Current Affairs Today 1st & 2nd December 2019-Download in PDF

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Current Affairs Today – 1st & 2nd December 2019

IMPORTANT DAYS AND THEMES

World AIDS Day observed on 01st December

• World AIDS Day, designated on 01st December every year.
• World AIDS Day is an international day dedicated to raising awareness of the AIDS pandemic caused by the spread of HIV infection and mourning those who have died of the disease.
• The theme of this year’s World AIDS Day is “Communities make the difference”.

International Day for the Abolition of Slavery observed on 2 December

• The United Nations observes International Day for the Abolition of Slavery on 2nd of December every year.
• The day focuses on eradicating contemporary forms of slavery, such as trafficking in persons, sexual exploitation, the worst forms of child labour, forced marriage, and the forced recruitment of children for use in armed conflict.
• According to the International Labour Organisation (ILO) more than 40 million people worldwide are victims of modern slavery.
• Also, more than 150 million children are subject to child labour, accounting for almost one in ten children around the world.

Extra Shots:

United Nations: It is an International Organization. Its Objective of UN is to not only maintain International Peace and Security but also to develop Friendly relations among nations.

• Founded – 24th October, 1945
• Headquarter- New York,United States
• Secretary General- Antonio Guterres (9th SG OF UN)
• He is from PORTUGAL
• Portugal (Capital/Currency) – Lisbon/ Euro
• United States (Capital/Currency) – Washington, D.C/ US Dollar

National Pollution Control Day was observed on 2 December

• The National Pollution Control Day is observed on 2 December.
• It is celebrated every year.
• The day is observed in order to honor the lives that were lost because of the Bhopal gas calamity.
• On this day, the Pollution Control Department will organize several programs in this regard in the education institutions.
• The day aims to spread awareness among the people about pollution and its control measures.
• The day also creates awareness about the problem caused by increasing pollution.

FINANCE AND ECONOMY

Aditya Birla Finance becomes first NBFC to list commercial paper on bourses

• Non-bank lender Aditya Birla Finance became the first company to list its commercial papers borrowing of Rs 100 crore on the bourses.
• The Kumarmangalam Birla-led company listed its CPs on NSE with a value date of November 28, 2019, and maturity date on February 7, 2020, on BSE and NSE, both the bourses.
• ABFL is a diversified non-banking finance company (NBFC) with a long-term credit rating of AAA (Stable) from both Icra as well as India Ratings.

Extra Shots:

Aditya Birla Finance:

• Headquarters location: Mumbai
• Founded: 1991
• Parent organization: Aditya Birla Capital

NATIONAL CURRENT AFFAIRS

Govt launches drive to enroll 1 cr beneficiaries under two pension schemes

• 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 to mark the celebrations of Pension week.
• Stating that both the schemes are simple and hassle-free, an Aadhaar card number along with a savings bank account or Jan-Dhan account are needed for enrollments.

Extra Shots:

• Labour and Employment Minister: Santosh Kumar Gangwar

India becomes 1st country to make entire Haj process digital

• India has become the 1st country to make the entire process for pilgrims going on Haj completely digital.
• An online application, e-visa, Haj mobile app, ‘e-MASIHA’ 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.
• Minority Affairs Minister Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi signed the bilateral annual Haj 2020 agreement between India and Saudi Arabia with Haj and Umrah Minister of Saudi Arabia.

Extra Shots:

• Minority Affairs Minister: Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi

Hallmarking to be mandatory for gold jewellery and artefacts

• Hallmarking of gold jewellery and artefacts will be made mandatory across the country from January 15, 2021.
• The step aims to ensure the purity of the precious metal.
• The decision will make it compulsory for all the jewellers to register with the Bureau of Indian Standards and sell only hallmarked gold jewellery and artefacts.
• A notification in this regard will be issued on January 15 2020 and the decision will come into effect after a year.
• Gold hallmarking is a purity certification of the precious metal. It is voluntary in nature at present.
• The BIS is already running a hallmarking scheme for gold jewellery since April 2000.
• The Bureau of Indian Standards has formulated standards for hallmarking gold jewellery in 3 grades: 14 carat, 18 carat and 22 carat.

STATE CURRENT AFFAIRS

Nagaland celebrates Statehood Day

• President Ram Nath Kovind and Prime Minister Narendra Modi greeted the people of Nagaland on its 57th Statehood Day on 01st December 2019.
• Nagaland, a mountainous state in northeast India bordering Myanmar, became the 16th state of the country on 01st December 1963.

Extra Shots:

Nagaland:

• Capital: Kohima
• Chief Minister: Neiphiu Rio
• Governor: RN Ravi
• National Park: Intanki National Park
• Wildlife Sanctuary: Fakim Wildlife Sanctuary, Puliebadze Wildlife Sanctuary, Rangapahar  Wildlife Sanctuary

Nagaland CM inaugurates Multi Media Exhibition

• Ministry of Information & Broadcasting is organising a “Multi Media Exhibition” at World War II museum, Kisama in Nagaland.
• It has been organised to commemorate the 150th Birth Anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi.
• The event aims to present Gandhian values and principles both to the people and through the people in contemporary idiom.
• During the event, late Natwar Thakkar was also remembered. Lt. Thakkar, is popularly known as Nagaland’s Gandhi, and has invoked on Gandhiji’s values and principles during his lifetime.
• He had worked tirelessly for the poor and people affected with disability.
• He was also awarded the Padma Shri in 1999.

Extra Shots:

Nagaland:

• Capital: Kohima
• Chief Minister: Neiphiu Rio
• Governor: RN Ravi
• National Park: Intanki National Park
• Wildlife Sanctuary: Fakim Wildlife Sanctuary, Puliebadze Wildlife Sanctuary, Rangapahar  Wildlife Sanctuary

Hornbill Festival is being celebrated in Nagaland

• The 10-day-long Hornbill Festival of Nagaland began at Kisama, Nagaland on 1 December 2019.
• The 20th edition of the Hornbill festival was inaugurated by the State Governor R.N. Ravi.
• The Hornbill festival is organized by the Nagaland State Government.
• It is an annual tourism promotional event.
• The festival aims to pay rich tribute to the Naga leaders, who under extremely challenging circumstances, secured for the people, the Nagaland State with special status.
• The festival showcases Nagaland’s traditional and rich cultural heritage in all its ethnicity, diversity and grandeur.
• The festival reminds the rich cultural heritage of Naga tribes.

Extra Shots:

Nagaland:

• Capital: Kohima
• Chief Minister: Neiphiu Rio
• Governor: RN Ravi
• National Park: Intanki National Park
• Wildlife Sanctuary: Fakim Wildlife Sanctuary, Puliebadze Wildlife Sanctuary, Rangapahar  Wildlife Sanctuary

Indigenous Faith Day was celebrated in Tezu

• The Indigenous Faith Day (IFD) 2019 was celebrated on 1 December in Tezu, Arunachal Pradesh.
• The Day aims to preserve the rich culture and identity of the State.
• The function was presided by Tezu legislator Karikho Kri.
• The programme was organized by the Indigenous Faith and Cultural Society of Arunachal Pradesh (IFCSAP) of Tezu.

Extra Shots:

Arunachal Pradesh:

• Capital: Itanagar
• Chief Minister: Pema Khandu
• Governor: B.D.Mishra
• National Park: Mouling National Park, Namdapha National Park

INTERNATIONAL CURRENT AFFAIRS

Iraq Prime Minister Adel Abdul Mahdi Resigns

• Iraqi Prime Minister Adel Abdul Mahdi has submitted his resignation to Parliament amid ongoing anti-government protests across the country.
• The formal resignation came after an emergency cabinet session in which ministers approved the document and the resignation of key staffers, including Abdul Mahdi’s chief of staff.

Extra Shots:

Iraq (Capital/Currency): Baghdad/ Iraqi dinar

• Prime Minister: Adil Abdul-Mahdi

Saudi Arabia takes over G20 Presidency from Japan

• The G20 Presidency has been taken over by Saudi Arabia from Japan. Saudi Arabia has become the 1st Arab nation to assume the G20 presidency.
• The Saudi G20 presidency is committed to continue the work from Osaka (Japan) and promote the multilateral consensus.
• The G20 presidency, which Saudi Arabia has taken over from Japan, will host world leaders for a global summit in its capital Riyadh in 2020.

Extra Shots:

Saudi Arabia (Capital/Currency): Riyadh/Riyal

• King: Salman of Saudi Arabia

India announced Rs.4,900 crore to support Butan’s 5 year plan

• The 2nd Annual India-Bhutan Development Cooperation Talks have held New Delhi.
• The talks aimed at renewing India’s commitment to supporting projects under Bhutan’s ongoing twelfth five-year plan, that is from 2018-23.
• The bilateral mechanism aims to review the entire gamut of India’s development partnership with Bhutan.
• India announces the assistance of Rs.4500 Crore for the implementation of development projects and Rs. 400 Crore for transitional Trade Support Facility.

Extra Shots:

Bhutan (Capital/Currency): Thimphu/ Bhutanese ngultrum, Indian rupee

• Prime Minister: Lotay Tshering

Thailand elected as a member of the World Heritage Committee

• Thailand has been elected as a member of the World Heritage Committee.
• It was selected during the 22nd session of the General Assembly of States Parties to the World Heritage Convention in Paris.
• The representatives from 193 countries cast their votes to fill nine vacant seats on the 21-member World Heritage Committee.

Extra Shots:

Thailand (Capital/Currency): Bangkok/ Thai baht

• Prime Minister: Prayut Chan-o-cha

SUMMITS AND CONFERENCES

India’s Pavilion inaugurated 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.
• India is the ‘Guest of Honour Country’ in book fair and becomes the first Asian country to participate as ‘Guest of Honour’ in the Fair.
• This fair is the biggest book fair in the Spanish-speaking world.

Extra Shots:

Mexico (Capital/Currency): Mexico City/ Mexican peso

• President: Andrés Manuel López Obrador

UN Climate Change Conference COP 25 began on 2 December

• The UN Climate Change Conference COP 25 began on 2 December 2019.
• The conference will be held from 2-13 December 2019 in Madrid, Spain.
• It will take place under the Presidency of the Government of Chile.
• Also, the Government of Spain provides logistical support to the conference.

Extra Shots:

United Nations: It is an International Organization. Its Objective of UN is to not only maintain International Peace and Security but also to develop Friendly relations among nations.

• Founded – 24th October, 1945
• Headquarter- New York,United States
• Secretary General- Antonio Guterres (9th SG OF UN)
• He is from PORTUGAL
• Portugal (Capital/Currency) – Lisbon/ Euro
• United States (Capital/Currency) – Washington, D.C/ US Dollar

RANKS AND INDICES

Mukesh Ambani ranked as the 9th richest person in the world

• Reliance Industries (RIL) chief Mukesh Ambani ranked as the 9th richest person globally in the Real-Time Billionaires List of Forbes.
• His net worth was $60 billion. Ambani made it to the daily list of the top 10 richest people in the world because of the increase in the share price of his flagship firm Reliance Industries.
• Also, he became the first Indian firm to hit the Rs.10 lakh crore market valuation mark.
• The list was topped by Amazon Founder and CEO Jeff Bezos with a net worth of $113 billion Microsoft co-founder Bill Gates ranked second with a net worth of $107.4 billion
• Bernard Arnault & family Chairman and CEO, LVMH Moet Hennessy Louis Vuitton ranked third with a net worth of $107.2 billion
• CEO of Berkshire Hathaway Warren Buffett stands fourth with a net worth of $86.9 billion.
• CEO of Facebook Mark Zuckerberg was ranked fifth with a net worth of $74.9 billion.

Extra Shots:

Forbes is an American business magazine. Published bi-weekly, it features original articles on finance, industry, investing, and marketing topics. Forbes also reports on related subjects such as technology, communications, science, politics, and law. Its headquarters is located in Jersey City, New Jersey.

• Editor-in-chief: Steve Forbes
• First issue: September 15, 1917
• Editor: Randall Lane

AGREEMENTS AND MOU SIGNED

India signed MoU with Qatar to set up University campus

• Maharashtra’s Savitribai Phule Pune University (STPU) and Qatar’s Milestone International Education signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) to enable the University to set up its campus in Doha.
• The aim of the agreement is to provide opportunities in higher education to around 8 million Indian diaspora based in Qatar.
• The MoU will promote cooperation between the two institutions with the support of the government of the State of Qatar.
• It will open new avenues and opportunities for the Indian community in Qatar.

Extra Shots:

Qatar (Capital/Currency): Doha/ Qatari riyal

• Prime Minister: Abdullah bin Nasser bin Khalifa Al Thani

APPOINTMENT

Soma Roy Burman becomes new Controller General of Accounts

• Soma Roy Burman has assumed the charge of new Controller General of Accounts (CGA).
• She is the 24th CGA and the seventh woman to hold this coveted position.
• She has replaced J P S Chawla.
• Prior to assuming the charge of CGA, Burman served as Additional Controller General of Accounts in the office of the CGA.

Hari Mohan took charge as the chairman of OFB

• Senior officer Hari Mohan took charge as the chairman of the Ordnance Factory Board (OFB).
• He replaced Saurabh Kumar who was superannuated from the services.
• Hari Mohan is a 1982-batch Indian Ordnance Factories Service (IOFS) officer.
• He topped at University of Allahabad and University of Pune post-graduate degree in mechanical engineering.

Extra Shots:

Ordnance Factory Board (OFB): The Indian Ordnance Factories organization is a family of 41 Ordnance Factories. It possesses 200 years of experience in defence production.

• Founded on: 1712
• Headquarters: Kolkata, West Bengal
• Director-General and Chairman: Saurabh Kumar

SPORTS CURRENT AFFAIRS

13th South Asian Games Kicked Off in Nepal

• The 13th edition of South Asian Games has officially kicked off after the opening ceremony at Dasharath Stadium in Kathmandu, Nepal.
• The President of Nepal Bidhya Devi Bhandari declared the Games open at the three-hour programme, which showcases the rich culture and diversity of Nepal at the newly reconstructed stadium.
• Nepal is hosting the regional sporting extravaganza for the third time from 01st to 10th December 2019 in Kathmandu, Pokhara, and Janakpur.

Extra Shots:

Nepal (Capital/Currency): Kathmandu/ Nepalese rupee

• President: Bidhya Devi Bhandari

Lewis Hamilton wins Abu Dhabi Grand Prix

• Mercedes racer Lewis Hamilton has won the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix held in Abu Dhabi, UAE. He has claimed his 84th career victory and 11th in 21 races of this year.
• Max Verstappen of Red Bull finished 2nd in the race whie Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc finished 3rd in the race.

Extra Shots:

UAE (Capital/Currency): Abu Dhabi/Dirham

• President: Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan

DEFENCE CURRENT AFFAIRS

BSF Celebrated its Raising Day

• Prime Minister Narendra Modi extended greetings to Border Security Force (BSF) personnel on the organization’s 55th raising day (01st December 2019).
• The BSF was raised in 1965 with the specific purpose of manning Indian borders as the ‘First Line of Defence’ against infiltration, smuggling, and military assault.

Extra Shots:

BSF: The Border Security Force is the border defence organisation of India. It is one of the seven Central Armed Police Forces of India, and was raised in the wake of the 1965 War on 1 December 1965, “for ensuring the security of the borders of India and for matters connected there with”.

• Motto: जीवन पर्यन्त कर्तव्य (Duty Unto Death)
• Headquarters: New Delhi
• General nature: Federal law enforcement
• Founder: Khusro Faramurz Rustamji
• Founded: 1 December 1965

India-Sri Lanka joint exercise “MITRA SHAKTI” begins

• The 7th edition of India-Sri Lanka joint exercise “MITRA SHAKTI” begins at Aundh Military Station, Pune.
• It aims to build and promote positive relations between armies of both the countries focusing sub unit level training on counter-insurgency and counter-terrorism operations in urban and rural environment.
• The bilateral exercise also signifies the strength of India-Sri Lanka relations in the field of military cooperation and engagement.

Extra Shots:

Sri Lanka(Capital/Currency): Colombo, Sri Jayawardenepura Kotte/ Sri Lankan rupee

• President: Gotabaya Rajapaksa

Indian Navy successfully testfired Brahmos supersonic cruise missile

• Indian Navy successfully test-fired the 290 km strike range Brahmos supersonic cruise missile.
• The supersonic cruise missile was test-fired in the Arabian Sea.

Extra Shots:

BrahMos:

♦ BrahMos is a medium-range supersonic cruise missile

♦ It can be launched from ships, aircraft, or land.

AWARDS

Awards given for short film competition on environment

• The Ministry of Environment gave away awards for a short film competition on the environment. Several school students and professionals were awarded prizes for their documentaries and films by Ravi Agrawal, Additional Secretary, Ministry of Environment at the ceremony organised by the ministry and Centre for Media Studies (CMS).
• Out of the 345 entries received, 90 films were nominated for screening.
• The four-day green festival was inaugurated by Member of Parliament Suresh Prabhu, who chaired the Jury.

Particles drama won the Golden Peacock Award at the 50th IFFI

• The French-Swiss co-produced drama film Particles directed by Blaise Harrison and produced by Estelle Fialon won the Golden Peacock Award at the 50th International Film Festival of India (IFFI).
• It is an ambitious yet modest film about the mysteries of being a teenager.

Other Awardees at the IFFI festival are:

♦ Lijo Jose Pellissery won the Best Director Award for the movie Jallikattu

♦ Seu Jorge won the Best Actor-Male Award

♦ Usha Jadhav won the Best Actor-Female Award

♦ Pema Tseden’s Balloon won the Special Jury Award

♦ Amin Sidi Boumediene and Marius Olteanu won the Best Debut Feature Film of a Director for Abou Leila and Monsters

♦ Special mention for Hellaro

♦ Rwanda won The ICFT-UNESCO Gandhi Medal

Extra Shots:

IFFI: The International Film Festival of India, founded in 1952, is one of the most significant film festivals in Asia.

• Location: Goa, India
• First awarded: 1965
• Last awarded: 2018
• Awarded for: Excellence in cinematic achievements
• Presented by: Directorate of Film Festivals

Ajit Doval was awarded the honorary doctorate at HNBCIJ

• Ajit Doval, the National Security Advisor (NSA), was awarded the honorary doctorate at the Hemwati Nandan Bahuguna Central University (HNBCIJ) convocation ceremony held at Srinagar.
• Around 414 students and scholars were awarded.
• Among them, 45 students received gold medals for scoring excellent marks.

Extra Shots:

Jammu & Kashmir:

• Capitals- Jammu (Winter), Srinagar (Summer)
• Lt Governor- Girish Chandra Murmu
• National Parks: City Forest (Salim Ali) National Park, Dachigam National Park, Hemis National Park, Kishtwar National Park
• Wildlife Sanctuaries: Baltal-Thajwas WLS, Changthang Cold Desert WLS, Gulmarg WLS, Jasrota WLS, Karakoram (Nubra Shyok) WLS etc

Awards for the first ever VATAVARAN 2019 were presented

• The Awards for the first-ever VATAVARAN-2019 Short Film Competition and Festival on Environment was presented in New Delhi.
• It was organized by the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC) and Centre for Media Studies (CMS).

The award was presented in three categories namely:

♦ School students

♦ Amateur and College students

♦ Professionals

Under School students category:

345 film entry was received and 35 was nominated

Under Amateur and College students category:

173 film entry was received and 42 was nominated

Under Professionals category:

82 film entry was received and 35 was nominated

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