1. Aloke Singh appointed head of Air India's low cost airline business
Tags: National Economy/Finance Person in news
Tata Group has appointed Aloke Singh as the chief of its low cost airline business from 1 January 2023. The Low Cost Carrier business will comprise AirAsia India and Air India Express.
Currently the Tata group operates four air lines. They are Air India, Air India Express, AirAsia India and Vistara. Vistara is a joint venture of Tata with Singapore Airlines.
On 29 November 2022, Tata group announced the merger of Vistara with Air India under a deal wherein Singapore Airlines will also acquire a 25.1 per cent stake in Air India. The deal, which will make Air India the country's largest international carrier and second-largest domestic airline, is expected to be completed by March 2024, subject to regulatory approvals.
The Tata group intends to merge budget carrier AirAsia India with Air India Express and the merger is likely to be completed by the end of 2023.
After Merger the company will be called Air India Express.
AirAsia India was launched in 2014 while Air India Express started operations back in 2005.
Low cost airlines or budget airlines or no-frill airlines do not provide traditional services like food, drinks or other premium services and their fares are also usually low. Some of the major low cost airlines operating in India are Go Air, Indigo, Air India Express, and Spice Jet.
Air India Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer: Campbell Wilson
2. 3 cases of Omicron subvariant BF.7 found in India, causing COVID surge in China
Tags: National News
According to official sources, three cases of Omicron subvariant BF.7 have been detected in India so far which is apparently driving the current surge of Covid cases in China.
Important facts
The first case of BF.7 in India was detected in October by Gujarat Biotechnology Research Centre.
So far, two cases have been reported from Gujarat while one case has been reported from Odisha.
Chinese cities are currently in the grip of the highly contagious Omicron strain, with most BF.7 cases spreading to Beijing.
About Omicron variant BF.7
BF.7 is a sub-lineage of the Omicron variant BA.5 and has the strongest infection ability since it is highly transmissible.
It has a shorter incubation period, and has a higher capacity to cause reinfection or infect even those vaccinated.
It has already been detected in several other countries, including the US, the UK and European nations such as Belgium, Germany, France and Denmark.
3. UNSC adopts first-ever resolution on Myanmar
Tags: International News
The U.N. The Security Council on 21 December adopted its first ever resolution on Myanmar in 74 years to demand an end to violence and urge the military junta to release all political prisoners, including ousted leader Aung San Suu Kyi.
Important facts
The 15-member council has long been split on how to deal with the Myanmar crisis with China and Russia arguing against strong action.
The resolution also demands “an immediate end to all forms of violence” and asks for “all parties to respect human rights, fundamental freedoms and the rule of law.”
The motion was adopted with 12 votes in favour. Permanent members China and Russia opted not to use the veto after amending the wording. India also remained absent.
The resolution sent a "strong message" to the world that the junta must "end its violence across the country" and free prisoners.
The only resolution regarding Myanmar was passed by the United Nations in 1948 approving its membership in the UN Security Council.
About Myanmar
Capital - Naypyidaw
Currency - Kyat
Prime Minister - Min Aung Hlaing
Nobel Laureate - Aung San Suu Kyi of the National League of Democracy (NLD) party, was awarded Nobel Peace Prize in 1991, for her non-violent struggle for democracy and human rights.
4. 'Naatu Naatu' from RRR movie becomes the first Indian song to be shortlisted for Oscar Award
Tags: Awards National News
The song 'Natu-Natu' from SS Rajamouli's film 'RRR' has been shortlisted for Oscars 2023.
Important facts
This song has been shortlisted in the Best Song category, which is one of the 15 songs shortlisted for Oscars 2023.
This is India's first song to be shortlisted for Oscars.
Besides Natu Natu, other songs on this list include Nothing Is Lost from the movie Avatar: The Way of Water, 'Lift Me Up' from Blank Panther and 'Hold' from Top Gun: Maverick. Hold My Hand'.
Song 'Naatu-Naatu' is composed by MM Keeravani and written by Chandrabose, voiced by Rahul Sipligunj and Kaal Bhairav.
The song was released as "Naacho Naacho" in Hindi, "Nattu Koothu" in Tamil and "Halli Naatu" in Kannada.
This song was also nominated for Best Original Song at the 80th Golden Globe Awards.
The 95th Academy Awards ceremony, presented by the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences (AMPAS), will honor films releasing in 2022.
The award ceremony will be held on March 12, 2023, at the Dolby Theater in Los Angeles, California.
5. US to provide its key Patriot missile defence system to Ukraine
Tags: International News
The United States has announced on 21 December that it would provide its key Patriot missile defence system to Ukraine.
Important facts
The White House stated that the Patriot missile system would be part of another 1.85 billion dollars in aid to Ukraine.
The package also includes military vehicles, mortars, ammunition for HIMARS (High Mobility Artillery Rocket Systems), and small arms.
The aid announcement comes at a time when Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky is on a visit to Washington to strengthen military ties between the two countries.
About Patriot missile system
It is a surface-to-air guided missile system that was first deployed in the 1980s.
It can target aircraft, cruise missiles and short-range ballistic missiles.
Each Patriot battery consists of a truck-mounted launching system with eight launchers that can hold up to four missile interceptors each, a ground radar, a control station and a generator.
Patriot batteries can also shoot down aircraft.
In military circles this weapon system is seen as a protective shield, which protects the population, soldiers or even buildings from incoming fire.
6. India votes in favour of UNSC resolution on mental health of UN peacekeepers
Tags: International News
India on 21 December voted in favour of a resolution on the mental health of UN peacekeepers.
Important facts
India's Permanent Ambassador to the UN Ruchira Kamboj said, as one of the largest troop contributing countries over the years, India attaches the highest importance to the safety and well-being of UN peacekeepers.
Mental health is an essential component of the overall health in which UN peacekeepers work.
Therefore, the medical care and well-being of UN personnel is the collective responsibility of all Member States.
Meanwhile, Kamboj raised the issue of data and studies done in consultation with troop and police contributing countries and the Special Committee on Peacekeeping Operations, or C34.
C 34 has been giving due consideration to the issue of mental health of UN personnel in peace operations.
UNSC resolution on mental health
members of the United Nations Security Council unanimously passed a resolution on mental health and psychosocial support for personnel of UN peace operations.
Mexico initiated the draft resolution on mental health and psychosocial support.
The draft resolution will be the first stand-alone Security Council resolution on mental health.
The draft resolution recognises the need to raise awareness of the importance of mental health and psychosocial support for UN peace operations personnel.
It references the 2018 United Nations Mental Health and Wellbeing Strategy, a comprehensive approach to meeting the needs of UN personnel and improving organizational capabilities to maintain and protect mental health, which Applies to the entire United Nations system.
7. Guru Nanak Dev University, Amritsar becomes only University in India to get A grade by NAAC
Tags: National State News
The Guru Nanak Dev University ,Amritsar, Punjab has become the first University in India to get A grade by scoring 3.85 in National Assessment and Accreditation Council (NAAC) grading.
National Assessment and Accreditation Council (NAAC)
The National Assessment and Accreditation Council (NAAC) was established in 1994 as an autonomous institution of the University Grants Commission (UGC) with its Headquarter in Bengaluru.
The NAAC conducts assessment and accreditation of Higher Educational Institutions such as colleges, universities or other recognised institutions to derive an understanding of the 'Quality Status' of the institution.
Guru Nanak Dev University (GNDU)
Guru Nanak Dev University was established at Amritsar on November 24, 1969 to mark the 500th birth anniversary of Sri Guru Nanak Dev Ji. It was set up by an act passed by the Punjab state legislature.
The University has also been conferred with the status of “University with Potential for Excellence” by UGC.
GNDU has been awarded the prestigious Maulana Abul Kalam Azad trophy for overall excellence in sports for a record 23 times.
Vice Chancellor of the University: Dr Jaspal Singh Sandhu
8. India’s manned Space flight Gaganyaan to be launched in in the fourth quarter of 2024: Union Minister Jitendra Singh
Tags: National Science and Technology
Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) Science & Technology; Atomic Energy and Space, Dr Jitendra Singh said that India’s maiden human space flight mission is targeted to be launched in the fourth quarter of 2024. He gave this information in the Lok Sabha on 21 December 2022.
Gaganyaan Mission of ISRO
Gaganyaan project envisages demonstration of human spaceflight capability by launching a crew of 3 members to an orbit of 400 km for a 3 days mission and bring them back safely to earth, by landing in Indian sea waters.
The Gaganyaan project was conceived in 2007 and it was formally started in 2018 with a budget of Rs 10,000 crore. Initially the plan is to launch two unmanned missions in December 2020 and July 2021 before the final launch of the manned mission in December 2021.
Now according to the Minister the first unmanned mission will be launched in the last quarter of 2023 followed by the second unmanned mission in the second quarter of 2024.
Gaganyaan Astronauts
Four Indian Air Force pilots have been identified as crew for the mission who are undergoing training in Russia. An astronaut training facility was set up in Bengaluru in May this year. Here the four astronauts will go through theory, physical fitness, flight suit training, microgravity, among other things.
Aim of Gaganyaan mission
According to the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) LMV3 rocket will be used as a launch vehicle for the Gaganyaan mission. It will take the crew 16 minutes to reach space, where they will spend three days conducting scientific experiments. During the return, the crew module in which the crew will live will separate at an altitude of 120 km. It will splash down in the sea nearby 36 minutes after separation.
Human Space Flight
At present only three countries, the United States, Russia and China have the capability to launch manned space missions.
The first person to go into space was Yury Gagarin of the Soviet Union on 12 April 1961 onboard the Vostok Rocket.
The first woman to go into space was Valentina Tereshkova of the Soviet Union on 16 June 1963 onboard the Vostok 6 Rocket.
Wing Commander Rakesh Sharma is the only Indian to go into space. He was part of the Soviet mission aboard Soyuz T-11 on 3 April 1984.
Humans who travel in space are called astronauts. The Chinese call them Taikonauts and the Russians call them Cosmonauts.
Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO)
It was set up on 15 August 1969
It is India's national space agency.
Headquarters: Bengaluru
Chairman: S.Somanath
9. iDEX sets record with signing its 150th contract
Tags: Economy/Finance National News
Innovation for Defense Excellence (IDEX), a flagship initiative of the Department of Defense Production, has set a milestone with the signing of its 150th contract on December 21, 2022 in New Delhi.
Important facts
The contract was signed by Joint Secretary (Defence Industries Production) & Additional CEO/DIO Anurag Bajpai with CEO, Altair Infrasec Pvt Ltd Anil Anand in the presence of Defence Secretary Giridhar Aramane.
iDEX achieved this milestone within five months of signing its 100th contract on July 26, 2022.
The contract relates to an Indian Navy project of the Defence India Start-up Challenge (DISC 7) SPRINT edition.
The challenge was titled ‘Expendable Mobile Anti-Submarine Warfare (ASW) Training Target (EMATT) capable of simulating the sound and movement of a submarine’ and the winner was Altair Infrasec Pvt Ltd, Pune.
It envisaged the development of a training target capable of being deployed on platforms from P8I aircraft, MH60R helicopters, ships with speeds of up to 10 knots and other remotely operated aircraft, requiring EMATT to be launched.
About iDEX framework
It was launched by the Prime Minister in 2018 with the objective to provide a platform of co-creation and co-development in the defence sector, engage start-ups and develop defence and aerospace set up in the country.
It is being implemented by the Defence Innovation Organisation (DIO), established under the Department of Defence Production.
Till date, iDEX has received over 6,500 applications from individual innovators, MSMEs and start-ups under DISC, PRIME and OC.
It has also been able to create thousands of jobs and attract India's talent back to the country.
It has also been awarded the prestigious Prime Minister Award for Public Policy in Innovation Category for the year 2021.
10. Government set a target of 205 lakh tonnes Nutri Cereals production for the year 2022-23
Tags: National Economy/Finance
The Government of India has set a target of production of 205 lakh tonnes of Nutri Cereals in the country by 2022-23. This information was given by the Union Minister of State for Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution, Ms. Sadhvi Niranjan Jyoti in a written reply to a question in Lok Sabha on 21 December 2022.
Nutri-cereals refers to a group of crops comprising sorghum (Jowar), pearl millet (Bajra), finger millet (Ragi/Mandua), and small millets like little millet (Kutki), kodo millet (Kodo), barnyard millet (Sawa/Jhangora), foxtail millet (Kangni/Kakun), and proso millet (Cheena). They are highly nutritious and government is trying to promote the usage and productions of millets as Nuti Cereals.
Effort to increase the production of Nutri- Cereals in India
India declared 2018 as the National Year for Millets to promote millets for nutrition security.
The Government of India has launched NFSM-Nutri Cereals, a sub scheme under the National Food Security Mission. It is being implemented from the year 2018-19 in 212 districts of 14 states.
Rajasthan is the largest producer of nutri-cereals in India followed by Maharashtra and Karnataka.
According to the Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO), India is the largest producer of millet in the world followed by Niger and China.
The United Nations has declared 2023 as the International Year of the Millets.
