Current Affairs Today 1st and 2nd January 2020-Download in PDF

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Current Affairs Today – 1st and 2nd January 2020

NEWS AT A GLANCE

• Global Family day is celebrated every year on 1st of January as a day of peace and sharing.
• Reserve Bank of India (RBI) Governor Shaktikanta Das launched a mobile app named ‘MANI’ to help visually-impaired people to identify the denomination of currency notes.
• Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) made amendments to the new regulatory framework for cable and broadcasting services with a view to protecting consumer interests.
• The Election Commission of India has launched a Political Parties Registration Tracking Management System (PPRTMS).
• The Ministry of Railways accorded Organised Group ‘A’ status to Railway Protection Force (RPF) and renamed it Indian Railway Protection Force Service.
• Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC) awarded the first civil contract for the Tughlakabad-Aerocity corridor of its Phase 4 project.
• Prime Minister Narendra Modi dedicates Five DRDO Young Scientists Laboratories to the nation.
• Union Home Minister Amit Shah dedicate the new campus of National Fire Service College (NFSC) in Nagpur.
• Finance minister Nirmala Sitharaman launched a National Infrastructure Pipeline coordination mechanism with an investment plan worth Rs102 trillion in the next five years.
• The union Government launched a new scheme National Animal Disease Control Programme for FMD and Brucellosis with a financial outlay of Rs. 13,343.00 crore for five years (2019-20 to 2023-24) by vaccinating 100% cattle, buffalo, sheep, goat, and pig population for FMD.
• Unique Identification Authority of India (UIDAI) opened 28 Aadhaar Seva Kendras (ASK) as part of its plan to open 114 stand-alone Aadhaar Enrolments & Update Centres across the country.
• The Indian government decided to allocate spectrum to all telecom operators and equipment makers for the upcoming 5G trials in the country.
• The Indian Railways made to overcome the inconvenience over multiple helpline numbers for grievances and inquiry during railway travel, Indian Railway integrated railway helplines into single number 139 for the passengers for quick grievance redressal and inquiry during their journey.
• Odisha’s 5T initiatives launched an online platform to digitalize the publication of Odisha Gazette and move forward as a paperless mode of publication.
• Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan launched the Kerala Real Estate Regulatory Authority .
• Gujarat government has announced to set up 5 more new medical colleges and attached 300 bed hospitals in the state.
• Environment and Forests Ministry has approved the release of Grant-in-Aid of 2.6 crore rupees to J&K Pollution Control Board.
• In Bihar, 353rd birth anniversary of Guru Govind Singh is being celebrated with religious fervour and gaiety.
• Umaro Cissoko Embalo has won the Guinea-Bissau‘s presidential election.
• The Pacific nation of Palau has become the first country to ban sun cream which is harmful to corals and sea life.
• President of Nepal launched the “Visit Nepal Year 2020” during the ceremony held at historic Dasaratha Rangashala in Kathmandu.
• Pakistan shared a list of its nuclear installations with India under a bilateral agreement.
• Indore has topped the cleanliness charts for two consecutive quarters among cities with over 10 lakh population while Kolkata was the worst performer.
• Jamshedpur has topped the cleanliness charts for two consecutive quarters among cities with 1 lakh to 10 lakh population.
• The Appointments Committee of the Cabinet has approved the re-employment of V K Yadav as the Chairman of Railway Board.
• Air Marshal MSG Menon VSM takes over Air Officer-in-Charge Administration of Indian Air Force effect from 01 Jan 2020.
• Air Marshal Vibhas Pande VSM officially appointed as Air Officer-in-Charge Maintenance of Indian Air Force effect from 01 Jan 2020.
• G Babita Rayudu took charge as its executive director. Rayudu will handle the legal affairs department, enforcement department, and special enforcement cell.
• Chief Executive Officer of “Khelo India Games” has announced that “Lawn bowls” and “cycling” will be included in the 3rd edition of Khelo India Games.
• B Sai Deepak set a Guinness World Records for most side lunges in 60 seconds.
• Indian Olympic Association (IOA) withdrawn its threat to boycott the 2022 Commonwealth Games in Birmingham over Shooting’s exclusion.
• The 5th Ice Hockey Association of India (IHAI) National Ice Hockey Championship -2020 has begun in Leh today.
• Former India skipper Mahendra Singh Dhoni was today picked as captain of ESPN Cricinfo’s ODI and Twenty20 teams of the decade, while Virat Kohli was named the leader in Tests.
• Prime Minister Narendra Modi will visit to Karnataka. Bengaluru to take part in the Krishi award function in Tumkuru Junior College grounds.
• The ISRO Chairman announced that the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) will establish a 2nd launch port in Thoothukodi district in Tamil Nadu.
• China’s new drug to treat Alzheimer’s disease has hit the market, raising hopes of a cure for millions of people in the country and abroad suffering from a brain disorder
• The Nationalist Democratic Progressive Party (NDPP) leader and Nagaland Assembly Speaker Vikho-o Yhoshu passed away.

NEWS IN DETAILS

IMPORTANT DAYS AND THEMES

Global Family day is celebrated every year on 1^st January

• It is celebrated every year on 1st of January as a day of peace and sharing.
• AIM: to unite and spread message of peace by considering and promoting an idea that Earth is a one Global Family so as to make world a better place to live for everyone.

BANKING CURRENT AFFAIRS

RBI launches mobile app ‘MANI’ for visually challenged to identify denomination of currency notes

• Reserve Bank of India (RBI) Governor Shaktikanta Das launched a mobile app to help visually-impaired people to identify the denomination of currency notes.
• The visually challenged people can identify the denomination of a currency note by using the mobile app.
• The application works offline once installed.
• The users can freely download the app, called ‘MANI’ (Mobile Aided Note Identifier), from Android Playstore or iOS App Store.
• The application can scan the currency notes using the camera of the mobile phone.
• It also gives audio output in Hindi and English.

Extra Shots:

RBI: The Reserve Bank of India is India’s central banking institution, which controls the issuance and supply of the Indian rupee.

• Founded: 1 April 1935, Kolkata
• Headquarters: Mumbai
• Governor: Shaktikanta Das
• Deputy Governors: B P Kanungo, M K Jain, N S Vishwanathan

NATIONAL CURRENT AFFAIRS

TRAI amends new regulatory framework for cable and broadcasting services

• Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) made amendments to the new regulatory framework for cable and broadcasting services with a view to protecting consumer interests.
• The cable TV users will be able to access more channels at lower sub ion price.
• The Authority capped at 160 rupees the amount consumers will have to pay monthly for all free to air channels.

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TRAI: The Telecom Regulatory Authority of India is a statutory body set up by the Government of India under section 3 of the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India Act, 1997. It is the regulator of the telecommunications sector in India.

• Founded: 20 February 1997
• Sector: Telecommunications
• Jurisdiction: India
• Headquarters: New Delhi
• Chairman: Ram Sewak Sharma
• Secretary: Sunil K. Gupta

Political Parties Registration Tracking Management System launched by EC

• The Election Commission of India has launched a Political Parties Registration Tracking Management System (PPRTMS).
• The system enables the applicants to track the status of the applications for the party registration. The Commission has also amended the guidelines for registration which came into force from 1st January 2020.
• An association seeking registration has to submit an application to the Commission within a period of 30 days from the date of its formation.

Extra Shots:

ECI: The Election Commission of India is an autonomous constitutional authority responsible for administering election processes in India at national, state and district level.

• Formed: 25 January 1950
• Objectives: Constitutional Autonomous Body conducts the elections to the offices of the President and Vice-President of India,Parliament,State Legislative assemblies and Legislative councils
• Jurisdiction: Government of India
• Headquarters: New Delhi
• First executive: Sukumar Sen
• Preceding executive: Om Prakash Rawat

Railway Protection Force renamed as Indian Railway Protection Force Service

• The Ministry of Railways accorded Organised Group ‘A’ status to Railway Protection Force (RPF) and renamed it Indian Railway Protection Force Service.
• The Organised Group ‘A’ status (OGAS) to RPF decision arising from Hon’ble Court’s orders. The RPF will be known as the Indian Railway Protection Force Service.
• The notice in this regard was issued by the Joint Director of Railway Board Amitabh Joshi on December 30.

Extra Shots:

RPF: The Indian Railway Protection Force Service is a security force, established by the Railway Protection Force Act, 1957; enacted by the Indian Parliament for “the better protection and security of railway property”.

• Founded: 27 July 1872
• Motto: यशो लभस्व (Sanskrit); “Attaining honor”
• General nature: Federal law enforcement
• Headquarters: New Delhi
• Governing body: Ministry of Railways (India)
• Zones: 18

DMRC awards first civil contract for Tughlakabad Aerocity corridor

• Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC) awarded the first civil contract for the Tughlakabad-Aerocity corridor of its Phase 4 project.
• The first civil contract for the Tughlakabad the Aerocity corridor of Phase 4 awarded.
• This contract involves the construction of Metro viaduct from Sangam Vihar to Saket G including four elevated Metro stations – Sangam Vihar, Khanpur-Davoli, Ambedkar Nagar and Saket-G.

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DMRC: The Delhi Metro is a rapid transit system serving Delhi and its satellite cities of Ghaziabad, Faridabad, Gurgaon, Noida, Bahadurgarh and Ballabhgarh, in the National Capital Region of India. It is by far the largest and busiest metro in India, and second oldest after the Kolkata Metro.

• Opened: 24 December 2002
• Headway: 3 minutes 0 seconds
• Began operation: 24 December 2002
• Owner: Delhi Metro Rail Corporation
• Number of lines: 12
• Number of stations: 285

Prime Minister Narendra Modi to dedicate five DRDO Young Scientists Laboratories

• Prime Minister Narendra Modi dedicates Five DRDO Young Scientists Laboratories to the nation.
• The event shall be organized at the Aeronautical Development Establishment DRDO at Bengaluru.
• Prime Minister unveiled a plaque to mark the dedication and address the Scientists.

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DRDO: The Defence Research and Development Organisation is an agency of the Government of India, charged with the military’s research and development, headquartered in New Delhi, India.

• Headquarters location: New Delhi
• Founded: 1958
• Motto: बलस्य मूलं विज्ञानम्; “Strength’s Origin is in Science” (Sanskrit)
• Minister responsible: Rajnath Singh, Minister of Defence
• Chairman: Dr G. Satheesh Reddy
• Subsidiary: Gas Turbine Research Establishment

Amit Shah to dedicate new campus of National Fire Service College in Nagpur

• Union Home Minister Amit Shah dedicate the new campus of National Fire Service College (NFSC) in Nagpur.
• He will also lay the foundation stone of the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) academy. The function organized at National Fire Service College, Mr. Shah will confer the 15 President’s fire service medal for gallantry.
• NFSC in Raj Nagar area of Nagpur city is an academic and research institute involved in the training of the Fire Service officers and students of BE Fire engineering.

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National Disaster Response Force (NDRF): It is a specialized force constituted for the purpose of specialist response to a threatening disaster situation or disaster under the Disaster Management Act

• Founded: 2006
• Minister responsible: Amit Shah, Minister of Home Affairs
• Motto: Saving Lives & Beyond
• Headquarters: New Delhi
• Director General: SN Pradhan,
• Founder: Government of India

Maharashtra:

• Capital: Mumbai
• Chief Minister: Uddhav Thackeray
• Governor: Bhagat Singh Koshyari
• National Parks: Chandoli National Park, Nawegaon National Park, Gugamal National Park, Pench National Park, Sanjay Gandhi (Borivilli) National Park, Tadoba National Park
• Wildlife Sanctuaries: Amba Barwa WLS, Bor WLS, Great Indian Bustard WLS,
• Lonar WLS, Melghat WLS, Gangewadi New Great Indian Bustard WLS, etc.

Finance minister launches 102 trillion National Infra Pipeline plan

• Finance minister Nirmala Sitharaman launched a National Infrastructure Pipeline coordination mechanism with an investment plan worth Rs102 trillion in the next five years.
• The economic affairs secretary Atanu Chakraborty submitted its first report after consultation with 70 different stakeholders for four months.
• The task force set up after prime minister Narendra Modi to roll out an ambitious infrastructure push worth Rs100 trillion over the next five years to make India a $5 trillion economy.
• The projects spread across 21 ministries and 18 states and Union Territories.
• The center and states will contribute 39% each of the project cost; private sectors contribute 22% of the cost.
• The projects included in the pipeline, 43% are under implementation, 33% are at a conceptual stage, and 19% are under development.

Extra Shots:

• Finance minister: Nirmala Sitharaman

India commences world’s largest ever vaccination programme to control FMD

• The union Government launched a new scheme National Animal Disease Control Programme for FMD and Brucellosis with a financial outlay of Rs. 13,343.00 crore for five years (2019-20 to 2023-24) by vaccinating 100% cattle, buffalo, sheep, goat, and pig population for FMD.
• This programme combined with providing unique PashuAadhar to 535 million animals.

Around 28 UIDAI-run Aadhaar Seva Kendras operational across the country

• Unique Identification Authority of India (UIDAI) opened 28 Aadhaar Seva Kendras (ASK) as part of its plan to open 114 stand-alone Aadhaar Enrolments & Update Centres across the country.
• These are in addition to about 38,000 Aadhaar enrolment centers run by Banks, Post Offices, and State Governments.
• These ASKs open on all days of the week to over 3 Lakh residents, of which a sizeable number are Divyang persons.
• These centers can handle up to 1,000 enrolments and update requests per day and are operational from 9:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.
• They are closed only on public holidays.
• UIDAI plans to set up 114 Aadhaar Seva Kendras in 53 cities across the country.

Extra Shots:

UIDAI:

• Headquarters: New Delhi
• Founder: Government of India
• Founded: 28 January 2009, India
• Chairman: Anand Deshpande

Indian govt to give 5G spectrum for trails to all telecom players

• The Indian government decided to allocate spectrum to all telecom operators and equipment makers for the upcoming 5G trials in the country.
• The announcement made by India’s federal technology and communications minister, Ravi Shankar Prasad.
• The government decided to give 5G Spectrum for a trial to all operators in the country.
• The Chinese telecom equipment maker Huawei to conduct super-fast speed 5G network trials in India.

Extra Shots:

5th Generation: 5G is the fifth-generation wireless technology for digital cellular networks wide deployment in 2019. The frequency spectrum of 5G is divided into millimeter waves, mid-band, and low-band.

Indian Railway announces one integrated Helpline number 139

• The Indian Railways made to overcome the inconvenience over multiple helpline numbers for grievances and inquiry during railway travel, Indian Railway integrated railway helplines into single number 139 for the passengers for quick grievance redressal and inquiry during their journey.
• The new helpline number 139 will take over all the existing helpline numbers (except 182), it will be easy for the passengers to remember this number and connect with Railways for all their needs during the travel.
• The Railway grievances helplines are discontinued:

1. 138 (for general complaints)
2. 1072 (for accidents and safety)
3. 9717630982 (for SMS complaints)
4. 58888 / 138 (for clean my coach)
5. 152210 (for vigilance)
6. 1800111321 (for catering services)
7. The Helpline 139 will be available in twelve languages. It will be based on the IVRS (Interactive Voice Response System).

Extra Shots:

Menu of 139 Helpline (IVRS) is as under:

The security & medical assistance, passenger has to press 1, which connects immediately to a call center executive

The passenger to press two.

The information regarding PNR Status, arrival/departure of the train, accommodation, fare inquiry, ticket booking, system ticket cancellation, wake up alarm facility/destination alert, wheelchair booking, meal booking can be obtained.

• For catering complaints, passenger to press 3
• For general claims, passenger to press 4
• For vigilance related complaints, passenger to press 5
• For queries during an accident, the passenger to press 6
• For the status of claims, passenger to press 9
• For talking to call center executive, passenger to push *

Indian Railways is India’s national railway system operated by the Ministry of Railways. It manages the fourth largest railway network in the world by size, with a route length of 67,368-kilometre and total track length of 121,407-kilometre as of March 2017.

• Headquarters: New Delhi
• Founded: 16 April 1853, India

STATE CURRENT AFFAIRS

Odisha govt launches online platform to digitalise Odisha Gazette

• Odisha’s 5T initiatives launched an online platform to digitalize the publication of Odisha Gazette and move forward as a paperless mode of publication.
• The departments will upload their content material, which will be scrutinized by the Government Press with the numbers and date of the periodical to be circulated in the e-gazette portal.
• The electronic signature, e-sign integration is carried out for better and secure authentication of the indenting departments.
• The possibility of manipulation in the contents of the Gazette.
• Such e-Publication will cover under section-8 of the Information Technology Act 2000 enables it to acquire legal entity.

Extra Shots:

Odisha:

• Capital: Bhubaneswar
• Chief Minister: Naveen Patnaik
• Governor: Ganeshi Lal
• National Park: Bhitarkanika NP, Simlipal NP

Kerala CM launches K-RERA to bring transparency in real estate sector

• Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan launched the Kerala Real Estate Regulatory Authority .
• The main aim to boost the confidence of customers and bring in more transparency in the real estate sector, Real Estate Regulatory Authority (RERA) will be more transparency and credibility.

Extra Shots:

Kerala:

• Capital: Thiruvananthapuram
• Chief Minister: Pinarayi Vijayan
• Governor: Arif Mohammed Khan
• Festivals: Onam, Vishu, Thrissur Pooram, Nehru Trophy Boat Race
• National Parks: Anamudi Shola National Park, Eravikulam National Park, Mathikettan Shola National Park, Pambadum Shola National Park, Periyar National Park,Silent Valley National Park
• Wildlife Sanctuaries: Aralam WLS, Chimmony WLS, Idukki WLS, Periyar WLS, Wayanad WLS, Peppara WLS, Neyyar WLS, Kurinjimala WLS, Malabar WLS etc

Gujarat govt announces to set up 5 more new medical colleges in state

• Gujarat government has announced to set up 5 more new medical colleges and attached 300 bed hospitals in the state.
• It was announced by State Deputy Chief Minister Nitin Patel.
• These new Medical colleges will be set up at Godhara, Veraval, Jamkhambhaliya, Botad and Morbi.
• The center had taken a decision in last August to start 75 new medical colleges.
• These new medical colleges would be set up in such areas where no medical colleges are available.
• Under the scheme 60 percent cost would be provided by the centre, while the remaining amount would be spent by the state government.
• In all over Rs 1500 crore would be spent.

Extra Shots:

Gujarat:

• Capital: Gandhinagar
• Chief Minister: Vijay Rupani
• Governor: Acharya Devvrat
• National Park: Vansda NP, Blackbuck NP, Gir Forest NP, Marine NP, Gulf of Kutch

Govt approves release of Grant-in-Aid of Rs 2.6 cr to J&K Pollution Control Board

• Environment and Forests Ministry has approved the release of Grant-in-Aid of 2.6 crore rupees to J&K Pollution Control Board.
• Under this scheme, the JK PCB shall provide financial assistance to 3742 number of Eco Clubs of registered schools in both the regions of J&K along with 96 Eco-Clubs for registered Colleges.
• The environment education, awareness and Training scheme of Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change, Govt. of India for National Green Corps (Eco-Clubs) which was closed for over a decade has been revived for J&K.

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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

353rd birth anniversary of Guru Govind Singh being celebrated in Bihar

• In Bihar, 353rd birth anniversary of Guru Govind Singh is being celebrated with religious fervour and gaiety.
• The main function is organised at Takhat Sri Harmandir Sahib Gurdwara, Patna Sahib, the birth place of Guru Gobind Singh.
• Special langars are also being organised.
• Born at Patna Sahib in 1666, Guru Govind Singh was the 10th Sikh guru.
• He succeeded his father Guru Tegh Bahadur Singh as leader of Sikhs at the age of just nine.

Extra Shots:

Bihar

• Capital: Patna
• Chief Minister: Nitish Kumar
• Governor: Phagu Chauhan
• National Park: Valmiki National Park

INTERNATIONAL CURRENT AFFAIRS

Umaro Cissoko Embalo wins Guinea-Bissau presidential election

• Umaro Cissoko Embalo has won the Guinea-Bissau‘s presidential election.
• According to the National Electoral Commission of Guinea-Bissau, Umaro won the presidential election with 53.55% of votes.
• He will replace the incumbent President Jose Mario Vaz.

Extra Shots:

Guinea-Bissau (Capital/Currency): Bissau/ West African CFA franc

• President: Umaro Cissoko Embalo

Palau becomes 1st nation to ban ‘reef toxic’ sun cream

• The Pacific nation of Palau has become the first country to ban sun cream which is harmful to corals and sea life.
• The ban prohibits sun cream containing any of the 10 ingredients which includes oxybenzone and octinoxate, that absorbs ultraviolet light.
• A lagoon in Palau’s Rock Islands is a Unesco World Heritage site.
• Palau is renowned for its marine life and is regarded as one of the world’s best diving destinations.

Extra Shots:

Palau (Capital/Currency): Ngerulmud/US Dollar

• President: Thomas Remengesau Jr.

Nepal launches ‘Visit Nepal Year 2020’ campaign

• President of Nepal launched the “Visit Nepal Year 2020” during the ceremony held at historic Dasaratha Rangashala in Kathmandu.
• Mythical creature Yeti has been selected as mascot of the campaign.
• The ambitious campaign is aimed to promote tourism in Nepal and to attract 2 million tourists in 2020.
• The Visit Nepal 2020 campaign was launched in all the seven provinces of Nepal.
• Nepal is one of the World’s fascinating tourist destination and the government has a goal of making tourism one of the key pillars of the Nepali economy.

Extra Shots:

Nepal (Capital/Currency): Kathmandu/ Nepalese rupee

• President: Bidhya Devi Bhandari

Pakistan officially shares list of nuclear installations with India

• Pakistan shared a list of its nuclear installations with India under a bilateral agreement.
• The list handed over to an Indian High Commission official in accordance with Article-II of the Agreement on Prohibition of Attacks against Nuclear Installations and Facilities between Pakistan and India.
• The list of nuclear installations and facilities in Pakistan officially handed over to a representative of the Indian High Commission at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
• The agreement contains the provision that both countries inform each other of their nuclear installations and facilities on the 1st of January every year.
• This is being done consecutively since January 1, 1992.

Extra Shots:

Pakistan (Capital/Currency): Islamabad/Pakistani Rupee

• Prime Minister: Imran Khan
• President: Arif Alvi

RANKS AND INDICES

Indore tops national cleanliness rankings for first two quarters

• The Union Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs (MoHUA) has announced the results of the 1st and 2nd quarters of the Swachh Survekshan 2020.
• Indore has topped the cleanliness charts for two consecutive quarters among cities with over 10 lakh population while Kolkata was the worst performer.
• Jamshedpur has topped the cleanliness charts for two consecutive quarters among cities with 1 lakh to 10 lakh population.

APPOINTMENT

V K Yadav to lead Railway Board for 1 more year

• The Appointments Committee of the Cabinet has approved the re-employment of V K Yadav as the Chairman of Railway Board.
• The appointment has been done for a period of one year.
• He took over as Railway Board Chairman from Ashwani Lohani on January 1, 2019.
• He has also held the post of General Manager of South Central Railway (SCR).
• He is an electrical engineer and belongs to the 1980 batch of the Indian Railway Service of Electrical Engineers.

Extra Shots:

Indian Railways is India’s national railway system operated by the Ministry of Railways. It manages the fourth largest railway network in the world by size, with a route length of 67,368-kilometre and total track length of 121,407-kilometre as of March 2017.

• Headquarters: New Delhi
• Founded: 16 April 1853, India

Air Marshal MSG Menon VSM assumes charge as Air Officer-in-Charge Administration

• Air Marshal MSG Menon VSM takes over Air Officer-in-Charge Administration of Indian Air Force effect from 01 Jan 2020.
• Air Marshal MSG Menon VSM commissioned in the Administrative branch of IAF in Dec 1982.
• He undergone Higher Air Command Course from the College of Air Warfare.
• He is an alumnus of Defence Services Staff College Wellington and the prestigious National Defence College.

Extra Shots:

IAF: The Indian Air Force is the air arm of the Indian Armed Forces. Its complement of personnel and aircraft assets ranks fourth amongst the air forces of the world. Its primary mission is to secure Indian airspace and to conduct aerial warfare during armed conflict.

• Founded: 8 October 1932, India
• Headquarters: New Delhi
• Role: Aerial warfare
• Attack: Jaguar, Harpy
• Commander-in-Chief: President Ram Nath Kovind

Air Marshal Vibhas Pande VSM appointed as Air Officer-in-Charge Maintenance

• Air Marshal Vibhas Pande VSM officially appointed as Air Officer-in-Charge Maintenance of Indian Air Force effect from 01 Jan 2020.
• Air Officer commissioned as Aeronautical Engineer (Mechanical) in IAF on 29 Aug 1984.
• He started a career as Engineering Officer in IAF with fighter aircraft and gained experience in maintenance operations on transport aircraft and helicopters.

Extra Shots:

IAF: The Indian Air Force is the air arm of the Indian Armed Forces. Its complement of personnel and aircraft assets ranks fourth amongst the air forces of the world. Its primary mission is to secure Indian airspace and to conduct aerial warfare during armed conflict.

• Founded: 8 October 1932, India
• Headquarters: New Delhi
• Role: Aerial warfare
• Attack: Jaguar, Harpy
• Commander-in-Chief: President Ram Nath Kovind

Babita Rayudu takes charge as SEBI Executive Director

• G Babita Rayudu took charge as its executive director. Rayudu will handle the legal affairs department, enforcement department, and special enforcement cell.
• He was in the legal affairs department in the Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI), the regulator added.
• SEBI has eight other executive directors, the regulator’s website showed.

Extra Shots:

SEBI: The Securities and Exchange Board of India is the Regulator for the Securities market in India owned by Government of India. It was established in 1988 and given Statutory Powers on 30 January 1992 through the SEBI Act, 1992.

• Founded: 12 April 1992
• Sector: Securities market
• Jurisdiction: India
• Headquarters: Mumbai
• Type: Statutory corporation
• Chairperson: Ajay Tyagi

SPORTS CURRENT AFFAIRS

Lawn bowls & Cycling to be included in 3rd Khelo India Games

• Chief Executive Officer of “Khelo India Games” has announced that “Lawn bowls” and “cycling” will be included in the 3rd edition of Khelo India Games.
• The two games will be included in the event for the first time.
• The 3rd edition of the tournament will be held in Guwahati, Assam in January 2020.
• Athletes from all over the country will be coming to Guwahati for the Khelo India Youth Games.

Extra Shots:

Khelo India Youth Games, formerly Khelo India School Games, meaning Play India Youth Games, held annually in January or February, are the national level multidisciplinary grassroot games in India held for two categories, namely under-17 years school students and under-21 college students.

• First event: 2018
• Last event: 2019
• Occur every: Annual
• Purpose: Grassroot talent hunt
• Abbreviation: KIYG
• Headquarters: New Delhi

Sai Deepak sets new Guinness World Records for most side lunges

• B Sai Deepak set a Guinness World Records for most side lunges in 60 seconds.
• Deepak scripted the record by making 59 side lunges in 60 seconds which is his fourth overall Guinness World Records.
• The previous record held by Pakistan national Irfan Mehsood.
• The 23-year-old dedicated his achievement to the martyrs.
• Currently four Guinness World Records for India.

Extra Shots:

Guinness World Records: Guinness World Records known from its inception in 1955 until 2000 as the Guinness Book of Records.

• Published: 1955
• Publisher: Jim Pattison Group

IOA withdraws boycott call for 2022 Commonwealth Games

• Indian Olympic Association (IOA) withdrawn its threat to boycott the 2022 Commonwealth Games in Birmingham over Shooting’s exclusion.
• It also announced that the country bid to host either the 2026 or the 2030 edition.
• The Commonwealth Games Federation (GCF) decided to submit a formal proposal to host a Commonwealth Shooting Championships before the main Games.GCF President Dame Louise Martin welcomed India confirming participation at the Birmingham Games.
• The country’s apex body for Olympic sports next approaches the government for the necessary clearances to host the multi-sport event.
• The country hosted the 2010 edition in the national capital.

Extra Shots:

Commonwealth Games Federation: Commonwealth Games Federation branded as Commonwealth Sport is the international organization responsible for the direction and control of the Commonwealth Games.

• Founded: 1932

IOA: The Indian Olympic Association is the body responsible for selecting athletes to represent India at the Olympic Games, Asian Games and other international athletic meets and for managing the Indian teams at these events. Wikipedia

• Founded: 1927
• President: Dr. Nariner Dhruv Batra
• Secretary General: Rajeev Mehta
• Recognized: 1927
• Founders: Harry Buck, Arthur Noehren

5th IHAI National Ice Hockey Championship-2020 begins in Leh

• The 5th Ice Hockey Association of India (IHAI) National Ice Hockey Championship -2020 has begun in Leh today.
• In the inaugural match in Under-20 Boys category between Chandigarh and Haryana, the contest ended in a draw with 4 goals each.
• Similarly, the second match between Ladakh Scouts Regiment Centre and Delhi also ended in a draw with 2 goals each.

Extra Shots:

IHAI: The Ice Hockey Association of India is the governing body of ice hockey in India. It became a member of the International Ice Hockey Federation on April 27, 1989. However, as of 2014 no teams from India participate in IIHF world championships. The current President of the Association is K. L. Kumar.

• President: K. L. Kumar
• IIHF membership: 27 April 1989

MS Dhoni picked captain of ESPNCricinfo’s ODI and T20 teams of past decade

• Former India skipper Mahendra Singh Dhoni was today picked as captain of ESPN Cricinfo’s ODI and Twenty20 teams of the decade, while Virat Kohli was named the leader in Tests.
• The criteria, set by the 23-member panel.
• Kuldeep Yadav, and Yuzvendra Chahal, were the only other Indians to make the Test XI, which also featured England’s Alastair Cook and New Zealand’s Kane Williamson.
• Former skipper Mithali Raj and fast bowler Jhulan Goswami were named in the same women’s team picked for both the ODIs and T20s.
• Australia’s inspirational cricketer, Meg Lanning was named the captain of the side.

Extra Shots:

ESPNcricinfo is a sports news website exclusively for the game of cricket. The site features news, articles, live coverage of cricket matches, and StatsGuru, a database of historical matches and players from the 18th century to the present. As of March 2018, Sambit Bal was the editor.

• Owner: ESPN Inc.
• Date launched: 15 March 1993
• Available in: English Language

AWARDS

Prime Minister Narendra Modi to honour states with Krishi Karman Awards for good agriculture production

• Prime Minister Narendra Modi will visit to Karnataka. Bengaluru to take part in the Krishi award function in Tumkuru Junior College grounds.
• He will hand over Krishi Karman Award to 21 people to record good agriculture production in various categories during the previous crop seasons.
• The event will also witness the release of the 3rd installment of PM Kisan (Pradhan Mantri Kisan Samman Nidhi) of Rs 2000 for the period December 2019-March 2020.
• This will benefit approximately 6 crore beneficiaries.
• Prime Minister will also hand over Certificates to beneficiaries under PM Kisan from 8 States/UTs.
• He will also distribute Kisan Credit Cards (KCC) to select farmers of Karnataka

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Karnataka:

• Capital: Bengaluru
• Chief Minister: B. S. Yediyurappa
• Governor: Vajubhai Vala
• National Park: Anshi NP, Bandipur NP, Bannerghatta NP, Kudremukh NP, Rajiv Gandhi (Nagarahole) NP.

SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY

ISRO will set up launch port for small satellite launch vehicles

• The ISRO Chairman announced that the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) will establish a 2nd launch port in Thoothukodi district in Tamil Nadu.
• This launch port will be used exclusively to launch small satellite launch vehicles.
• The launch port will be established in 2300 acres.
• He announced that the process of Astronaut selection is over for India’s 1st manned mission to outer space i.e. “Gaganyaan” to be launched by 2022.
• The ISRO Chairman also announced that the Government has approved the Chandrayaan–3 mission to the moon, comprising of a lander and a rover.

Extra Shots:

ISRO: The Indian Space Research Organisation is the space agency of the Government of India headquartered in the city of Bengaluru. Its vision is to “harness space technology for national development while pursuing space science research & planetary exploration”.

• Director: Kailasavadivoo Sivan
• Headquarters: Bengaluru
• Founder: Vikram Sarabhai
• Founded: 15 August 1969
• Subsidiary: Vikram Sarabhai Space Centre

China launches new Alzheimer’s drug treatment to cost $5,700 per year

• China’s new drug to treat Alzheimer’s disease has hit the market, raising hopes of a cure for millions of people in the country and abroad suffering from a brain disorder.
• The first innovative therapy for the treatment of Alzheimer’s disease in 17 years.
• The drug named GV-971 officially approved on November 2 is now available in the domestic market.
• Alzheimer’s disease mostly affects elderly people is regarded as an incurable, irreversible, and progressive brain disorder that slowly destroys memory thinking ability and the capability to carry out simple tasks.
• There are at least 50 million Alzheimer’s patients worldwide, including more than 10 million in China.

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China (Capital/Currency): Beijing/Renminbi

• President: Xi Jinping

OBITUARIES

Nagaland Assembly Speaker Vikho-o Yhoshu passes away

• The Nationalist Democratic Progressive Party (NDPP) leader and Nagaland Assembly Speaker Vikho-o Yhoshu passed away.
• Yhoshu was elected to the state Assembly thrice from Southern Angami-1 constituency in Kohima district.

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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

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