Current Affairs December 05th & 06th 2021| Current Affairs News

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CURRENT AFFAIRS: IMPORTANT DAYS

Indian Navy Day Observed on Dec 04                                                            

• Indian Navy Day is observed annually on 4 December to recognise the achievements and role of our naval forces.
• The day was chosen to commemorate the launch of Operation Trident against Pakistan during the Indo-Pakistan War in 1971.
• The theme of Indian Navy Day 2021 is ‘Swarnim Vijay Varsh’ signifying 50 years of India’s victory in the Indo-Pakistan war that took place in 1971.

Significance of the day:

• The day gives an opportunity to educate children and Indian citizens about the victory of India in the 1971 war.

About Operation Trident:

• Operation Trident was an offensive operation launched by the Indian Navy on Pakistan’s port city of Karachi during the Indo-Pakistani War of 1971.
• Countering the attack, the Indian navy had sent 3 missile boats INS Veer, INS Nipat and INS Nirghat.
• During this operation, the Indian Navy sank 3 Pakistan navy ships.
• The operation was conducted on the night of 4–5 December and inflicted heavy damage on Pakistani vessels and facilities.
• While India suffered no losses, Pakistan lost a minesweeper, a destroyer, a cargo vessel carrying ammunition, and fuel storage tanks in Karachi.

Facts About Indian Navy:

• The Indian Navy is the naval branch of the Indian Armed Forces which is led by the President of India as the Commander-in-Chief.
• Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj, the Maratha Emperor is considered to be the Father of the Indian Navy.
• The Indian Navy was established in 1612 by the East India Company.

About Indian Navy:

• Founded: 26 January 1950
• Headquarters: New Delhi
• Chief of Naval Staff: Admiral R Hari Kumar

CURRENT AFFAIRS: NATIONAL NEWS

Govt to launch SRESHTA Scheme 2021 for development of Scheduled Castes students

• The Centre is set to launch the Residential Education for Students in High Schools in Targeted Areas (SRESHTA) scheme.

Purpose:

• To work for socio-economic upliftment and overall development of Scheduled Castes students.
• The scheme will be launched on 6th December on Mahaparinirvan Diwas in remembrance of B R Ambedkar as part of the Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav.

About the Scheme:

• SRESHTA Scheme will enable bright SC students to have a better future by getting high quality education
• It will aid in controlling dropout rates of SC students from class 9th to 12th.
• In the next five years, the ministry of social justice & empowerment (MoSJE) has decided to extend support to 24,800 meritorious SC students involving 300 crore rupees for providing them quality residential education.
• The MoSJE minister will also launch the special book published by the Dr Ambedkar International Centre, named Social Justice and Empowerment: Reflections from Dr. Ambedkar Chairs’.
• He will also release a brochure based on Ambedkar’s Panchteerth, schemes and scholarships for Scheduled Caste students by the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment.

About Ministry of Social Justice & Empowerment:

• Union Minister : Virendra Kumar
• Minister of State : Ramdas Athawale, Pratima Bhowmik, A. Narayanaswamy

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CURRENT AFFAIRS: STATE NEWS

Nagaland celebrates 59th Statehood Day  

• Nagaland observed the 59th Statehood Day at the Nagaland Civil Secretariat Plaza in Kohima on 1st December 2021.

Significance of the day:

• To remember the struggle and sacrifice of Naga leaders who contributed in the formation of Nagaland as the 16th state of India.
• In 1957, The agreement was signed between Naga leaders and the central government to make a separate region of the Naga Hills.
• The Parliament enacted Nagaland statehood under the State of Nagaland Act, 1962.
• The Chief Minister also launched the National Initiative for Proficiency in Reading with Understanding and Numeracy (NIPUN Bharat) Mission in the state which aims that every child has learn reading, writing, and numeracy.

About Nagaland:

• Chief minister: Neiphiu Rio
• Capital: Kohima
• Wildlife sanctuaries: Fakim Wildlife Sanctuary, Puliebadze Wildlife Sanctuary, Rangapahar Wildlife Sanctuary, Singphan Wildlife Sanctuary
• National Park: Ntangki National Park
• Nagaland was formally recognised as a separate state on December 1, 1963, with Kohima being declared it’s capital.

CURRENT AFFAIRS: BUSINESS NEWS

OECD slashes India growth forecast to 9.4% for FY22

• Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) decreased India’s growth forecast to 9.4% for FY22 from 9.7% estimated in September 2021.
• In September, while paring India’s FY22 growth projection from 9.9% to 9.7%, OECD had citied still persisting risk of lasting costs from the pandemic.
• The 38-member intergovernmental organization has projected the Indian economy to grow at 8.1% in FY23, and moderate to 5.5% in FY24.
• However, Chief Economic Adviser K. Subramanian presented a more positive growth outlook for the year, anticipating double-digit growth in FY22, 6.5-7 percent growth in the next year and over 7 percent growth thereafter.

About OECD:

• Headquarters: Paris, France
• Founded: 30 September 1961
• Secretary General: Mathias Cormann
• Membership: 38 countries

CURRENT AFFAIRS: APPOINTMENTS & RECOGNIZATIONS

Sanjeev Kaushal becomes Chief Secretary of Haryana                                            

• Haryana’s 1986-batch IAS officer, Sanjeev Kaushal, has been appointed as the state’s new chief secretary after the superannuation of his predecessor 1985-batch officer, Vijai Vardhan.
• Additional chief secretary, power, PK Das was posted as additional chief secretary, revenue and disaster management in place of
• Sanjeev Kaushal will be the 35th Chief Secretary of Haryana since it was carved out as a separate state in 1966.
• Sanjeev Kaushal is due for retirement in July 2024.
• He will also hold charge of the general administration, training, personnel, parliamentary affairs, administrative and vigilance reforms departments, and the secretary in charge of plan coordination.
• Kaushal had also served as Managing Director, Haryana Warehousing Corporation, Chandigarh (1993-94), Joint Secretary to government of Haryana, Cooperation, Health & Medical Education, WildLife Preservation & Rules Departments (1996-99).
• He served as Joint Secretary to the Government of India, two State Governments, two large Public Sector Undertakings (as Managing Director), the largest Municipal Corporation of Haryana (as the Chief Administrator of Faridabad Complex with the responsibilities of the Mayor & Commissioner both).
• He is known as an excellent officer for the services rendered by him as Assistant Collector (Training) in Madurai (Tamil Nadu) in 1987-88 and Sub-Collector in Coimbatore during the year 1988-90.
• He was the Director, Urban Development Department, Haryana Urban Infrastructure Development Board and Chief Administrator, Haryana Slum Clearance Board from the year 2001-03.

About Haryana:

• Capital: Chandigarh
• Governor: Bandaru Dattatreya
• Chief minister: Manohar Lal Khattar
• National Parks: Sultanpur National Park, Kalesar National Park
• Wildlife Sanctuaries : Bhindawas Wildlife Sanctuary, Khaparwas Wildlife Sanctuary, Nahar Wildlife Sanctuary, Chhilchhila Wildlife Sanctuary, Saraswati Wildlife Sanctuary, Abubshahar Wildlife Sanctuary, Khol Hi-Raitan Wildlife Sanctuary, Bir Shikargah Wildlife Sanctuary, Asola Bhatti Wildlife Sanctuary

Pradip Shah appointed NARCL Chairman; Sanjay Jain made IDRCL chief

• Pradip Shah, founder of IndAsia Fund Advisors, has been appointed chairman of National Asset Reconstruction Company (NARCL) while Aditya Birla Asset Reconstruction Company managing director Sanjay Jain will be the chief executive of India Debt Resolution Company (IDRCL).
• Also, Diwakar Gupta, former managing director of State Bank of India, is selected as chairman of IDRCL.
• Padmakumar Nair, chief general manager of SBI, was appointed as the MD of NARCL in May 2021.

About Pradip Shah:

• Shah, an MBA from Harvard and chartered accountant, is credited for establishing India’s first and largest housing finance company, HDFC, and ratings firm Crisil.

About Sanjay Jain:

• Before joining Aditya Birla ARC, Jain was with Asset Reconstruction Company of India, J M Financial and SBI Capital Markets.
• He has experience of 29 years in corporate lending, investment banking and stressed fund management.

About Diwakar Gupta:

• Diwakar Gupta joined Aditya Birla Financial Services as a senior advisor and later joined Asian Development Bank’s (ADB) VicePresident for Private Sector Operations and Public-Private Partnerships.

About IDRCL:

• India Debt Resolution Company Limited is a Public incorporated on 03 September 2021.
• Directors of India Debt Resolution Company Limited are Narayan Keelveedhi Seshadri, Anilraj Chellan and Arvind Sadashiv Mokashi.
• IDRCL is an asset management company (AMC) that will work in tandem with the National Asset Reconstruction Company Ltd (NARCL) to clean up bad loans, according to documents available with the Registrar of Companies (RoC).

CURRENT AFFAIRS: AWARDS & HONOURS

Ratan Tata To Be Conferred Assam’s Highest Civilian Award – Asom Bhaibav’ 

• On the occasion of Asom Divas, Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma conferred its highest civilian award ‘Assam Baibhav‘ on Tata Trusts chairman Ratan Tata for his contribution to build cancer treatment facilities in the state.
• The Tata Trust, in collaboration with the Assam government, had decided to set up 19 cancer care units during the ‘Advantage Assam – Global Investment Summit’ in 2018 and an MoU had been signed between the Assam government and Tata Trusts.
• The board of trustees of Tata Trust had earlier informed the state government has approved Rs 540 crore for setting up of a 3-level cancer care grid in the state and the district levels.

Note:

• The award was renamed as ‘Assam Baibhav’ by the Sarma-led government in September 2021. (Earlier known as ‘Assam Ratna’).

About Asom Divas:

• Asom Divas, celebrated on December 2 every year to commemorate the rule of Swargadeo Chaolung Sukapha — the first Ahom King and one of the architects of Assam.

About Ratan Tata:

• Ratan Tata was born in Mumbai, Maharashtra on 28 December 1937.
• He is an Indian industrialist, philanthropist, and a former chairman of Tata Sons.
• He was also chairman of Tata Group, from 1990 to 2012, and again, as interim chairman, from October 2016 through February 2017, and continues to head its charitable trusts.

Awards & Honours:

• Ratan Tata is the recipient of two of the highest civilian awards of India, the Padma Vibhushan (2008) and Padma Bhushan (2000).

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V Praveen Rao wins 7th Dr. M.S. Swaminathan Award for 2017-19

• V Praveen Rao, Vice-Chancellor of Prof. Jayashankar Telangana State Agricultural University (PJTSAU), has been selected for the Dr M S Swaminathan Award for the period 2017-19.
• The outstanding and innovative contributions of Praveen Rao in the areas of agricultural research, teaching, extension and administration won him the award,” the award selection committee, headed by former ICAR Director General, RS Paroda.
• He handled 13 research and six consultancy projects in micro irrigation in India, Israel and South Africa.

About Dr. M.S. Swaminathan Award:

• The award is named after the doyen of Indian Agriculture M.S. Swaminathan, Chairman, M.S Swaminathan Research Foundation, Chennai. 
• The Award will be conferred biennially on an eminent Indian scientist(s) working in India in any branch of Agricultural Sciences (Crop/Animal/Fisheries) for enhancing agricultural productivity in India.
• The award is instituted by The Retired ICAR Employees Association (RICAREA), in association with M/S Nuziveedu Seeds Pvt. Ltd., Hyderabad, Andhra Pradesh, India.
• This is a biennial Award for lifetime achievements to the cause of Indian agriculture.
• The award carries a Cash prize of Rs.2 lakhs, a Medal, and a Citation. 

About RICAREA:

• Located at: Hyderabad, Telangana

CURRENT AFFAIRS: SUMMITS & CONFERENCES

Dr Mahendra Nath Pandey to be the Chief Guest at the Round Table Conference

• Dr Mahendra Nath Pandey, Union Minister of Heavy Industries will be the Chief Guest at the Round Table Conference to Promote Electric Vehicles organized by Ministry of Heavy Industries (MHI) on December 4, 2021 at Goa.

Aim:

• To work out strategies to promote adoption of Electric Vehicles in India and attract investment in manufacturing of EVs, batteries and high technology automotive components in India.

Policy Initiatives to increase EV penetration:

• Faster Adoption and Manufacturing of Electric Vehicles in India II (FAME India II) scheme (outlay of Rs 10,000 crore)
• National Programme on Advanced Chemistry Cell (ACC) (outlay of Rs 18,100 crores)
• Productivity Linked Incentive (PLI) scheme for Automobile and Auto Components (outlay of Rs 25,938 crore)

About Automobile sector:

• Automobile sector is a key driver of India’s economic growth and the largest contributor to the manufacturing sector.
• Automobile industry contributes to nearly4 percent of India’s GDP and 35 percent of manufacturing GDP and is a leading employment provider.
• India ranks number 1 in the world in two wheelers, 3 wheelers and tractors manufacturing and number 5 in passenger and commercial vehicles manufacturing.
• In value terms, the Indian automotive industry is ranked number 11 in the world.

About Ministry of Heavy Industries:

• Union Minister: Mahendra Nath Pandey
• Minister of State: Krishan Pal Gurjar

CURRENT AFFAIRS: DEFENCE NEWS

BDL sign Rs 471.41-crore contract with Indian Army

• Bharat Dynamics Limited (BDL) had signed a Rs 471.41-crore contract with the Indian Army for the refurbishment of IGLA-1M missiles.
• The refurbishment will increase the life of the missiles by 10 years.
• The Company, in addition to carrying out refurbishment, deals with manufacture and supply of Guided Missiles and associated equipment, Underwater Weapon Systems, Airborne Weapon Systems, Ground Support Equipment and product life cycle support.
• In order to give momentum to its efforts towards self-reliance, BDL has also built-up its in-house R&D capabilities primarily focussing on design & engineering activities.
• The Company is leveraging emerging technologies like Artificial Intelligence to develop futuristic weapons for the Armed Forces.

About BDL:

• Founded: 1970, Hyderabad
• Headquarters: Hyderabad. Telangana, India
• Chairman & MD: Commodore Siddharth Mishra
• Bharat Dynamics (BDL) is the only company in India involved in manufacturing various types of missiles and underwater weapons for supply to the Indian Armed Forces and friendly foreign countries.

About Indian Army:

• Headquarters: New Delhi
• Commander-in-Chief: President Ram Nath Kovind
• Founded: 1 April 1895
• Motto(s): Service Before Self
• Commander-in-Chief : President Ram Nath Kovind
• Chief of Defence Staff : General Bipin Rawat
• Chief of the Army Staff : General Manoj Mukund Naravane
• Vice Chief of the Army Staff : Lieutenant General Chandi Prasad Mohanty

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‘Indian Army Receives New Israeli Heron Drones For Deployment In Ladakh’

• The Indian Army’s surveillance capabilities have received a major boost as Israel has delivered advanced Heron drones under the emergency procurement clause to keep an eye on the Chinese activities in the Ladakh sector.

Features of Heron drones:

• The Israel-manufactured Heron drones are capable of operating for nearly 45 hours at an altitude of up to 35,000 feet as tensions escalated with China’s People’s Liberation Army.
• These drones are reportedly much more advanced than the Herons present in the current inventory & also  their anti-jamming capability is also much better in comparison to the previous versions.
• These drones have been procured under the emergency financial powers granted by Prime Minister (PM) Narendra Modi-led government to the armed forces.
• Accordingly, the defence forces can purchase equipment and systems amounting to Rs 500 crore in order to augment their warfighting capabilities.
• Using the same facility, the Indian Navy has leased two Predator drones which have been taken from American firm General Atomics.
• Earlier, such a facility was given to the Defence Forces was in 2019 right after the Balakot airstrikes in Pakistan.

CURRENT AFFAIRS: OBITUARIES

Renowned scholar Rafiqul Islam passes away                                        

• Renowned scholar and national professor of Bangladesh Professor Rafiqul Islam passed away at the age of 87.

About Rafiqul Islam:

• Rafiqul Islam was a Bangladeshi educationist, scholar, writer and cultural activist.
• Rafiqul Islam was one of the greatest scholars on the national poet of Bangladesh Kazi Nazrul Islam.
• He was inducted as a National Professor by the Government of Bangladesh in July 2018.
• He was the President of the Bangla Academy from May 2021 until his death.
• He served as the chairman of the Nazrul Institute Trustee Board.
• Islam wrote 30 books on the language, literature, history and culture of Bangladesh.

Awards & Honours:

• He was honoured with Swadhinta Padak and the Ekushey padak, which is the highest civilian award of Bangladesh. 
• He was a recipient of the Bangla Academy Literary Award.
• In 2021, he received International Mother Language Award

UNION GOVERNMENT SCHEME

PM- SVANIDHI (PM Street Vendor’s AatmaNirbhar Nidhi)

• This is a Central Sector Scheme to facilitate street vendors to access affordable working capital loan for resuming their livelihoods activities, after easing of lockdown.
• The urban street vendors can avail of a Working Capital (WC) loan of up to Rs. 10,000 with a tenure of 1 year repaid in monthly instalments.
• No collateral is required to avail of this loan.

Launched On:

• The PM Street Vendor’s AatmaNirbhar Nidhi (PM SVANidhi) scheme was launched on June 01,2020.

Ministry involved:

• The scheme is under the ministry of housing and urban affairs
• Current minister of housing and urban affairs –Hardeep Singh Puri.

Objectives :

• To provide working capital loan up to `10,000 at subsidized rate of interest;
• To incentivize regular repayment of loan; and
• To reward digital transactions.

Target group:

• The scheme aims to benefit over 50 lakh street vendors, who had been vending on or before 24 March, 2020 in urban areas.
• As beneficiaries, the street vendors belonging to the surrounding peri-urban or rural areas are also included under the urban livelihoods programme for the first time.

Eligibility:

The eligible vendors are identified as per following criteria:

• Street vendors in possession of Certificate of Vending/Identity Card issued by Urban Local Bodies (ULBs)
• The vendors, who have been identified in the survey but have not been issued Certificate of Vending/Identity Card; Provisional Certificate of Vending would be generated for such vendors through an IT based Platform. ULBs are encouraged to issue such vendors the permanent Certificate of Vending and Identification Card immediately and positively within a period of one month
• Street Vendors, left out of the ULB led identification survey or who have started vending after completion of the survey and have been issued Letter of Recommendation (LoR) to that effect by the ULB/Town Vending Committee (TVC)
• The vendors of surrounding development/peri-urban/rural areas vending in the geographical limits of the ULBs and have been issued Letter of Recommendation (LoR) to that effect by the ULB/TVC.

Benefits :

• Initial working capital of up to `10,000/-
• Interest subsidy on timely/ early repayment @ 7%
• Monthly cash-back incentive on digital transactions
• Higher loan eligibility on timely repayment of the first loan.
• The vendors, availing loan under the scheme, are eligible to get an interest subsidy at 7%. The interest subsidy amount will be credited into the borrower’s account

About street vendors:

• They are known as vendors, hawkers, thelewala, rehriwala, theliphadwala etc. in different areas/ contexts.
• The goods supplied by them include vegetables, fruits, ready-to-eat street food, tea, pakodas, breads, eggs, textile, apparel, footwear, artisan products, books/ stationary etc.
• The services include barber shops, cobblers, pan shops, laundry services etc. The COVID-19 pandemic and consequent lockdowns have adversely impacted the livelihoods of street vendors.
• They usually work with a small capital base and might have consumed the same during the lockdown.

Implementation:

• SIDBI impalements the PM SVANidhi Scheme under the guidance of ministry of housing and urbam affairs.

SIDBI (Small industries development bank of India)

Headquarter – Lucknow, chairman – S. Raman

• It will also manage the credit guarantee to the lending institutions through Credit Guarantee Fund Trust for Micro and Small Enterprises (CGTMSE).

Daily CA On Dec 05& 06:

• Indian Navy Day is observed annually on 4 December to recognise the achievements and role of our naval forces & the theme of Indian Navy Day 2021 is ‘Swarnim Vijay Varsh’ signifying 50 years of India’s victory in the Indo-Pakistan war that took place in 1971.
• The Centre is set to launch the Residential Education for Students in High Schools in Targeted Areas (SRESHTA) scheme, to work for socio-economic upliftment and overall development of Scheduled Castes students.
• Nagaland observed the 59th Statehood Day at the Nagaland Civil Secretariat Plaza in Kohima on 1st December 2021.
• Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) decreased India’s growth forecast to 4% for FY22 from 9.7% estimated in September 2021.
• Haryana’s 1986-batch IAS officer, Sanjeev Kaushal, has been appointed as the state’s new chief secretary after the superannuation of his predecessor 1985-batch officer, Vijai Vardhan & Additional chief secretary, power, PK Das was posted as additional chief secretary, revenue and disaster management in place of
• Pradip Shah, founder of IndAsia Fund Advisors, has been appointed chairman of National Asset Reconstruction Company (NARCL) while Aditya Birla Asset Reconstruction Company managing director Sanjay Jain will be the chief executive of India Debt Resolution Company (IDRCL).
• On the occasion of Asom Divas, Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma conferred its highest civilian award ‘Assam Baibhav‘ on Tata Trusts chairman Ratan Tata for his contribution to build cancer treatment facilities in the state.
• V Praveen Rao, Vice-Chancellor of Prof. Jayashankar Telangana State Agricultural University (PJTSAU), has been selected for the Dr M S Swaminathan Award for the period 2017-19.
• Dr Mahendra Nath Pandey, Union Minister of Heavy Industries will be the Chief Guest at the Round Table Conference to Promote Electric Vehicles organized by Ministry of Heavy Industries (MHI) on December 4, 2021 at Goa.
• Bharat Dynamics Limited (BDL) had signed a Rs 471.41-crore contract with the Indian Army for the refurbishment of IGLA-1M missiles.
• The Indian Army’s surveillance capabilities have received a major boost as Israel has delivered advanced Heron drones under the emergency procurement clause to keep an eye on the Chinese activities in the Ladakh sector.
• Renowned scholar and national professor of Bangladesh Professor Rafiqul Islam passed away at the age of 87.