is a group of 19 countries and the European Union. 

Indiana sues social media app 'TikTok' over data security, inappropriate content

Tags: International News

Indiana's attorney general on 7 December sued Chinese-owned social media app TikTok, claiming it misled its users, particularly children, about the level of inappropriate content and security of consumer information.

Important facts

• Indiana's attorney general Todd Rokita has accused TikTok's parent company ByteDance of violating the state's consumer protections laws. 

• Indiana is a US state in the Midwestern United States.

• Two lawsuits have been filed in the US on Tiktok. The first lawsuit claimed the app provided inappropriate content to young users.

• The second complaint alleges that TikTok does not disclose the Chinese government's ability to access sensitive consumer information.

• The announcement of the lawsuits comes after other US states drafted legislation to ban TikTok.

• Meanwhile, Texas, South Dakota and South Carolina have banned the use of TikTok from being used on state government equipment.

About TikTok

• This is owned by ByteDance, a Chinese company that moved its headquarters to Singapore in 2020. 

• The app has been targeted by Republicans who say the Chinese government could access its user data like browsing history and location.

• US armed forces also have prohibited the app on military devices.

• Tiktok has been banned in India too in 2021.

Dina Boluarte assumes office as first female President of Peru

Tags: Person in news International News

Peru's President Pedro Castillo has been impeached. In his place, Vice President Dina Boluarte has been sworn in as President on 7 December. Dina is the first female President of the country. She will hold the post till 2026.

Important facts

• In the 130-member parliament, 101 voted in favor of the motion, while only 6 voted in support of the president. 10 MPs abstained from voting.

• Francisco Morales, head of Peru's constitutional court, ordered Vice President Dina Boluaarte to assume the presidency in a speech before parliament voted on an impeachment motion.

• Police have taken Pedro Castillo into custody in the capital Lima.

• Pedro Castillo was elected as the President of Peru in July 2021.

• While in office, he faced an investigation over allegations of corruption.

About Peru

• President - Dina Boluarte

• Capital - Lima

• Currency - sole

Govt cancelled over 6600 FCRA License of various NGOs across country

Tags: National News

The government has cancelled over six thousand six hundred Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Act (FCRA) licences of various NGOs across the country during 2017 to 2021.

Important facts

• In a written reply in the Rajya Sabha, Minister of State for Home Affairs Nityanand Rai informed this on 7 December.  

• Maximum FCRA licences have been cancelled in Tamil Nadu and Maharashtra with more than seven hundred.

• Whereas, more than six hundred licences have been cancelled in Uttar Pradesh, Andhra Pradesh and West Bengal. The list also includes the Rajiv Gandhi Foundation and the Rajiv Gandhi Charitable Trust.

• These NGOs were violating the various provisions of the FCRA Act.

• NGOs whose FCRA registration has been cancelled under FCRA shall not be eligible for registration or grant of prior permission for a period of three years from the date of cancellation of registration.

What is FCRA? 

• The Foreign Contribution Regulation Act 2010 regulates the receipts of foreign contribution foreign contribution received by certain Individuals, companies, Political Parties, association or NGO resident in India .

• The government can ban receipt of foreign contributions if it feels that it harms the national interest.

• It can also cancel the license of the Associations, NGO if they do not follow the procedure mentioned in the law.

• The law is administered by the Union Ministry of Home Affairs. 

Dr. Mansukh Mandaviya Inaugurates FAI Annual Seminar at New Delhi

Tags: Summits National News

Union Minister of Chemicals and Fertilizers, and Health and Family Welfare, Dr Mansukh Mandaviya inaugurated Fertiliser Association of India (FAI) Annual Seminar 2022 (Fertilizer Sector by 2030) at New Delhi on 7 December. 

Important facts

• Arun Singhal, Secretary Department of Fertilizers, Arvind Chaudhary, DG FAI, KS Raju, Chairman FAI and representatives of Industries and other senior officials of the Ministry were also present on the occasion.

• Dr Mansukh Mandaviya stated that one of the important components for ensuring food security is fertilizers.

• There has been a huge increase in the prices of fertilizers and raw materials during the last three years.

• The government has made various reforms and has ensured that fertilizers are made available to Indian farmers at affordable prices.

• The Government has increased the amount of fertilizer subsidy from US dollars 10 Billion for the pre-pandemic year 2019-20 to almost US dollars 27 Billion in the current year. 

• Government has signed various MoUs between Indian fertilizer companies and foreign suppliers to ensure stability in fertilizer supply to farmers.

• On this occasion, the Union Minister also released three FAI publications and FAI Data portal. 

• This portal will create a uniform database and avoid manual input of data by FAI.

Theme of FAI Annual Seminar 

• Seminar is devoted to the theme ‘Fertilizer Sector by 2030’.

• In the seminar there will be a presentation on technologies for green fertilizers, worldwide developments in sustainability area, sustainable agriculture, green financing and optimising cost of logistics.

About Fertiliser Association of India

• It is a non-profit and non-trading company representing mainly the fertiliser manufacturers, distributors, importers, equipment manufacturers, research institutes and suppliers of inputs. 

• The Association was established in 1955 with the objective of bringing together all concerned with the production, marketing and use of fertilisers.

ISRO will develop “Spatial Data Infrastructure geoportal ‘Geo-Ladakh’ for Ladakh

Tags: Science and Technology

The government of the Union Territory of Ladakh has approached the Indian Institute of Remote Sensing (IIRS), a unit of the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) for developing “Spatial Data Infrastructure geoportal ‘Geo-Ladakh’ for UT-Ladakh.

Important facts

• The project encompasses spatial database generation (water resources, vegetation and energy potential) using remote sensing, geospatial techniques and the development of a Geo-portal for hosting this database.

• The project also aims towards training of UT-Ladakh officials on Geospatial techniques and applications.

• Portal provides geospatial data visualization and analytics for UT-Ladakh, consisting of Spatial viewer, Carbon Neutrality, Geospatial utility mapping and Geo-Tourism.

• A Memorandum of Understanding was also signed between IIRS (ISRO) and UT-Ladakh Administration on January 1, 2022, towards carrying out the above work.

• Currently, ISRO is setting up an optical tele-scope at Hanle for tracking spacecraft and space objects.