Latest Current Affairs For Thursday 30th December, 2021

DRDO hand over technology for extreme cold weather clothing systems

Defence Research and Development Organisation Chairman, G Satheesh Reddy has handed over technology for indigenous extreme cold weather clothing systems to five Indian companies.

This clothing will be beneficial for the soldiers of the Indian Army who works in difficult terrains like glacier. 

Presently, Army imports extreme cold weather clothing and several Special clothing and mountaineering equipment items for the troops deployed in high altitude regions. 

ICRA: India's GDP expected to grow at 9% in FY22 and FY23

Credit rating agency ICRA has announced that India's GDP is likely to maintain a 9% growth rate in fiscal 2022 and 2023, amid concerns over Omicron variant of COVID-19.

India's economy grew at 8.4% in the second quarter of the current fiscal, as against a growth of 20.1% in the April-June quarter.

Net loss to economy from pandemic estimated at ₹39.3 trillion during 2021-23.

CEO of ICRA: Ramnath Krishnan.

MSD launches project to upskill the cane and bamboo artisans of Nagaland

Union Minister Rajeev Chandrasekhar has digitally launched a pilot project for upskilling the cane and bamboo artisans of Nagaland under Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL), component of Pradhan Mantri Kaushal Vikas Yojana (PMKVY). 

Aim: to upskill the local weavers and artisans to enhance their productivity through RPL and certification in traditional handicrafts. 

Under the initiative, each batch shall run for 12 days with 12 hours orientation and 60 hours Bridge Module. 

PM inaugurates Kanpur Metro Rail Project

Prime Minister Narendra Modi has inaugurated Kanpur Metro Rail Project and undertook a metro ride from the IIT metro station to Geeta Nagar.

Entire length of the Metro Rail Project in Kanpur is 32 Km, and is being built at a cost of around ₹11,000 crore.

After including Kanpur Metro in UP, length of the metro in the state has now exceeded 90 km.

It will improve urban mobility and will complete 9 Km long section from IIT Kanpur to Moti Jheel.

PM inaugurates Bina (MP)-Panki (UP) Multiproduct pipeline project

PM Narendra Modi has inaugurated Multiproduct pipeline from Bina Refinery (MP) to POL Terminal at Panki, Kanpur (UP). 

It is a 356 Km long project and has a capacity of 3.45 million metric tonne per annum. 

It also includes augmentation of Tankage capacity and construction of Rail Loading Gantry. 

Total cost of the project: Rs.1524 crore. 

It will cover 5 districts of UP: Lalitpur, Jhansi, Jalaun, Kanpur Dehat, Kanpur Nagar and 2 of MP: Sagar and Tikamgarh. 

Atal Ranking of Institutions on Innovation Achievements (ARIIA) 2021

Minister of State for Education, Subhas Sarkar has virtually announced Atal Rankings of Institutions on Innovation Achievements (ARIIA) 2021. 

ARIIA-2021 ranks will be announced in 9 separate categories: Centrally funded technical institutions (eg IITs, NITs, etc), State Universities, Technical colleges, Private universities, non-technical government and private universities and institutions.

First edition of the ARIIA was launched in 2018.

Violet Baruah becomes first woman IG of Assam Police

IPS officer Violet Baruah became the first-ever woman to get promoted to the rank of Inspector General in Assam Police with effect from January 1, 2022. 

She received President’s Police Medal for Distinguished Service this year and also in 2012.

She is currently posted as the Deputy Inspector General of Police (BTAD) in Kokrajhar district. 

She joined police force in 1992 as an Assam Police Services officer and got nominated to IPS in 2004.

Mohammed Shami becomes fifth Indian pacer to take 200 Test wickets

Mohammed Shami has become fifth Indian pacer to take 200 Test wickets, after achieving the feat on Day 3 of first India-South Africa Test match in Centurion.

He has joined Kapil Dev, Javagal Srinath, Zaheer Khan, and Ishant Sharma in the elusive list.

He reached the milestone in 55 Test matches and is the third quickest Indian after Kapil, Srinath to join the list.

His exceptional bowling effort helped India bowl South Africa out for a score of 197 in the first innings.

CEBR का कहना है कि भारत 2031 में तीसरी सबसे बड़ी अर्थव्यवस्था बन जाएगा

Centre for Economics and Business Research (CEBR) has predicted that India will become the third-largest economy in 2031 in its annual World Economic League Table. 

CEBR also predicted that China will overtake the US in 2030, two years later than forecast a year ago.

India will also see an improvement in its ranking in the World Economic League Table (WELT), rising from 7th place in 2021.

Overall, economy is estimated to have grown by 8.5% in 2021, with output in 2021. 

Japan introduces world's first dual-mode vehicle

Japan has introduced world's first dual-mode vehicle that can run on roads and tracks. 

It can carry up to 21 passengers and runs at a speed of 60km/h on rail tracks and can go as fast as around 100km/h on public roads. 

This feature of effectively changing into train-like module easily on a rail track is the first of its kind.

It runs along part of coast of Shikoku island in southern Japan, connecting several small towns and offering passengers attractive seaside scenery. 

Alia Bhatt conferred with PETA India’s 2021 ‘Person of the Year’

Alia Bhatt has been conferred with 2021 ‘Person of the Year’ by People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) India. 

She was awarded this prestigious title to celebrate her work in support of an animal-friendly fashion industry and her advocacy for dogs and cats in need. 

Her vegan kidswear line, Ed-a-Mamma, also won 2021 PETA India fashion award. 

She is actively involved in animal welfare activities and regularly voices out the need for stronger animal protection laws. 

Atul Kumar Goel appointed as MD & CEO of Punjab National Bank

MD & CEO of UCO Bank, Atul Kumar Goel has been appointed as the MD & CEO of Punjab National Bank (PNB) with effect from 1st February 2021.

He will serve as Officer on Special Duty (OSD) in PNB, until January 31, 2022 and PNB chief until December 31, 2024.

He succeeded Mallikarjuna Rao.

In his place, Soma Sankara Prasad has been appointed as MD & CEO of UCO Bank.

HQs of Punjab National Bank: New Delhi.

India-US launched ‘Operation Broader Sword’

India and the USA, jointly conducted an ‘Operation Broader Sword’ to stop the illegal shipment of drugs through the International Mail System.

It targeted shipments of illicit, potentially dangerous, unapproved prescription drugs, combination medical devices, and synthetic drug precursors shipped through International Mail Facilities.

The operation resulted in the interception of over 500 shipments of illicit and unapproved prescription drugs bound for US consumers.

NLU Delhi launches research affiliate program ‘Eklavya’

The National Law University (NLU), Delhi launched Eklavya, a ‘Research Affiliate’ program, for those who do not have a traditional law degree.

Aim: To emphasize its commitment to actively seek partnerships outside the varsity and draw from their experiences and perspectives to develop quality legal scholarship. 

It is open to those who have at least three years of demonstrable experience working on issues that have a significant interface with the law.

CarTrade Tech to acquire OLX India's auto business for Rs 537 cr

Mumbai-based used cars platform CarTrade Tech Ltd will acquire online marketplace OLX India's auto sales business for Rs 537 crore.

CarTrade will acquire a 100% stake in Sobek Auto India Pvt Ltd, the entity that houses OLX India’s Automotive business, in an all-cash deal.

The acquisition will likely to be completed in 21-30 days.

Sobek is a company incorporated under the Companies Act, of 2013.

It is engaged in the business of running an automotive digital platform.

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.

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.

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.

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. 

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.

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.

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.