Hello and welcome to exampundit. Here are the important Current Affairs Today 3rd January 2020. These are important for the upcoming Exams. Candidates who were preparing for the examination can use these current affairs and also you can download the same as PDF.
Current Affairs Today – 3rd January 2020
NEWS AT A GLANCE
- Prime Minister Narendra Modi electronically released 12,000 crore rupees under Pradhan Mantri Samaan Yojana to six crore farmers in Tumakuru.
- World Health Organization (WHO) designated 2020 as the Year of the Nurse and the Midwife to honor the 200th birth anniversary of Florence Nightingale.
- Union Minister of State Ministry of Development of North Eastern Region inaugurated the first Capacity Building Programme on General Financial Rules-2017, e-Procurement and Government e-Marketplace (GeM) at Convention Centre, Jammu.
- Khadi and Village Industries Commission (KVIC) a first Silk Processing Plant inaugurated at Surendranagar in Gujarat.
- Kerala became the 1st state in the country to pass a resolution against the Citizenship Amendment Act.
- In Tripura, Lai Haraoba, a ritualistic festival observed by Manipuri meitei communities began in Agartala.
- UPSRTC (Uttar Pradesh State Road Transport Corporation) has launched ‘Damini’ helpline service considering the safety of the women passengers.
- Maharashtra Government launched a Cyber Safe Women initiative under which awareness camps held across all the districts of the state regarding cyber safety.
- Delhi Municipal Corporation inaugurated the city’s first fully-automated car-parking tower facility at Green Park.
- Andhra Pradesh government-appointed Indian Administrative Service (IAS) official Dr. Kritika Shukla and Indian Police Service (IPS) official M Deepika as Special Officers.
- Education department of Gujarat government has launched ‘Study in Gujarat’ campaign in order to make Gujarat State an educational hub at national and international level.
- Gujarat Chief Minister Vijay Rupani today unveils the second tallest statue of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel in the world at Ahmedabad this morning.
- Iran’s top commander General Qassim Soleimani has been killed in a U.S. drone strike in Baghdad.
- President of Nepal Bidya Devi Bhandari launched Visit Nepal Year 2020 campaign amidst a spectacular ceremony held at historic Dasaratha Rangashala in Kathmandu.
- Government of India signed MoU with Flipkart for selling the products made by women self-help groups under Deendayal Antyodaya Yojana-National Urban Livelihoods Mission (DAY-NULM) on the e-commerce platform.
- The Andhra Pradesh government-appointed Indian Administrative Service (IAS) official Dr Kritika Shukla and Indian Police Service (IPS) official M Deepika, as Special Officers for implementing the Andhra Pradesh Disha Act 2019.
- Former US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton appointed as the new chancellor of Queen’s University in Belfast, Ireland.
- The chief of Delhi AIIMS ENT head-neck surgery department Professor Suresh Chandra Sharma appointed the chairman of the National Medical Commission.
- Chief of Defence Staff Gen Bipin Rawat issued directions to prepare a roadmap to create an Air Defence Command to enhance the security of India’s skies.
- The annual New Delhi World Book Fair, in its 28th edition, will focus on how Mahatma Gandhi influenced generations of writers through his writings.
- The Union Ministry of Science and Technology have awarded Swarna Jayanti Fellowships to 14 scientists to pursue basic research in frontier areas of science and technology.
- Piyuus Jaiswal was awarded the Global Bihar Excellence Award 2019.
- Eminent Assamese dramatist, litterateur and social activist Ratna Ojha passed away.
NEWS IN DETAIL
NATIONAL CURRENT AFFAIRS
PM Narendra Modi disburses 12,000 crore rupees to six crore farmers
- Prime Minister Narendra Modi electronically released 12,000 crore rupees under Pradhan Mantri Samaan Yojana to six crore farmers in Tumakuru.
- He awarded the Krishi Karman Award to the progressive farmers from 21 states. Tamil Nadu and Karnataka gave deep sea fishing boats and transponders that will help them to navigate in the deep sea.
- Prime Minister emphasized on agro exports, value-addition of produce, marketing, and doubling of farmers income by 2022.
- The individual programs are launched for coffee, rubber, coconut, cashew, and pulses.
- The government is committed to improving irrigation facilities and providing skills to the agriculturists.
Year 2020 Designated as Year of Nurse and Midwife
- World Health Organization (WHO) designated 2020 as the Year of the Nurse and the Midwife to honor the 200th birth anniversary of Florence Nightingale.
- The World Health Organization (WHO) is the collaborating partner in the three-year Nursing Now Campaign (2018–2020).
- The main objective is to improve health globally by raising the status and profile of nursing, demonstrating achieved by a strengthened nursing profession, and enabling nurses to maximize their contribution to achieving Universal Health Coverage.
Extra Shots:
WHO: The World Health Organization is a specialized agency of the United Nations that is concerned with international public health. It was established on 7 April 1948, and is headquartered in Geneva, Switzerland. The WHO is a member of the United Nations Development Group.
- Headquarters: Geneva, Switzerland
- Head: Tedros Adhanom
- Founded: 7 April 1948
Dr. Jitendra Singh inaugurates first capacity building programme
- Union Minister of State Ministry of Development of North Eastern Region inaugurated the first Capacity Building Programme on General Financial Rules-2017, e-Procurement and Government e-Marketplace (GeM) at Convention Centre, Jammu.
- The conference to take forward the commitment to apply all the central laws to the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir through proper training and capacity building.
- The conference witnessed huge participation of officials from various departments of UT of J&K.
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
KVIC opened first silk processing plant in Gujarat
- Khadi and Village Industries Commission (KVIC) a first Silk Processing Plant inaugurated at Surendranagar in Gujarat.
- The cost of production of silk yarn increases the sale and availability of raw material for Gujarati Patola Sarees locally.
- The plant set up by a khadi institution at the cost of Rs 75 lakhs in which KVIC contributed Rs 60 lakh.
- The unit employed 90 local women.
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
KVIC: The Khadi and Village Industries Commission is a statutory body formed by the Government of India, under the Act of Parliament, ‘Khadi and Village Industries Commission Act of 1956’.
- Founded: 1956
- Purpose: To plan, promote, facilitate, organise and assist in the establishment and development of khadi and village industries
- Headquarters: Mumbai
- Agency executive: Vinai Kumar Saxena (Chairperson)
- Parent agency: Ministry of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises
- Type: Statutory corporation
STATE CURRENT AFFAIRS
Kerala became 1st State to pass resolution against CAA
- Kerala became the 1st state in the country to pass a resolution against the Citizenship Amendment Act.
- The resolution was moved by Kerala’s Chief Minister Pinarayee Vijayan and was seconded by the Leader of Opposition Ramesh Chennithala.
- Several other chief ministers of West Bengal, Punjab, Maharashtra, Rajasthan, Delhi have also announced for not implementing CAA in their states.
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
‘Lai Haraoba’ ritualistic festival begins in Tripura
- In Tripura, Lai Haraoba, a ritualistic festival observed by Manipuri meitei communities began in Agartala.
- The 5-day long festival is jointly organised by the Department of Information and Cultural Affairs, Government of Tripura, Puthiba Lai Haraoba Committee and Puthiba Welfare & Cultural Society, Agartala.
- Lai Haraoba is celebrated through oral literature, music, dance and rituals.
- A cultural troupe from Manipur has also come to take part in the festival.
- They will be performing various cultural and traditional musical skits including Manipuri martial arts, folk music and folk dances during the festival.
Extra Shots:
Tripura
- Capital: Agartala
- Chief Minister: Biplab Kumar Deb
- Governor: Ramesh Bais
- National Park: Rajbari National Park, Clouded Leopard National Park
UPSRTC launched ‘Damini’ helpline service for women
- UPSRTC (Uttar Pradesh State Road Transport Corporation) has launched ‘Damini’ helpline service considering the safety of the women passengers.
- As the extension of ‘Nirbhaya Yojana’ the unique number “81142-77777” has been subscribed for this helpline.
- Using these helpline women passengers can lodge their complaints by calling the helpline number and by using WhatsApp service.
Extra Shots:
UPSRTC: Uttar Pradesh State Road Transport Corporation is a public sector passenger road transport corporation based in Uttar Pradesh, India operating intrastate and interstate bus service, With 12429 buses it has the highest fleet of buses in North India.
- Headquarters location: Lucknow
- Daily ridership: 1.8 Million
- Motto: “Aapka Apna Saathi”; “आपका अपना साथी”
- Locale: Uttar Pradesh
- Service areas: Uttar Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Delhi, Bihar, Rajasthan, Punjab, Himachal Pradesh, Haryana
Maharashtra Govt launches Cyber Safe Women initiative
- Maharashtra Government launched a Cyber Safe Women initiative under which awareness camps held across all the districts of the state regarding cyber safety.
- The initiative will help in educating women about how the web is used by anti-social elements and child predators to commit various types of crimes.
- The instances of cyber-crime need to be curbed, and the government is looking to take all measures to ensure that women and children to these criminal activities.
Extra Shots:
Maharashtra:
- Capital: Mumbai
- Chief Minister: Devendra Fadnavis
- 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.
Delhi first fully automated car park tower unveiled in Green Park
- Delhi Municipal Corporation inaugurated the city’s first fully-automated car-parking tower facility at Green Park.
- The facility can accommodate at least 34 cars.
- The facility inaugurated by Union housing and urban affairs minister Hardeep Singh Puri.
- The facility four towers each of 39.50 meters height with 17 levels to accommodate 34 cars.
- The operation and maintenance cost and requirement of manual labor lower than conventional parking facilities.
Extra Shots:
The Municipal Corporation of Delhi was the municipal corporation, an autonomous body that governed 8 of the 11 Districts of Delhi, in the union territory of Delhi, India.
- Headquarters: New Delhi
- Founded: 7 April 1958
Andhra Pradesh Government appoints two Disha Special Officers
- Andhra Pradesh government-appointed Indian Administrative Service (IAS) official Dr. Kritika Shukla and Indian Police Service (IPS) official M Deepika as Special Officers.
- The speedy trial and faster execution in cases of sexual offenses against women in the state.
- The state will set up an exclusive special court in all the 13 districts to deal with cases of offenses against women and children including rape, acid attacks, stalking, voyeurism, social media harassment of women, sexual harassment and cases under POCSO Act.
Extra Shots:
Andhra Pradesh:
- Capital: Amravati
- Chief Minister: Y. S. Jaganmohan Reddy
- Governor: Biswabhusan Harichandan
‘Study in Gujarat’ campaign launched to make state an educational hub at national & international level
- Education department of Gujarat government has launched ‘Study in Gujarat’ campaign in order to make Gujarat State an educational hub at national and international level.
- As a part of this campaign, a high level delegation will hold road shows in western Asian countries during 15th to 22nd January 2020.
- High level delegation will also hold roadshows in 10 cities of India including Shrinagar.
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
Gujarat CM unveils world’s 2nd tallest statue of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel
- Gujarat Chief Minister Vijay Rupani today unveils the second tallest statue of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel in the world at Ahmedabad this morning.
- 50 feet tall bronze statue with the weight of 70 thousand kilograms has been unveiled at the Sardardham campus near Vaishnodevi circle in Ahmedabad.
- It has become the second highest statue of India’s first home home minister after the Statue of Unity of the legendary leader situated at Kevadiya in Narmada district of Central Gujarat.
- The 50 feet tall statue of Sardar Patel has also been designed by Padma Bhusan Ram V. Sutar, the same sculptor who had designed the Statue of Unity.
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
INTERNATIONAL CURRENT AFFAIRS
Iran’s Gen Qassem Soleimani killed in US airstrike on Baghdad airport
- Iran’s top commander General Qassim Soleimani has been killed in a U.S. drone strike in Baghdad.
- Soleimani, who led a special forces unit of Iran’s elite Revolutionary Guards, has been a key figure of Iranian and the Middle East politics.
Extra Shots:
Iran (Capital/Currency): Tehran/ Iranian rial
- President: Hassan Rouhani
Nepal’s President launches Visit Nepal Year 2020 campaign
- President of Nepal Bidya Devi Bhandari launched Visit Nepal Year 2020 campaign amidst a spectacular ceremony held at historic Dasaratha Rangashala in Kathmandu.
- Chief Justice, National Assembly Chairman, former Prime Ministers and political party leaders from Nepal and dignitaries from various countries including India’s Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Tourism and Culture, Prahlad Singh Patel graced the occasion.
Extra Shots:
Nepal (Capital/Currency): Kathmandu/ Nepalese rupee
- President: Bidhya Devi Bhandari
AGREEMENTS AND MOU SIGNED
GOI signed MoU with Flipkart under DAY-NULM scheme
- Government of India signed MoU with Flipkart for selling the products made by women self-help groups under Deendayal Antyodaya Yojana-National Urban Livelihoods Mission (DAY-NULM) on the e-commerce platform.
- Under the Deendayal Antyodaya Yojana-National Urban Livelihoods Mission (DAY-NULM), self-help groups consisting of 44 lakh women have been working across the country, a move aimed at making women financially independent.
Extra Shots:
Flipkart Private Limited, d/b/a Flipkart is an Indian e-commerce company based in Bengaluru, India. It was founded by Sachin Bansal and Binny Bansal in 2007.
- Founded: October 2007
- CEO: Kalyan Krishnamurthy
- Founders: Binny Bansal, Sachin Bansal
- Parent organization: Walmart
APPOINTMENT
Andhra Pradesh Govt. appoints two ‘Disha Special Officers’
- The Andhra Pradesh government-appointed Indian Administrative Service (IAS) official Dr Kritika Shukla and Indian Police Service (IPS) official M Deepika, as Special Officers for implementing the Andhra Pradesh Disha Act 2019.
- The Act is intended for speedy trial and faster execution in cases of sexual offences against women in the state.
- To ensure a speedy trial, the state will set up exclusive special courts in all the 13 districts to deal with cases of offences against women and children including rape, acid attacks, stalking, voyeurism, social media harassment of women, sexual harassment and all cases under POCSO Act.
Extra Shots:
Andhra Pradesh:
- Capital: Amravati
- Chief Minister: Y. S. Jaganmohan Reddy
- Governor: Biswabhusan Harichandan
Hillary Clinton appointed as new chancellor of Queen’s University Belfast in Ireland
- Former US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton appointed as the new chancellor of Queen’s University in Belfast, Ireland.
- Clinton who is a regular visitor to Northern Ireland back to the first visit of President Bill Clinton in 1995, becomes the university’s first female chancellor.
- She will serve as chancellor for a five-year term.
- The position of chancellor vacant since the death in 2018 of Thomas J Moran, chairman, president, and chief executive of Mutual of America Life Insurance Company.
Extra Shots:
Ireland (Capital/Currency): Dublin/Euro
- President: Michael D. Higgins
Government appoints AIIMS Prof Suresh Chandra Sharma as first chief of NMC
- The chief of Delhi AIIMS ENT head-neck surgery department Professor Suresh Chandra Sharma appointed the chairman of the National Medical Commission.
- The Appointment Committee of the Cabinet approved the appointment of Sharma for three years.
- The governors of the Medical Council of India (MCI) appointed as the secretary of the Commission for a similar term.
DEFENCE CURRENT AFFAIRS
General Bipin Rawat proposes integrated Air Defence Command for armed forces
- Chief of Defence Staff Gen Bipin Rawat issued directions to prepare a roadmap to create an Air Defence Command to enhance the security of India’s skies.
- The areas identified for bringing in tri-services jointness and synergy include setting up of common logistics support pools where two or more services have their presence.
BOOKS & AUTHORS
28th World Book Fair to focus on Gandhi as writer
- The annual New Delhi World Book Fair, in its 28th edition, will focus on how Mahatma Gandhi influenced generations of writers through his writings.
- The fair, organised by the National Book Trust (NBT) in association with ITPO, will be inaugurated by Union Human Resource Development (HRD) Minister Ramesh Pokhriyal Nishank.
- The theme for World Book Fair 2020 is ‘Gandhi: The Writers’ Writer.
- Commemorating the 150th birth anniversary of Gandhi, the theme pavilion, inspired by Sabarmati Ashram, uses hand-spun materials as wall-cladding.
- Besides an exclusive exhibition of 500 books on and by Gandhi in different languages, it will also host 30-panel discussions, book launches and performances related to the theme.
AWARDS
Swarna Jayanti Fellowships awarded to 14 scientists
- The Union Ministry of Science and Technology have awarded Swarna Jayanti Fellowships to 14 scientists to pursue basic research in frontier areas of science and technology.
- The fellowship covers all the requirements for performing the research and includes a fellowship of 25 thousand rupees per month.
- A research grant of five lakh rupees for five years is also being provided in addition to their salary.
- Swaran Jayanti Fellowships are awarded to young and brilliant scientists to pursue unfettered research with financial freedom and flexibility.
Piyuus Jaiswal honoured with Global Bihar Excellence Awards 2019
- Piyuus Jaiswal was awarded the Global Bihar Excellence Award 2019.
- This award was presented by Rajya Sabha MP and Padma Shri Awardee Dr CP Thakur and Bihar Women Commission president Dilmani Devi in Patna to promote women empowerment.
- Piyuus Jaiswal was recently awarded the humanitarian award with the Global Peace Excellence Humanitarian Award 2019 on the occasion of International Human Day.
- The award was given to recognise and felicitated Piyuus Jaiswal’s contribution towards social welfare, women empowerment and introducing new talent in the field of arts and culture.
OBITUARIES
Natyasurya Awardee dramatist Ratna Ojha passed away
- Eminent Assamese dramatist, litterateur and social activist Ratna Ojha passed away.
- He had introduced street plays in Assam in 1971 with his skit ‘Kokaideo’ to revive the theatre movement in the state that was fading with the death of his mentor Phani Sarma.
- For his contribution to the field of theatre, he received the prestigious Natyasurya Award in 2005.
Extra Shots:
Assam:
- Capital: Dispur
- Chief Minister: Sarbananda Sonowal
- Governor: Jagdish Mukhi
- National Park: Dibru-Saikhowa NP, Kaziranga NP, Manas NP, Nameri NP, Rajiv Gandhi Orang NP
