December 2020 National Affairs

• Sports Ministry formally recognises yogasana as competitive sport
  
  The Sports Ministry has formally recognized Yogasana as a competitive sport. The move was made to encourage yoga, spread awareness about its benefits and to help improve physical and mental wellbeing of the people.
  
  An International Yogasana Sports Federation was formed under the presidentship of yoga guru Baba Ramdev with DR HR Nagendra as secretary-general in November last year (2019).
  
  A National Yogasana Sports Federation of India (NYSFI) was also established for the preservation and development of yoga as a competitive sport. It was recognized by the sports ministry as a National Sports Federation (NSF) last month (November, 2020).
  
  Yogasana will be inducted in future Khelo India Games program.
  
  For competitions, 51 medals have been proposed in four events and seven categories in the sport.
  
  Events proposed include traditional yogasana, artistic yogasana (single and pair), rhythmic yogasana (pair, free flow/group yogasana), individual all round-championship and team championship.
  
  A pilot championship — National Individual Yogasana Sport Championship — has also been proposed to be organised in February next year, followed by district, state, national and World Championships.
  
  Ministry of Sports and Ministry of AYUSH have also developed an automated scoring system for competitions.
  
  The reason behind making yoga a competitive sport is to encourage its practice and to help improve the physical and mental wellbeing of the people.
  
  Having yogasana as a part of international event like Olympics etc. would provide an opportunity to spread the awareness of Indian yoga and its innumerable health benefits.
  
  
• Government has issued an e-booklet on agri reform laws
  The Government of India recently issued a hundred page e-booklet called “Putting Farmers First”. The booklet highlights the success stories of farmers who have benefited from contract farming after the legislation of three farm laws.
  
  More than 2,500 potato farmers in north Gujarat are earning Rs 40,000 per acre under the agreement with potato processing company HyFun Foods.
  
  Around thousand seed potato farmers in northern Haryaan, Punjab and western Uttar Pradesh are earning 35% margin above cost under the agreement with TechnicoAgri Sciences.
  
  The above farmers have benefited from Farmers (Empowerment and Protection) Agreement on Price Assurance and Farm Services Act, 2020.
  
  The Farmers have been protesting against the recently enacted farm laws in Delhi. The farm laws were
  
  Farmers (Empowerment and Protection) Agreement of Price Assurance and Farm Services Act, 2020
  
  Farmers Produce Trade and Commerce (Promotion and Facilitation) Act, 2020.
  
  Essential Commodities (Amendment) Act, 2020.
  
  According to GoI, the laws were enacted to remove the middlemen and allow farmers to sell their produce anywhere in the country.
  
  On the other hand, the farmers believe that the laws will eliminate the Minimum Support Price system and will do away with Mandis leaving them at the mercy of big corporates.
  
  
• When is the Goa Liberation Day observed?> GK> Days
  Goa Liberation Day is observed on December 19 every year in India. The Goa Liberation Day is celebrated in commemoration of the Indian armed forces freeing Goa from Portuguese rule. Goa, was liberated on December 19, 1961, from around 450 years of Portuguese rule.
  
  The Portuguese colonized several parts of India in 1510 but by the end of the 19th-century Portuguese colonies in India were limited to Goa, Daman, Diu, Dadra, Nagar Haveli and Anjediva Island.
  
  The Goa liberation movement, which sought to end Portuguese colonial rule in Goa, started off with small scale revolts.
  
  On August 15, 1947, when India gained its Independence, Goa was still under Portuguese rule. The Portuguese refused to give up their hold over Goa and other Indian territories.
  
  Following a myriad of unsuccessful negotiations and diplomatic efforts with the Portuguese, the former prime minister of India, Jawaharlal Nehru, decided that military intervention was the only option.
  
  The 36-hour military operation, conducted from December 18, 1961, was code-named ‘Operation Vijay’ meaning ‘Operation Victory,’ and involved attacks by the Indian Navy, Indian Air Force and Indian Army.
  
  Indian troops reclaimed the Goan territory on December 19 with little resistance and the deposed governor-general Manuel António Vassalo e Silva signed the certificate of surrender thus bringing Portuguese rule in the region to an end.
  
  This made India completely free from foreign rule.
  
  The War Memorial at Indian Naval Ship Gomantak was constructed in memory of seven young gallant sailors and other personnel who laid down their lives on 19 Dec 1961 in the “Operation Vijay” undertaken by the Indian Navy for the liberation of Anjadip Island and Territories of Goa, Daman and Diu.
  
  
• Koothambalam of the Sree Krishna temple has won 2020 UNESCO Asia-Pacific Awards for Cultural Heritage Conservation
  The renovated Koothambalam of the Sreekrishna temple, Guruvayur in Kerala's Thrissur district, has won the UNESCO Asia-Pacific Award for cultural heritage conservation. Koothambalam is the area of a temple where ritualistic art forms are staged.
  
  It is a Hindu temple dedicated to the Hindu lord, Guruvayurappan (a four-armed form of the Lord Vishnu), located in the town of Guruvayur in Kerala.
  
  It is one of the most important places of worship for Hindus in Kerala and is often referred to as BhulokaVaikunta (Holy Abode of Vishnu on Earth).
  
  The Koothambalam at Guruvayur temple was renovated utilizing the most modern construction techniques but has retained the traditional architecture.
  
  The copper leaves on the roof and woodwork in the interiors were earlier coated with enamel paint. This was removed and a fresh coat of eco-friendly paint given.
  
  In addition, maintenance was carried out on the granite sections of the Koothambalam as well as on the flooring.
  
  The woodwork on the structure too was repaired. Another improvement was related to the lighting arrangements, which were refurbished scientifically.
  
  
• Indian Railways issues draft National Rail Plan
  The objective of the Plan is to create capacity ahead of demand by 2030, which in turn would cater to growth in demand right up to 2050 and also increase the modal share of Railways from 27% currently to 45% in freight by 2030.
  
  It aims to reduce transit time of freight substantially by increasing average speed of freight trains from present 22Kmph to 50Kmph.
  
  Three Dedicated Freight Corridors, namely East Coast, East-West & North-South identified along with timelines.
  
  Assess Locomotive requirement to meet twin objectives of 100% electrification (Green Energy) by December 2023 and also the increasing traffic right up to 2030 and beyond up to 2050.
  
  Several new High Speed Rail Corridors have also been identified.
  
  Survey on Delhi-Varanasi High Speed Rail already under way.
  
  As part of the National Rail Plan, Vision 2024 has been launched for accelerated implementation of certain critical projects by 2024 such as:
  
  100% electrification,
  
  Upgradation of speed to 160 kmph on Delhi-Howrah and Delhi-Mumbai routes,
  
  Upgradation of speed to 130kmph on all other Golden Quadrilateral-Golden Diagonal (GQ/GD) routes
  
  Elimination of all Level Crossings on all GQ/GD route.
  
  
• Any exploitation of Sentinel Island will wipe out tribals’
  Anthropological Survey of India (AnSI) policy document warns of threat to endangered group from commercial activity.
  
  According to ANSI, any exploitation of the North Sentinel Island of the Andamans for commercial and strategic gain would be dangerous for its occupants – the Sentinelese.
  
  It also said that the Right of the people to the island is non-negotiable, unassailable and uninfringeable.
  
  The prime duty of the state is to protect these rights as eternal and sacrosanct.
  
  Their island should not be eyed for any commercial or strategic gain.
  
  The document also calls for building a knowledge bank on the Sentinelese.
  
  Since ‘on-the-spot study’ is not possible for the tribal community, anthropologists suggest the ‘study of a culture from distance’.
  
  Sentineleseis the most secluded, particularly vulnerable tribal group (PVTG) who reside in complete isolation on the Andamans.
  
  It has a population of about 50 to 100 on the North Sentinel Island.
  
  They are not only among the most isolated of nearly 70 PVTGs across the country, but also among the five in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands which include Great Andamanese, Onge, Jarawa, and Shompens.
  
  
• When is the National Mathematics Day observed?> GK> Days
  The National Mathematics Day is celebrated every year on 22nd December to commemorate the birth anniversary of India’s mathematical genius Srinivasa Ramanujan.
  
  For the budding mathematicians of the country, who want to pursue the field but are unable to continue their higher education due to lack of funds, here is a list of institutes and organizations which offer scholarships and fellowships for students aspiring to make a career in mathematics.
  
  Vice President paid tributes to an eminent mathematician, Srinivasa Ramanujan on his birth anniversary.
  
  Srinivasa Ramanujan was born Srinivasa Ramanujan Aiyangar (22 December 1887 – 26 April 1920) was an Indian mathematician who lived during the British Rule in India.
  
  He made substantial contributions to mathematical analysis, number theory, infinite series, and continued fractions, including solutions to mathematical problems then considered unsolvable.
  
  During his short life, Ramanujan independently compiled nearly 3,900 results (mostly identities and equations).
  
  National Mathematics Day is celebrated on December 22 to commemorate the birth anniversary of India’s mathematical genius Srinivasa Ramanujan.
  
  This was announced by Prime Minister Manmohan Singh on 26 February 2012 at Madras University, to mark the 125th anniversary of the birth of the Indian mathematical genius Srinivasa Ramanujan.
  
  
• India looks at integrating more countries into coastal radar network
  India putting efforts to further expand the coastal radar chain network meant to enable real-time monitoring of the high seas for threats, efforts are in advanced stages to set up coastal radar stations in the Indian Ocean littoral states of Maldives, Myanmar and Bangladesh.
  
  Coastal Radar Chain Network’s aim is to create a network of information and maritime domain awareness in the strategic Indian Ocean Region.
  
  This will also help in expanding India’s assistance for capacity building to Indian Ocean littoral states.
  
  The assistance to these countries comes under India's programme called SAGAR - Security and Growth for All in the Region.
  
  Mauritius, Seychelles and Sri Lanka have already been integrated into the country’s coastal radar chain network.
  
  Under Phase-I of the coastal radar chain network, 46 coastal radar stations have been set up across the country’s coastline.
  
  Under Phase-II of the project, which is currently under way, 38 static radar stations and four mobile radar stations are being set up by the Coast Guard and are in advanced stage of completion.
  
  The Indian Navy’s Information Management and Analysis Centre (IMAC) located in Gurugram which was set up after the 26/11 Mumbai terror attacks is the nodal agency for maritime data fusion.
  
  As part of information exchange regarding traffic on the high seas, the Navy has been authorised by the government to conclude white shipping agreements with 36 countries and three multilateral constructs.
  
  So far agreements have been concluded with 22 countries and one multilateral construct.
  
  
• India has a rich legacy in science, technology and innovation, says PM Modi at IISF
  The India International Science Festival (IISF) will be held from December 22, 2020, to 25, 2020. The theme of the IISF 2020 is "Science for Self-Reliant India and Global Welfare."
  
  The first IISF was held in 2015.
  
  IISF is an annual event, organized by DBT, MoHWF, CSIR and DST in conjunction with other well-known organizations.
  
  The purpose of this event is to attract people/students to understand the many unknown aspects of science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM).
  
  The festival also aims to promote and encourage aspirants to participate in STEM fields to build their careers.
  
  IISF is an annual event jointly organized by science & technology-related Ministries and Departments of the Government of India and VijnanaBharati (Vibha).
  
  IISF is a festival to celebrate India's scientific and technological achievements with students, innovators, craftsmen, farmers, scientists and technical experts from India and abroad.
  
  The purpose is to allow the public to interact with science, celebrate the joy of science, and show how science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) can provide us with solutions to improve the quality of life.
  
  
• Super Hornet fighter jets with the Indian Navy’s aircraft carriers successfully demonstrated
  Boeing announced the successful demonstration of the compatibility of its F/A-18 Super Hornet fighter jets with the Indian Navy’s aircraft carriers as part of its pitch for the Navy’s fighter procurement.
  
  The demonstrations were held in coordination with U.S. Navy on a shore-based facility at the Naval Air Station Patuxent River in Maryland, U.S.
  
  The demonstrations show that the F-18 Super Hornet would do well with the Indian Navy’s Short Take-off but Arrested Recovery (STOBAR) system and validate earlier simulation studies done over the last two years.
  
  As a part of Boeing’s proposed “By India, for India” sustainment program, the Block III Super Hornets could be serviced in partnership with the Indian Navy as well as India and U.S. based partners throughout the life cycle of the aircraft.
  
  The F/A-18 Block III Super Hornet would not only provide superior war-fighting capability to the Indian Navy but also create opportunities for cooperation in naval aviation between the U.S. and India.
  
  F/A-18 can also interface with the Navy’s P-8I as a “force multiplier” and also with other platforms under induction.
  
  
• Power ministry notifies rules for consumer rights
  The Union power ministry has notified rules to ensure the rights of consumers and to mandate standards of service such as round-the-clock electricity supply.
  
  The rules also provide for penalties for power distribution firms in case they do not maintain mandated standards of services.
  
  The ministry in September published a set of draft rights for electricity consumers under the Electricity Act, 2003, which has a consumer charter. The latest rules empower consumers and introduce new supply rights for them.
  
  Implementation of the rules shall ensure that new electricity connections, refunds, and other services are given in a time-bound manner.
  
  Rules are aimed to benefit about 300 million existing and prospective consumers.
  
  The policy proposes suspension of licences in case of non-availability of adequate power supply arrangements.
  
  Imposition of penalties in case of disruptions in supply to consumers, except due to force majeure condition or technical faults.
  
  The Electricity (Rights of Consumers) Rules, 2020, seek timely and simplified procedure for connections, expedited modification of the existing ones, 2% to 5% rebate on serving bills with a delay of 60 days or more.
  
  It allows payment of all bills worth Rs 1,000 or more online.
  
  A new category of Prosumers has been identified under the new rule.
  
  Prosumers are those consumers who have the right to produce electricity for self-use and inject excess to the grid.
  
  They are also consumer who have set up rooftop units or solarised irrigation pumps. The excess power is fed into the grid using the same point of connection.
  
  The limit to inject into the grid is set by SERC.
  
  
• When is Kisan Diwas observed?
  Kisan Diwas (Divas) or National Farmer’s Day or Kisan Samman Divas is observed in India on 23 December.
  
  The day is observed to mark the birthday of Chaudhary Charan Singh, the fifth Prime Minister of the Indian Republic.
  
  The aim is to promote awareness among the citizens to understand the importance of the contributions of the farmers to the society.
  
  Agriculture is the backbone for India’s economic development, as more than 40% of the total employment in India is employed in the Agricultural sector.
  
  Charan Singh was born in 1902 at Noorpur in Meerut district, Uttar Pradesh. Charan Singh served as the Prime Minister of India from 28 July 1979 to 14 January 1980.
  
  Chaudhary Charan Singh has done various deeds to enhance the scenario of Indian agriculture. His contribution to the agricultural sector introduced several reforms and policies in India.
  
  Charan Singh’s farmer background assisted him to comprehend the actual constraints of the farmer and he contributed a lot to support them. He also attributed to invent and execute the Zamindari Abolition Act. He died on 29 May 1987.
  
  
• Registrar General writes to States to update ‘charge register’, a census document
  The Registrar General of India (RGI) has written to all State coordinators to update the census register.
  
  The names of an area, locality, colony or a building will be updated in the “charge register”, an important census document that will help enumerators to collect details during the first phase of Census-House Listing and Housing Census and the National Population Register (NPR).
  
  The charge register shows the distribution of work among enumerators and marks the House Listing Blocks (HLB) to be visited by each official.
  
  Each HLB, the primary unit for collection of data, can comprise an estimated present population of only 650 to 800.
  
  The register will also be used for the field work relating to the updating of NPR.
  
  The NPR’s link with the proposed National Register of Citizens (NRC) and the yet to be implemented Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA), 2019 has been opposed by as many as 13 States and Union Territories.
  
  According to the Citizenship Rules framed in the year 2003, NPR is the first step towards compilation of the National Register of Indian Citizens (NRIC) or NRC.
  
  NPR was first collected in 2010 and then updated in 2015.
  
  Some States have objected to additional questions to be asked in the fresh NPR such as date and place of birth of father and mother, last place of residence and mother tongue.
  
  
• Assam cabinet approves Bill to make Bodo associate official language of state
  The Assam Cabinet approved the bill to make Bodo (in Devanagari script) an official language of the state.
  
  The bill has been framed in accordance to the Bodo Peace Accord signed between the Government of India, Assam Government, four Bodo rebel groups and two Bodo organizations.
  
  According to the Census 2011, there are around 14.16 lakh Bodo speakers in Assam.
  
  The cabinet also approved setting up of the Bodo Kachari autonomous welfare council-another clause of the Bodo accord signed in January this year.
  
  A proposal for amendments to the Autonomous Council Acts of Kamtapur, Motak and Moran was also approved wherein provisions were introduced for formation of interim governments.
  
  The official language of Assam is Assamese. The additional official languages are Bengali and Bodo. Bengali is official language in three districts of Barak Valley and Bodo in Bodoland territorial Council areas.
  
  
• DPIIT invites applications for National Startup Awards 2021
  The DPIIT - Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade is launching the second edition of the 2021 NSA - National Entrepreneurship Award. The award aims to recognize and reward outstanding start-ups and ecosystem promoters.
  
  The award aims to recognize and reward outstanding start-ups and ecosystem promoters, these companies are building innovative products or solutions and scalable companies, these companies have great potential to create jobs or wealth, showing that they can Measure social impact. Not only must the economic interests of investors be considered, but also the contribution to social welfare.
  
  It also aims to recognize innovations focused on the localization of key products essential to Atma Nirbhar Bharat.
  
  The Startup Award will be divided into 15 categories in 49 areas.
  
  These 15 industries are agriculture, animal husbandry, drinking water, education and skill development, energy, enterprise systems, environment, financial technology, food processing, health and wellness, industry 4.0, safety, space, transportation and travel.
  
  In addition, six special awards were awarded to start-ups in educational institutions, which have had an impact on rural areas, women entrepreneurs, the potential of imported alternative products, innovation to combat COVID-19, and the delivery of Hindi content.
  
  It will also reward outstanding incubators and accelerators as a key component of a strong startup ecosystem.
  
  Winning start-ups in each region will each receive a cash prize of INR 500,000. The winner and two runner-ups will also have the opportunity to introduce their solutions to relevant public authorities and companies for potential pilot projects and work orders.
  
  They will also be given priority to participate in various domestic and international entrepreneurial activities.
  
  An award-winning incubator and an award-winning accelerator will each receive a cash prize of Rs 1.5 million.
  
  
• All about “Jal Shakti Abhiyan II: Catch the Rain”
  “Jal Shakti Abhiyan II: Catch the Rain” Awareness Generation Campaign launched to promote rainwater harvesting.
  
  The National Water Mission launched a publicity campaign "Jal Shakti Abhiyan II: Catch the Rain" to promote rainwater harvesting.
  
  The National Water Mission launched the campaign in cooperation with Nehru Yuva Kendra Sangathan (NYKS) under the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports.
  
  As a preparatory stage for JSA-II, the Ministry has invited NYKS to carry out a “Catch the Rain” awareness campaign to cover 623 districts
  
  This campaign will be held from December 2020 to March 2021
  
  NYKS will carry out this awareness-raising campaign through various IEC activities, including educational and motivational programs and mass awareness campaigns.
  
  During this period, NYKS teams will also meet the district administrations, line departments, and water agencies, hold meetings with pradhans, local influencers, and volunteers to further the cause, and also prepare plans for the water conservation to be taken up in the next phase of the campaign.
  
  
• Aesthetic Dhokra Decorative Pieces Added to the Tribes India Collection
  Dhokra decorative pieces added to the Tribes India collection. Dhokra products reflect the simplicity and themes of tribal and folklife.
  
  Dhokra is a non-ferrous metal casting style that uses the lost wax technique.
  
  For hundreds of years, this style of metal casting has been popular all over India.
  
  Dhokra products reflect the simplicity and themes of tribal and folklife.
  
  They are very popular both in India and abroad.
  
  Dhokra artworks are basically metal figurines mainly made of bronze and copper.
  
  Although Dhokra art originated in West Bengal, over time, the tribe moved to Jharkhand, West Bengal, Orissa, and Chhattisgarh, as well as Kerala and Rajasthan. Therefore, art now spreads all over India.
  
  
• When is the National Consumer Rights Day observed?> GK> Days
  Every year, the National Consumer Rights Day is celebrated on December 24 in India. The day is observed every year to spread awareness to about consumer importance, their rights, and responsibilities.
  
  The World Consumer Rights Day is celebrated on March 15.
  
  The theme of the National Consumer Day is ‘The Sustainable Consumer’.
  
  The theme is in view of the urgent need for action to approach the worldwide crisis, global temperature change and biodiversity loss.
  
  On December 24, 1986, the Consumer Protection Act 1986, regarded as the 'Magna Karta', received the approval of the President of India and came into force.
  
  The main objective of the Consumer Protection Act is to provide consumers with effective safeguards against different types of exploitation such as defective goods, unsatisfactory services, and unfair trade practices.
  
  onsumer Protection Act 1986 in the field of consumer protection came into force for checking unfair trade practices.
  
  Consumers are provided protection from the damages brought about to them due to different unfair trade practices.
  
  The act has ensured speedy settlements of consumer disputes by establishing a widespread and effective network of redressal forums.
  
  The appellate courts all across India also ensure inexpensive resolution of consumer discrepancies.
  
  It has empowered consumers to a greater extent and also had a significant impact on how businesses deal with such complaints.
  
  The rights recognized under the Consumer Protection Act, 1986 provided in the UN charter are Right to Protection, Right of Information, Right of Choice, Right of Hearing, Right of Redressal, and Right of Education
  
  
• 9th edition of Sustainable Mountain Development Summit begins in Dehradun
  The ninth edition of the Sustainable Mountain Development Summit (SMDS) in Dehradun has begun.The summit will focus on the overall objective of building pathways toward a resilient and sustainable mountain economy in the context of a post COVID-19 scenario and Climate Change.
  
  The theme for this year is ‘Emerging pathways for building a resilient post-Covid-19 mountain economy: Adaptation, innovation and acceleration’, and it will focus on the overall objective of building pathways towards a resilient and sustainable mountain economy in the Indian Himalayan region.
  
  Organised by Indian Mountain Initiative (IMI), the four-day-long summit seeks to deliberate on issues such as migration, water security, climate resilience and innovative solutions for the farm sector, and disaster risk reduction in the Indian Himalayas.
  
  Every year 3-5 salient themes engaging the immediate attention of and relevant to the mountains and hills are taken up for threadbare discussion and debate. Conclusions and recommendations emerging from this exercise are pursued by IMI subsequently for actionable output. The first edition was organized in 2011 in Nainital.
  
  
• Draft Indian Ports Bill, 2020 issued for Public Consultation
  Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways has circulated draft of Indian Ports Bill 2020 for public consultation which will repeal and replace the Indian Ports Act, 1908.
  
  The bill seeks to enable the structured growth and sustainable development of ports for optimum utilisation of the Indian Coastline by effective administration and management of ports. It will provide measures to facilitate conservation of ports. Taking into account the prevalent situation with respect to the high number of non-operational ports.
  
  In the Indian maritime and ports sector through the creation of improved, comprehensive regulatory frameworks for the creation of new ports and management of existing ports.The Bill also seeks to create an enabling environment for the growth and sustained development of the ports sector in India through the following broad methods:
  
  Constitution of Maritime Port Regulatory Authority
  Formulation of the National Port policy and National Port plan in consultation with Coastal State Governments, State Maritime Boards and other stakeholders.
  
  Formulation of specialised Adjudicatory Tribunals namely Maritime Ports Tribunal and Maritime Ports Appellate Tribunal to curb any anti-competitive practises in the port sector and act as a speedy and affordable grievance redressal mechanism.
  
  
• WHO applauds India's 'Fitness Ka Dose Aadha Ghanta Roz' campaign
  The Fitness Ka Dose Aadha Ghanta Roz Campaign was recently applauded by the World Health Organization. The campaign has been uploaded for its initiatives to promote physical activity. The campaign was launched as a part of the Fit India Movement. It was launched by the Union Minister of Youth affairs and Sports Kiren rijiju. The campaign lately gained support from celebrities in different fields including sports persons, doctors, Bollywood and fitness influencers. The campaign urges Indian citizens to follow 30 minutes of fitness every day.
  
  Earlier the World Health Organisation had applauded the Arogya Setu application that was launched by the Government of India in its fight against covid-19.The lifestyle diseases are increasing in India. The lifestyle syndromes include obesity, depression, cardiovascular diseases, diabetes, etc. More than 57 % population in key cities such as Chennai, Delhi and Hyderabad are overweight.
  
  According to the Indian Council of Medical Research, the death due to non communicable diseases in India has increased from 37 % in 1990 to 61.8% in 2016.The concept of Fitness Ka Dose Aadha Ghanta Roz Campaign was introduced by Narendra Modi during the Fit India Dialogue.
  
  
• Handicraft and GI Toys exempted from Quality Control Order
  Centre has exempted Handicraft and Geographical Indications toys from Quality Control Order.
  
  Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade mentioned this exemption in Toys (Quality Control) Second Amendment Order, 2020.
  
  Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade, Ministry of Commerce and Industry has devised a comprehensive action plan to boost production and sale of indigenous toys across the country.
  
  Quality Control order has been issued by the Department for standardization and quality adherence of Toys. The order will come into effect from 1st January next year.
  
  This order aims to bring forward the synergized efforts of the centre, states and the stakeholders to promote ‘Team up for toys’ vision keeping quality standards of the indigenous toys as the priority.
  
  
• Union health secretary briefs on latest health situation of Eluru mystery disease
  The city of Eluru in Andhra Pradesh suffers from mysterious diseases. The cause is currently unknown, but it is being investigated.
  
  The All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) in New Delhi found traces of lead and nickel in blood samples.
  
  During the preliminary investigation, nickel was detected in milk samples collected by Eluru.
  
  The main suspicion is that heavy metals pollute water.
  
  Scientists suspect that pesticides or insecticides have penetrated drinking water sources.
  
  Samples from local fish were collected.
  
  As part of the Covid-19 prevention measures, the district government and Eluru city company officials are also investigating whether excessive use of bleaching powder and chlorine in sanitation programmes will cause water pollution.
  
  The reported symptoms include headache, vomiting, dizziness, convulsions, seizures, nausea, anxiety, loss of consciousness and other neurological symptoms.
  
  The West Godavari District Administration has deployed medical teams to monitor residents of the town and nearby areas affected by mysterious diseases. The medical rescue team conducted household surveys to check people's conditions.
  
  
• All states, except TN, availed benefits of “Special Assistance to States for Capital Expenditure” scheme
  The Scheme for Special Assistance to States for Capital Expenditure is currently facing revenue shortfall due to COVID-19 pandemic.
  
  The scheme aims to increase the capital expenditure by the state governments. Under the scheme, the Ministry of Finance has so far approved capital expenditure proposals worth Rs 9,878.61 crores.
  
  Under the scheme, the capital expenditure projects such as water supply, health, rural development, irrigation, education, transport have been approved.
  
  All the states except Tamil Nadu have so far been availed with benefits under the Scheme for Special Assistance to States for Capital Expenditure scheme.
  
  The scheme has three parts. The North Eastern Region of the scheme covers all the seven north eastern states. Around Rs 200 crores have been allocated to this part of the scheme.
  
  The Part II of the scheme includes all the other states that are not included in Part-I of the scheme. Rs 7,500 crores have been allocated to Part II of scheme.
  
  The Part III of the scheme provides citizen-centric reforms in the states. Around 2,000 cores of rupees have been allocated to this part of the scheme.
  
  Under this part of the scheme, amount will be available only to states that carry out three out of four reforms specified by the Ministry of Finance. The four reforms are Power sector reforms, One Nation One Ration Card, Ease of Doing Business reform and Urban Local Body reforms.
  
  
• National Centre for Divyang Empowerment (NCDE) becomes operational
  The National Centre for Divyang Empowerment (NCDE) was established by the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) to re-skill and rehabilitate Divyang warriors of the force suffering from disability that occurred in line of duty.
  
  The Centre is located at the CRPF Group Centre Rangareddy, Telangana. It is equipped with world-class facilities as per the needs of the Diyangs.
  
  The National Centre for Divyang Empowerment is first of its kind. In order empower the Divangs, several market driven expertise such as sports skills and computer skills will be imparted to Divyang Warriors.
  
  The initiative will enable them to serve the country despite of their disabilities. It will enable the skilling of these personnel for national and international para sports events.
  
  It also reskills them with vocational training and Information Technology course to enable them to contribute to the organisation and safeguard their pride and dignity.
  
  According to Census 2011, around 2.68 crores of people are disabled. Of this, 69% of the disabled population resides in rural areas.
  
  
• When is the National Energy Conservation Day observed? -- GK > days
  Every year on 14 December, the Bureau of Energy Efficiency, under the Ministry of Power, celebrates Energy Conservation Day in a bid to raise awareness on the importance of energy conservation for the present as well as future generations.
  
  The day is organized annually to showcase India's achievements in energy efficiency and conservation, while working towards climate change mitigation.
  
  In 1978, a government body called Petroleum Conservation Research Association (PCRA) was created which works to promote energy efficiency and conservation.
  
  The PCRA has carried out several campaigns through mass media like print, television, radio and digital means.
  
  In 2001, the Bureau of Energy Efficiency, a constitutional body, was created to assist in developing strategies to regulate the framework of the Energy Conservation Act, 2001.
  
  The primary objective of the organization is to reduce energy intensity of the Indian economy.
  
  It is responsible for promoting and advocating energy efficiency and conservation.
  
  Using energy in an efficient manner is necessary to save it for the future generations. The pace with the non-replenishable sources of energy are depleting is a major cause of concern around the world. Hence, National Energy Conservation Day is recognized to promote using the energy resources judiciously, preventing wastage of energy and increase energy efficiency.
  
  The Bureau of Energy Efficiency (BEE) works in this direction to meet the sustainable development goals. Some of its major functions include:
  
  Creating awareness and disseminating information on energy efficiency and conservation
  
  Promoting research and development in the energy usage
  
  Promoting energy efficient processes, equipment, devices and systems
  
  Preparing educational curriculum on efficient use of energy and importance of its conservation
  
  
• NITI Aayog releases a white paper '' Vision 2035 - Public Health Surveillance in India''
  NITI Aayog recently released a whitepaper Vision 2035: Public Health Surveillance in India. It is part of its work to strengthen health systems in India.
  
  The paper calls for integration of the 3 tiers of healthcare system in India (primary, secondary and tertiary) into Ayushman Bharat.
  
  It also calls for enhanced lab capacity and expanded referral network. It proposes the use of a new data sharing mechanism involving the use of analytics, health informatics and data science.
  
  The following are the vision of the document
  
  To make the public health surveillance system more predictive and responsive and enhance the preparedness for action at all levels.
  
  To improve data sharing mechanism between centre and States.
  
  To provide regional and global leadership in managing events that aim at developing Public Health emergency systems of international concerns.
  
  To ensure individual privacy and confidentiality.
  
  According to the whitepaper, the following are the current conditions of health sector in India
  
  75% of re-emerging or emerging diseases are zoonotic.
  
  61% of mortality and 55% of disability were caused by the Non-Communicable diseases.
  
  The prevalence and complexity of Anti-Microbial Resistance is growing. Between 2008 and 2019, the anti-microbial resistant gene has been found in more than 100 countries. In April, 2017, the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare launched the National Action Plan on Anti-Microbial Resistance.
  
  
• Sardar VallabhBhai Patel death anniversary on December 15th
  Vallabhbhai Jhaverbhai Patel (31 October 1875 – 15 December 1950), popularly known as Sardar Patel, was an Indian politician.
  
  He served as the first Deputy Prime Minister of India.
  
  He was an Indian barrister, and a senior leader of the Indian National Congress who played a leading role in the country's struggle for independence.
  
  He acted as Home Minister during the political integration of India and the Indo-Pakistani War of 1947.
  
  Patel was born in Nadiad District Kheda and raised in the countryside of the state of Gujarat. He was a successful lawyer.
  
  He subsequently organised peasants from Kheda, Borsad, and Bardoli in Gujarat in non-violent civil disobedience against the British Raj, becoming one of the most influential leaders in Gujarat.
  
  He was appointed as the 49th President of Indian National Congress, organising the party for elections in 1934 and 1937 while promoting the Quit India Movement.
  
  His commitment to national integration in the newly independent country was total and uncompromising, earning him the sobriquet "Iron Man of India".
  
  He is also remembered as the "patron saint of India's civil servants" for having established the modern all-India services system.
  
  He is also called the "Unifier of India".
  
  The Statue of Unity, the world's tallest statue, was dedicated to him on 31 October 2018 which is approximately 182 metres (597 ft) in height.
  
  
• Over 50% vehicles on road uninsured
  Nearly 57 percent of the total vehicles on the road were uninsured as of March 2019, according to the Insurance Information Bureau of India's annual report.
  
  The Insurance Information Bureau (IIB), set up by insurance regulator IRDAI, is yet to finalise its March 2020 report.
  
  India is one of the largest auto markets in the world with over 20 million vehicles sold annually.
  
  India is also among the countries with the highest number of road accidents and fatalities.
  
  According to IIB, of the over 23.12 crore vehicles on the road in India as of March 31, 2019, nearly 57 per cent were uninsured; in 2017-18, 54 per cent of the nearly 21.11 crore vehicles on the road were uninsured.
  
  The uninsured vehicles largely comprise two-wheelers.
  
  Cars are largely insured, with the uninsured numbers quite low at around 10 per cent.
  
  About 52 per cent vehicles don’t renew their insurance after the first year – mostly two-wheelers fall out of the insurance net at the time of the first renewal of the insurance policy.
  
  The total number of third party claims reported was around 3.25 lakh for the current FY.
  
  Overall, Tamil Nadu, Kerala, Karnataka, Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan and Uttar Pradesh together contributed two-third of the total third party claims in FY 2018-19.
  
  In Kerala, nearly 86 per cent of the total third party claims was for injuries, whereas in Bihar, nearly 80 per cent was for deaths.
  
  The highest average for death claims was in Kerala, and the lowest in Bihar.
  
  The Union Territories and the southern states have a high average as compared to others.
  
  
• IMR improves in India, but malnutrition remains worrying, shows NFHS-5
  Ministry of Health & Family Welfare has released the first phase of the 2019-20 National Family Health Survey 5 (NFHS-5) data. The NFHS is a large-scale multi-round survey conducted in a representative sample of households throughout India.
  
  All NFHS are conducted under the leadership of the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare of the Government of India, and the International Institute of Population Sciences (IIPS) in Mumbai is the institution of this node.
  
  IIPS was established in 1956 under the co-sponsorship of Sir Dorabji Tata Trust, the Government of India and the United Nations (UN). It has now become the premier institute for population studies, training and research developing countries in Asia and the Pacific.
  
  Due to the Covid-19 pandemic, the second phase of the investigation (covering the remaining states) was postponed, and the results are expected to be announced in May 2021.
  
  The data captured by NFHS-5 during 2014-19 is similar in content to NFHS-4 (2015-16), can be compared over time, and also indicates changes. It provides an indicator for tracking the country's 30 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) to be achieved by 2030.
  
  However, NFHS-5 includes some new topics such as preschool education, disability, toilet facilities, death registration, bathing habits during menstruation, and methods and causes of abortion. In 2019, NFHS-5 sought for the first time detailed information on the proportion of men and women who used the Internet.
  
  
• 2000 Amma Mini Clinics to treat poor in Tamil Nadu
  The Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu Edapadi K Palaniswami recently inaugurated 2000 Amma Mini covid-19 clinic in Tamil Nadu. The state of Tamil Nadu is the fourth most affected in the country with more than 8 lakh people infected with covid-19.
  
  The clinic has been named after late Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu J Jayalalitha.
  
  Each Amma clinic will have a doctor, an assistant, a nurse and it will help in basic investigation and public consultation.
  
  Around hundred patients are to visit the clinic every day.
  
  The state government is to sanction 20 crores of rupees initially. Each clinic is to be provided with 1 lakh rupees. Also, the fund from National Health Mission is to be used in establishing the clinics.
  
  The clinics are to work from 8 a.m. to noon and from 4 p.m. To 7 p.m.
  
  The drugs for the clinics are to be procured from the state run Tamil Nadu Medical Services Corporation.
  
  The clinics are to be located in clusters of construction labourers. This includes guest worker areas that are without government hospitals. The clinics are also to be located in areas from where time taken to reach government health facility is more than one hour.
  
  The clinics are to be set up in both rural and urban areas to provide quick and easy access to Primary Healthcare services to the poor.
  
  Out of these 2000 Amma Mini clinics, 200 are to be located in Chennai, 1500 to be located in villages and 200 are mobile clinics.
  
  The Amma clinics have been modelled from that of the Mohalla clinics launched by the AamAadmi government of New Delhi in 2015.
  
  
• Postal Department confers Meghdoot awards to Postal Employees for their achievements in 2019-20
  Postal Department confers Meghdoot awards to Postal Employees for their achievements in 2019-20. The Meghdoot award is given every year for excellence in postal service.
  
  In a major step towards providing the citizen centric services, a memorandum of Understanding was signed by Department of Posts with CSC e-Governance Services India Limited.
  
  This will give a flip to setting a common service centres in more than 10000 Post Offices across the country for providing various G2C (Government to Citizen) and B2C (Business to Citizens) services to citizens in rural and remote areas of the country thus enabling the Government’s mandate of a socially, financially and digitally inclusive society.
  
  The B2C (Business to Citizens) Services offered includes Bharat Bill Payment System Bills (Electric, Gas, Water bills etc.).
  
  The services offered also included Third Party Services such as EMI (Equal Monthly Installment) collections for various loans offered by financial institutions and submission of online application forms for loans.
  
  Travel services such as Ticket booking service would be available for Flight, Train and Bus Tickets.
  
  Through this agreement, Department of Posts intends to provide a one-stop solution for all e-Governance services on assisted model through its “Common Service Centres (PO-CSCs)” in Post Offices.
  
  
• ‘Shakti act’: Maharashtra’s new bill on sexual crimes to have death penalty, hefty fines
  The Maharashtra Government recently launched the Maharashtra Shakti Criminal Law (Maharashtra Amendment) Act, 2020 and the Special Court and Machinery for the implementation of the Maharashtra Shakti Criminal Law, 2020.
  
  The bill according to the state government is designed to help reduce the crimes against women and children.
  
  The Shakti act is modelled on the lines of Andhra Pradesh’s Disha act, which was brought last year. A committee was set up to study the Disha act and prepare a similar law. After this, a cabinet sub-committee was set up to approve the draft act and put it before the cabinet for clearance.
  
  The draft bill will come up for discussion and approval in both houses of the legislature. After getting the house nod, the bill will be sent to the central government for approval and presidential assent.
  
  The draft bill seeks to amend relevant sections of the Indian Penal Code (IPC), the Code of Criminal Procedure (CrPC) and the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (Pocso) Act.
  
  It provides for completing probe in a case within 15 days and trial within 30 days. Therefore, there is a stipulated time frame for completing the investigation and trial.
  
  Stringent punishment, including the death penalty and heavy fines on the perpetrators is a key feature of the draft bill. The perpetrators will be punished with imprisonment for life for not less than ten years but may extend to the remainder of natural life or with death in cases characterised as ‘heinous’.
  
  Special police teams and separate courts will be set up for investigation and trial of cases against women and children under the new legislation. As many as 36 special courts, each having a special public prosecutor have been proposed to be set up.
  
  In cases involving acid attacks, a sum of Rs 10 lakh will be given to the victim for plastic surgery and facial reconstruction and the amount will be collected as fine from the accused.
  
  Some cases will be tried in-camera for the recording of evidence of victims and witnesses who are vulnerable.
  
  The draft bill also incorporates provisions with respect to social media. Threatening and intimidating women on social media will be an offence with a maximum punishment of two years and a Rs 1 lakh fine. This also includes uploading morphed videos of women or threatening them with uploading of photos, videos which could defame, cause disrepute to them or violate their privacy.
  
  The bill also proposes setting up of a “Women and Children Offenders Registry” linked to the National Registry of Sexual Offenders with details of persons convicted of specified offences of sexual violence against women and children.
  
  
• Maritime Theatre Command (MTC) of India is to be launched in 2021
  The first Maritime Theatre Command (MTC) of India is to be launched in 2021 with its commander-in-chief having full operational control over the western and eastern naval fleets, maritime strike fighter jets and transport aircraft, two amphibious infantry brigades and coastal patrol vessels.
  
  The MTC will look after the 7,516-km long coastline, the entire Indian Ocean Region and the 1,382 islands.
  
  The main objective of the Maritime Theatre Command is to integrate the assets of Indian Air Force, Indian Navy and Army and the Coast Guard.
  
  The MTC will be the first new “geographical” theatre command to be created as part of the biggest-ever military restructuring plan to build an integrated land-air-sea war-fighting machinery for greater combat punch in a more cost-effective manner.
  
  MTC is important to counter Chinese ever-expanding naval foot-print in the Indian Ocean Region. China has the largest Navy with 350 warships and submarines.
  
  The MTC will subsume the Western Naval Command (Mumbai), tri-service Andaman and Nicobar Command (Port Blair), Eastern Naval Command (Vizag) and the southern Air Command (Thiruvananthapuram).
  
  It is the first geographical theatre command being created as a part of the biggest ever military restructuring plan.
  
  The Army’s two amphibious assault formations, the 91 Brigade at Thiruvananthapuram and 108 Brigade at Port Blair (each with over 3,000 soldiers), will bring the requisite “expeditionary reaction capability” of land forces to the MTC.
  
  There will be “service-specific verticals” within the MTC.
  
  The BrahMos cruise missiles, Sukhoi-30 MKI fighter jets at Thanjavur of Tamil Nadu and the Jaguar fighter jets at Jamnagar and other air assets operating under the Southern Air Command will in turn report to the MTC.
  
  The Andaman and Nicobar will no longer have a C-in-C level post. It will be headed by a fortress commander who will in turn report to C-in-C of the Eastern Naval Command. The Eastern Naval Command in turn reports to the MTC.
  
  
• When is the Vijay Diwas or Victory Day observed?
  Vijay Diwas or Victory Day is celebrated in India every year on December 16.
  
  India celebrates Vijay Diwas to mark the decisive victory over Pakistan in 1971, which resulted in the liberation of East Pakistan and the creation of the new state of Bangladesh.
  
  On this day in 1971, the Chief of the Pakistani Forces, General Niazi along with 93,000 of his soldiers surrendered to Indian forces.
  
  The day is also observed in Bangladesh as 'Bijoy Dibos' or Bangladesh Liberation Day, that marks its formal independence from Pakistan.
  
  On December 16, 1971, General Amir Abdullah Khan Niazi, the chief of the Pakistani forces surrendered to the Indian Army and the Mukti Bahini in Dhaka after defeat in the war.
  
  93,000 troops along with General Niazi surrendered to the Indian Army
  
  It was a 13-day India-Pakistan war sparked by the rebellion in erstwhile East Pakistan against the Islamabad government
  
  The Eastern Front: "On 15 Dec, forty sorties of MiGs and Hunters were flown to target enemy troops occupying the Dacca University campus, with no collateral damage caused to any of the buildings or structures outside the target area".
  
  The Western Front: "Interdiction strikes behind enemy lines crippled the enemy's movement and blunted his attacks. The operations, mainly directed towards Ganganagar-Fazilka sector, saw attacks on a large number of trains carrying tanks, ammunition, POL etc"
  
  
• GRIHA buildings ecosystem for sustainability and sanitation in inspiring behavioural change
  The inaugural session of the 12th Green Rating for Integrated Habitat Assessment (GRIHA) Summit was organised virtually. The theme of the 12th GRIHA Virtual Summit is ‘Rejuvenating Resilient Habitats’.
  
  Its purpose is to serve as a platform to deliberate on innovative technologies and solutions which shall help in creating robust mechanisms for developing sustainable and resilient solutions for the benefit of the entire community.
  
  Vice President launched the SHASHWAT magazine and the book '30 Stories Beyond Buildings' during the event, documenting the extensive collaboration between GRIHA Council and the Public Works Department, Government of Maharashtra.
  
  GRIHA is an acronym for Green Rating for Integrated Habitat Assessment.
  
  GRIHA is a Sanskrit word meaning – ‘Abode’. Human Habitats (buildings) interact with the environment in various ways.
  
  Throughout their life cycles, from construction to operation and then demolition, they consume resources in the form of energy, water, materials, etc. and emit wastes either directly in the form of municipal wastes or indirectly as emissions from electricity generation.
  
  GRIHA attempts to minimize a building’s resource consumption, waste generation, and overall ecological impact to within certain nationally acceptable limits / benchmarks.
  
  GRIHA attempts to quantify aspects such as energy consumption, waste generation, renewable energy adoption, etc. so as to manage, control and reduce the same to the best possible extent.
  
  
• Union Minister of Jal Shakti reviews progress made under National Hydrology Project in its mid-term
  Review of the National Hydrology Project (World Bank supported initiative of Ministry of Jal Shakti) was carried out by Minister of Jal Shakti.
  
  NHP was started in the year 2016 as a Central Sector Scheme with 100% grant to Implementing agencies on pan India basis.
  
  The project aims at improving the extent, reliability and accessibility of water resources information and to strengthen the capacity of targeted water resource management institutions in India.
  
  NHP is facilitating acquisition of reliable information efficiently which would pave the way for an effective water resource development and management.
  
  The Project has made significant progress in the fields of Water resource monitoring system, water resource information system (WRIS), water resource operation and planning systems and institutional capacity enhancement.
  
  Under the NHP, a nationwide repository of water resources data- NWIC has been established. NHP is focusing on establishment of real time data acquisition system (RTDAS) on pan India basis.
  
  The Real time data acquisition system, the near real time data acquisition system and the manual data acquisition stations would complement each other and would lay a strong foundation for informed decision making for better water resources management. All such data would be available through web enabled India WRIS which is being upscale under the NHP.
  
  
• Netaji museum in Kolkata planned
  The Indian government will open a museum in Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose on January 23, 2022. The museum will be established in Kolkata. The museum will open on the 125th anniversary of Netaji’s birth. The Indian government also plans to reprint some books written by Netaji. The Netaji Museum in New Delhi will also be expanded.
  
  The museums in New Delhi are digital and are distributed over three floors. The museum depicts the contributions made by legends since childhood.
  
  The museum also records the role of INA, fighting, awakening its creation and its popularity in the country. The museum focuses on Indian ancestry, especially the role of the people of Southeast Asia and their contribution to the Indian National Army.
  
  It also depicts the clandestine operations of Colonel Amrik Singh Gill and four others who were landed by a submarine at the Konark temple to establish their INA secret center in India. The museum was established near the Red Fort. The soldiers of the Indian Army were guarded by the British.
  
  All four barracks in the Red Fort were converted into museums. In addition to the Subhash Chandra Bose Museum, three other museums will be established. They will participate in the Jallianwala Bagh massacre of the 1857 Uprising and contemporary painting.
  
  The Indian National Army was established in 1942 by the Indian National Party and the Japanese Empire. The main purpose of the Indian National Army was to ensure India's independence from the British. It was originally composed by Mohan Singh. Later he was arrested and the first INA eventually collapsed. Later, he was resurrected under the leadership of Netaji.
  
  The Red Fort is managed by the Bureau of Archaeological Survey of India. ASI is responsible for protecting India’s cultural property and national heritage. About 5,000 to 6,000 tourists visit the Red Fort every day. On public holidays and weekends, this number may be as high as 10,000.
  
  
• QCI launches recognition scheme for hygiene rating audit agencies
  Quality Council of India (QCI) has launched a Recognition Scheme for Hygiene Rating Audit Agencies.
  
  QCI has proposed a scheme to approve Hygiene Rating Audit Agencies to expand the Hygiene Rating by increasing the number of Hygiene Rating Audit Agencies recognized in the country.
  
  The scheme aims to encourage food companies to improve their hygiene and safety standards so that consumers can make informed choices/decisions about the food stores they eat.
  
  Currently, the scheme is applicable to foodservice establishments (such as hotels, restaurants, cafeterias, dhabhas etc.), dessert shops, bakeries and meat retail stores.
  
  A recognized Hygiene Rating Audit Agency will verify compliance with the food hygiene and safety procedures established by FSSAI.
  
  
• IMS and North Eastern Space Applications Centre organise4-day Virtual Symposium on Tropical Meteorology (TROPMET-2020)
  The theme of the event is "Weather and Climate Services over Mountainous Regions".
  
  During the symposium, well-known scientists will give several speeches and lectures, including a special speech by the Deputy Secretary-General of the World Meteorological Organization.
  
  This is a non-profit organization dedicated to promoting the development of meteorology and related sciences.
  
  It is committed to disseminating knowledge in the field and applying meteorology and related sciences to various constructive human activities, such as agriculture and land use, irrigation and power development, maritime and air navigation, engineering technology, medicine and public health, etc.
  
  Hold lectures, symposiums, etc., and publish books and journals, etc on meteorology.
  
  
• MSME Minister Nitin Gadkari to inaugurate the 23rd HunarHaat of indigenous master artisans in Rampur, Uttar Pradesh
  Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises Minister will inaugurate the 23rd HunarHaat of indigenous master artisans in Rampur, Uttar Pradesh.
  
  The master artisans and craftsmen from Rajasthan, Nagaland, Madhya Pradesh, Manipur, Bihar, Andhra Pradesh, Jharkhand, Goa, Punjab, Ladakh, Karnataka, Gujarat, Haryana, Jammu-Kashmir, West Bengal, Maharashtra, Kerala and other places of the country have brought their indigenous products made with wood, brass, bamboo, glass, cloth, paper and clay.
  
  HunarHaat is proved to be an effective platform to provide large scale employment and employment opportunities to master artisans and craftsmen from every corner of the country.
  
  HunarHaat has become an effective mission of the Government to provide Backup to Brilliance and Encouragement to Expertise.
  
  
• Government is developing clear roadmap of AatmaNirbharUrja for AatmaNirbhar Bharat on energy front
  The Government is developing a clear roadmap of AatmaNirbharUrja for AatmaNirbhar Bharat on the energy front.
  
  This means more energy to improve the lives of Indians with a smaller carbon foot-print.
  
  India is now among the fastest growing large economies of the world with a strong determination to end poverty, including energy poverty. This demands rapid expansion of energy consumption and energy security.
  
  The core of the government’s efforts is to achieve a growth path that is sustainable, keeping in view national priorities and resources.
  
  During the last six years, India’s energy landscape has undergone a transformational change. India now is the third largest energy consumer in the world after the US and China.
  
  
• Defence Acquisition Council approves proposals worth Rs 27,000 crore to procure equipment from domestic industry
  Defence Acquisition Council (DAC) meeting, approved proposals to procure equipment worth Rs 27,000 crore from the domestic industry.
  
  DAC approved Capital Acquisition proposals of various weapons, platforms, equipment and systems required by the Indian Army, the Navy and Air Force.
  
  Acquisition proposals approved include the DRDO designed and developed Airborne Early Warning and Control Systems for the Indian Air Force, Next Generation Offshore Patrol Vessels for the Indian Navy and Modular Bridges for the Indian Army.
  
  The objective of the Defence Acquisition Council is to ensure expeditious procurement of the approved requirements of the Armed Forces in terms of capabilities sought, and time frame prescribed, by optimally utilizing the allocated budgetary resources.
  
  Functions of the DAC
  In-principle approval of 15 Year Long-Term Integrated Perspective Plan for Defence Forces
  
  Accord of Acceptance of Necessity to acquisition proposals
  
  Categorization of the acquisition proposals relating to 'Buy', 'Buy & Make' and 'Make'
  
  Issues relating to Single vendor clearance
  
  Decision regarding 'offset' provisions in respect of acquisition proposals above Rs. 300 crores
  
  Decisions regarding Transfer of Technology under 'Buy & Make' category of acquisition proposals
  
  Field Trial evaluation.
  
  
• Exempt IIT recruitments from reservation, suggests panel
  An eight-member committee, appointed by the government for suggesting measures for effective implementation of reservation in students admissions and faculty recruitment in the Indian Institutes of Technology (IITs), has come out with its recommendations
  
  Committee was chaired by IIT Delhi’s Director and had representatives of secretaries of the departments of Social Justice and Empowerment, Tribal Affairs, Department of Personnel and Training, Persons with Disabilities, among others.
  
  Its report was submitted to the Ministry of Education in June 2020 and has been made available under the Right to Information (RTI) Act, 2005.
  
  Recommendations:
  Being established and recognised as institutions of national importance, IITs should be added to the list of “Institutions of Excellence” mentioned in the Schedule to the Central Educational Institutions (Reservation in Teachers’ Cadre) Act, 2019 (CEI Act).
  
  If granting full exemption from reservations was not possible, the committee recommended that the implementation of reservation policies for all categories including Economically Weaker Sections (EWS) be restricted just to Assistant Professor Grade I and Grade II and not for levels above.
  
  Vacancies not filled in a particular year due to non-availability, be de-reserved in the subsequent year.
  
  Conduct of special recruitment drives to attract candidates from reserved categories.
  
  To address diversity issues, the report argued that a “system emphasising targeted goals over a period of time” and not “specific quotas” be followed so that IITs can “compete with other top institutions in the world in terms of excellence, output, research and teaching.”
  
  The panel proposes a two-year Research Assistantship for students from reserved categories aspiring to join PhD programmes.
  
  
• When is World Soil Day observed?
  Each and Every year 5th December is celebrated as World Soil Day. The theme for World Soil Day 2020 is "Keep soil alive, protect soil biodiversity".
  
  It aims to respond to the increasingly severe challenges of soil management, address the loss of soil biodiversity, increase soil awareness and encourage governments, organizations, communities and individuals around the world to make commitments to improve the importance of maintaining healthy ecosystems and human well-being Sexual awareness. Actively improve soil health.
  
  World Soil Day also highlighted the growing problem due to population expansion. Therefore, it is necessary to take measures to reduce soil erosion and maintain fertility to ensure food safety.
  
  The International Union of Soil Science (IUSS) recommended an international celebration of Soil Day in 2002.
  
  In addition, FAO supports the official establishment of World Soil Day as a global awareness-raising platform under the Kingdom of Thailand and within the framework of the Global Soil Partnership.
  
  
• I&B Ministry issues an advisory on Advertisements on Online gaming, Fantasy sports
  Information and Broadcasting Ministry has issued an advisory on Advertisements on Online gaming, fantasy sports and others. The guidelines will be effective from the 15th of this month.
  
  As per the guidelines no gaming advertisement may depict any person under the age of 18 years or who appears to be under the age of 18 engaged in playing a game of Online Gaming for Real Money Winnings or suggest that such person can play these games.
  
  Every such gaming advertisement must carry the disclaimer that this game involves an element of financial risk and may be addictive, so please play responsibly and at your own risk.
  
  Such a disclaimer should occupy no less than 20 per cent of the space in the advertisement.
  
  The advertisement should not present as an income opportunity or an alternative employment option.
  
  The advertisement should also not suggest that a person engaged in gaming activity is in any way more successful as compared to others.
  
  
• The UN removes cannabis from a list of the most dangerous substances
  The United Nations passed a resolution to remove cannabis and cannabis resin from the category of 'most dangerous substances'.
  
  India votes in favour to remove cannabis from 'most dangerous drugs' list in UN.
  
  Total 27 member states, including India, the US and EU countries, supported the vote, while 25 nations including China, Pakistan and Russia voted "no".
  
  The UN Commission on Narcotic Drugs approved a recommendation from the World Health Organization to remove cannabis and cannabis resin from its Schedule IV classification under the 1961 Single Convention on Narcotic Drugs. That designation put cannabis and one of its derivatives in a category alongside heroin and other opioids.
  
  Substances classified as Schedule IV are a subset of Schedule I drugs. That means not only are they considered to be "highly addictive and highly liable for abuse," they're also labeled as "particularly harmful and of extremely limited medical or therapeutic value."
  
  
• National Jal Jeevan Mission team visits AP to help the State to realize the goal of ‘HarGharJal’ by 2023-24
  A team from the National Jal Jeveen Mission (NJJM) will visit Andhra Pradesh to provide technical assistance to the state to achieve the goal of "HarGharJal" under the flagship program "Jal Jeveen Mission", and identify different issues and challenges, and document good practices.
  
  This is a flagship program of the Union Government, which aims to provide all rural households with sufficient drinking water of prescribed quality on a regular and long-term basis.
  
  The Union and state governments are working together to achieve this ambitious goal of providing guaranteed drinking water to rural households.
  
  
• When is Armed Forces Flag Day Celebrated? .. GK > Days
  The Armed Forces Flag Day or the Flag Day of India is a day dedicated to India towards collection of funds from people of India for the welfare of the Indian Armed Forces personnel.
  
  It has been observed annually in India on December 7 since 1949.
  
  Over the years, it has become a tradition to commemorate this day as an honour to the soldiers, sailors and airmen of India.
  
  The Flag Day is mainly observed to serve three basic purposes
  
  Rehabilitation of battle casualties
  
  Welfare of serving personnel and their families
  
  Resettlement and welfare of ex-servicemen and their families.
  
  The Armed Forces Flag Day commemoration and the collection of funds through distribution of flags. It is a time for Indians to express its gratitude and appreciation to the current and veteran military personnel of India and to acknowledge those who died in service to the country.
  
  
• Zydus Cadila gets DCGI nod for phase-III clinical trials
  ZydusCadila Pharmaceuticals (Ahmedabad) has announced that the company has received an approval from the Drugs Controller General of India (DCGI) to begin the phase-III clinical trials with its biological therapy Pegylated Interferon alpha-2b (PegiHep) in Covid-19 patients.
  
  Zydus has also completed the phase-II human clinical trials of its vaccine candidate- ZyCov-D for Covid-19 and its results are currently analysed.
  
  ZydusCadila is also conducting a Phase 2 trial in Mexico.
  
  The company is working with the USFDA to start an Investigational New Drug (IND) application for Pegylated Interferon alpha-2b in order to initiate appropriate clinical trials in the US.
  
  
• MNRE issues Guidelines for Implementation of Feeder Level Solarisation
  MNRE (Ministry of New and Renewable Energy) issued guidelines for the implementation of feeder-level Solarisation under component C of the PM-KUSUM scheme.
  
  The KUSUM program consists of three parts.
  
  Component A includes the installation of distributed ground-mounted renewable energy power plants.
  
  Component B includes the installation of an independent solar agricultural pump.
  
  Component C includes Solarisation for grid-connected agricultural pumps.
  
  The goal of Component-C of the PM-KUSUM plan is to provide farmers with reliable daytime electricity and increase their income by purchasing excess solar energy, thereby encouraging them to save water.
  
  In the case of feeder-level solarization, farmers will obtain reliable solar energy for irrigation during the day, but there is no provision to sell excess solar energy.
  
  Therefore, farmers can be encouraged to save water and increase income.
  
  DISCOM (Distribution Company) should evaluate the average electricity demand of farmers in a certain area based on various factors.
  
  This power requirement will be considered as baseline power consumption.
  
  DISCOM should encourage farmers to use electricity that is lower than the baseline electricity consumption.
  
  This kind of electricity saving should be regarded as surplus electricity injected by farmers, and DISCOM will use the surplus electricity to pay for these surpluses at a predetermined electricity price.
  
  This will be an important measure to maintain the groundwater level.
  
  
• PM Narendra Modi to address India Mobile Congress 2020
  Prime Minister delivered the inaugural address at the virtual India Mobile Congress (IMC) 2020.
  
  IMC 2020 is being organised by the Department of Telecommunications, Government of India and the Cellular Operators Association of India (COAI).
  
  The aim of IMC 2020 is to promote 'Aatmanirbhar Bharat', 'Digital Inclusivity', 'Sustainable Development', entrepreneurship and innovation.
  
  It also aims to drive foreign and local investments, encourage R&D in the telecom and emerging technology sectors.
  
  IMC 2020 will see the participation from various ministries, the telecom CEOs, global CEOs, and domain experts in 5G, Artificial Intelligence (AI), Internet of Things (IoT), data analytics, cloud and edge computing, blockchain, cyber-security, smart cities and automation.
  
  IMC is the largest digital technologies forum in India and South Asia.
  
  The event is envisioned to be the "leading platform for India's start-up and technology ecosystem."
  
  
• Gwalior, Orchha in UNESCO world heritage cities list
  Gwalior and Orchha of Madhya Pradesh have been included in the list of World Heritage City by UNESCO.
  
  The United Nations Educational, Scientific & Cultural Organization - UNESCO, an agency of the United Nations, aims at promoting world peace and security through international cooperation in education, the sciences, and culture.
  
  Orchha was the 16th century capital of the erstwhile Bundeladynasty. Orchha, located in the Bundelkhand region of Madhya Pradesh, is famous all over the world for its temples and palaces.
  
  Orchha Raj Mahal, Jahangir Mahal, Ramaraja Mandir, Rai Praveen Mahal, Laxminarayan Mandir and many other famous temples and palaces are famous for a unique confluence of Rajput and Mughal architectural influences.
  
  At the same time, Gwalior city has been the capital of Gurjar Pratihar, Tomar, Baghel Kachhwahs and Scindia Rajvansh. The ancient signs left by them will be found in the form of monuments, forts, palaces.
  
  Gwalior is known for its palaces & temples, including the intricately carved Sas Bahu KaMandir temple.
  
  After being included in the list of World Heritage, UNESCO will work with the tourism department of the state to preserve and refine these archaeological and historical monuments of Orchha and Gwalior.
  
  
• Delhi-Varanasi bullet train project: NHSRCL to conduct ground survey using LiDAR technique
  The National High-Speed Rail Corporation Limited will be adopting Light Detection, and Ranging Survey (LiDAR) technique using Laser enabled equipment mounted on a helicopter for conducting a ground survey for the preparation of the detailed project report for the proposed Delhi-Varanasi HSR corridor.
  
  This is for the first time that the aerial LiDAR survey technique is being adopted for any railway project in India.
  
  Geologists and surveyors usually use LiDAR technology to make high-resolution maps, lasers are used to survey locations, and sensors are used to measure their reflectivity.
  
  LiDAR is a remote sensing method that uses light in the form of pulsed lasers to measure the distance to the earth (variable distance).
  
  Lidar uses ultraviolet, visible or near-infrared light to image objects. It can target a variety of materials, including non-metallic objects, rocks, rain, chemical compounds, aerosols, clouds and even single molecules.
  
  
• Two new Zoos one each in Bihar and Uttar Pradesh granted recognition by Central government
  The central government recognized the Rajgir Zoo Safari Park in Nalanda, Bihar and Shaheed Ashfaque Ullah Khan Prani Udyaan in Gorakhpur, Uttar Pradesh.
  
  Rajgir Zoo Safari is located in Nalanda, Bihar. The established zoo is only composed of safari fences. Unlike traditional fences, zoos provide more space for animals in captivity. The zoo proposes to house lions, bears, tigers, leopards and a mixed safari of common herbivore species such as spotted deer, sambar among others.
  
  Shaheed Ashfaque Ullah Khan Prani Udyaanis located in Gorakhpur, Uttar Pradesh. This zoo brings the total number of zoos in UP to 9. The zoo has a fence that can accommodate various birds, herbivores and carnivores.
  
  
• Meghalaya village turns oasis in coal mine desert
  Moolamylliang, a village in the East Jaintia Hills region of Meghalaya, is becoming greener and making progress in the abandoned mine pit where the mouse hole was mined.
  
  The National Green Tribunal (NGT) banned dangerous rathole coal mining in Meghalaya in April 2014 and set a time limit for the transportation of mined coal.
  
  According to the Jaintia Coal Miners and Traders Association, there are approximately 60,000 coal mines in 360 villages in the East Jaintia Hills area. Before the National Green Court issued the injunction, Muramira was one of such villages.
  
  Rat - hole mining is a term used for dangerous and difficult mining techniques. Miners climb into winding underground tunnels with a diameter of only 4-5 feet and use pickaxes to extract coal from deep seams.
  
  
• Himachal Pradesh aims GI status for five products
  The Himachal Pradesh government is trying to obtain GI (Geographical Indication) labels for five products from the state, which includes KarsogKulth, Thani of Pangi, Chamba Metal Crafts, ChambaChukh and Rajmah of Bharmour.
  
  KarsogKulth: Kulthi or Kulth (horse gram) is a type of legume grown as a Kharif crop in Himachal. It is believed that lettuce from Karsog, Mandi district is rich in amino acids.
  
  PangikiThangi: This is a hazelnut that grows in the Pangi Valley on the northwestern edge of the State. It is famous for its special flavour and sweetness.
  
  Chamba Metal Crafts: Including items made by idol craftsmen and copper utensils, these items were made by skilled craftsmen in the court of King Chamba.
  
  ChambaChukh: This is chutney made with green and red peppers grown in Chamba and prepared traditionally and uniquely.
  
  BharmouriRajmah: Because it grows around Kugti Pass in Bharmour district, Chamba district, it is more precisely called KugtaluRajmah. It is rich in protein and has a unique flavour.
  
  Himachal Pradesh is currently in four handicrafts (Kullu shawl, ChambaRumal, Kinnauri shawl and Kangra painting), three agricultural products (Kangra Tea, Basmati and Himachali Kala Zeera) and one finished product (HimachaliChulli Oil) With GI label.
  
  
• When is the Human Rights Day Observed?
  Human rights are moral principles or norms that describe certain standards of human behaviour and are regularly protected in municipal and international law.
  
  The UN encourages nations "to create equal opportunities for all" and address the issues of inequality, exclusion and discrimination.
  
  "Recover Better - Stand Up For Human Rights" is the theme for Human Rights Day this year.
  
  The aim is to engage with all the stakeholders and partners and also involve the people to push for transformative action.
  
  "Recover Better - Stand Up For Human Rights" is the theme for Human Rights Day this year.
  
  The aim is to engage with all the stakeholders and partners and also involve the people to push for transformative action.
  
  
• Government to start 1000 Khelo India small centres to encourage sports culture in country
  Government to start 1000 Khelo India small centres to encourage sports culture in country. Ministry has taken up various initiatives to encourage and support sportspersons and the sporting community even after they retire.
  
  Addressing the 10th Global Sports Summit, TURF 2020, organized by FICCI, sport minister announced the 1000 Khelo India small centres across the country.
  
  These centers will help retired sports persons get employment or some role in shaping the sports culture of the country.
  
  The Khelo India and the Fit India movements are going on strongly.
  
  These centres would either be run by a past champion on their own or co-opt them as coaches.
  
  The shortlisted former players have been divided into four categories:
  
  Those who have represented India at recognised international competitions under a recognised NSF or association;
  
  Medallists at Khelo India Games/National Championships of a recognised NSF
  
  Medallists at University Games
  
  Participants at KIG/Nationals
  
  NIS-certified coaches from Jammu & Kashmir, Andaman &Nicobar Islands and Ladakh would also be eligible.
  
  Financial grant would include remunerations, purchase of equipment, sports kits, consumables and participation in competitions in archery, athletics, boxing, badminton, cycling, fencing, hockey, judo, rowing, shooting, swimming, table tennis, weightlifting, wrestling, football and traditional sports.
  
  
• Ministry of AYUSH and ICCR to streamline and intensify joint efforts to promote Yoga worldwide
  The Ministry of AYUSH and Indian Council for Cultural Relations (ICCR) has simplified and increased their joint efforts to promote yoga globally.
  
  The Indian Council of Cultural Relations (ICCR) is an autonomous organization of the Indian government. It was established by Maulana Abul Kalam Azad on April 9, 1950.
  
  ICCR is involved in India's external cultural relations or cultural diplomacy, through cultural exchange with other countries and their peoples. It is committed to strengthening cultural relations and enhancing mutual understanding.
  
  ICCR is registered as a Society under the "Societies Act " and operates as an independent institution under the administrative control of the Ministry of External Affairs. ICCR is headquartered in Azad Bhavan, New Delhi.
  
  ICCR has institutionalized cooperation with state governments and signed MoU with 17 state governments.
  
  The states those signed an MoU with ICCR are-Andaman & Nicobar Islands, Assam, Bihar, Chandigarh, Dadra & Nagar Haveli, Dammam &Diuu, Haryana, Himachal Pradesh, Karnataka, Kerala, Meghalaya, Northeastern Council, Odisha, Puducherry, Punjab, Telangana and Rajasthan Jaipur CitizenForum.
  
  The activities of the Council are monitored by its three statutory bodies -General Assembly, Council and Finance Committee. ICCR conducts business through a global network of cultural centres, as well as India's diplomatic missions and postal overseas networks.
  
  Currently, there are 37 Indian Cultural Centers around the world working closely with the Indian Embassy and led by the directors.
  
  
• Which state tops in Urban Governance Index?
  Odisha ranked first, and Maharashtra came second in terms of good governance while Manipur and Nagaland are at the bottom, according to the Urban Governance Index (UGI) 2020 released by Praja Foundation.
  
  The survey conducted across 28 states and 40 cities in India. The ranking has been done based on urban governance reforms.
  
  The idea behind building the UGI is to understand the level of decentralization of urban governance. Delhi ranks 13th in the list.
  
  The UGI has ranked states to indicate where they stand in terms of real empowerment of local self-government and grass root democracy.
  
  None of the states could even score 60 out of 100 indicating that municipal bodies are still hamstrung by their limited authority for effective governance at the local level.
  
  The report mentions that 28 years after Parliament passed a constitutional amendment, not a single state has devolved all the 18 functions to municipal bodies. The functions deal with the powers, authority and responsibilities of municipalities.
  
  The 18 functions include urban planning, regulation of land-use, planning for economic and social development, water supply, fire service, urban forestry, protection of the environment and promotion of ecological aspects.
  
  These provisions aim at functional and financial empowerment of the local urban bodies and democratic decentralisation of the local governance.
  
  Amongst the 42 indicators, most of the states have achieved the lowest score across indicators, showing that there is a need for urban governance reforms and empowerment of city government.
  
  Seven states - Arunachal Pradesh, Delhi, Goa, Gujarat, Himachal Pradesh, Karnataka and Maharashtra- do not have terms of mayor co-terminus with the city government.
  
  None of the councillors across cities have privileges and immunity against all statements made or acts done in the course of their duty.
  
  None of the state Municipal Acts which were a part of the study have provision for the right to recall their councillors.
  
  The report mentions that only Chhattisgarh, Haryana, Jharkhand, Uttar Pradesh and Uttarakhand have directly elected mayors and barely in 11 states, councils have the authority to pass no confidence motion against mayors.
  
  
• Government caps school bag’s weight at 10% of kid’s
  School bags should not be more than 10% of the body weight on students across classes I to X and there should be no homework till class II.
  
  The ‘Policy on School Bag 2020’ made 11 recommendations on the weight of the bags, including adequate good quality mid-day meal and potable water to all the students so that they need not carry lunch boxes or water bottles.
  
  The Union ministry of education also recommends that the weight of the bag needs to be monitored on a regular basis in schools.
  
  They should be light-weight with two padded and adjustable straps that can squarely fit on both shoulders.
  
  The policy even recommends that the weight of each textbook may come printed on them by the publishers.
  
  The policy also recommended that children with special needs be provided a double set of textbooks, through book banks in schools and lockers in classes for storing and retrieving books and other items.
  
  The policy said there should be no bags in pre-primary.
  
  For classes I and II the bag weight range should be between 1.6kg to 2.2 kg.
  
  Like-wise it should be 1.7 kg to 2.5 kg, 2 kg to 3 kg, 2.5 to 4 kg, 2.5 kg to 4.5 kg and 3.5 kg to 5 kg for classes III to V, classes VI and VII, class VIII, classes IX and X and classes XI and XII respectively.
  
  Recommending that total study time should be accounted while planning the syllabus.
  
  The policy said there should be no homework upto class II and a maximum of two hours per week for classes III to V, homework duration for classes VI to VIII should not exceed one hour a day and two hours a day for classes IX and above.
  
  
• Cabinet approves Atmanirbhar Bharat RojgarYojana (ABRY)
  The Union Cabinet, has given its approval for Atmanirbhar Bharat RojgarYojana (ABRY) to boost employment in formal sector and incentivize creation of new employment opportunities during the Covid recovery phase under Atmanirbhar Bharat Package 3.0.
  
  Government will provide subsidy for two years in respect of new employees engaged on or after 1st October, 2020 and upto 30th June, 2021
  
  Government will pay both 12% employees' contribution and 12% employers' contribution i.e. 24% of wages towards EPF in respect of new employees in establishments employing upto 1000 employees for two years,
  
  Government will pay only employees' share of EPF contribution i.e. 12% of wages in respect of new employees in establishments employing more than 1000 employee for two years.
  
  An employee drawing monthly wage of less than Rs.15000/- who was not working in any establishment registered with the Employees’ Provident Fund Organisation (EPFO) before 1st October, 2020 and did not have a Universal Account Number or EPF Member account number prior to 1stOctober 2020 will be eligible for the benefit,
  
  Any EPF member possessing Universal Account Number (UAN) drawing monthly wage of less than Rs. 15000/- who made exit from employment during Covid pandemic from 01.03.2020 to 30.09.2020 and did not join employment in any EPF covered establishment up to 30.09.2020 will also be eligible to avail benefit,
  
  EPFO will credit the contribution in Aadhaar seeded account of members in electronic manner,
  
  EPFO shall develop a software for the scheme and also develop a procedure which is transparent and accountable at their end.
  
  EPFO shall work out modality to ensure that there is no overlapping of benefits provided under ABRY with any other scheme implemented by EPFO.
  
  
• Lok Virasat, a festival of films on folk art and painting
  Films Division (FD) is organising Lok Virasat, a festival of films on folk art and painting starting from November 27, 2020.
  
  An exclusive bouquet of documentary films on folk art and paintings - Lok Virasat - is being showcased, between November 27–29, 2020 on FD website and You Tube channel.
  
  The Kingdom of God , on the great Indian heritage of art and culture with focus on various folk art traditions,
  
  Bhavai - Fading Memories, a film on Bhavai - a folk art of Gujarat,
  
  Naman – Khele, a film on the ancient folk art performed in Ratnagiri, Maharashtra,
  
  Sahi Jata, The Fusion Cult, a film on the unique fusion of muscle and music in the form of folk art on the back-drop of the ancient Orissa town of Puri and
  
  Therukoothu : Dancing For Life , a film depicting the age old Tamil folk art.
  
  
• No rules notified for Citizenship Amendment Act, clarifies government
  The Central Government has notified that no rules under the Citizenship Amendment Act have been notified yet.
  
  It is being claimed across certain sections of social and digital media that the Central Government has notified rules for the Citizenship Amendment Act.
  
  Citizenship (Amendment) Act 2019 seeks to amend the definition of illegal immigrant for Hindu, Sikh, Parsi, Buddhist and Christian immigrants from Pakistan, Afghanistan and Bangladesh, who have lived in India without documentation.
  
  The law does not grant such eligibility to Muslims from those three countries, all of which are Muslim-majority countries. The act was the first time that religion had been overtly used as a criterion for citizenship under Indian law.
  
  
• Health Minister seeks help of journalists in eradicating Tuberculosis by 2025
  Health Minister has sought the help of journalists in eradicating Tuberculosis by 2025.
  
  Addressing the students of Indian Institute of Mass Communication digitally, Health Minister said that the active participation of journalists will help in large scale awareness generation among public.
  
  A total of 1.4 million people died from TB in 2019 (including 208 000 people with HIV). Worldwide, TB is one of the top 10 causes of death and the leading cause from a single infectious agent (above HIV/AIDS).
  
  In 2019, an estimated 10 million people fell ill with tuberculosis(TB) worldwide. 5.6 million men, 3.2 million women and 1.2 million children. TB is present in all countries and age groups. But TB is curable and preventable.
  
  In 2019, 1.2 million children fell ill with TB globally. Child and adolescent TB is often overlooked by health providers and can be difficult to diagnose and treat.
  
  In 2019, the 30 high TB burden countries accounted for 87% of new TB cases. Eight countries account for two thirds of the total, with India leading the count, followed by Indonesia, China, the Philippines, Pakistan, Nigeria, Bangladesh and South Africa.
  
  Multidrug-resistant TB (MDR-TB) remains a public health crisis and a health security threat. A global total of 206 030 people with multidrug- or rifampicin-resistant TB (MDR/RR-TB) were detected and notified in 2019, a 10% increase from 186 883 in 2018.
  
  Globally, TB incidence is falling at about 2% per year and between 2015 and 2019 the cumulative reduction was 9%. This was less than half way to the End TB Strategy milestone of 20% reduction between 2015 and 2020.
  
  An estimated 60 million lives were saved through TB diagnosis and treatment between 2000 and 2019.
  
  Ending the TB epidemic by 2030 is among the health targets of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
  
  
• Indian Navy Refits Maldivian Coast Guard Ship CGS Huravee
  Visakhapatnam Naval Shipyard completed the modification of the Maldives Coast Guard MNDF CGS Huravee.
  
  The ship arrived in Visakhapatnam on February 22 for modification. Although it has been restricted due to the COVID19 pandemic since March 20, the Navy Shipyard’s efforts, carefully planned and executed work, and sufficient Safety makes it possible for major refurbishment/replacement of main thrusters/auxiliary equipment.
  
  The update of the ship's power generation equipment provides an important guarantee for the durability and capability of ships. In addition, several sets of systems and equipment have been successfully overhauled to ensure that ships serving the Maldives Coast Guard have better performance and sustainability in the upcoming operating cycle.
  
  The ship has undergone extensive port and sea trials to achieve full operational preparation. In 2006, Huravee was presented to the Maldives by India to strengthen the partnership between the two countries and further cooperation to ensure maritime security in the Indian Ocean region.
  
  It was originally owned by INS Tillanchang, a locally built Trinkat-class patrol ship. The Ship was constructed in 2001 at Garden Reach Shipyard and Engineer's Office in Kolkata.
  
  MNDF CGS Huravee (formerly INS Tillanchang) is a locally produced Trinkat-class patrol ship built in 2001 at the Garden Reach shipyard and engineers in Kolkata.
  
  Subsequently, in 2006, the Indian government gifted it to the Maldives to strengthen the partnership between the two countries. And further cooperation to ensure maritime safety in the Indian Ocean region.
  
  
• Agriculture Minister Narendra Singh Tomar launches Nafed’s Honey FPO Programme
  Under the "Establishment and Promotion of 10,000 FPOs" Scheme, Honey FPO was established. An FPO, formed by a group of farm producers, is a registered body with producers as shareholders in the organisation. It deals with business activities related to the farm produce and it works for the benefit of the member producers.
  
  The Union Agriculture Minister Narendra Singh Tomar (Narendra Singh Tomar) recently launched a cooperation program for beekeepers and honey collectors. The program was launched in 5 states.
  
  According to the plan, five farmer producer organizations will be established in five states. They will be established in East Chapalan in Bihar; Bharatpur in Rajasthan; Madhya Pradesh in Morena; Mathura in Uttar Pradesh; and Sundarbans in West Bengal.
  
  These organizations will be established by NAFED, the National Agricultural Cooperative Marketing Federation of India. These farmer producer organizations were initiated under the 10,000 FPO formation and promotion plan.
  
  The Honey FPO program of the National Agricultural Cooperative Marketing Federation of India Limited (NAFED) has been launched.
  
  The Honey FPO produced by the Indian Association of Agribusiness Professionals (ISAP) under the auspices of the National Bee Board (NBB) and NAFED will help its members in the following aspects:
  
  Improve their scientific beekeeping skills.
  
  Establish the most advanced infrastructure to process honey and related beekeeping products such as beeswax, propolis, royal jelly, bee venom, etc., as well as quality control laboratories, collection, storage, bottling and sales centres.
  
  NAFED, through its experienced cluster-based business organization (CBBO), ISAP, has launched the organization and promotion activities of beekeepers and honey collectors FPO in 5 states in India.
  
  
• ‘PM Modi and his Government's Special Relationship with Sikhs’ Book released on the occasion of Gurupurab
  Housing and Urban Affairs Minister released a Book titled Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his Government's Special Relationship with Sikhs on the occasion of Gurupurab.
  
  The book, published by Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, was released in English, Hindi and Punjabi languages.
  
  The book is based on the messages of Guru Nanak Dev.
  
  The book is a compilation of many steps taken for welfare of Sikh community in India by the Narendra Modi government.
  
  Guru Nanak, also referred to as Baba Nanak, was the founder of Sikhism and is the first of the ten Sikh Gurus.
  
  His birth is celebrated worldwide as Guru Nanak Gurpurab on Katak Pooranmashi.
  
  Nanak is said to have travelled far and wide across Asia teaching people the message of ik onkar (one God), who dwells in every one of his creations and constitutes the eternal Truth.
  
  With this concept, he would set up a unique spiritual, social, and political platform based on equality, fraternal love, goodness, and virtue.
  
  
• When is the Day of Remembrance for all Victims of Chemical Warfare observed?
  Every November 30th, the Remembrance Day for all victims of chemical warfare is commemorated to pay tribute to the victims of chemical warfare.
  
  The Remembrance Day for all victims of chemical warfare aims to eliminate the threat of chemical weapons, thereby promoting the goals of peace, security and multilateralism. The Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons announced this day.
  
  Since 2005, the United Nations has held a Remembrance Day on November 30 every year to commemorate all victims of chemical warfare.
  
  The anniversary is a tribute to the victims of chemical warfare and reaffirms the Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW) to eliminate the threat of chemical weapons and thereby promote the goals of peace, security and multilateralism.
  
  The history of serious efforts to achieve chemical disarmament that reached the highest level by concluding the Chemical Weapons Convention began more than a century ago.
  
  During the First World War, the large-scale use of chemical weapons caused more than 100,000 lives and 1 million casualties.
  
  
• PM inaugurates six-lane widening project of the Varanasi-Prayagraj section of NH-19
  Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated the opening ceremony of the NH-19 Varanasi-Prayagraj part of the six-lane expansion project in Varanasi.
  
  The newly widened and six-lane NH-19 has a total length of 73 kilometers and a total investment of Rs 24.47 billion, which is expected to reduce the travel time between Prayagraj and Varanasi by one hour.
  
  Dev Deepawali has become the "world-famous light and passion" festival in Varanasi, and is celebrated every Poornima in Kartik month.
  
  PM Modi will also attend 'Dev Deepawali', undertake a site visit of Kashi Vishwanath Temple Corridor Project and also visit the Sarnath Archaeological Site.
  
  The unprecedented work has been done on new highways, pull-flyovers, widening of roads to reduce traffic jams in and around Varanasi.
  
  The farmers would benefit greatly when modern connectivity expands in the area. Efforts have been made to create infrastructure like cold storage along with modern roads in the villages. To this end, a fund of 1 billion rupees was established.
  
  The Prime Minister also cited an example of how the farmers are benefiting from the government's efforts and modern infrastructure. He said black rice was introduced 2 years ago in Chandauli to increase the income of the farmers. Last year, a farmer committee was formed and around 400 farmers were given this rice to grow in the Kharif season.
  
  While normal rice sells for Rs 35-40 a kg, this black rice was sold for up to Rs 300 a kg. For the first time, this rice has been exported to Australia, that too at the rate of around Rs 800 per kg.
  
  
• SCO Online International Exhibition on Shared Buddhist Heritage commences
  The Indian Vice President and Chairman of the Council of Heads of Government of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) launched the first SCO online shared Buddhist heritage exhibition in 2020.
  
  The online international exhibition was launched during the 19th meeting of the SCO Heads of Government Council on November 30, 2020.
  
  The SCO online international exhibition is developed and curated by the National Museum of New Delhi.
  
  The member states of the SCO have also cooperated to develop exhibitions.
  
  The exhibition showcased the most advanced technologies, including 3D scanning, webGL platform, innovative curation, virtual space utilization and narrative methods.
  
  The exhibition can be viewed at https://nmvirtual.in/ for Global viewing.
  
  The Buddhist philosophy and art of Central Asia connect the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) countries with each other. This online international exhibition provides visitors with an excellent opportunity to visit, appreciate and compare Buddhist artefacts from SCO countries on a platform and comfortably at home.
  
  The participating institutions are:
  National Museum (New Delhi)
  Indian Museum (Kolkata)
  National Museum of Kazakhstan
  Dun Huang Academy (China)
  National Historical Museum of the Kyrgyz Republic
  Museums of Pakistan
  State Museum of Oriental Art, Moscow (Russia)
  National Museum of Antiquities, Tajikistan
  Renowned archaeological sites of Uzbekistan.
  
  
• Dighawara-Bandikui of railway route between Ajmer to Delhi has been electrified
  The Minister of Railways unveiled the newly electrified Dhigawara-Bandikui section of the Northwest Railway Line and marked the first train from this electrified route from Dhigawara Station in Alwar District, Rajasthan.
  
  Indian Railways has set a goal to complete the electrification of its wide-gauge network by December 2023. More than 66% of the wide-gauge lines have been electrified.
  
  The electrification level of the railway is 18065 kilometres. Compared with 2009-2014, the electrification level increased by 371% in 2014-20.
  
  100% electrification will eliminate train detention caused by the traction change (pull or pull the body on the surface) from diesel (electric) to diesel (or vice versa), thereby achieving seamless train operation.
  
  Due to the higher speed and higher traction capacity of electric locomotives, it will help railways increase line capacity.
  
  The improved signal system will increase the safety of train operation.
  
  Compared with diesel traction, electric traction is cheaper and more efficient, because electric traction trains are 50% cheaper than diesel.
  
  Electric multi-units (EMU) are ideal for suburban services, which require higher acceleration and braking functions to start and stop frequently.
  
  Direct employment in the electrification construction phase will be converted into about 20.4 million working days, which will greatly promote employment.
  
  A full shift to electric traction will reduce fossil fuel consumption by approximately 2.83 billion litres per year, and subsequently reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions.
  
  Compared with diesel locomotives, electric locomotives have lower maintenance costs and can save Rs 13,510 crore in fuel costs each year.
  
  It reduces carbon footprint because the environmental cost per ton-kilometre of electric traction is lower than that of diesel traction.
  
  
• When is the National Pollution Prevention Day observed?
  The National Pollution Prevention Day is observed on December 2nd in remembrance of the unfortunate incident of Bhopal Gas Tragedy occurred in the year 1984 on the night of 2–3 December.
  
  Many people died due to poisonous gas Methyl Isocyanate also known as MIC.
  
  The day is observed to create awareness about the adverse effects of pollution on human beings and its hazardous effects on our ecosystem.
  
  Objectives of the day
  To spread awareness on managing and controlling industrial disasters
  
  To prevent the pollution produced by industrial processes or human negligence
  
  To make people and industries aware about the importance of pollution control acts
  
  
• National Education Policy 2020 upholds reservation policy
  The National Education Policy 2020 upholds the Reservation Policy enshrined in the Constitution of India.
  
  Reservation Policy in India is a process of reserving certain percentage of seats (maximum 50%) for a certain class such as Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes, Backward classes, etc. in Government educational institutions, government jobs, etc.
  
  The reservation policy is an age-old policy being practiced in India.
  
  Its origin has its roots scattered from the ancient times when the practice of ‘untouchability’, caste system and Varna system was dominant in the society.
  
  Reservation enshrined in Articles 15 and 16 of the Indian Constitution, allows the Indian government to set quotas to ensure any "socially and educationally backward classes of citizens" is properly represented in public life.
  
  Reservation is primarily given to all 4 groups: Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes, Other Backward Classes.
  
  Originally reservation was only given to SCs and STs but was later extended to OBCs in 1987 after the implementation of the Mandal Commission report.
  
  
• India records largest reductions in malaria cases in South-East Asia
  The World Malaria Report, 2020 was released by the World Health Organisation. World Malaria Day is celebrated on April 25.
  
  As per the report, India recorded the largest reduction in malaria cases in South East Asia.
  
  The case count has reduced from 20 million in 2000 to around 5.6 million in 2019.
  
  The report also stated that the global malaria case count has remained unchanged for the past four years. In 2019, the number was around 229 million.
  
  According to the world Malaria report, 2020 prepared by the World Health Organisation, India was one among the 11 highest Malaria burden countries in the world.
  
  India is the largest contributor of Malaria cases in the south-east Asia region. Around 88% of Malaria cases in the region are from India.
  
  India has reduced the Malaria cases by 21% between 2018 and 2019.
  
  India has also reduced the malarial deaths in the past two years. In 2019, the number of deaths due to malaria in India was 409,000. It was 411,000 in 2018. This has made India one of the largest contributors to drop in malaria cases in the south-east Asia region.
  
  The highest Malaria burden countries were Cameron, Democratic Republic of Congo, Burkina Faso, Mozambique, Mali, Ghana, India, Nigeria and United Republic of Tanzania. These countries accounted to 70% of global estimated Malaria burden.
  
  African region accounted to more than 90% of overall malarial disease burden. However, since 2000 the number of Malaria deaths in the continent has reduced by 44%.
  
  The progress against malaria has not increased according to the WHO report.
  
  This is mainly due to the gaps in access to life saving tools and covid-19 pandemic. This is also due to shortfall in funding at both National and international levels.
  
  The malarial funding in 2019 reached 3 billion USD as against the target of 5.6 billion USD.
  
  
• DST-CII Tech Summit to bring together experts connected to technology sector from India & Portugal
  Curtain raiser of the 26th DST – CII Technology Summit takes place India and Portugal on December 1, 2020.
  
  The annual summit provides an important opportunity to establish and promote global technology partnerships.
  
  The Department of Science and Technology (DST) and the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) have jointly organized technology summits for 25 years.
  
  The heads of partner countries have delivered speeches at technology summits in the past, which is an important testimony of taking science and technology as one of the world's highest priorities. Portugal is a partner country this year.
  
  The focus areas of the summit are water, agriculture, healthcare, clean technology, energy, climate change and IT/ICT.
  
  The conference and digital exhibition will also cover technical lectures and business meetings in several other technical fields.
  
  This virtual summit and exhibition provide a channel to showcase and cooperate with India and partner countries' unparalleled business and technical solutions.
  
  The digital conference will gather global innovators, technology leaders, disruptive entrepreneurs, policymakers, industry supporters and outstanding academicians from India and partner countries to share their experiences, and virtually everyone directly or indirectly related to the technology field.
  
  
• Prime Minister to virtually inaugurate Agra Metro Rail project on December 7
  Prime Minister Narendra Modi will virtually launch the construction work of Agra metro on 7th December. Uttar Pradesh Metro Rail Corporation has set a deadline of five years for the completion of two corridors of Agra metro which will connect all the major tourist destinations and the tourists coming from all over the world to see the Taj will get a new experience of green transport.
  
  MD of UPMRC Kumar Keshav said that Agra Metro will be a boon to tourism and it will take around 3 years for the first metro train on the priority section between Tajmahal to Jama Masjid.
  
  He said that First time Heritage impact assessment was done with the help of IIT Madras and archaeological survey of India as per the guidelines of UNESCO before starting of work.
  
  Agra is also one of the most polluted cities of Uttar Pradesh and the Metro will definitely help in decreasing the pollution level of the city.
  
  
• TRS emerges as single largest party in GHMC polls
  In Telangana, the ruling Telangana Rastra Samithi (TRS) has emerged as the largest party in the Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation election. The -TRS won 55 of the 150 division-GHMC elections while the BJP got 48 wards and the AIMIM led by Asaduddin Owaisi secured 44. The Congress could win only two divisions. Counting of votes had to be stopped in one division at Neredmet, following a high court direction. In the previous election held in 2016, the TRS scored 99 seats, the AIMIM 44 and the BJP 4.
  
  The TRS saw about a 40 per cent drop in its tally from the previous elections, while the BJP has made big gains at the cost of the ruling party.
  
  
• APEDA and NABARD sign MoU for agriculture development
  Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority (APEDA) and National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development (NABARD) have signed an MoU to work together to synergize the activities in the interest of agriculture and allied sectors for bringing better value to the stakeholders.
  
  The MoU has been signed by both organisations from the through the virtual-mode from their respective head offices. The MoU has been signed by APEDA's Secretary Dr Sudhanshu NABARD's Chief General Manager Nilay D Kapoor. APEDA's Chairman Dr M Angamuthu and NABARD's Chairman Dr GR Chintala graced the occasion and delivered an address highlighting the need and advantages of collaboration between APEDA and NABARD for implementation of Agri export policy.
  
  According to an official press release from the Ministry of Commerce & Industry, so far twenty cluster level committees have been formed in the cluster districts of potato in Punjab, UP (two separate districts), Isabgol in Rajasthan, Orange, Pomegranate, Grapes, Banana (3 districts) in Maharashtra, Banana in Tamil Nadu, Kerala, Mango in UP, Dairy products in Gujarat, UP, Rose onion in Karnataka, Fresh vegetables in UP, Orange in MP and Potato in Gujarat (2 districts). Two rounds of meetings have been conducted in the clusters for sensitization of the stakeholders and discussion on the interventions required.
  
  Areas of Cooperation
  APEDA and NABARD would jointly work towards capacity development of various stakeholders.
  
  APEDA and NABARD would jointly come towards organizing outreach programs, awareness programs and workshops for stakeholders.
  
  To enhance farmers income for doubling the farmers’ income as set out by the Government of India.
  
  Extending the benefit of relevant schemes/other initiatives of NABARD & APEDA for development of FPOs.
  
  APEDA would formulate program in association with NABARD to provide technical know-how to cooperatives/FPOs to the upscale infrastructure created for post-harvest management for APEDA scheduled products to promote exports.
  
  To jointly identify clusters in various States for scaling up. APEDA will facilitate exports by the FPOs assisted/promoted by NABARD.
  
  
• First mobile CNG dispensing unit launched by Dharmendra Pradhan
  The country’s first mobile Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) dispensing unit was launched on 1st December, 2020.
  
  According to officials in the know, the unit will focus on meeting requirements of regions where CNG pumps have not been set up. The unit was launched by Minister for Petroleum and Natural Gas Dharmendra Pradhan, on 1st December, 2020.. The Mobile Refuelling Unit will be operated by Mahanagar Gas Ltd (MNGL) in Pune.
  
  The country’s first mobile Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) dispensing unit was launched on Tuesday.
  
  According to officials in the know, the unit will focus on meeting requirements of regions where CNG pumps have not been set up. The unit was launched by Minister for Petroleum and Natural Gas Dharmendra Pradhan, on Tuesday. The Mobile Refuelling Unit will be operated by Mahanagar Gas Ltd (MNGL) in Pune.
  
  
• Vice President Venkaiah Naidu releases commemorative postage stamp in honour of Ex-PM IK Gujral
  Vice President M Venkaiah Naidu on December 04 released commemorative postage stamp in honour of former Prime Minister I.K. Gujral on his birth anniversary. M Venkaiah Naidu said, “Shri IK Gujral was a learned man, soft-spoken and a “gentleman-politician”, who never compromised on his values irrespective of the challenges or hardships he had faced.”He said that the present generation should know about great leaders, who made great contribution to the country.
  
  
• When is the Indian Navy day observed?
  India celebrates Navy Day on December 4 Every year to commemorate Operation Trident – a key offensive during the 1971 India-Pakistan War, when the Indian Navy inflicted heavy damage on Pakistani vessels in Karachi harbour. The same day also marks the end of Navy Week, which, too, is celebrated annually.
  
  The Indian Navy Day 2020 theme is ‘Indian Navy Combat Ready, Credible & Cohesive’.
  
  The Navy plans to celebrate 2021 as ‘Swarnim Vijay Varsh’ as part of commemorating the 50th anniversary of the victory in the 1971 War.

Published date : 16 Dec 2020 06:10PM