Latest Current Affairs For Friday 3rd December, 2021

Bangladesh and US Navy kicks off CARAT maritime exercise

Bangladesh Navy (BN) and US military personnel has kicked off annual Cooperation Afloat Readiness and Training (CARAT) maritime exercise.

It will be carried out virtually as well as in the Bay of Bengal. 

It is a 9-day event that focuses on a full spectrum of naval capabilities and features Cooperative activities that highlight ability of US and Bangladesh to work together toward the common goal of ensuring a free and open Indo-Pacific. 

It was first introduced in 2011.

GIS Substation inaugurated in Ramganj, Jaipur

GIS Substation has been inaugurated in Ramganj, Jaipur city as a part of ‘Azadi ka Amrit Mahotsav’ to improve supply of electricity for people of Jaipur. 

Nodal agency: Power Finance Corporation, (Maharatna CPSE and India’s leading power sector focused non-banking financial company) under IPDS scheme. 

Implementing agency: UP Rajkiya Nirman Nigam Limited (UPRNN). 

It was built at a cost of `7.50 crores and will benefit close to 4000 consumers.

Global trade likely to hit $28 trillion in 2021, grow 23% YoY: UNCTAD

Global trade is expected to reach about $28 trillion in 2021, growing 11% over pre-pandemic levels, according to the global trade update report by UNCTAD.

UNCTAD outlook for 2022, remains very uncertain, due to slowing economic recovery, disruptions of logistics and rise in shipping costs, etc. 

India’s goods exports shows rise of 27% and 5%, and services increased by 7% and 17% in Q3 of the current fiscal compared to 2019 average and Q2 2021, respectively.

LS passed Assisted Reproductive Technology (Regulation Bill), 2020

Lok Sabha has passed Assisted Reproductive Technology (Regulation Bill), 2020, moved by Health Minister Dr Mansukh Mandaviya.

Bill is for the regulation and supervision of assisted reproductive technology (ART) clinics and ART banks.

It help prevent misuse of the technology and ensure safe and ethical ART practices.

Under the Bill, ART Registry is being envisaged providing a legal framework for the whole sector.

GST revenue collection rises 25 percent in November 2021

GST revenues collection for November 2021 is recorded to be 25% higher than the GST revenues in the same month last year and 27% over 2019-20.

It is the second-highest ever estimation since the introduction of GST. 

Gross GST revenue collected in November 2021: Rs 1,31,526.

For the second straight month, Gross GST collection has crossed 1 lakh 30 thousand crore. 

During the month, revenues from import of goods were 43% higher as compared to November last year.

India beats Belgium by 1-0 to enter semi-finals

Defending champions India beat Belgium by a solitary goal (1-0) to enter semifinals in the FIH Junior Men’s Hockey World Cup, held at Kalinga Stadium, Odisha.

India won due to Shardananad Tiwari’s penalty corner conversion in the 21th minute. 

Apart from India, Germany, Argentina, and France have also qualified for semi-finals.

India will take on last edition’s bronze medallist Germany in the semifinals on 3rd Dec 2021.

In 2016 edition India defeated Belgium in the final.

WHO confirms 'Omicron' Covid-19 variant in 23 countries

World Health Organization (WHO) DG Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus has confirmed 'Omicron' Covid-19 variant in 23 countries.

As per WHO, mix of low vaccination coverage and low testing rates are creating fertile breeding ground for new Covid variants.

blanket travel bans will not prevent the spread of Omicron variant of coronavirus and they place a heavy burden on lives and livelihoods.

BSNL to roll out its 4G services by September 2022

Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited (BSNL) will roll out its 4G services by September 2022.

Govt has approved revival plan for BSNL and MTNL with administrative allotment of spectrum for providing 4G services with funding through budgetary allocation.

BSNL has already begun necessary processes to go for 4G tender.

Incremental revenue of Rs 900 crores to BSNL is expected in the first year of pan India 4G operations.

Nagaland’s Hornbill Festival begins

Biggest cultural extravaganza of Nagaland, Hornbill Festival has kicked off with colorful renditions of traditional music, dances and contemporary in one roof at Naga Heritage village Kisama.

It is the 22nd edition of the Hornbill festival and will be celebrated in 6 districts of Nagaland.

It was held for the first time in 2000.

The opening ceremony culminated with the flight of the Hornbill- A musical presentation by Task Force for Music and Arts Nagala nd.

India joined the G20 ‘Troika’ with Indonesia and Italy

India has joined ‘G20 Troika’ and will work closely with Indonesia and Italy to ensure consistency and continuity of G20’s agenda.

Apart from India, Troika consists of Indonesia and Italy.

Troika: It refers to the top grouping within G20 that consists of the current, previous and incoming presidencies (Indonesia, Italy and India).

India will assume G20 Presidency in December 2022 from Indonesia and will convene the G20 Leaders’ Summit for the first time in 2023.

DoT and ITU commences India-ITU Joint Cyberdrill 2021

Department of Telecommunications (DoT) and International Telecommunication Union (ITU) have commenced 4-day long ‘India-ITU Joint Cyberdrill 2021’.

It is intended for Indian entities especially Critical Network Infrastructure operators.

It is being held from 30 November to 3 December 2021.

Experts from ITU, United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC), INTERPOL, National Security Council Secretariat, CERT-In and eminent organizations participated in the session.

Sanjeev Kaushal appointed as new Chief Secretary of Haryana

Sanjeev Kaushal (1986-batch IAS officer of Haryana) has been appointed as the new chief secretary of Haryana. 

He succeeded Vijai Vardhan. 

Prior to this, he worked with Centre as Joint Secretary of two state governments, two large PSUs as Managing Director, and also the largest Municipal Corporation of Haryana as the Chief Administrator of Faridabad Complex. 

P K Das (1986 batch IAS) has also been appointed as Additional Chief Secretary and Financial Commissioner (Revenue). 

PM Narendra Modi to be awarded prestigious Lokmanya Tilak Award 2023

The Tilak Smarak Mandir Trust (Hind Swaraj Sangh) would confer the prestigious Lokmanya Tilak National Award 2023 to Prime Minister Narendra Modi in Pune on August 1, 2023.

Reason: This award recognizes PM Modi's supreme leadership under which India has climbed the ladder of progress

It is presented annually on the occasion of Lokmanya Tilak's death anniversary.

Other awardees: Indira Gandhi, Atal Bihari Vajpayee, Sharad Pawar, Cyrus Poonawalla, and Manmohan Singh. 

J&K Bank wins award for Best Performance in CASA

Jammu & Kashmir Bank has been felicitated for the Best Performance in CASA-India (1st Runner up in Small Bank Category) at ICC Emerging Asia Banking Conclave & Awards 2022.

The event was participated by banks from India, Nepal, Bhutan, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka & Myanmar.

The function was organized by the Indian Chamber of Commerce in Goa.

Indian Chamber of Commerce (ICC) is a non-governmental trade association and advocacy group headquartered in Calcutta.

India poised to become world’s 2nd-largest economy by 2075: Goldman Sachs

According to the Investment Bank Goldman Sachs, India is poised to become the world’s second-largest economy by 2075.

As per the report, India would cross Japan, Germany, and the US With a population of 1.4 billion people.

India’s GDP is estimated to expand remarkably, reaching 52.5 trillion dollars surpassing the US GDP projection.

The labour force participation set to make India the second-largest economy in the world by 2075.

L&T and Spain's Navantia sign agreement for submarine project

L&T has signed a teaming agreement with Spanish-based Navantia for the submission of a techno-commercial bid for the Indian Navy’s prestigious P75 (India) submarine program.

P75 (India) Submarine Project is expected to be valued at €4.8 billion.

Navantia would carry out the design of P75(I) submarines based on its S80 class of submarines.

The first S80 class submarine was launched in 2021 and is undergoing sea trials prior to its delivery to Spanish Navy. 

India overtakes China as most attractive emerging market for investing

According to a study by Invesco Global Sovereign Asset Management, India has overtaken China to become the most attractive emerging market for investing in sovereign wealth funds this year.

Reason: This is due to its solid demographics, political stability, and proactive regulation. 

Positives for the nation also include the rapidly expanding demography, strong regulatory actions, and a welcoming climate for sovereign investors.

World Population Day 2023: 11 July

World Population Day is observed every year on July 11 in order to raise awareness about global population issues, including population control.

2023 theme: Unleashing the power of gender equality: Uplifting the voices of women and girls to unlock our world’s infinite possibilities. 

It was established by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) in 1989, after the day the world approximately reached a population of five billion, which was observed on 11 July 1987.

MoHUA conducts SBM-U 2.0 Planning & Implementation Review-cum-Workshop

The Housing Ministry organized a review-cum-workshop to evaluate and accelerate the planning and implementation of the SBM-Urban 2.0.

PM Modi launched the 2.0 versions of SBM-U and AMRUT on October 1, 2021.

SBM-U 2.0: Achieving 100% waste segregation in all households and premises and 100% door-to-door collection of segregated waste from each. 

AMRUT 2.0: To provide complete coverage of water supply to all households and sewerage and septage in 500 AMRUT cities. 

Gujarat CM launches pilot project of ‘Antyodaya Shramik Suraksha Yojana’

Gujarat CM Bhupendra Patel launched the Antyodaya Shram Suraksha Accident Insurance Scheme from Kheda

All those registered under the e-Shram portal from Nadiad will benefit from the scheme.

It is being implemented through the Indian Postal Department, the IPPB, and the Ministry of Labour and Employment.

Under this scheme, insurance with a premium of Rs. 289 and Rs. 499 per year will be a big support to workers in the event of death or partial disability.

OCA elects Sheikh Talal as the new President

Kuwait’s Sheikh Talal Fahad Al Ahmad Al Sabah has been elected as the new President of the Olympic Council of Asia (OCA).

He replaced his older brother Sheikh Ahmad Al-Fahad Al-Sabah, who led the OCA for 30 years until 2021.

The OCA was founded in 1982 by his father Fahad Al-Ahmed Al-Jaber Al-Sabah, who led it until 1990.

The Olympic Council of Asia (OCA) is a governing body of sports in Asia, currently with 45 member National Olympic Committees.

Bajaj Allianz Life Insurance wins Insurer Innovation Award 2023

Bajaj Allianz Life Insurance has won the Insurer Innovation Award 2023 for the APAC region at the 8th World Digital Insurance Awards, hosted by TDI - The Digital Insurer.

Recognition: Bajaj Allianz Life's ground-breaking WhatsApp Conversational Platform - empowering customers to digitally services their policies seamlessly. 

The award entries were shortlisted by industry experts and the winner was selected by the community through pre-voting and live event voting.