Latest Current Affairs For Thursday 23rd December, 2021

Odisha CM Naveen Patnaik inaugurates ‘T-Setu’ over Mahanadi

Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik has inaugurated T-Setu, which is state’s longest bridge over Mahanadi in Cuttack district.

It is a 3.4 km long bridge, connecting Gopinathpur in Badamba, Baideswar in Banki to Singhanath Pitha located in the middle of the river, has been built in the shape of English alphabet ‘T’ at a cost of Rs 111 crore.

The bridge has a footpath of 1.5 metre width on its both sides, will benefit people of Cuttack and Khurda.

World Bank unveils 93 billion support aid for poorest nation

World Bank's has unveiled $93 billion support aid to help scale up aid for pandemic recovery and other programs for poorest nation. 

It was the biggest replenishment ever for the International Development Association (IDA), which provides grants for 74 countries. 

The package includes $23.5 billion of contributions from 48 high and middle-income countries as well as financing raised in the capital markets. 

It will help countries better prepare for future crises. 

Centre to amend Multi State Cooperative Societies (MSCS) Act, 2002

Centre has decided to amend Multi State Cooperative Societies (MSCS) Act, 2002 to plug the loopholes in the Act.

There are many Cooperatives societies like those for sugar and milk, banks, milk unions etc whose members and areas of operation are spread across more than one state.

Act was passed to govern such cooperatives.

Since the law was enacted, 1,479 such societies have been registered. 

Maharashtra has the highest number at 567, followed by UP (147), Delhi (133).

British architect Richard Rogers passes away

British architect Richard Rogers (88 years) passed away in London, England.

He was known for designing some of the world's most famous buildings including Paris' Pompidou Centre in 1977.

He changed London skyline with distinctive creations such as Millennium Dome and 'Cheesegrater', that won a series of awards for his designs, including the 2007 Pritzker Prize, and is one of the pioneers of the 'high-tech' architecture movement. 

GIS based ‘Automatic Water Supply System’ launched

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh has been launched GIS based ‘Automatic Water Supply System’ for citizens of Cantonment Boards on Defence Estates Day 2021. 

Its module has been developed by Bhaskaracharya Institute for Space Applications and Geo informatics. 

It is completely automated which provides facility to its citizen to identify location of water supply connection. 

It automatically determines nearest water pipeline. 

It is first of its kind in country.

Technical Conference cum Exhibition on 24x7 Water Supply Systems held

Technical Conference cum Exhibition on 24x7 Water Supply Systems has been held in New Delhi to disseminate knowledge on the planning, design, implementation, Operation and Maintenance of 24x7 water supply system. 

Organized by: Central Public Health and Environmental Engineering Organisation (CPHEEO). 

It will ensure prevention of water contamination, control of NRW, equitable water supply and bring efficiency in terms of financial sustainability by attracting PPP funding. 

Divya Hedge won UN Women’s Award for Leadership Commitment

Divya Hegde from Udupi, Karnataka, has won UN Women’s Award for Leadership Commitment at the 2021 Regional Asia-Pacific Women’s Empowerment Principles Awards Event. 

She has been recognized for her sustained efforts in advancing gender equality through climate action efforts with her organization, Baeru Environmental Services. 

She worked in the areas of waste management, creation of livelihoods for rural women, and developing a circular economy in the region.

DPIIT is conducting workshop on Next Phase for Reducing Compliance Burden

Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT) is conducting National Workshop on ‘Next Phase of Reforms for Reducing Compliance Burden’ to realize nation’s goals. 

It will witness wide participation from across Central Ministries. 

It will have three sessions with theme:

Breaking Silos and Enhancing Synergies among Government Departments. 

National Single Sign-on for Efficient Delivery of Citizen Services. 

Effective Grievance Redressal. 

Open Acreage Licensing Programme Bid Round-VII launched

Govt has launched Open Acreage Licensing Programme (OALP) Bid Round-VII for International Competitive Bidding in continuation of its aggressive programme for exploration. 

It can be submitted through a dedicated online e-bidding portal till 15th Feb 2022. 

They are likely to be assigned completely by March 2022. 

Successful award of Round-VII Blocks would add further 15,766 sq. km of exploration acreage and cumulative acreage under OALP will be increased to 207,692 sq. km.

LS develops mobile app to access important parliamentary documents

Lok Sabha has developed mobile app that will enable members of the House to access important parliamentary documents, papers, information related to legislative committees and bills.

LS Speaker Om Birla informed the House about the app and urged the members to download this in their mobile sets and tab.

It will also allow people to watch the live proceedings of the House.

NITI Aayog signs SoI with United Nations World Food Program (WFP)

NITI Aayog signed Statement of Intent with United Nations World Food Program (WFP), recognizing the importance of millets. 

It focuses on mainstreaming of millets, using opportunity of 2023 as an International Year of Millets.

It also focuses on strategic and technical collaboration between NITI Aayog and WFP, to strengthen the climate resilient agriculture.

Outcome will be achieved in 4 phases:

Phase I

Phase II

Phase III

Phase IV

Indigenously developed Armoured Engineer Reconnaissance Vehicle inducted

First set of indigenously developed next generation ‘Armoured Engineer Reconnaissance Vehicle’ has been inducted into Corps of Engineers of Indian Army. 

It has been designed by Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) and manufactured by Ordnance Factory Medak & Bharat Electronics Ltd, Pune. 

It is capable of carrying out reconnaissance of water obstacles and boggy patches for execution of engineer tasks with capabilities to carry out reconnaissance.

Atul Dinkar Rane appointed as DG of BrahMos Aerospace

Outstanding DRDO Scientist, Atul Dinkar Rane has been appointed as Director General of BrahMos Aerospace with effect from 20th December 2021. 

He joined DRDO in 1987 and started his initial career at Defence Research and Development Laboratory as System Manager and established modular real-time simulation test mechanisms for Surface to Air Akash Missile System. 

BrahMos Aerospace: Indo-Russian multinational aerospace and defense corporation, with Headquarters in Delhi. 

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.