DAILY CURRENT AFFAIRS : December 1 & 2, 2019

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NATIONAL NEWS

Intensified Mission Indradhanush 2.0 to be launched across the country

The government’s flagship scheme is aimed at immunizing children under the age of 2 years and pregnant women against eight vaccine preventable diseases.
The IMI covers vaccines for diphtheria, whooping cough, tetanus, poliomyelitis, tuberculosis, measles, meningitis and Hepatitis B. Vaccines for Japanese encephalitis and hemophilus influenzal are also being provided in selected areas.
The IMI 2.0 aims to achieve targets of full immunization coverage in 272 districts spread over 27 States. The IMI 2.0 will be carried out between December 2019 and March 2020.
In October 2017, Prime Minister Narendra Modi launched the IMI. The IMI was built on Mission Indradhanush, using additional strategies to reach populations at high risk, by involving sectors other than health.
The Intensified Mission Indradhanush will roll out in 35 districts of Uttar Pradesh.
Health Minister of state Jai Pratap Singh said that under the program around 66 thousand sessions will be organized for vaccination of more than 5.5 lakh children and around 1.3 lakh pregnant women of state

Govt launches drive to enroll 1 cr beneficiaries under two pension schemes for unorganised workers, small traders

The government has launched a drive to enroll one crore beneficiaries under the Pradhan Mantri Shram Yogi Maandhan (PM-SYM) and the National Pension Scheme for Traders and Self Employed Persons (NPS-Traders) by March next year.
Labour and Employment Minister Santosh Kumar Gangwar launched the drive yesterday at a function to mark the celebrations of Pension week.Both the schemes are simple and hassle-free, Mr Gangwar said, an Aadhaar card number along with a savings bank account or Jan-Dhan account are needed for enrollments.
The monthly contribution has been kept at the lowest level ranging between 55 rupees and 200 rupees depending on the entry ages of subscribers.

Indo Sri Lanka joint exercise MITRA SHAKTI commences

The seventh edition of exercise MITRA SHAKTI aimed at enhancing interoperability and operational efficiency amongst the armies of India and Sri Lanka commenced at Aundh Military Station, Pune.
Defence Ministry said, the objective of the exercise is to build and promote positive relations between armies of both the countries through focus on sub unit level training on counter-insurgency and counter-terrorism operations in urban and rural environment.
The joint training exercise also signifies the strength of India-Sri Lanka relations in the field of military cooperation and engagement. The exercise is designed for incorporating the current dynamics of United Nations peace keeping operations through practical and comprehensive discussions and tactical exercises.

International News

MoS Sanjay Dhotre inaugurates India Pavilion at International Book Fair in Mexico

Minister of State for Human Resource Development Sanjay Dhotre inaugurated the India Pavilion at International Book Fair in Guadaljara, Mexico.
This fair is the biggest book fair in the Spanish-speaking world. India is the ‘Guest of Honour Country’ in this book fair and it becomes the first Asian country to participate as ‘Guest of Honour’ in the Fair.
Mr Dhotre highlighted the deep literary connection between India and Mexico and referred to the legendary Mexican poet Nobel Laureate Octavio Paz’s first visit to India in 1952.
He invited all the publishers gathered from across the world to the World Book Fair being organised by National Book Trust in New Delhi, during January 2020.

India becomes first country to make entire Haj process digital

India has become the first country to make the entire process for pilgrims going on Haj completely digital.
Minority Affairs Minister Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi today said this after signing the bilateral agreement for next year’s pilgrimage with the Saudi Haj Minister in Jeddah. Mr Naqvi said, an online application, e-visa, Haj mobile app,E-MASIHA (E-Medical Assistance System for Indian Pilgrims Abroad) health facility, “e-luggage pre-tagging” providing all information in India itself regarding accommodation and transportation in Mecca and Madina will be provided to 2 lakh Indian Muslims going for Haj in 2020.
The minister signed the bilateral annual Haj 2020 agreement between India and Saudi Arabia with Haj and Umrah Minister of Saudi Arabia Mohammad Saleh bin Taher Benten. He said, for the first time facilities were provided for digital pre-tagging of pilgrims’ baggage.

India, Sweden to sign MoU for polar science cooperation in Polar Science

India and Sweden are likely to sign their first maritime cooperation agreement, Cooperation in Polar Science, during the visit to India of the Swedish royal couple and senior Ministers, including Foreign Minister Anne Linde.
Swedish Ambassador to India Klas Molin told ahead of the visit of King Carl Gustaf and Queen Silvia from December 1 to 6
India has signed a series of maritime information exchange as well as military logistics support agreements, extending the reach of its armed forces. The pact with Russia, in advanced stages of discussion, will give India access to Russian bases in the Arctic for logistics and operational turnaround.

UN Climate Change Conference to be held in Spain from Dec 2 – 13

UN Climate Change Conference, known as COP25 gets underway in the Spanish capital, Madrid, under the Presidency of Chile from 2-13 December 2019.
COP 25 is an important conference as countries prepare to move from pre-2020 period under Kyoto Protocol to post-2020 period under Paris Agreement. India’s approach will be guided by principles and provisions of UNFCCC and Paris Agreement particularly the principles of Equity and Common But Differentiated Responsibilities and Respective Capability (CBDR-RC).
The Indian delegation will be led by Environment Minister Prakash Javadekar.
India’s leadership on climate change has been evident and well recognised across the globe. Government of India has been undertaking several initiatives to address climate change concerns under the leadership of Hon’ble Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi.

48th National Day Celebrations to be held in UAE

The 48th National Day Celebrations of the United Arab Emirates will be held under the patronage of Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, President of the UAE at the Zayed Sports City Stadium in Abu Dhabi.
The Organising Committee of the Official UAE National Day confirmed that the preparations for the celebration have been completed. The celebration will be centred around a spectacular theatrical production titled “Legacy of Our Ancestors”.
The show will be staged on a grand scale with more than 5,000 experts from 70 countries coming together to shape this production.
The National Day of UAE is celebrated on 2nd December every year. It marks the day when emirates united together at Union House to form the United Arab Emirates in 1971. Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan was the first president of UAE. Celebrations are held across the country to mark the union of the seven emirates.

Suriname president sentenced to 20 yrs over executions of political opponents

A military court in Suriname sentenced President Desi Bouterse to 20 years in prison over the executions of political opponents, when he was the South American country’s dictator in the 1980s. His lawyer Irvin Kanhai said Mr Bouterse is on a state visit to China and will appeal the judgement when he returns next week.
Bouterse has always denied involvement, saying the victims had been held for plotting a counter-coup with the help of the CIA. Mr Bouterse has dominated Suriname’s politics since taking power in a 1980 military coup.
Dutch-speaking Suriname’s people have roots in Asia, Africa, Europe and the Americas. It gained independence from the Netherlands in 1975.

State News

Nagaland CM inaugurates Multi Media Exhibition at World War II museum

For the first time in the history of Hornbill festival, Bureau of Outreach & Communication, Ministry of Information & Broadcasting is organising a Multi Media Exhibition commemorating the 150th Birth Anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi.
Nagaland Chief Minister, Neiphiu Rio officially inaugurated the Multi Media Exhibition yesterday at World War II museum, Kisama in Nagaland.
The focus of the event is to present Gandhian values and principles both to the people and through the people in contemporary idiom. The 150th birth anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi is more than a celebration of a great life and a remembrance of history.
Commemorating the event, in remembrance of late Natwar Thakkar, his son Dr. Aotoshi was felicitated. Lt. Thakkar, is popularly known as Nagaland’s Gandhi. He was born in Maharashtra in 1932, made Nagaland his home and founded the Nagaland Gandhi Ashram at Chuchuyimlang village in Mokokchung district in 1995 to propagate Gandhian philosophy and peace.
Lt.Thakkar was awarded the Padma Shri in 1999 and his wife Lentina Ao, a social worker was also awarded a Padma Shri.

Konark Festival, International Sand Art Festival kick-start in Odisha’s Konark

Konark Festival, International Sand Art Festival kick-start in Odisha’s Konark
30th edition of Konark Festival was held at backdrop of the Sun Temple
International Sand Art Festival was held at Chandrabhaga beach.123 artists from India and artists from USA, Ireland, Denmark, Russia, Canada, Togo and Sri Lanka participated in the Sand Art Festival.

20th Edition of Hornbill Festival begins in Nagaland

Hornbill Festival began with a colourful blend of culture and tradition with a modern twist at Naga Heritage Kisama in Nagaland this evening. This is the 20th edition of Hornbill Festival.
the Hornbill Festival coincides with Nagaland Statehood Day.
The festival organised by Nagaland Government is an annual tourism promotional event to showcase the state’s traditional and rich cultural heritage in all its ethnicity, diversity and grandeur.
Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio was host the 10 Days Hornbill Festival began with the traditional blessing pronounced by Mongtei of Aniashu village.

Indigenous Faith Day celebrated in Arunachal Pradesh

Donyi Polo Cultural & Charitable Trust and Indigenous Faith & Cultural Society of Arunachal Pradesh today celebrated ‘Indigenous Faith Day’ at Pasighat with religious fervour.
Buddha guru seventh Kyabje Yongzin Ling Rinpoche of Himachal Pradesh Dharamsala, accompanied by Secretary General of
International Buddhist Confederation Ven Dr Dhammapiya and several other dignitaries and foreign delegates graced the programme at Central Donyi Polo Central Gangging Pasighat.

Tamil Nadu signs MoUs worth 5,000 crore

The pact with various companies to generate over 20,000 jobs Tamil Nadu government on Saturday signed nine new Memorandum of Understandings (MoU) with various companies, including BYD of China.
ITC Paperboard and Mitsuba Sical, with investment worth 5,027 crore and likely job creation of 20,351. The MoUs were signed at the Investment and Skill Development Conclave organised by the Tamil Nadu government and presided over by Chief Minister Edappadi K Palaniswami.
The BYD India Pvt Ltd will establish a manufacturing facility for phone components with an investment of ₹2,800 crore and employ 11,000 persons.
Ather Energy to set up a manufacturing facility for E-Vehicles and Lithium-Ion Battery in Hosur with an investment of ₹635.4 crore providing 4,321 jobs.

Oxygen Park with Beema Bamboo established at TNAU

One mature Beema bamboo after four years sequesters absorb more than 400 kgs of carbon dioxide annually from the surrounding areas. An ‘Oxygen park’ with beema bamboo was established at Tamil Nadu Agricultural University (TNAU)
The park is claimed to be the first of its kind in the district, wherein 590 beema bamboo seedlings were planted at the university, covering 1.45 acres.
One mature Beema bamboo after four years sequesters (absorb) more than 400 kgs of carbon dioxide annually from the surrounding areas. This particular bamboo clone was developed by the conventional breeding method and not involving a genetically modified organism.
Beema Bamboo is one of the fastest-growing plants on earth, which grows one and a half feet a day under tropical conditions and acts as the best carbon sink for CO2 emission. Former Tamil Nadu Principal Chief Conservator of Forest, S Balaji inaugurated the park, by planting the first Beema Bamboo seedling in the presence of TNAU Vice-Chancellor N Kumar

Kochi commissions rooftop solar power plant

Smart City Kochi commissioned a 564-kWp rooftop solar power plant that can generate on an average 8.20 lakh units of electricity annually, making it one of the largest among the IT parks in Kerala.
The plant, which will help reduce 670 tonnes of carbon emission every year, was inaugurated by Kerala State Electricity Regulatory Commission (KSERC) Chairman Preman Dinaraj.

Manoj Nair, CEO, Smart City Kochi said. “We ensure that all our co-developers implement their plans of achieving at least 4.5 per cent of their total power consumption from renewable energy sources. This initiative will enable us reduce the carbon footprint equivalent of 480 small cars a year”

SmartCity Kochi, is being developed as a knowledge based information technology township that is spread over 246 acres, and is a joint venture company formed by the Kerala government and Dubai Holding.

Appointments

Shri Hari Mohan takes over as Chairman, Ordnance Factory Board

Shri Hari Mohan has taken over the charge as Chairman, Ordnance Factory Board (OFB) w.e.f. December 01, 2019 from Shri Saurabh Kumar who superannuated from the services. A 1982-batch Indian Ordnance Factories’ Service (I.O.F.S.) officer with Post Graduate Degree in Mechanical Engineering. He holds an M. Phil in Public Administration.
In a career spanning 39 years, Shri Hari Mohan has contributed significantly in various positions in Bharat Heavy Electricals Limited (BHEL) Hardwar, Vehicle Factory Jabalpur, Engine Factory Avadi, Heavy Vehicle Factory Avadi, Ammunition Factory Khadki, Ordnance Factory Bolangir, Ordnance Factory Chanda, Ordnance Factory Dehu Road, OFB New Delhi Office and Ministry of Steel & Mines.
Shri Hari Mohan has held various senior positions as General Manager, Dehu Road (Pune, Senior General Manager, Heavy Vehicles Factory, Avadi (HVF, Chennai). He was also awarded the ‘Ayudh Ratna’ award in 2018 for his services at the HVF. Before taking over as DGOF and Chairman, he was holding charge as Member of the OFB and was in charge of the Weapons, Vehicles and Equipment (WV&E) division of the OFB.

Soma Roy Burman takes charge as new Controller General of Accounts

Soma Roy Burman took charge as the new Controller General of Accounts, CGA.
She is the 24th CGA and the seventh woman to hold this coveted position. She took over from J P S Chawla
Burman, a 1986-batch Indian Civil Accounts Service officer has held cadre positions at different levels in Central government Ministries during her 33-year long career.

IMPORTANT DAYS

World AIDS Day being observed Dec 1

World AIDS Day is being observed today to raise public awareness about Acquired Immuno Deficiency Syndrome, AIDS. It is a pandemic disease caused due to the infection of Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV).
The theme is “Communities Make the Difference.”
As per the latest estimate of 2017, there are around 21 lakh 40 thousand people living with HIV in the country. The government is implementing National AIDS Control Programme (NACP) as a hundred per cent Central Sector Scheme for prevention and control of AIDS.
The Government has also developed a seven-year National Strategic Plan from 2017 to 2024 to achieve the Sustainable Development Goal of ending AIDS as a public health threat by 2030.
Health and Family Welfare Minister Dr.Harsh Vardhan has said the government is making all out efforts to completely eradicate HIV AIDS in the country before 2030.

OBITUARY

Veteran Journalist Bhaskar Menon dead

Veteran journalist Bhaskar Menon died here on Sunday following cardiac arrest, his family said.
The 87-year-old Menon, who retired as the Regional Manager (South) of the Press Trust of India.
“Bhaskar’s passing marks the end of an era, an era of gentlemen journalists. He cared deeply about the turn of a phrase, the right word, the rules of good writing.
He had handled several important developments, including the assassination of former Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi in May, 1991.

Sports News

Gurpreet Singh, Sunil Kumar clinch gold medals in Senior National C’ships

Asian Championships silver medallists Gurpreet Singh and Sunil Kumar clinched gold medals on the final day of the senior national championships in Jalandhar yesterday.
Gurpreet defeated two-time world junior championships medallist Sajan Bhanwal, who was representing the Railways, by a 3-1 margin, in the 77 kilogram category. This was Punjab grappler’s fourth senior national title.
Punjab’s Harpreet Singh, the Asian Games silver medallist, defeated Rajbir Chhikara of Railways 4-1 in the 82 kg category final.

Syed Modi International: Sourabh Verma loses to Wang Tzu Wei in men’s singles final

Indian shuttler Sourabh Verma’s impressive run at the Syed Modi International tournament came to an end after he lost in straight games to Chinese Taipei’s Wang Tzu Wei in the men’s singles final in Lucknow.
World No. 36 Verma is the only Indian shuttler who managed to reach the finals of the competition after registering a hard-fought 21-17, 16-21, 21-18 win over his Korean opponent Heo Kwang Hee in the semifinal yesterday.
Men’s singles: Tzu Wei Wang (Tpe) bt Sourabh Verma (Ind) .
Women’s singles: Carolina Marin (Esp) bt Phittayaporn Chaiwan (Tha)
Men’s doubles: Ji Ting He/Qiang Tang (Chn) bt Solgyu Choi and Seung Jae Seo (Kor).
Women’s doubles: Ha Na Baek/ Kyung Eun Jung (Kor) beat Ye Na Chang/Hye Rin Kim (Kor).
Mixed doubles: Rodion Alimov/Alina Davletova (Rus) bt Marcus Ellis/ Lauren Smith (Eng).

Senior Wrestling National C’ships: Vinesh Phogat, Sakshi Malik clinch gold

Vinesh Phogat and Sakshi Malik registered convincing wins in the finals to claim gold medals at the Senior Wrestling National Championships in Jalandhar.
While Phogat beat 20-year-old Haryana’s Anju 7-3 in the 55kg category, Olympic bronze medallist Malik defeated Radhika of Haryana 4-2 in the 62kg category yesterday.
In the 68kg category, 35-year-old Haryana wrestler Anita Sheoran stunned Commonwealth Games bronze medallist Divya Kakran.
Punjab’s 35-year-old Gursharan Kaur, a single mother of a five-year-old girl, claimed the title in the 76kg category, with a 4-2 win over Pooja of Haryana.
In the 50kg category, Meerut’s Sheetal Tomar dominated Nirmala to post a 7-3 win

Karnataka prevails over Tamil Nadu in the heart-stopping final of the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy

Karnataka edged out Tamil Nadu in a thriller.Pandey pulls his weight for the winner while Aparajith and Vijay Shankar do their best for the team in yellow Just like the IPL final earlier in the year, a team in blue prevailed over a team in yellow in the final by one run, as Karnataka defeated Tamil Nadu to retain its Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy crown in an exciting climax at the Lalbhai Contractor Stadium.
This is Karnataka’s second title this season after beating Tamil Nadu in the final of the Vijay Hazare Trophy in October. In the IPL summit clash, Mumbai Indians had pipped Chennai Super Kings by a solitary run.

Lewis Hamilton wins Abu Dhabi Grand Prix

Hamilton delivered sumptuous confirmation of his title-winning supremacy when he claimed his 84th career victory and 11th in 21 races this year Starting from a record 88th pole position, the 34-year-old Briton was unchallenged from lights to flag as he cruised to an untroubled triumph 16 seconds ahead of Verstappen Mercedes’
Lewis Hamilton celebrates on the podium after winning the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix.
Starting from a record 88th pole position, the 34-year-old Briton was unchallenged from lights to flag as he cruised to an untroubled triumph 16 seconds ahead of Red Bull’s Max Verstappen and Charles Leclerc of Ferrari, who faced a post-race investigation for fuel irregularities.
The six-times world champion’s success extended his points-scoring run to a record-equalling 33 races, levelling with his own record, and brought him his 50th victory from pole position.