Important News
International Volunteer Day celebrated on 5 December 2021
International Volunteer Day (IVD), also called International Volunteer Day for Economic and Social Development is observed on 5 December every year. International Volunteer Day Theme 2021: “Volunteer now for our common future”.
The purpose of the day is to celebrate the efforts of volunteers and organizations and offer the opportunity to promote volunteerism, encourage governments to support volunteer efforts, and recognize volunteer contributions to the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) at local, national, and international levels.
The International volunteer day was first observed and mandated by the UN General Assembly in 1985. It was observed through Resolution A/RES/40/212 on 17 December 1985.
World Soil Day observed on 5 December
World Soil Day is celebrated every year on December 5 to raise awareness of the importance of soil quality for human well-being, food security, and ecosystems.
World Soil Day 2021 (#WorldSoilDay) and its campaign “Halt soil salinization, boost soil productivity” aims to raise awareness of the importance of maintaining healthy ecosystems and human well-being by addressing the growing challenges in soil management, fighting soil salinization, increasing soil awareness and encouraging societies to improve soil health.
Useful notes for all competitive exams:
- Food and Agriculture Organisation Headquarters: Rome, Italy.
- Food and Agriculture Organisation Head: Qu Dongyu;
- Food and Agriculture Organisation Founded: 16 October 1945;
- International Union of Soil Sciences President: Laura Bertha Reyes Sánchez (Mexico);
- International Union of Soil Sciences Founded: 1924;
- International Union of Soil Sciences Headquarters: Vienna, Austria.
National
Jharkhand CM launched ‘Hamar Apan Budget’ Web Portal
Jharkhand Chief Minister, Hemant Soren has launched a web portal named ‘Hamar Apan Budget’ and a mobile application prepared by the state finance Department from the Chief Minister’s residential office in Ranchi. Through this portal, the general public of the state can share their suggestions for the 2022-23 budget.
The public can give suggestions through Twitter, Facebook, WhatsApp, and e-mail and also through the app by downloading the ‘Hamar Budget’ from Google Playstore for Android phones.
Useful notes for all competitive exams:
- Chief Minister of Jharkhand: Hemant Soren; Governor: Ramesh Bais.
Appointments
Alka Upadhyaya appointed as chairperson of NHAI
Center effects major bureaucratic reshuffle. The Centre has appointed Alka Upadhyaya as chairperson of the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI). A 1990-batch IAS officer of Madhya Pradesh cadre, Upadhyaya is currently Additional Secretary, Department of Rural Development.
Other appointments:
Sanjay Bandopadhyay, Additional Secretary, Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways, has been named chairman, Inland Waterways Authority of India, a Personnel Ministry order said.
Sundeep Kumar Nayak has been appointed as Director-General, National Productivity Council, Department for Promotion of Industry & Internal Trade.
Former SBI chairman Rajnish Kumar becomes the new strategic group advisor of OYO
IPO-bound hospitality unicorn Oyo Hotels and Homes (Oyo) has appointed Rajnish Kumar, former Chairman of State Bank of India (SBI) as Strategic Group Advisor.
In his role, Kumar will advise Oyo’s management on short-term and long-term strategy, regulatory and stakeholder engagement, and enhancing the brand of the company globally.
He is currently a part of the boards of HSBC Asia Pacific, L&T infotech, Hero Motocorp, and BharatPe.
Useful notes for all competitive exams:
- OYO Rooms Founded: 2013;
- OYO Rooms CEO: Ritesh Agarwal.
Agreements
India and the EU will set up Clean Energy and Climate Partnership
India and European Union (EU) have agreed to step up their Clean Energy and Climate Partnership. They jointly agreed on a detailed work program until 2023 to implement the 2016 India-EU Clean Energy and Climate Partnership.
The Panel agreed on increased technical cooperation in energy efficiency, renewable energy, green hydrogen, grid integration, storage, power market design, interconnection, cold chain, and sustainable financing.
The Panel also agreed to explore further avenues to strengthen India-EU cooperation within the context of the International Solar Alliance. EU expressed its support for the close cooperation between India and the International Energy Agency. India and the EU also agreed to exchange closely on clean energy in the frame of the G20.
Useful notes for all competitive exams:
- European Union Founded: 1 November 1993;
- European Union Headquarters: Brussels;
- European Union Member states: 27;
- European Union Official languages: 24;
- European Union President of the European Council: Charles Michel.
Economy
GDP Growth: S&P projected India’s GDP growth forecast at 9.5% in FY22
S&P Global Ratings has retained the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) growth forecast of India unchanged at 9.5 percent for the financial year 2021-22 (FY22) and 7.8 percent for the year ending FY23.
GDP growth projection of India was revised for FY 24 to 6 percent from 5.7 percent estimated earlier. Rising inflation is a pressure point, unlike elsewhere in emerging Asia, but external demand continues to support growth, S&P noted.
Useful notes for all competitive exams:
- S&P Global Ratings Headquarters: New York, New York, United States;
- S&P Global Ratings Founder: Henry Varnum Poor;
- S&P Global Ratings Founded: 1860;
- S&P Global Ratings President: John L. Berisford.
Goldman Sachs: India’s GDP to grow 9.1% in 2022
Wall Street brokerage, Goldman Sachs has estimated India’s GDP growth at 9.1 percent in 2022.
After India’s economy contracted by a sharp 7 percent in 2020, Goldman Sachs pegged the economy to grow at 8 percent in 2021 and 9.1 percent in 2022. It earlier estimated India’s economic growth to 11.1 percent in the fiscal year to March 31, 2022.
Banking
IDFC FIRST Bank debuts India’s first standalone metal debit card
IDFC FIRST Bank announced the launch of FIRST Private Infinite, the country’s first-ever standalone metal debit card, in partnership with Visa.
FIRST Private Infinite is a lifetime free card designed specifically for customers who are part of the Bank’s FIRST Private program, premium savings, and wealth offer.
The FIRST Private program offers an unrivaled banking and investment experience to customers and comes with a range of exceptional investment, banking, lifestyle, and wellness benefits.
Useful notes for all competitive exams:
- IDFC FIRST Bank CEO: V. Vaidyanathan;
- IDFC FIRST Bank Headquarters: Mumbai;
- IDFC FIRST Bank Founded: October 2015.
Awards
Nizamuddin Basti project wins two UNESCO heritage awards
Nizamuddin Revival Project, India’s project on the holistic urban revitalization of the historic Nizamuddin Basti community, in New Delhi has won the UNESCO Asia-Pacific Awards for Cultural Heritage Conservation 2021.
The project involves the meticulous restoration of over 20 historic monuments clustered around the 14th-century mausoleum of the revered Sufi saint, Hazrat Nizamuddin Auliya.
Nizamuddin Revival Project won these awards under 2 categories: Award of Excellence and Special Recognition for Sustainable Development.
The jury of Heritage experts honored 9 projects from 6 countries (Bangladesh, China, India, Japan, Malaysia, and Thailand) with the UNESCO Asia-Pacific Awards for Cultural Heritage Conservation 2021.
Science and Technology
Amitabh Kant launches Genesys International’s digital twin platform
Genesys International has launched its pan India program to make the Digital Twin of entire Urban India. The launch program was inaugurated by Amitabh Kant, CEO, NITI Aayog.
The creation of this very accurate 3D data will mean a host of applications would open up in high-definition mapping, which was hitherto not possible, for smart cars, e-commerce, logistics, gaming, utilities planning for next-generation networks in telecom, renewable energy, and in disaster management and emergency response.
Sports
New Zealand’s Ajaz Patel 3rd Bowler to take 10 Wickets in an Innings
New Zealand’s Ajaz Patel became the third cricketer to scalp all 10 wickets in an innings. The left-arm spun a web around India’s batting order and bowled 47.5 overs, conceding 119 runs. New Zealand bundled out India for 325 on the second day of the second Test at the Wankhede Stadium, Mumbai.
In 1956, England bowler Jim Laker had taken 10 wickets in an innings against Australia, and decades later, India’s Anil Kumble, too, achieved the incredible feat against Pakistan in 1999. At the Feroz Shah Kotla in New Delhi, Kumble had made a perfect 10 to bundle out Pakistan and clinch the game.
Obituary
Former Andhra Pradesh CM Konijeti Rosaiah passes away
Former Governor of Tamil Nadu and former Chief Minister of the unified State of Andhra Pradesh, Konijeti Rosaiah (89-years) passed away. He had served as MLA, MLC, Lok Sabha members.
He held several key portfolios including finance, transport, energy in the cabinets headed by Kotla Vijayabhaskhara Reddy, Channa Reddy, and YS Rajasekhara Reddy.
Veteran journalist Vinod Dua passes away
Veteran journalist Vinod Dua passed away recently. He was one of the pioneers in Hindi broadcast journalism, worked with Doordarshan to present the youth program Yuva Manch in the mid-’70s, and later with several other television news channels.
He was an integral part of NDTV’s journey as well. His much-loved food show ‘Zaika India Ka’ saw him crisscrossing the whole country just for the best taste.
He was also awarded the Padma Shri for Journalism in 2008 by the Government of India.
Miscellaneous
Cambridge Dictionary names ‘perseverance’ Word of the Year 2021
Perseverance, a word that captures the undaunted will of people across the world to never give up, despite the many challenges of the last 12 months, is Cambridge Dictionary’s Word of the Year 2021.
Perseverance has been looked up more than 243,000 times on the website in 2021, the first time it has made a noticeable appearance. NASA’s Perseverance Rover made its final descent to Mars on 18 February.
Nation remembers BR Ambedkar on his 66th death anniversary
India observes December 6 as Mahaparinirvan Divas every year to mark the death anniversary of Dr. Bhimrao Ramji Ambedkar, who fought for the economic and social empowerment of Dalits in the country.
He was popularly known as Babasaheb Ambedkar passed away on December 6, 1956. The Union government has decided to celebrate Mahaparinirvan Divas as part of the major commemoration of ‘Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav.
Ambedkar was posthumously conferred with the Bharat Ratna, India’s highest civilian award.
- Daily Current Affairs in English 11 Sep 2022 – Useful for all Competitive Exams
- Hindu Editorial with Vocabulary: Sep Month – Day 10
- 11 Sep 2022 Daily Current Affairs in Hindi – सभी प्रतियोगी परीक्षाओं के लिए महत्वपूर्ण
- 10 Sep 2022 Daily Current Affairs in Hindi – सभी प्रतियोगी परीक्षाओं के लिए महत्वपूर्ण
- Hindu Editorial with Vocabulary: Sep Month – Day 9
- Daily Current Affairs in English 10 Sep 2022 – Useful for all Competitive Exams
