Weekly BeeBooster 16th Dec to 22nd Dec 2019
Finance and Banking
SBI inks $277 million pact with Germany based KfW bank to develop energy-efficient housing programme State Bank of India (SBI) has signed a loan agreement worth of $277 million (about Rs 1,958 crore) with Kreditanstalt für Wiederaufbau (KfW) German development bank for establishing an energy-efficient housing programme in India. • The arrangement of the loan and the grant facilities was facilitated by SBI's investment banking subsidiary SBI Capital Markets Ltd. • The financial cooperation pact has been signed between the Government of India and the Government of Germany. • In addition to this loan, KfW will also extend a grant of 1.5 million euros (about Rs 12 crore) as a technical assistance package. The technical assistance funds shall be used for supporting SBI in the preparation, implementation and monitoring of the programme. • Under the programme, both builders and homebuyers shall be financed for developing/purchasing energy-efficient residential projects that achieve at least 25 per cent energy savings in comparison to standard reference buildings.
BSE inks cyber-security agreement BSE has signed a pact with security services provider Si Consult to strengthen cyber security services and safeguard the interests of stockbrokers. • The market regulator SEBI in December 2018 put in place a stricter cyber security framework for stock brokers and depository participants amid concerns over possible data breaches. • SEBI had asked brokers and depository participants to formulate a comprehensive cyber security and cyber resilience policy document encompassing the framework.
HDFC Bank crosses $100 billion market capitalisation HDFC Bank has become the 3rd Indian firm to cross $100 billion mark in market capitalisation. • HDFC Bank has joined the league of Reliance Industries Ltd, which has a market cap of $140.74 billion, and Tata Consultancy Services (TCS) that has a market cap of $114.60 billion. • With this achievement, HDFC Bank is now ranked 110th in the list of world’s most valued companies. • Among the world’s most valued banks and financial companies which have a market cap of over $100 billion, HDFC Bank is ranked at 26th position.
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Weekly BeeBooster 16th Dec to 22nd Dec 2019
Google searches for 'Operation Twist' surge in India Google searches for 'Operation Twist' surged in India after the RBI announced its version of the US Federal Reserve's monetary policy. • Most searches for the term came from Delhi followed by Maharashtra. • The central bank said it will buy long-term bonds, while simultaneously selling short-term government securities in an effort to cheapen long-term borrowing and boost bank lending. • The Reserve Bank of India will buy longer-tenor bonds while selling shorter debt. • The concept is similar to Operation Twist used by the Fed in 2011-2012 in an effort to cheapen long-term borrowing and spur bank lending.
RBI buy, sell govt bonds worth Rs 10,000 crore on 23rd December 2019 The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) had simultaneously purchased and sold government securities worth 10,000 crore rupees under a special Open Market Operation (OMO). • Such exercises are done by the central bank when the proceeds from the sale of short-term securities are used to buy long-term government securities or bonds in a bid to bring down interest rates on long-term securities. • RBI said, the eligible participants have submitted their bids/offers in electronic format on the RBI's Core Banking Solution (E-Kuber) system between 10.30 a.m. and 12.00 noon on 23rd of this month.
Axis Bank & IOCL launched co-branded credit card for cashless payments Axis Bank and Indian Oil Corporation Ltd (IOCL) has entered into a partnership to launch co- branded credit cards which will be useful for customers preferring cashless and hassle-free payments and enhance customer convenience in tier-II and III cities • Under the partnership, customers will receive a cashback of upto Rs 250 on fuel purchases within the first 30 days of card issuance, 20 times accelerated reward points on fuel spends at IOCL outlets as well as the waiver of fuel surcharge. • 5x accelerated reward points can also be availed on online shopping, 10% instant discount on movie ticket bookings via BookMyShow.
About Indian Oil Corporation Ltd
Indian Oil Corporation Ltd (IOCL) is India's flagship national oil company with business
interests straddling the entire hydrocarbon value chain - from refining, pipeline transportation
and marketing of petroleum products to exploration & production of crude oil & gas, marketing
of natural gas and petrochemicals.
Founded: 30 June 1959; Headquarters: New Delhi ; Chairman: Sanjiv Singh.
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Weekly BeeBooster 16th Dec to 22nd Dec 2019
About Axis bank
Axis Bank is the fifth-largest bank in India offering a wide assortment of financial products.
The bank has its head office in Mumbai, Maharashtra. It has 4,050 branches, 11,801 ATMs
and 4,917 cash recyclers spread across the country as of 31 March 2019 and nine
international offices.
Founded: 1993 ; Tagline: Badhti ka naam zindagi ; Chief Executive Officer(CEO): Amitabh
Chaudhry.
NPCI to set up subsidiary to take UPI global After tasting success in India in its three years of existence, real-time payment system Unified Payment Interface (UPI) is now gearing up for international markets. • The National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI), an initiative of the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) and the Indian Banks’ Association (IBA), and the developer of the UPI system is now going to set up a subsidiary to take the UPI model to other countries. • RBI governor Shaktikanta Das revealed the same while addressing an industry gathering at Times Network’s India Economic Conclave. • “UPI system is now being internationally watched, and it can become an international model to facilitate quick and seamless payment,” Das added citing Bank of International Settlement’s (BIS) recently released paper. • The development comes two days after search engine giant Google had requested US Federal Reserve to create a similar model of open-payments like UPI, where private entities are allowed to collaborate to find unique solutions to serve users. • Launched in 2016, the NPCI-led digital payment railroad has witnessed a rise in transactions and rapid adoption among customers. In November, UPI registered about 1.2 billion transactions adding up to nearly Rs 1.9 lakh crore, according to NPCI. • Digital payment players PhonePe, Google Pay and Paytm contribute around 90% in overall transactions via the NPCI-owned payments railroad. Google Pay is reported to command over 35% market share followed by PhonePe. All these three firms have been profusely burning money to draw in more customers. • According to recent data available, UPI has onboarded over 100 million customers. It aims to onboard about 500 million customers by 2022. It may soon go live in overseas markets like the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and Singapore.
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Weekly BeeBooster 16th Dec to 22nd Dec 2019
About Unified Payment Interface (UPI) It is a smartphone application which allows users to transfer money between bank accounts. It is a single-window mobile payment system developed by the National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI). There are currently 140 member banks using the UPI rails to enable payments for customers across the banking sector. About NPCI Founded: 2008 ; Headquarters: Mumbai, Maharashtra ; MD & CEO: Dilip Asbe
RBI releases annual report of ombudsman Schemes for the year 2018-19 According to the annual Report of Ombudsman Schemes for 2018-19,released by Reserve Bank of India(RBI), the volume of complaints received by its 21 Offices of Banking Ombudsman (OBOs) has increased to 1,95,901 complaints in 2018-19 (Fiscal year-FY 19), up by 19.75% (or 32,311 complaints) from the previous year (2017-18), that accounted 1,63,590. • The complaints related to unfair practices accounted for a maximum number of cases, its percentage share fallen from 22.10 % in 2017-18 to 19.17 % in 2018-19. • ATM/Debit card grievances has increased from 15.08 % in 2017-18 to 18.65 % in 2018-19 (36,539 complaints), while those related to pension, levy of charges without notice, credit card related issues and remittance has been decreased. • The volume of complaints related to mis-selling have has been increased 92.57% to 1,115 in 2018-19 as against from 579 complaints in 2017-18. • The report also states that the average cost of handling a complaint was Rs 3,145 in 2018-19, which was lower than the average cost of Rs 3,504 in 2017-18. • The disposal rate was 94.03 % at for 2018-19 as against 96.46 %in 2017-18 due to rise in volume of complaints from the same resource . • Through the intervention of OBOs, mediation and conciliation among others, the resolution of complaints increased to 70.40 % in 2018-19 from 65.82 % in 2017-18. • In case of NBFC-Ombudsman scheme which came to effect on February 23, 2018 in four metro centres Chennai, Kolkata, Mumbai and New Delhi, as many 3,991 complaints were received, as compared to 675 in four months operation during 2017-18. Here, unfair practices constituted 40.44 % of complaints received, followed by non-observance of RBI directions (17.21 %), levy of charges without notice (12.63%) and lack of transparency in contract / loan agreement (9.17 %). The disposal rate of NBFC-Os accounted 95.41 % in 2017-18 & 99.10 % in 2018-19.
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Weekly BeeBooster 16th Dec to 22nd Dec 2019
About Banking Ombudsman (BO) The Banking Ombudsman Scheme is an expeditious and inexpensive forum for bank customers for resolution of complaints relating to certain services rendered by banks. The Banking Ombudsman Scheme is introduced under Section 35 A of the Banking Regulation Act, 1949 by RBI with effect from 1995.
BRICS’ NDB pledges $100 million to NIIF’s Fund of Funds New Development Bank (NDB), earlier known as the BRICS Development Bank, has committed $100 million to India’s National Investment and Infrastructure Fund’s (NIIF) Fund of Funds. • Earlier in August, NIIF Fund of Funds (FoF) received a commitment of ₹667 crore (close to $100 million) from the Asian Development Bank (ADB), according to a disclosure on ADB’s website. • NIIF’s Fund of Funds, according to the disclosure, is looking to raise about $1 billion to invest in up to 10 private equity funds managed by fund managers in India. Its portfolio funds are expected to provide primarily growth capital to firms across sectors, including green infrastructure, affordable housing, manufacturing and services. • In June 2018, Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB) had approved an equity investment of $100 million as part of FoF’s initial closing, committing a further investment of $100 million as part of phase II for the final closing. • Envisioned in the Union budget 2015, NIIF was launched as an alternative investment fund in December 2016 with a target corpus of ₹40,000 crore. • Its investments are diversified across its three funds— Master Fund, Fund Of Funds and Strategic Fund, across which it manages $4 billion of capital commitments. • In 2017, Abu Dhabi’s sovereign wealth fund—Abu Dhabi Investment Authority—committed to invest $1 billion, becoming the first institutional investor in NIIF’s Master Fund and a shareholder in NIIF Ltd, its investment management firm.
About NDB Headquarters: Shanghai, China ; President: K.V. Kamath It is a multilateral development bank that was created by governments to leverage capital for development purposes, especially infrastructure projects. Founded by Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa (collectively the BRICS countries) in July 2014, the bank was launched a year later with an initial authorized capital of $100 billion.
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Weekly BeeBooster 16th Dec to 22nd Dec 2019
About NIIF Industry: Institutional Investor, Fund Management ; Headquarters: Mumbai ; CEO: Sujoy Bose It is a quasi-sovereign wealth fund, in which the government of India holds 49% equity with the rest held by foreign and domestic investors, is mandated to invest in infrastructure and related sectors that could help fuel economic growth in the country. Its Fund of Funds is mandated to invest as an anchor investor in third party fund managers. It can also selectively form joint ventures with fund managers.
ADB, India sign pact for $250-million loan to EESL The Asian Development Bank (ADB) has signed a $250-million loan agreement with India to expand energy efficiency investments. The loan agreement to provide loan to Energy Efficiency Services (EESL). • In addition to this, $46 million financing will be provided from the Clean Technology Fund (CTF) that will be administered by the ADB. • The investments in India will benefit agricultural, residential and institutional consumers.
Patanjali Ayurved completes acquisition of bankrupt Ruchi Soya for Rs 4,350 crore Debt-ridden Ruchi Soya's resolution is complete with Yoga guru Baba Ramdev's Patanjali Ayurved depositing Rs 1,100 crore equity in a State Bank of India (SBI) escrow account to acquire the edible oil maker for Rs 4,350 crore. • Patanjali completed the payment to lenders. The remaining money will be paid through bank loans.In April, Patanjali had received approval of financial creditors to acquire Ruchi Soya. • The National Company Law Tribunal (NCLT) gave its approval to the resolution plan in early September. • Patanjali has settled Rs 4,350 crore of dues Ruchi Soya had towards financial creditors by infusing Rs 1,100 crore equity and arranging another Rs 3,250 crore via debt. • The acquisition will help Patanjali acquire edible oil plants and soyabean oil brands like Mahakosh and Ruchi Gold.
CSIR and the National Centre for Scientific Research (CNRS), France ink MoU for Promotion and Support of Scientific and Technological Research A Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed between the Council of Scientific & Industrial Research (CSIR), India and the National Centre for Scientific Research (CNRS), France to establish a framework for cooperation between the two towards promotion and support of scientific and technological research. • A team led by Director General, CSIR, DrShekhar C Mande met delegation from CNRS France, led by its President and CEO, Prof Antoine Petit.
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Weekly BeeBooster 16th Dec to 22nd Dec 2019
• In view of the potentially beneficial and synergistic cooperation possibilities for translating science into technology CSIR and CNRS may explore strengthening their cooperation to foster joint innovation and transfer of technologies applicable to India or/and France and to other nations. • This cooperation could include sharing good practices, promoting technology transfer and enhancing industry-academia cooperation. The broad research areas of mutual interest include biotechnology including plant and marine biotechnology; health research; environment and climate change studies; engineering science and technology; material science and technology; energy science and technology and water research.
About CNRS: Founded in 1939, CNRS is the largest fundamental research organization in Europe. CNRS is an interdisciplinary public research organisation under the administrative supervision of the French Ministry of Higher Education and Research in the areas of Biological Sciences, Chemistry, Earth Sciences and Astronomy, Ecology & Environment, Engineering & Systems Sciences, Mathematical Sciences, Physics, Nuclear & Particle Physics, Information S&T, and Humanities & Social Science through its ten institutes. CNRS ranks among the leading global research institutions for its excellent research and innovation achievements and has 22 Nobel Laureates and 12 Field medal recipients. CNRS has set up four co-funded centers with industry partnership in China, Japan and Singapore to address local needs.
About CSIR: Set up in 1942 as an autonomous body, CSIR is now the largest publically funded multi- disciplinary industrial R&D organization in India under the administrative supervision of Ministry of Science and Technology, GOI. Director General(DG): Shekhar C. Mande. The 37 R&D institutes of CSIR being manned by around 3600 scientists with support from about 5100 S&T staff, conduct research in a wide spectrum of science and technology from aerospace, instrumentation, environmental engineering, mining, minerals & materials, housing and structures to oceanography, chemicals, drugs, and biotechnology. CSIR provides technological intervention in many areas with regard to societal efforts including environment, health, drinking water, food, housing, energy, and farm and non-farm sectors.
GST Council fixes 28% uniform tax rate for lottery effective March 2020 The GST Council fixed a uniform tax rate of 28 per cent on both state and private lottery.
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Weekly BeeBooster 16th Dec to 22nd Dec 2019
• The council has decided to rationalise GST rate on woven and Non-woven Bags to 18 per cent. • The rates on lottery and woven and non-woven bags will be effective from 1st March, 2020. • The GST council also decided to exempt upfront amount payable for long term lease of industrial and financial infrastructure plots by an entity having 20 per cent or more ownership of Central or State Government. Presently the exemption is available to an entity having 50 per cent or more ownership. It will be effective from 1st of next month. • The GST council also recommended constitution of grievance redressal committees in zonal and state level to address grievances of specific and general nature of taxpayers.
ADB and India Sign $ 490 Million Loan for PPP to Upgrade Madhya Pradesh Roads The Asian Development Bank (ADB) and the Government of India signed a $490 million loan for public-private partnership (PPP) project to upgrade about 1,600 km of state highways and major district roads (MDRs) from single-lane to two-lane widths in the state of Madhya Pradesh. • An additional $286 million investment will be mobilised through private sector participation under the PPP modality. • The state highways and major district roads provide a crucial link between rural roads and national highways. The upgradation of these roads under the project will improve road connectivity in the state and improve access to markets and better services. • The project will upgrade 750 km of state highways and 850 km of MDRs to two-lane and all- weather standards with road safety features. It will also develop an e-maintenance system, which can record defects or required maintenance, along with a training program to develop capacity on contract implementation and project finance in the Madhya Pradesh Road Development Corporation. • ADB is committed to achieving a prosperous, inclusive, resilient, and sustainable Asia and the Pacific, while sustaining its efforts to eradicate extreme poverty. In 2018, it made commitments of new loans and grants amounting to $21.6 billion. Established in 1966, it is owned by 68 members—49 from the region.
Wipro and NASSCOM unveil skills platform Wipro Ltd has partnered with the National Association of Software and Services Companies (NASSCOM) to launch the Future Skills platform for 10,000 students from over 20 engineering colleges in India. • This is part of Wipro’s Corporate Social Responsibility programme, TalentNext, which aims to enhance the quality of engineering education by preparing faculty and academic leaders to train students. • The programme has now been extended to students directly through Future Skills, which is a new age platform built to bridge the industry-academia skill gap and help students keep
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Weekly BeeBooster 16th Dec to 22nd Dec 2019
pace with emerging technologies like Artificial Intelligence, Big Data, Cloud Computing, Cybersecurity and Internet of Things (IoT), to make them future ready.
Ministry of Railways signs MoU with University of Birmingham for establishment of Centre of Excellence for Next Generation Transportation Systems • The National Rail Transport Institute, a deemed to be university under the Ministry of Railways, signed an MoU with the University of Birmingham in Rail Bhawan, New Delhi on December 18th, 2019 to set up its first Centre of Excellence for Next Generation Transportation Systems. • The MoU was signed by Mr. Vinod Kumar Yadav, Chairman, Railway Board and Chancellor of NRTI, and Professor Clive Roberts, Head of the Birmingham Centre for Railway Research and Education (BCRRE) at the University of Birmingham. • Indian Railways is a founding partner of this centre and would provide proprietary data, professional expertise, spare equipment and other available resources directly or through its Centralised Training Institutes and research organisations.
. About the National Rail Transport Institute
The National Rail Transport Institute has been set up as a deemed to be university and has
been operational since 2018. In addition to Schools and Departments in various disciplines,
NRTI aims to develop interdisciplinary Centres of Excellence which would be collaborative
constructs to promote research and education to the transportation sector. Further details
about the institution are available at www.nrti.edu.in
. About University of Birmingham
The University of Birmingham is home to the Birmingham Centre for Railway Research and
Education (BCRRE) with over 150 academics, researchers and professional services staff,
delivering world-class research, education and leadership to the global rail industry. The
BCRRE is the largest university-based centre for railway research and education in Europe.
AMRUT EXTENDED BY 2 YEARS Unable to meet set targets for urban renewal in 500 cities, the Centre has decided to extend the mission period of its flagship initiative Atal Mission for Rejuvenation and Urban Transformation (AMRUT) by two more years. • The mission was launched in 2015 by PM Modi promising 139 lakh water connections and 145 lakh sewer connections by March 2020. The expenditure of the mission was estimated as Rs 77,640 crores.
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Weekly BeeBooster 16th Dec to 22nd Dec 2019
• According to Data Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs, in the last five years 2,316 projects have been completed so far at an expense of Rs 7,195 crore. • The ministry also says that 46% of water connection and 28.3% of sewer connections have been achieved between June 2015 and December 2019. GoI has so far implemented the mission, prioritizing water connections to households.
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Weekly BeeBooster 16th Dec to 22nd Dec 2019
National News
Linking of PAN-Aadhaar must by Dec 31: I-T department It is mandatory to link your PAN with Aadhaar by the end of this year, according to the Income Tax Department. • The deadline to link the permanent account number (PAN) with Aadhaar was extended till December 31 by the Central Board of Direct Taxes (CBDT). • Earlier, the deadline for this linkage was September 30.
Fifth EAC meeting of 15th Finance Commission held in New Delhi • The fifth meeting of the Economic Advisory Council (EAC) of the Fifteenth Finance Commission was held in New Delhi. • In the meeting, possible macro assumptions related to real growth, inflation, ongoing structural reforms, tax revenue including GST, adherence to Fiscal Responsibility and Budget Management Act and fiscal transparency were discussed. • Further, Advisory Council was informed about submission of the 2020-21 report and Commission’s next course of actions pertaining to preparation of the report for 2021-26 period. • Recently, the fifteenth Finance Commission submitted its report for the period 2020-21 to President Ram Nath Kovind.
India donates solar-powered lamps to marginalised Palestinian children • India has donated solar powered study lamps to Palestinian elementary school children from a marginalised Bedouin community to spread the principles of self-sufficiency and raise awareness towards the adverse effects of climate change. • The lamps were donated as part of the 150th Gandhi Jayanti Students Solar Ambassador Workshop. • The solar powered study lamps supplied by Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Bombay aims at making the student beneficiaries for the future propagators of renewable energy.
Android vulnerable to cyberattack: Union Home Ministry The Union Home Ministry has sent an alert to all States warning them about the vulnerability of the Android operating system to a bug called 'StrandHogg' • StrandHogg allows real-time malware applications to pose as genuine applications and access user data of all kind. • The information about this bug was shared by Threat Analytical Unit(TAU), Indian Cyber Crime Coordination Centre (I4C) of MoHA.
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Weekly BeeBooster 16th Dec to 22nd Dec 2019
President Kovind releases mobile app of Red Cross Society of India in Hyderabad President Ram Nath Kovind released the mobile app of the Red Cross Society of India in Hyderabad. • He inaugurated the mobile app formally at a dinner hosted by Telangana governor Tamilisai Sounderarajan at Rajbhavan in his honour. • Developed by the Telangana Centre for Good Governance in less than three months, the mobile app is accessible in all languages. The access to blood bank and Red Cross membership will become easy with the launching of the mobile app
India’s ranked 112th in WEF Gender Gap Report India has ranked 112th globally in the World Economic Forum’s Gender Gap Report. In India, gender gap amid widening disparity in terms of women’s health and survival and economic participation — the two areas where the country is now ranked in the bottom five, an annual survey. • India has moved down the ladder from its 108th position last year on the World Economic Forum’s Gender Gap Report to rank below countries such as China (106th), Sri Lanka (102nd), Nepal (101st), Brazil (92nd), Indonesia (85th) and Bangladesh (50th). • Iceland is the most gender-equal country in the world for the 11th time in a row. It is followed by Norway, Finland and Sweden. • Yemen is ranked the worst (153rd), while Iraq is 152nd and Pakistan 151st. The WEF said economic opportunities for women are extremely limited in India (35.4 per cent), Pakistan (32.7 per cent), Yemen (27.3 per cent), Syria (24.9 per cent) and Iraq (22.7 per cent). • Bangladesh is the only country in South Asia to feature in the top 50 of the Global Gender Gap Report 2020 released by the World Economic Forum (WEF). It is the best performing country in South Asia in reducing the gender gap for women. Bangladesh retains its position at the 50th rank in the index. • The WEF has been bringing out the Global Gender Gap Index since 2006 to measure the relative gap between men and women on health, education, economy and politics. This year the report provides ranking for 153 countries.
Virat Kohli Becomes First Sportsperson to top Forbes India Celebrity 100 List Virat Kohli dethroned Bollywood's biggest A-listers to top the Forbes India Celebrity 100 List in 2019, becoming the first sportsperson to do so since its inception eight years ago. • The top position has been with actors before Kohli, who earned Rs 252.72 crore between October 1, 2018 and September 30, 2019 according to Forbes, took the pole position. • Akshay Kumar also rose in the rankings to the second spot with Rs 293.25 crore in the period of consideration and Salman Khan, who has been at the top of the list since 2016, completed the top three.
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Weekly BeeBooster 16th Dec to 22nd Dec 2019
RANK NAME
1 VIRAT KOHLI
2 AKSHAY KUMAR
3 SALMAN KHAN
5 MS DHONI
7 RANVEER SINGH
8 ALIA BHATT
9 SACHIN TENDULKAR
10 DEEPIKA PADUKONE
SC forms 2-judge committee to expedite disposal of rape cases The panel, announced by Chief Justice of India SA Bobde, comprises Justice Subhash Reddy and Justice MR Shah. • Justice Bobde last week ordered setting up of a three-member panel to probe the extra- judicial killing of the four accused and ordered completion of the probe in three months. • The slow pace at which criminal trials are being conducted in rape cases has triggered widespread criticism and led to the setting up of the two-judge panel. • The statistics of National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB) highlights the poor law and order situation in the country with 3.59 lakh cases of crime reported against women in 2017. Uttar Pradesh recorded the maximum number of crimes against women with 56,011 cases in 2017, while Madhya Pradesh registered the highest number of rape cases at 5562.
Govt approves changes in Interest Subvention Scheme guidelines for MSMEs Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSME) Minister Nitin Gadkari has approved the changes in the Interest Subvention Scheme guidelines for MSMEs. • As per the govt., the modifications are expected to boost their productivity through access to credit at reduced cost.
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Weekly BeeBooster 16th Dec to 22nd Dec 2019
• The government is committed to enhancing credit to MSME sector and the implementation of the scheme is being closely monitored to help MSMEs get incremental credit of upto one crore rupees with Interest Subvention of two per cent by government. • The Interest Subvention Scheme for MSMEs was launched by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in November, last year. • The modifications to the scheme include settlement of claims based on internal or concurrent auditor certificate and submission of statutory auditor's certificate once by June, 2020. Requirement of Udyog Aadhar Number, UAN is dispensed with for units eligible for GST. Trading activities without UAN have been made eligible. • The Ministry said, the improvements are set to provide momentum giving fillip to the MSME sector.
The International Astronomical Union (IAU) named a star and a planet with Indian names. The star would be called ‘Bibha’ and the planet would be called ‘Santamasa’. The yellow star in the Sextans constellation and its exoplanet, were earlier named HD 86081 and 86081b. • The star has been named in the honour of an Indian woman scientist Bibha Choudhury who has discovered subatomic particles (pi-meson), the name also means “a bright beam of light” in Bengali. • The planet has been given a Sanskrit name ‘Santamasa’ which means ‘clouded’ in order to reflect the cloudy nature of the planet’s atmosphere. • In India the naming campaign was coordinated by the Public Outreach and Education Committee of the Astronomical Society of India (ASI). • Ananyo Bhattacharya 22, a student of Sardar Vallabhbhai National Institute of Technology in Surat, suggested the name Bibha for the star, and Vidyasagar Daud 13, of Singhad Spring Dale Public School in Pune suggested the name of Santamasa for the planet. • Once a star and its characteristic are identified, they are listed in a catalogue like the Henry Draper Catalogue (HD) and assigned a telephone-number like designation. • The IAU chose the name at the end of a global contest called ‘NameExoWorlds’, which was organized as part of its centenary celebrations as the organization turned 100 on July 28, 2019.
. About International Astronomical Union (IAU)
The International Astronomical Union is an international association of professional
astronomers, at the PhD level and beyond, active in professional research and education in
astronomy. Wikipedia
Headquarters: Paris, France
Founded: 28 July 1919
President: Ewine van Dishoeck
General Secretary: Maria Teresa Lago
Subsidiaries: Minor Planet Center, Office of Astronomy for Development
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Weekly BeeBooster 16th Dec to 22nd Dec 2019
Amit Shah lays foundation for Bharat Vandana Park in Dwarka, New Delhi Amit Shah, Union Minister of Home Affairs (MHA) presided over in the ceremony to lay foundation stone for the Bharat Vandana Park, Dwarka, New Delhi. • The park, to become a major tourist attraction covering an area of 200 acres at a cost of Rs.550 crores is located near the Indira Gandhi International Airport and metro station. The park is to be developed by the Delhi Development Authority (DDA) and will be completed by March 2022. • Space will consist of a relaxation area, a conservatory, an amusement park, an eco-trail, an adventure park, a restaurant with lake view, replicas of monuments and a dense green zone that consists of Herbal Vatika, meant for the display of medicinal plants.
Dehradun: LS Speaker Om Birla inaugurates 79th Conference of Presiding Officers of Legislative Bodies Lok Sabha speaker Om Birla in Dehradun today inaugurated the 79th Conference of Presiding Officers of Legislative Bodies. • The presiding officers of all state legislatures are participating in the two-day conference. Among the items on the agenda is the 'Tenth Schedule to the Constitution and the role of the Speaker'. • Addressing the conference Birla said people of India are very democratic in nature, it was evident as 2019 elections were held with total transparency. • He also shared his experience as a Lok Sabha Speaker and said that effort are put up to follow the parliamentary norms at all costs.
Infosys launched blockchain powered distributed applications Infosys has announced the launch of three blockchain-powered distributed applications. • The applications will be dedicated for government services, insurance, and supply chain management domains. • The applications are equipped with predictive return on investment (ROI) analytics for business investments that can be tailored to meet numerous industry-specific needs.
50% concession for ‘Ek Bharat Shreshtha Bharat’ participants Indian Railways has decided to grant 50% concession for the youth participating in the “Ek Bharat Shrestha Bharat” programme. • The concession will be given in basic fares of Second and Sleeper Class to youths with emoluments of not more than 5000 rupees per month for travelling from one State to another State to take part in the programme. • The concession has been granted as a special case and it is admissible only in the normal train services and not for booking of Special Trains or Coaches.
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Weekly BeeBooster 16th Dec to 22nd Dec 2019
• This concession will be provided on production of requisite certificate in the prescribed railway format from the Secretary of concerned Department of Human Resource Development of various States.
EChO Network launched to catalyze cross-disciplinary leadership in India; will train educators and students in interdisciplinary manner EChO Network, a national program to provide a template for cross-disciplinary leadership in India with the specific focus of increasing research, knowledge, and awareness of Indian ecology and the environment was launched in New Delhi by Prof. K VijayRaghavan, Principal Scientific Adviser to the Government of India. • India faces unprecedented threats to its human environmental and ecosystems, solving which requires a confluence of India’s strong technological expertise and knowledge of the natural world itself. • EChO Network would develop a national network to catalyse a new generation of Indians who can synthesize interdisciplinary concepts and tackle real-world problems in medicine, agriculture, ecology, and technology. With no precedent for such a network anywhere in the world, EChO Network establishes a new platform to change how science is embedded in our modern society. • Through interactive sessions with citizens, industry, academia, and the government, the Network will identify gaps in knowledge regarding selected topics in human and environmental ecosystems.
India suffers most pollution-linked deaths in world, study finds India leads the world in pollution-linked deaths– followed by China and Nigeria – according to a report published that estimated the global impact of contaminants in the air, water and workplace. • The report by the Global Alliance on Health and Pollution (GAHP) found pollution to be the largest environmental cause of premature death on the planet, causing 15% of all deaths – some 8.3 million people. • Among the 10 countries with the most pollution deaths in 2017, the latest year for which data was available, were some of the world’s largest and wealthiest nations, as well as some poorer ones. • India and China led in the number of pollution deaths, with about 2.3 million and 1.8 million respectively, followed by Nigeria, Indonesia and Pakistan. The US came seventh with almost 200,000 deaths. • Depression and suicide linked to air pollution in new global study • Pollution-linked deaths rates were highest in some of the world’s most impoverished countries where poor water sanitation and contaminated indoor air are major killers.
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Weekly BeeBooster 16th Dec to 22nd Dec 2019
• Pollution death per 1 lakh population: In terms of total untimely deaths per 1 lakh population due to pollution, Chad ranks 1st with 287 deaths, followed by Central African Republic (251) & North Korea (202), while India ranks 10th in this list with (174). • Deaths related to Air-pollution: In terms of untimely deaths due to air pollution only, China ranks first with 12, 42,987 deaths, India ranked 2nd with (12,40,529 deaths) and Pakistan ranks third (1,28,005).
GEM launches national outreach programme 'GeM Samvaad' Government e-commerce portal GeM has launched a national outreach programme, GeM Samvaad, to bring on-board more local sellers. The outreach programme will take place with stakeholders across the country and with local sellers to facilitate on-boarding of local sellers on the marketplace. • The programme will take place till 17th February next year and will cover all the States and Union Territories of the country. • GeM has more than 15 lakh products and around 20,000 services, more than 3 lakh registered sellers and service providers and more than 40 thousand government buyer organizations.
IIT Hyderabad CfHE Fellow launches India’s first ‘Vaccination Clinic’ in Pune in collaboration with Gates Foundation A fellow of the Center for Healthcare Entrepreneurship (CfHE), Indian Institute of Technology, Hyderabad, Jignesh Patel has launched a “Vaccination-on-Wheels (VOW)” clinic, a first-of-its- kind service in India, in Pune. • This is being done in collaboration with the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, which provided a grant to Mr. Jignesh Patel under its Grand Challenges Explorations. • This clinic will go to schools, colleges and corporates to conduct vaccination camps at their doorsteps. It will offer only vaccination services. • It was launched on 15th December 2019 in Pune city’s PCMC area. This unique, unconventional, creative, low-cost and high on convenience model has been designed with the idea of ‘reaching the bottom of the pyramid.’ • Mr. Jignesh Patel founded Jivika Healthcare to provide this vaccination service. • This mission is to support government and society in getting children fully immunized as per World Health Organization (WHO) and Indian Academy of Pediatrics (IAP) standards for children who are taking vaccination from government centres.
Chennai Corporation launches India's first waste exchange platform Chennai Corporation, Tamil Nadu launched India's first waste exchange platform namely "Madras Waste Exchange" (www.madraswasteexchange.com) to buy and sell municipal solid waste online.
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Weekly BeeBooster 16th Dec to 22nd Dec 2019
• It will run on a pilot basis for the first three months. Based on the response from public and waste recyclers, more features will be added to the website. • The Madras Waste Exchange, which is both a web portal and an application, has been conceptualised by the Smart City Mission, with support from the Union Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs.
India, US held 2 plus 2 ministerial dialogue in Washington India and US held 2+2 ministerial dialogue in Washington and the two countries are likely to exchange views on regional and global issues. • External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar and Defence Minister Rajnath Singh lead the Indian side, while Secretary of State Mike Pompeo and Secretary of Defence, Mark Esper represented the US at the meeting. • The first 2+2 ministerial dialogue was held in New Delhi in September last year after the mechanism was approved by Prime Minister Narendra Modi and US President Donald Trump. • During the 2+2 dialogue held at Washington DC, the top foreign affairs and defence leaders on growing strategic relations between the world`s largest and most powerful democracies. • India and the US have a common vision of a free, seamless and peaceful Indo-Pacific region. • India has bought weapons worth more than $15 billion from the United States over the past decade as it seeks to replace its Russian-origin military and is in talks for helicopters, armed drones and a bigger Indian plan for local production of combat planes together
worth billions of dollars. (Detailed report on defence pact in Defence News section)
Portuguese PM to be on two-day visit to India Prime Minister of Portugal, Antonio Costa will be on a two-day visit to India. • He will attend the second meeting of the Organising Committee on the celebrations for the 150th Birth anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi. The Organising Committee meeting will be presided over by President Ram Nath Kovind. • This will be the third official meeting between the two leaders in a span of 3 years. • They have met on the sidelines of various multilateral events. This visit will be Mr Costa's first bilateral visit outside Europe after being re-elected as Prime Minister on 6th of October. • The high-level political exchanges between India and Portugal have imparted a robust momentum to bilateral relations, including in several new areas such as science and technology, defence, startups, shipping, youth exchanges and culture.
Central Government has decided to deploy drones to destroy hidden Marijuana plants The Central Government has decided to deploy drones to destroy marijuana (or Cannabis, psychoactive drug) plantations before it reaches the hands of the drug cartels. The decision has been taken by the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) and the Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB).
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Weekly BeeBooster 16th Dec to 22nd Dec 2019
• The Centre has planned to use satellites to detect marijuana crops and then the crops will be destroyed by the drones by spraying chemicals. • The Government focuses on states like Himachal Pradesh (HP), Uttarakhand, Karnataka, Bihar, Tamil Nadu (TN), Andhra Pradesh (AP), Uttar Pradesh (UP), Madhya Pradesh (MP), West Bengal (WB), Rajasthan and Haryana. • India is following the modus operandi adopted by the United States (US) that deals with marijuana plantations. The US authorities have been using airplanes and drones to detect and destroy illegal plantations. In 2018, 24,000 cases have been seized containing 414 tons of plants.
About Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB)
The Narcotics Control Bureau is the nodal drug law enforcement and intelligence agency of
India responsible for fighting drug trafficking and the abuse of illegal substances. The Director
General of NCB is an officer of the Indian Police Service or the Indian Revenue Service.
Headquarters: New Delhi ; Founded: 17 March 1986 ; Motto: Intelligence Enforcement
Coordination
Agency executives: Rakesh Asthana IPS, Director General; R N Srivastava IRS, Deputy
Director General (Ops)
Minister responsible: Amit Shah, Minister of Home Affairs (MHA)
Govt relaxes guidelines for reissue of OCI cards India relaxed certain Overseas Citizenship of India (OCI) guidelines for reissue of passport for those below 20 years of age and those above 50 years. • The "temporary relaxation" has been granted till 30 June next year, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said. • OCI card holder below the age of 20 years has not got OCI card re-issued on change of passport, he/she may travel on the strength of his/her existing OCI card bearing old passport number subject to the condition that along with the new passport, the OCI cardholder carries old passport mentioned in the OCI card. • OCI card holder who has attained the age of 50 years and got his/her passport renewed subsequently but has not got his/her OCI card re-issued on renewal of passport, he/she may travel till June 30, 2020 on the strength of existing OCI card along-with the new and old passports. • As per guidelines in force since 2005, the OCI card needs to be re-issued each time a new passport is acquired by the cardholder up to the age of 20 years and the card is required to be re- issued once on acquiring a new passport after completing 50 years of age. • The re-issuance of OCI card is not required each time a passport is issued to a cardholder between 21 and 50 years of age.
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Weekly BeeBooster 16th Dec to 22nd Dec 2019
• The ministry, however, said it is advised that OCI cardholders may take steps to comply with the existing OCI guidelines and renew their OCI cards as required by the rules.
Indian Coast Guard conducts Swachchh Samundra NW 2019 Indian Coast Guard (ICG) has conducted a Regional Level Pollution Response Exercise titled "Swachchh Samundra NW-2019" at sea off Vadinar in Gulf of Kutch. • The exercise was conducted from 17 Dec to 18 Dec 19 to validate and reinforce response mechanism for oil pollution incidents and enable the Indian Coast Guard to fine tune the actions required in such eventualities with the provisions of NOS-DCP. • The Exercise was conducted in two phases. during Phase – I on 17 Dec 19, a tabletop exercise simulating oil spill from a tanker was conducted, while a real time demonstration of oil spill scenario was conducted during the second phase on18 Dec 19. • The pollution response management/ Assets from oil handling agencies – VOTL Nayara Energy LTD, IOCL, BORL, Reliance, Adani, HEML, DPT offshore oil terminal and GSFC from entire Gulf of Kutch actively involved in tabletop exercise as well as actual sea exercise. • The Gulf of Kutch (GoK) region handles 70% of the oil imported by India and 11 Single point Moorings (SPMs) out of total 27 SPMs around 41% in the country are located in this area. The exercise was planned to evaluate the preparedness for Pollution Response Operations for any such incident in this highly ecologically sensitive area.
Arms (Amendment) Bill Turns Law, Gets President's Nod The Act is an amendment to the six-decade-old Arms Act, 1959 to effectively curb crimes committed by using illegal firearms in the wake of spurt in illegal arms smuggling. • New Arms (Amendment) Act has come into force with President Ram Nath Kovind giving his assent to a Bill cleared by Parliament earlier this week to help the government in controlling the proliferation of illegal arms and ammunition in the country. • Act provides for enhancement of period of arms licence from three years to five years and issuance of arms licence in its electronic form for rationalising and facilitating the licensing procedures for use of firearms by individuals as well as to curb crimes committed by using illegal firearms. • The Act aimed at providing effective deterrence against violation of the law. • "In exercise of the powers conferred by sub-section (2) of section 1 of the Arms (Amendment) Act, 2019 (48 of 2019), the Central Government hereby appoints the 14th day of December 2019, as the date on which the provisions of the said Act shall come into force," a Gazette notification issued reads. • The Arms (Amendment) Bill, 2019 was cleared from Rajya Sabha, a day after it was passed from the Lok Sabha, proposing stringent punishment for illegal weapons and ammunition traffickers.
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Weekly BeeBooster 16th Dec to 22nd Dec 2019
• It bans the manufacture, sale, use, transfer, conversion, testing or proofing of firearms without a license. As per the amendment, even the punishment for offences under the act has been increased to between seven years and life imprisonment, and a fine. • The security forces this year, seized 438 illegal guns and 30,480 ammunition, said the Minister, adding that in coming years the government will add a provision to give licence in form of smart card and will do away with the licence book.
Union Minister Prakash Javadekar addresses Summit on "Environmental Sustainability and Economic Development" Union Minister Prakash Javadekar today addressed a Summit on "Environmental Sustainability and Economic Development in Delhi. • While addressing concerns about the depleting ozone layer and the emission of Cfcs and Hfcs the minister said that it is the need of the hour to call upon a meeting to control the minimum temperatures and to keep a check.
Skill Development Ministry to set up 500 skill hubs and labs in government schools Skill Development and Entrepreneurship Ministry has finalized a plan for setting up 500 skill hubs and labs in government schools • The Ministry aims to Skill on a large scale with high Standards in order to achieve its vision of a Skilled India.
Haryana Police became the first to introduce ‘Trakea’ software in Forensic Science Laboratory • Haryana police have introduced a unique barcoding software “Trakea” (developed by a software engineer Amit Mishra) to enable foolproof security of the samples collected in Forensic reports. • Haryana became the first state in the country to introduce this unique barcoding system. • Manohar Lal Khattar, Chief Minister (CM) of Haryana inaugurated the TRAKEA barcoding system of Forensic Science Laboratory (FSL) at Madhuban, Haryana. • According to the police, Trakea ensures foolproof security of the samples collected from the scene of the crime, and the forensic analysis reports, and is different from traditional methods that the state police force has been following for decades.
Chhattisgarh tops in policy and infrastructure readiness, mission mode projects performance: Report Chhattisgarh has emerged as the top state in terms of policy and infrastructure readiness and mission mode projects performance, a report by Coeus Age Consulting said. • Chhattisgarh was followed by Maharashtra, Haryana, Andhra Pradesh and Madhya Pradesh in the tally of top five states, the Digital States of India 2019 report said.
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Weekly BeeBooster 16th Dec to 22nd Dec 2019
• "Digital India is gradually gaining ground across the country. A phenomenon that was concentrated in a few large states, mostly from the south and west, is now becoming widespread with inclusion from north, east and the north east," Coeus Age CEO Kapil Dev Singh said. • Madhya Pradesh, which ranked first in 2017, slipped to the fifth spot in this year's study. • The biggest jump has been made by Haryana, which moved seven places higher to third in 2019 from 10th in 2017.
Afghanistan first country to recognize Indian Pharmacopoeia The Indian Pharmacopoeia (IP) has been recognised formally by the National Department of Regulation of Medicines and Health Products of the Ministry of Public Health of Islamic Republic of Afghanistan. • It will also be used based on the requirement as reputable pharmacopoeia in the laboratory of medicines and health products quality. With this, a new beginning has been made and Afghanistan has become the first country to recognize IP pursuant to the efforts of Department of Commerce and Ministry of Health and Family Welfare. • IP is an officially recognized book of standards as per the Drugs and Cosmetics Act, 1940 and Rules 1945 thereunder. The IP specifies the standards of drugs manufactured and marketed in India in terms of their identity, purity and strength. • As per, the Second Schedule of the Drugs and Cosmetics Act, IP is designated as the official book of standards for drugs imported and/or manufactured for sale, stock or exhibition for sale or distribution in India.
India, Afghanistan & Iran meet for second time to monitor implementation of Chabahar agreement The second meeting between officials of India, Afghanistan and Iran took place in New Delhi to monitor implementation of the 2016 agreement regarding development and management of the Chabahar port in Iran. • The MEA said that it was agreed to finalise the protocol to harmonise transit, roads, customs and consular matters. It was also agreed to organise promotional and business events in Afghanistan and India to popularise the Chabahar port. • The third meeting of the "follow-up committee" will take place in the first half of 2020.
India constructs Girls' Hostel for Nepal Armed Police Force School at Kirtipur The Govt. of India has constructed Girls' Hostel for Nepal Armed Police Force School, Kirtipur in Kathmandu district. • Nepal Armed Police Force (APF) School is an academic institution created under the APF Welfare Service Centre of Nepal Armed Police Force. The school was established in 2005 and it has over 21 per cent of girls students.
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Weekly BeeBooster 16th Dec to 22nd Dec 2019
• The new infrastructure constructed with the Government of India’s grant assistance of 40.42 million Nepali Rupees is a two-storied girls' hostel. It comprises 32 rooms including a dormitory, warden room, bathroom, sanitation facilities for girls on each floor and furniture.
ITBP launches matrimonial site to help staff find ‘suitable matches’ In a unique approach, the Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP) has started a dedicated matrimonial site for its staff. The website started will be managed by ITBP and only the staff will be able to access it. • This is the first-ever dedicated and well-managed matrimony portal among the Central Armed Police Forces (CAPF). • There are more than 25,000 unmarried men in the Force along with more than 1000 unmarried women personnel. • Keeping in view their duties and engagements after joining the service, finding suitable matches becomes an uphill task for the serving personnel.
About ITBP The Indo-Tibetan Border Police is one of the five Central Armed Police Forces of India, raised on 24 October 1962, under the CRPF Act, in the wake of the Sino-Indian War of 1962. The ITBP was intended for deployment along India's border with Tibet. Wikipedia Motto: Shaurya – Dridhata – Karm Nishtha Headquarters: New Delhi Founded: 24 October 1962 Head: Surjeet Singh Deswal
The deadline for the government’s Accessible India Campaign (AIC) has been extended to March 2020 due to slow progress. AIC is the nationwide flagship campaign of the Department of Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities (DEPwD), Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment. • The aim of the Campaign is to make a barrier-free and conducive environment for Divyangjans (Persons with Disabilities - PwDs) all over the country. • Launched by the Prime Minister of India on International Day of Persons with Disabilities on 3rd December 2015. • Persons with Disabilities (Equal Opportunities, Protection of Rights and Full Participation) Act, 1995 categorically provided for non-discrimination in transport and in the built environment. • But the Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act, 2016 replaced the PwD Act, 1995. • United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (UNCRPD), to which India is a signatory, under Article 9 casts obligations on the Governments for ensuring to PwDs accessibility to (a) Information, (b) Transportation, (c) Physical Environment, (d)
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Weekly BeeBooster 16th Dec to 22nd Dec 2019
Communication Technology and (e) Accessibility to Services as well as emergency services. Components of AIC • Built Environment Accessibility • Transportation System Accessibility • Information and Communication Eco-System Accessibility Targets under the components • Making 50% of all the government buildings of National Capital and all the State capitals fully accessible by December 2018. • Completing accessibility audit of 50% of government buildings and making them fully accessible in 10 most important cities/towns of States by December 2019. • Ensuring that 50% of railway stations in the country are converted into fully accessible railway stations by March 2018. • Ensuring that 25% of Government owned public transport carriers in the country are converted into fully accessible carriers by March 2018. • Conducting accessibility audit of 50% of all government (both Central and State Governments) websites and converting them into fully accessible websites by March 2017.
S Jaishankar co-chairs 19th Joint Commission meeting with Iran Foreign Minister External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar co-chaired the 19th Joint Commission meeting with Foreign Minister of Iran in Tehran. • Both the nations agreed on accelerating the Chabahar project. India and Iran will work together closely on their shared interests. • Mr Jaishankar reached Iran on a two-day visit. During his visit, Dr Jaishankar is also expected to call on Iran President Hassan Rouhani.
Tamil Nadu panchayat tops ranking; Gujarat has most top 10 entries Tamil Nadu’s Molugamboondi has topped the 2019 rankings of gram panchayats in the country, scoring high on implementation of development and infrastructure programmes under the Mission Antyodaya scheme. • The second rank has gone to Bambhaniya GP of Bhavnagar in Gujarat while four more Gujarat panchayats are tied for third ranking. One in Maharashtra, two each of Punjab and Tamil Nadu, and five Gujarat panchayats are tied at fourth ranking. • It marks a major change from the 2018 ranking table when 49 out of 50 gram panchayats in the top six rankings were from Chittoor district of Andhra Pradesh, with one from Patan in Gujarat being the sole exception. • While in 2017 and 2018, the villages were ranked on the basis of 46 parameters, the scale has been widened to 112 parameters for 2019.
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Weekly BeeBooster 16th Dec to 22nd Dec 2019
• According to a senior official, the 2019 rankings are provisional as the process of assessing the panchayats is still on. A total of 2.4 lakh panchayats are to be ranked, with around 2.1 lakh completed. • The top panchayat from Chhattisgarh is Mura in Raigarh while that from Andhra Pradesh is Inamadugu in SPSR Nellore, and from Karnataka it is Nandagad in Belagavi — all tied at fifth slot. Kerala figures first at the sixth slot with Athirampuzha panchayat in Kottayam district. • Meghalaya’s Jangnapara falling in South West Garo Hills figures at 7th slot, which it shares with 36 other panchayats.
Integral Coach Factory produces 3000 Coaches in record 215 days Integral Coach Factory (ICF) of Indian Railways has produced its 3000th coach of the year in 215 days. • This would help in meeting the growing demand for coaches. The number of working days to achieve the above figure has been reduced from 289 days in the last year to 215 days in the current year. • Till the year 2014, the same amount of time was being taken for the production of only 1000 coaches.
PM Modi addresses ASSOCHAM Annual Conference Prime Minister Narendra Modi addresses Assocham Annual Conference in Delhi. • PM Says, India's progress towards becoming a USD 5 trillion economy will be strengthened by investment of Rupees 100 lakh crore in infrastructure; also helped by an investment of Rupees 25 lakh crore in rural economy. • The theme of the event was 'New India Aspiring for a USD 5 trillion economy'. The event was organised on the completion of 100 years of ASSOCHAM.
CII organized the 2019 Steeling India in New Delhi The aim of the meeting is to increase metal intensity in key sectors. It aimed to enhance the steel intensity in key user sectors, especially in rural India • Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) organized a meeting on Steeling India-2019: Driving metal intensity in key sectors on 16 December in New Delhi. The Union Minister for Steel and Petroleum & Natural Gas, Dharmendra Pradhan participated in the meeting. • Discussion on strategies for augmenting steel consumption and promoting steel intensive structures were held. • The meeting focused on Infrastructure and Housing, Automobile and Railways, Water and Irrigation. • It included deliberation on Innovative Growth Strategies that focused to add value and niche products
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Weekly BeeBooster 16th Dec to 22nd Dec 2019
• It also plans to develop a roadmap to increase the steel intensity in key sectors. • Steel Producers, Decision Makers, Policy Advisors, Steel Consuming Industries like Automobile and Component Manufacturing companies, Capital Goods Producers, Infrastructure developers, Railway Equipment and Infrastructure companies, etc. participated in the meeting.
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Weekly BeeBooster 16th Dec to 22nd Dec 2019
International News
Google Earth covers 98 percent of entire population Search engine giant Google has revealed that it's mapping service, Google Earth now covers more than 98 percent of the world. • It has captured 10 million miles of Street View imagery, a distance that could circle the globe more than 400 times. • Google Earth, offers 6 million square miles of high definition satellite images, covering more than 98 percent of the entire population.
Portugal announces Gandhi Citizenship Education Prize • Portuguese Prime Minister, Antonio Costa has announced that in order to help perpetuate Mahatma Gandhi’s ideals, Portugal will be launching a Gandhi Citizenship Education Prize, each year inspired by his different thoughts and quotes. • The first edition of this prize will be dedicated to animal welfare as Mahatma Gandhi said that the greatness of a nation can be judged by the way its animals are treated. • Mr. Antonio Costa was addressing the second meeting of the National Committee for Commemoration of the 150th Birth anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi at Rashtrapati Bhavan. He said, Mahatma Gandhi’s message of tolerance and love was revolutionary in his time, and in many parts of the world it is still revolutionary today.
China launched its first indigenously produced aircraft carrier named “Shandong” China has launched its 1st indigenously built aircraft carrier “Shandong”, named after the Shandong province, from Sanya, an important establishment in the South China Sea. It is 2nd aircraft carrier of China after Liaoning. • ‘Shandong’ is much larger than the current aircraft carrier ‘Liaoning’, which can carry 36 combat aircraft. Both are conventionally powered ships with ski jump-assisted short take-off-barrier- arrested-recovery (STOBAR) launch systems. • Indian Navy currently has an aircraft carrier named ‘INS Vikramaditya’ in operation. Its second aircraft carrier ‘INS Vikrant’ is under construction in Kochi(Kerala) and is expected to come into service in 2022.
Sri Lanka formally releases ‘Vistas of Prosperity and Splendor’ • Sri Lankan government has formally released its new National policy Framework titled ‘Vistas of Prosperity and Splendor’.
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Weekly BeeBooster 16th Dec to 22nd Dec 2019
• The framework is meant to guide the government ministries and departments in implementing their policies. • It is aimed at achieving fourfold outcome of being a productive citizen, a contented family, a virtuous, disciplined and just society and a prosperous nation. • Maintaining GDP growth rate of 6.5% or higher under the macroeconomic programme, achieving a per capita income exceeding 6,500 US dollar during 2020 to 2025 are few of the key objectives of the framework.
About Srilanka
Capital: Sri Jayawardenepura Kotte; Currency: Sri Lankan rupee; Prime minister: Mahinda
Rajapaksa
Turkey: Historic mosque moved before dam waters rise In Turkey, the last remaining historical artifact has been removed from the ancient southeastern town of Hasankeyf ahead of its submergence as part of a dam project. • The main body of the 610-year-old Er-Rızk mosque was removed from the 12,000-year-old town in a four-hour operation and transported to a cultural park where the town's artefacts will be displayed. • The Ilisu Dam will generate 1,200 megawatts of electricity, making it Turkey's fourth-largest dam in terms of energy production. But it has been criticised by activists who say the dam, once completely filled, will have displaced over 78,000 people from 199 surrounding villages.
2020: Year of the Nurse and Midwife World Health Organization has designated 2020, the bicentenary of the birth of the founder of modern nursing, Florence Nightingale, The Year of the Nurse and the Midwife (YONM). • Nurses and midwives play a vital role in providing health services, they devote their lives to caring for mothers and children, to giving lifesaving immunisation and health advice. The world will achieve universal health coverage only by recognising the critical role they play.
US President Trump officially launches US military 'Space Force' US President Donald Trump officially launched US military 'Space Force' at an army base near Washington. Mr Trump described space as the world's newest war-fighting domain. • He said, amid grave threats to the US national security, American superiority in space is absolutely vital. He said the Space Force will help to deter aggression and control the ultimate high ground. • The launch of the Space Force, the first in more than 70 years, falls under the US Air Force. It will be funded by an initial 40 million Dollar for its first year.
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Weekly BeeBooster 16th Dec to 22nd Dec 2019
Scientists find the deepest land canyon on Earth under the Antarctic ice sheet The bottom of the canyon discovered under the Denman Glacier plunges 3.5 km below sea level — eight times deeper than the shore of the Dead Sea • A high-precision scan of the topography of the bed of the Antarctic ice sheet has discovered the deepest land canyon on Earth under the Denman Glacier. • The deepest land canyon on Earth plunges 3.5 km below sea level and is roughly 20 km wide. And although there is no water at the bottom, the canyon is filled with ice stretching toward the ocean. • Glaciologists at the University of California discovered the canyon as they were analysing the ice sheet’s topography. The study was first published in the journal Nature Geoscience. . Peugeot SA and Fiat Chrysler signs merger agreement French carmaker “Peugeot SA” and US-Italian “Fiat Chrysler” have signed an agreement to create the world’s fourth largest automaker, headquartered in the Netherlands. • The binding combination agreement provides a 50/50 merger of their businesses to create the 4th largest global automotive original equipment manufacturer by volume and third largest by revenue. • The combined revenue of the two entities will be close to 170 billion euros i.e. $190 million and will have a workforce of more than 4,00,000. • Fiat Chrysler’s chief John Elkann will be the chairman and PSA’s Carlos Tavares chief executive of the new entity.
Ethiopia launches its first satellite Ethiopia launched its first satellite, a landmark achievement for the country's space program that caps a banner year for the African space industry. • The launch of the Ethiopian Remote Sensing Satellite (ETRSS) took place at a space station in China. • This was the eighth launch of an African satellite this year, topping the previous record of seven in 2017. • The launch makes Ethiopia the eleventh African country to put a satellite into space. Egypt was the first in 1998. • Data provided by Ethiopia's satellite is expected to paint a fuller picture of the country's agriculture, forestry and mining resources and improve responses to flooding and other disasters.
84-Year-Old Man Becomes Oldest Person Ever to Complete Antarctic Marathon An 84-year-old Canadian national named Roy Jorgen Svenningsen has become the oldest person ever to complete the Antarctic Ice Marathon.
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Weekly BeeBooster 16th Dec to 22nd Dec 2019
• According to a report in CTV, Svenningse, who started the race December 13, took 11 hours and 41 minutes to finish it. • Roy, a retired oil worker, is from the Canadian city of Edmonton, and he has been running since 1964. He spent a year training for 42-km Antarctic marathon. • The Antarctic Ice Marathon is the planet's southernmost race and is considered one of the toughest. • For an entry fee of 24,800 Canadian dollars (about $19,000), participants are flown to and from Antarctica via Chile's southernmost airport and are fed and lodged in tented accommodations and provided professional photos of their once-in-a-lifetime run. • The winner of this year's race was William Hafferty of the US, who set an event record time of 3 hours, 34 minutes and 12 seconds.
Eight West African nations rename common currency to Eco Eight West African countries have agreed to change the name of their common currency to Eco and severed their earlier currency CFA Franc's links to former colonial ruler France. • The CFA Franc was initially pegged to the French franc and has been linked to the euro for about two decades. Benin, Burkina Faso, Guinea-Bissau, Ivory Coast, Mali, Niger, Senegal and Togo currently use the currency. • All the countries are former French colonies with the exception of Guinea-Bissau. The announcement was made during a visit by French President Emmanuel Macron to Ivory Coast, the world's top cocoa producer and France's former main colony in West Africa. Macron hailed it as a "historic reform", adding the Eco will see the light of day in 2020. • The deal took six months in the making. The CFA franc, created in 1945, was seen by many as a sign of French interference in its former African colonies even after the countries became independent.
Apple, Amazon & Google partners for ‘Connected Home over IP’ “Amazon.com Inc”, “Apple Inc” and Alphabet Inc’s “Google” have announced a partnership to lay the groundwork for better compatibility among their smart home products. • Zigbee Alliance, whose members include IKEA and NXP Semiconductors among others, will also contribute to the project, titled ‘Connected Home over IP’. • The partnership aims to make it easier for device manufacturers to build products that are compatible with smart home and voice services such as Alexa, Siri and Google Assistant.
UNESCO (United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization) removed ‘racist’ Belgian carnival from heritage list UNESCO has removed the ‘Carnival of Aalst’ of Belgium from its Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity List.
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Weekly BeeBooster 16th Dec to 22nd Dec 2019
• The 2019 carnival featured a parade float that included racist and anti-Semitic representations which mocked the Orthodox Jews. • The carnival was added to the Intangible Cultural Heritage list in 2010.
About UNESCO The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization is a specialized agency of the United Nations based in Paris, France. Wikipedia Headquarters: Paris, France; Head: Audrey Azoulay ; Founded: 16 November 1945, London, United Kingdom; Formation: 4 November 1946 ; Parent organization: United Nations Economic and Social Council
World's oldest fossil trees uncovered in New York The earliest fossilised trees, dating back 386 million years, have been found at an abandoned quarry in New York. • Scientists believe the forest they belonged to was so vast it originally stretched beyond Pennsylvania. • This discovery in Cairo, New York, is thought to be two or three million years older than what was previously the world's oldest forest at Gilboa, also in New York State. • The findings throw new light on the evolution of trees.
The first ever Global Refugee Forum was held in Geneva, Switzerland from 17-18 December 2019 It was jointly hosted by United Nations Refugee Agency (UNHCR) along with Government of Switzerland to give impetus to efforts to achieve compact’s objectives and translate international solidarity into concrete action. • Six Thematic Areas on which First Global Refugee Forum was focused were Arrangements for burden and responsibility-sharing, Solutions, Energy and Infrastructure, Protection Capacity, Jobs and Livelihoods and Education. • GRF also hopes to enlist the ‘missing middle’- that is, those states that could either contribute more or host more refugees. • GRF was convened at the ministerial level and participants gathered to address current refugee situation. It was a high-level gathering of states and other stakeholders including UN member states, together with private businesses, nonprofits and nongovernmental organisations (including Jesuit Refugee Service (JRS)). • A stock-taking meeting will take place in two years, and the second Global Refugee Forum is scheduled in 2023 Objectives of GCR • Share responsibilities more equitably
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Weekly BeeBooster 16th Dec to 22nd Dec 2019
• Enhance refugee self-reliance • Expand access to third-country solutions (i.e., permanent resettlement or other opportunities such as scholarships or work permits) • Support conditions in countries of origin for safe, voluntary, dignified repatriation
Trump becomes third US president in history to be impeached Donald Trump has become the third US President in history to be impeached by the House of Representatives, setting up a trial in the Senate that will decide whether he remains in office. • The House voted on two charges - that the President abused his power and that he had obstructed Congress. • Andrew Johnson and Bill Clinton were other two former Presidents who had been impeached.
Manuel Marrero Cruz appointed Cuba's first Prime minister since 1976 Cuban President Miguel Diaz-Canel named Tourism Minister Manuel Marrero Cruz as the country's first Prime minister since 1976. • Marrero, 56, has been the Tourism minister for 16 years, presiding over a rise in visitors and a hotel construction boom that has made tourism one of the most important sectors of the Cuban economy. Diaz-Canel cited Marrero's experience in negotiating with foreign investors as one of his prime qualifications, according to state media. • The position of prime minister was held by Fidel Castro from 1959 to 1976, when a new constitution changed his title to president and eliminated the post of Prime minister.
International Astronomical Union names new star 'Sharjah' The International Astronomical Union (IAU) announced the names of the newly discovered stars and planets, where the name "Sharjah" was chosen for a star with "Barjeel" being the name of one of its planets. • The announcement was made during a press conference of the IAU in the French capital, Paris, celebrating the centennial of the union.
Indian-American Dr Monisha Ghosh named 1st woman CTO at FCC in US Indian-American Dr Monisha Ghosh has been appointed as the first woman Chief Technology Officer at the US government's powerful Federal Communications Commission (FCC). • She will advise Indian-American Chairman of the FCC Ajit Pai and the agency on technology and engineering issues, and work closely with the Office of Engineering and Technology. • Dr Ghosh will take charge on January 13. She replaces Dr Eric Burger.
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Weekly BeeBooster 16th Dec to 22nd Dec 2019
• The FCC regulates interstate and international communications by radio, television, wire, satellite and cable in all 50 states, the District of Columbia and US territories. The FCC as an independent US government agency overseen by Congress is the federal agency responsible for implementing and enforcing America's communications law and regulations.
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Weekly BeeBooster 16th Dec to 22nd Dec 2019
Facts of the Day (Important Days)
Nation celebrates Vijay Diwas on 16 December The nation celebrates Vijay Diwas on 16 December to commemorate India's victory over Pakistan in 1971 war. Rich tributes are being paid to the martyrs who laid down their lives during the war. • On this day in 1971, the chief of the Pakistani forces, General Amir Abdullah Khan Niazi, along with 93 thousand troops, had surrendered unconditionally to the allied forces consisting of Indian Army and Mukti Bahini led by Lieutenant General Jagjit Singh Aurora in Dhaka after their defeat in the Liberation war. • After the end of 14 day war resulted in subsequent secession of East Pakistan into Bangladesh.
18 December- Minorities Rights Day To protect the rights of the minority communities every year on 18 December Minorities Rights Day is observed in India. This day also focuses on bringing a better understanding and educating people about the issues related to minorities and their safety. • Minorities Rights Day is celebrated by the National Commission for Minorities in India which focuses on the religious harmony, respect, and better understanding of all minorities’ communities. • United Nations on 18 December, 1992 adopted and broadcast the Statement on the individual's Rights belonging to religious or Linguistic National or Ethnic Minorities.
About National Commission for Minorities The Union Government established the National Commission for Minorities (NCM) under the National Commission for Minorities Act, 1992. Five religious communities have been notified as minority community namely Muslims, Christians, Sikhs, Buddhists and Zoroastrians (Parsis). Further, according to the notification detail of 27 January 2014, Jains have also been notified as a minority community. Various States like Andhra Pradesh, Assam, Bihar, Chhattisgarh, Delhi, Jharkhand, Karnataka, Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh, Manipur, Rajasthan, Tamil Nadu, Uttarakhand, Uttar Pradesh, and West Bengal set up State Minorities Commissions in their respective States to safeguard and protect the interests of minorities provided in the Constitution and the laws enacted by the Parliament and the State Legislatures.
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Weekly BeeBooster 16th Dec to 22nd Dec 2019
18 December- International Migrants Day The United Nations (UN) International Migrants Day is annually held on December 18 to recognize the efforts, contributions, and rights of migrants worldwide. International Migrants Day recognizes the efforts, contributions and rights of migrants worldwide. • The theme of International Migrants Day for 2019 is "We Together". • In 2019, the number of migrants globally reached an estimated 272 million, 51 million more than in 2010. International migrants comprise 3.5 percent of the global population.
18 December- World Arabic Language Day (WALD) World Arabic Language Day (WALD), also known as the UN Arabic Language Day is observed annually on December 18. • First established by the United Nations Education, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) in 2010, the day celebrates the Arabic language and promotes cultural diversity. • The date (December 18) coincides with the day in 1973 when the UN General Assembly (UNGA) adopted Arabic as the 6th official language of the organisation. • The theme for the year 2019 is “Arabic Language and Artificial Intelligence (AI)”. The theme was chosen to promote and preserve the Arabic language with the help of AI and also deal with the issues related to the computerization of Arabic language.
About UNESCO The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization is a specialized agency of the United Nations based in Paris, France. Headquarters: Paris, France ; Head: Audrey Azoulay ; Founded: 16 November 1945, London, United Kingdom ; Formation: 4 November 1946 ; Parent organization: United Nations Economic and Social Council
19 December- International day of Helping the Poor The UN recognized the 19th of December as the International day of helping the poor, to remind the international community about the problem of poverty. • Poverty the UN refers to the state when the necessary resources are not available for a satisfactory lifestyle.
20 December - International Human Solidarity Day The United Nations' (UN) International Human Solidarity Day is annually held on December 20 to celebrate unity in diversity. It also aims to remind people on the importance of solidarity in working towards eradicating poverty.
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Weekly BeeBooster 16th Dec to 22nd Dec 2019
• Convinced that the promotion of the culture of solidarity and the spirit of sharing was important for combating poverty, the General Assembly proclaimed 20 December as International Human Solidarity Day. • Its objective is to eradicate poverty and promote human and social development in developing countries, in particular among the poorest segments of their populations.
India celebrates National Mathematics Day on birthday of famed mathematician, Ramanujan India celebrates National Mathematics Day on 22 December to commemorate the birth anniversary of Srinivasa Ramanujan. • Ramanujan is remembered for his contributions to mathematical analysis, infinite series, continued fractions and number theory. He also discovered his own theorems and compiled as many as 3900 results independently. • At the age of 31, Ramanujan was one of the youngest members of Britain's Royal Society and the first Indian to be elected a Fellow of Trinity College, Cambridge University.
23 December- National Farmer’s Day Farmer's Day is celebrated every year on 23 December, on the birthday of the 5th Prime Minister of India, Choudhary Charan Singh, also a farmer's leader, who introduced many policies to improve the lives of the Indian farmers. • The National Farmers Day in India is also known as Kisan Divas in Hindi. • Chaudhary Charan Singh, the Kisan Leader, was the fifth Prime Minister of India who served the country for a very short period from July 28, 1979, to January 14, 1980.
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Weekly BeeBooster 16th Dec to 22nd Dec 2019
Facts of the Day (Awards)
Indian peacekeepers in South Sudan receive prestigious UN medal About 850 Indian peacekeepers serving in South Sudan have been awarded the prestigious UN medal for their dedication and sacrifice. • The UN Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS) said, the Indian peacekeepers have been recognized for their strong contribution to building peace in conflict-affected South Sudan as well as for going above and beyond their duties to support local communities. • India is among the largest troop contributing countries to UN peacekeeping operations. Currently, 2,342 Indian troops and 25 police personnel are deployed with the UNMISS.
Amitabha Bagchi wins 2019 DSC Prize The 8th edition of the IME Nepal Literature Festival, held from December 13-16 at Pokhara, concluded with the announcement of the winner of DSC Prize for South Asian Literature 2019. • The $25,000 award went to Amitabha Bagchi for his 2018 novel, Half the Night is Gone.
About The DSC Prize • Ninety books had been submitted for the prize this year. • The $25,000 DSC prize was instituted by Surina Narula and Manhad Narula in 2010. • The award is given to authors from all over the world as long as the writing is about South Asia and its people (includes Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, the Maldives, Myanmar, Nepal, Pakistan and Sri Lanka). • The prize also encourages translations of a book, if a translated book wins the prize, it is distributed equally between the author and the translator
St Teresa’s College bags national energy conservation award St Teresa’s College, Ernakulam, has bagged the award for National Energy Conservation Award 2019 instituted by the Bureau of Energy Efficiency (BEE). • The college, which recently acquired the NAAC accreditation of A++, has also won two awards of Kerala Government for energy conservation and for renewable energy in 2018. • The college has succeeded in reducing its power consumption considerably after setting up solar panels on the campus. All these energy conservation initiatives such as imparting training to manufacture LED bulbs, formation of a start-up for making ornamental designs of LED bulbs etc. are spearheaded by the I-Connect (Initiative for Conservation of Nature & Energy coordinated by Teresians) under the Department of Physics.
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Weekly BeeBooster 16th Dec to 22nd Dec 2019
Rashtrya Swayamsiddh Samman 2019 by JSPL Foundation in New Delhi JSPL Foundation, the CSR (Corporate social responsibility) arm of Jindal Steel & Power Ltd. has conferred Rashtriya Swayamsiddh Samman 2019 to recognize and honour social innovators and Change Agents in India. • The awards were presented by Ravi Shankar Prasad, Minister of Law & Justice and Electronics and Information Technology upon 17 individuals and 10 organisations at a function held in New Delhi. • Rashtriya Swayamsiddh Jeevan Samman for lifetime achievement was conferred upon Seturam Gopalrao Neginhal (SG Neginhal), a pioneer of urban forestry. • For 2019, five Individuals and one organisation received certificates of appreciation as Distinguished Recognition.
Tata Steel BSL bags energy award in Bhubaneswar Tata Steel BSL has been honoured by the Odisha government for energy conservation in its plant at Narendrapur in Dhenkanal district. • The Odisha State Energy Conservation Award 2019 award was given to the company during the National Energy Conservation Day Celebration 2019. • The award was in the category of captive power plant above 100 MW.
Malayali boy Aditya bags top bravery award Aditya K. of Kozhikode, Kerala has become the first child from the State to bag the Bharat Award for bravery. • The most prestigious of the National Bravery Awards, given away by the Indian Council for Child Welfare. • He was awarded for saving 20 people from a burning bus on the move. • The awards will be presented by Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi at the Republic Day event in New Delhi on January 26,2020. • Aditya became 1st child from Kerala to receive Bharat award for bravery. • Two more children from the State are also recipients of the awards. Muhammed Mohsin has been given the award posthumously for saving the lives of three children. Fatah gets the award for rescuing a woman and a girl from an approaching train. Both belong to Kozhikode.
About Kerala Chief Minister: Pinarayi Vijayan; Governor: Arif Mohammad Khan; Capital: Thiruvananthapuram.
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Weekly BeeBooster 16th Dec to 22nd Dec 2019
Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) officer B P Raju was awarded the ‘India Cyber Cop of the Year 2019’ during the Annual Information Security Summit held at Gurgaon, Haryana. He won the award for investigating and cracking a fraud case in an online entrance exam conducted by an engineering college in Rajasthan. • The award was conferred by NASSCOM-DSCI (Data Security Council of India) in the Annual Information Security Summit (AISS) held at Gurugram. • The investigation team headed by B P Raju, arrested 9 accused persons and collected incriminating evidence from digital devices, which revealed modus operandi adapted by accused and the investigation was also completed within the stipulated time period.
About Data Security Council of India (DSCI) It is a premier industry body on data protection in India. This not-for-profit body was setup by NASSCOM (National Association of Software and Services Companies) in 2008. To further its objectives, DSCI engages with governments, regulators, industry sectors, government agencies, industry associations, and think tanks for policy advocacy. CEO: Rama Vedashree ; Headquarters: Noida ; Founded: August 2008
Shashi Tharoor gets Sahitya Akademi Award 2019 Politician-writer Shashi Tharoor and playwright Nand Kishore Acharya are among 23 writers chosen for the prestigious Sahitya Akademi Award 2019. • The Sahitya Akademi announced its annual literary awards for 2019 for works in 23 languages, including one for Shashi Tharoor’s non-fiction book ‘An Era of Darkness: The British Empire in India’ in English category. • Nand Kishore Acharya will receive the recognition for his book of Hindi poetry, Chheelatey Hue Apne Ko. • The Akademi announced that it would honour seven books of poetry, four novels, six books of short stories, three of essays and one each of non-fiction, autobiography and biography. The award, including ₹ 1 lakh in cash, would be presented at a ceremony on February 25, 2020. S.No Language Title and Genre Name of the Author
Joysree Goswami 1 Assamese Chanakya (Novel) Mahanta
Ghumer Chinmoy 2 Bengali Darja Thele (Essays) Guha
3 Akhai Phukan Bodo Athumniphrai (Poetry) Ch. Basumatary
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Weekly BeeBooster 16th Dec to 22nd Dec 2019
Bandralta Om 4 Dogri Darpan (Essays) Sharma Jandriari
An English Era of Darkness (Non- Shashi 5 Fiction) Tharoor
Mojma Ratilal 6 Gujarati Revu Re (Essays) Borisagar
Chheelate Nand 7 Hindi Hue Apne Ko (Poetry) Kishore Acharya
Kudi 8 Kannada Vijaya Esaru (Autobiography)
Akh Abdul 9 Kashmiri Yaad Akh Qayamat (Short AhadHajini Stories)
10 The Nilba Konkani Words (Poetry) A Khandekar
Jingik Kumar 11 Maithili Oriaon Kariat (Poetry) Manish Arvind
Achan V 12 Malayalam Piranna Veedu (Poetry) Madhusoodanan Nair
EiAmadi L 13 Manipuri Adungeigi Eethat (Novel) Birmangol Singh (Beryl Thanga)
Kadachit 14 Marathi Anuradha Patil Ajoonahi(Poetry)
Bhaswati Tarun 15 Odia (Short Stories) Kanti Mishra
Antheen Kirpal 16 Punjabi (Short Stories) Kazak
17 BareekBaat Ramswaroop Rajasthani (Short Stories) Kisan
18 Prajnachakshusham Sanskrit Penna (Poetry)
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Weekly BeeBooster 16th Dec to 22nd Dec 2019
Madhusudan
Sisirkali Kali 19 Santali (Short Stories) Charan Hembram
Jeejal Ishwar 20 Sindhi (Short Stories) Moorjani
Sool Cho 21 Tamil (Novel) Dharman
Septabhoomi Bandi 22 Telugu (Novel) Narayana Swamy
Sawaneh-E-Sir Urdu Syed: Ek Bazadeed Shafey 23 (Biography) Kidwai
Gujarat police to get 'President's Colours' Award Gujarat police was honoured with the President's Colours award. • Gujarat became the seventh state police force in India to be bestowed with the honour of the President’s Colours. It was presented by the Vice President, Shri M. Venkaiah Naidu. • President's Colours is also called NISHAAN. Now, the emblem will be worn by all the police officers of Gujarat on the left-hand sleeve of their uniform.
President's Colours:
The President's Colour is the highest honour bestowed upon a police force in India. The
honour recognizes the invaluable contribution of the police force to society. Earlier, it was
awarded to states of Madhya Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh, Delhi, Jammu and Kashmir, Tripura
and Assam.
CRI Pumps bags award for energy conservation • Coimbatore-headquartered CRI Pumps has bagged the National Energy Conservation • Award 2019 in the pumps category from the Government of India, for the third year in a row. • The company invests significant resources into IoT (Internet of Things) enabled smart pumps. Such pumps can be operated from remote — through mobile phones or auto programmed, thus eliminating manual intervention, apart from safeguarding environmental resources including energy, water, time and money.
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Weekly BeeBooster 16th Dec to 22nd Dec 2019
Vice President gave away 66th National Film Awards Vice President M. Venkaiah Naidu gave away the 66th National Film Awards at a function in New Delhi. • Gujarati movie Hellaro was awarded the best feature film. • Bollywood actors Ayushmann Khurrana and Vicky Kaushal have been selected for best actor award for their roles in Andhadhun and Uri. • Keerthy Suresh got the best actress award for her portrayal of yesteryear's star Savitri in Telugu film Mahanati. • Best Director award was given to Aditya Dhar for his debut film Uri: The Surgical Strike. • Badhaai Ho has been selected for best popular film providing wholesome entertainment. • Akshay Kumar-starrer Padman has been named the best film on social issues. • Arijit Singh has been selected as the best male playback singer on the song Vinte Dil in Padmavaat and Bindhu Malini got the award for Best Female Playback Singer for her Song Maayavi Manave in Kannada movie Nathicharami. • Marathi movie Paani has won the award for Best Film on Environment Conservation and Preservation. • Kannada film Ondalla Eradalla got Nargis Dutt Award for Best Feature Film on National Integration. • Son Rise and the Secret Life of Frogs directed by Vibha Bakshi received the award for Best Non- Feature Film. • Uttarakhand was awarded as the Most Film Friendly State.
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Weekly BeeBooster 16th Dec to 22nd Dec 2019
Facts of the Day (Sports)
Lakshya Sen wins Bangladesh Challenger Indian shuttler Lakshya Sen has won his fifth title of the season, claiming the men's singles crown at the Bangladesh International Challenger with a win over Malaysia's Leong Jun Hao in the final. • The 18-year-old Indian has capped a superb year with a win over Hao in the summit clash to clinch his fifth title in last seven tournaments.
Ben Stokes is BBC Sports Personality of the Year All-rounder Ben Stokes has been named BBC Sports Personality of the Year. • Stokes became the first cricketer since Andrew Flintoff in 2005 to win the prize. • In a public vote, Formula One driver Lewis Hamilton finished second while sprinter Dina Asher- Smith was third.
England Cricketer Laura Marsh announces retirement Laura Alexandra Marsh, England cricketer announced her retirement. • Laura has won three World Cups in her 13-year career, she made her debut in 2006 as a seamer, and later, switched to spin. • She has represented England in 103 ODI’s (One Day International), 67 T20’s and 9 Tests and has taken 217 wickets in her career. • She is also England’s 3rd highest wicket-taker in ODI cricket. • Laura Marsh was awarded a full central contract by the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) in February 2019. • She played her 100th women’s One Day International (WODI) match against West Indies in June 2019.
Virat Kohli retains top spot in ICC Test rankings Indian skipper Virat Kohli retained his top spot among batsmen in the latest ICC Test rankings. • Among batsmen, Cheteshwar Pujara and Ajinkya Rahane are at fourth and sixth spots respectively. • Among the bowlers, Bumrah is at sixth spot in the list headed by Australia's Pat Cummins. • Among Test all-rounders India's Ravindra Jadeja is at number two, behind Jason Holder of the West Indies. • In the ICC World Test Championship, India stand on top. Australia, Sri Lanka, New Zealand and England are at 2nd, 3rd, 4th and 5th spot.
Rafael Nadal, Ashleigh Barty named ITF World Champions for 2019
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Weekly BeeBooster 16th Dec to 22nd Dec 2019
Spaniard Rafael Nadal and Australian Ashleigh Barty have been named International Tennis Federation's (ITF) World Champions for 2019.
CATEGORY WINNER
Men Singles Rafael Nadal (Spain)
Women Singles Ashleigh Barty (Australia)
Women Doubles Timea Babos (Hungary) and Kristina Mladenovic (France)
Men Doubles Juan Sebastian Cabal and Robert Farah (Colombia)
Men’s Wheelchair Gustavo Fernandez (Argentina)
Women’s Wheelchair Diede de Groot (Netherland)
Quad Dylan Alcott (Australia)
• Nadal, who's currently the world number one, this year won his 12th French Open and a fourth US Open. • Barty, who's also on top in women's rankings, won her maiden Grand Slam title this year after defeating Marketa Vondrousova in French Open. • This awards will be given at the 2020 ITF world champions 2nd June, in Paris.
Ellyse Perry is Women’s Cricketer and ODI Player of the Year The International Cricket Council (ICC) announced that Australia all-rounder Ellyse Perry has been named the Women’s Cricketer of the Year as well as the Women’s ODI Player of the Year for 2019. She will take home the Rachael Heyhoe Flint Award. • India opener Smriti Mandhana was named in both the International Cricket Council's ODI and T20 teams of the year. • Australia's Alyssa Healy was chosen as the T20 cricketer of the year.
Deepak Punia Named World's Best Junior Freestyle Wrestler of the Year World Championships silver medallist Deepak Punia is being named the 'Junior Freestyle Wrestler of the Year’ by United World Wrestling (UWW). • Punia had become the first Indian wrestler in 18 years to win a junior world title. He then backed it up with a silver medal on his debut at the Senior World Wrestling Championships. • The sterling display propelled him to the No. 1 position in 86kg in the UWW rankings.
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Weekly BeeBooster 16th Dec to 22nd Dec 2019
Zeena Khitta wins women's national 10-mt Air Rifle Himachal's Zeena Khitta emerged as the new national champion in the Women's 10 metres Air Rifle event at the ongoing 63rd National Shooting Championship Competitions Rifle/Pistol. • Mehuli Ghosh had to settle for the silver while Apurvi won the bronze • 63rd National Shooting Championship Competitions Rifle/Pistol is currently being organised in Bhopal.
FIFA rankings: India static at 108 The Indian men's football team remained static at 108th spot in the year-ending FIFA rankings. • With 1187 total points, India is placed at 19th spot among Asian countries headed by Japan 28th.
Mirabai Chanu bags Gold in 6th Qatar International Cup in Doha Former world champion, weightlifter Saikhom Mirabai Chanu won the women's 49 kg category gold medal to open India's account at the 6th Qatar International Cup in Doha. • Chanu bagged gold with an effort of 194kg in the Olympic qualifying event, with the points which will come in handy when the final rankings for Tokyo 2020 cut are done. The 24-year-old Manipuri lifted 83kg in snatch and 111kg in clean and jerk to finish on top of the podium.
Abhinav Lohan wins Bengaluru Open Golf Championship Abhinav Lohan lifted PGTI title securing the Bengaluru Open golf championship. • It was Lohan's first title on the TATA Steel PGTI and second win of the year as he had also emerged victorious at the PGTI Feeder Tour event in Lucknow two months back. • Lohan thus became the fourth Indian golfer to register his maiden title on the TATA Steel PGTI this season following the likes of Kshitij Naveed Kaul, Priyanshu Singh and Veer Ahlawat.
Belgium crowned FIFA Team of the Year, Qatar biggest climber Belgium have been crowned FIFA 'Team of the Year' for the second successive time after a record- breaking year for the global ladder. • World champions France remains in the second place ahead of Brazil in third, the positions they held in December 2018. • England climbed one place in 2019 to end the year in fourth, and Uruguay moved up to fifth on the back of a two-spot rise. • Argentina (9th) and Colombia (10th) are also in the top 10 at the expense of Switzerland (12th) and Denmark (16th), who have slipped four and six places respectively over the year. China dropped one place to 76th.
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Weekly BeeBooster 16th Dec to 22nd Dec 2019
Jeremy Lalrinnunga on a record-breaking spree Youth Olympic gold medalist weightlifter Jeremy Lalrinnunga went on a record breaking spree, claiming three world marks in a remarkable performance, on the way to a silver in the men’s 67kg category at the 6th Qatar International Cup. • Jeremy smashed his own Youth World and Asian record in snatch, clean and jerk and total lift with an effort of 306kg (140 + 166) to win the silver. • He smashed 12 international records in total: three youth World, three youth Asian and six Commonwealth records; and 15 National records: five youth National, five junior National and five senior National.
India’s Koneru humpy finished 2nd in women’s FIDE Grand prix 2019 held in Monaco Indian chess grandmaster(GM),Koneru Humpy (32) from Andhra Pradesh, has finished 2nd in the FIDE (Fédération Internationale des Échecs) women’s Grand Prix (WGP) 2019 which concluded at the Yacht Club de in Monaco. • She also retained the World No. 3 (Elo 2580) position. Alexandra Kosteniuk (Russia) won the title at the event. • Harika Dronavalli, another Grandmaster from Andhra Pradesh, finished 6th.
About Women’s FIDE Grand Prix Series 2019-2020
It consists of four (4) Women’ Grand Prix tournaments held over two years (2019-20):
1st – Skolkovo, September 10th – 23rd 2019
2nd – Monaco, December 2nd – 15th 2019
3rd – Lausanne, between March 1st and 14th 2020
4th – Sardinia, between May 2nd and May 15th 2020.
ICC extends partnership with UNICEF for Women's World T20 The International Cricket Council (ICC) has extended its partnership with UNICEF through to the Women's T20 World Cup 2020 with the focus on empowering women and girls through cricket. • The program which will run for 12 months, will comprise of a new competitive cricket competition for school aged girls as well as training for 120 teachers and providing cricket equipment to deliver cricket and a community outreach program working with elders to reinforce the positive impact girls playing cricket can have. • The money raised during the Women''s World T20 will go to similar projects in cricket playing nations, including an innovative program to promote girls'' participation in cricket in Sri Lanka and build peace in communities.
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Weekly BeeBooster 16th Dec to 22nd Dec 2019
Maisnam Meiraba Luwang wins Bangladesh Junior International Badminton Series India's shuttler Maisnam Meiraba Luwang has won the Men's singles Bangladesh Junior International Badminton Series 2019 in Dhaka. • Top-seeded Meiraba, who hails from Manipur, beat Ken Yong Ong. • Meiraba had also clinched the boys' singles U-19 title at the Woncheon Yonex Korea Junior Open International Challenge last month.
Harinder Pal Singh wins men's title in 3rd leg of HCL-SRFI India Tour Indian squash player Harinder Pal Singh Sandhu clinched the men's title in 3rd leg of HCL-SRFI India Tour. • Hana Ramadan of Egypt won the women's crown in the third leg of the HCL-SRFI India Tour Squash Tournament in Mumbai. • Harinder defeated Tomotaka Endo of Japan 3-0 in a match that lasted for 30 minutes, while Hana beat England's Lucy Turmel 3-1 in the women's final.
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Weekly BeeBooster 16th Dec to 22nd Dec 2019
States
Nagaland Governor R N Ravi has been given additional charge of Meghalaya • Ravi is also the Centre's interlocutor for talks with Naga insurgents. • Earlier, governor of Meghalaya was Tathagata Roy.
Meghalaya Assembly adopts resolution to implement ILP in state The Meghalaya Assembly unanimously adopted a resolution urging the Government of India to implement Inner Line Permit in the state under the Bengal Eastern Frontier Regulation, 1873. • The resolution was moved by Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma and all members across party lines, including the ruling BJP, supported it. • The one day special session was conducted with the sole intention to pass the resolution in view of the demand by the indigenous residents of the state for implementation of the ILP. • The ILP is a travel document, currently enforced in the “protected” states of Nagaland, Mizoram and Arunachal Pradesh. The Centre recently announced that the ILP would be enforced in Manipur too. • The locals believe the migration of illegal immigrants to the state could be checked only through the ILP. • An “outsider” is required to carry the document while travelling to these states. The stay is permitted for a limited period.
UT of J&K selected for national award by Union Rural Development Ministry Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir has been selected for national award by Union Rural Development Ministry for best performance in the implementation of Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana (PMGSY). • The award distribution ceremony will be held at Pusa, New Delhi. • Union Rural Development Ministry has sanctioned 147 Road and Bridge projects under PMGSY-II covering a length of 783.88 kilometres at an estimated cost of 878.53 crore rupees for Jammu & Kashmir and Ladakh. The entire road length has been sanctioned for upgradation of existing road infrastructure with 10-year maintenance.
Sikkim IFFCO lays foundation for India’s single largest organic processing unit in Sikkim It will set up Integrated Organic Food Processing units in Rangpo with an investment of more than 50 Crores. The project will boost the organic trade with Americas and European Union.
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Weekly BeeBooster 16th Dec to 22nd Dec 2019
• Speaking on the occasion Chief Minister, Sikkim Shri Prem Singh Tamang said that Sikkim is the first state of India to go 100% organic, committing itself to attain sustainable agriculture and to promote the Green Himalayan Economy. • Shri. Prem Singh Tamang, Chief Minister, Sikkim laid the foundation stone of Integrated Organic Food Processing units of Sikkim IFFCO Organics Ltd. in Rangpo, East Sikkim. • Sikkim IFFCO Organics Ltd. is a Joint Venture between world’s biggest fertilizer cooperative IFFCO (Indian Farmers Fertiliser Cooperative Ltd.) & Government of Sikkim. • It is formed to promote & market the organic produce of the country, especially from the State of Sikkim and other North-Eastern states of the country. • The major commercial crops in which Sikkim IFFCO will operate are Ginger, Turmeric, Large Cardamom and Buckwheat. The initial cost of the project is INR 50 Crore. • The manufacturing would kick start from December, 2020. All SIFCO products will be certified 100% organic hence, non-toxic in nature.
Rajasthan bags four prizes for job guarantee scheme Rajasthan has bagged four prizes for its performance under the National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme. • The Union Ministry of Rural Development has especially praised the State’s initiative of geotagging the NREGA works in Kota district. • The achievements of the Panchayati Raj bodies in the NREGA works included construction of watershed structures and strengthening of rural infrastructure.
Andhra Pradesh launches scheme for handloom weavers Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Y.S. Jagan Mohan Reddy launched Nethanna Nestham at Dharmavaram of Anantapur district. • The scheme aims to extending an aid of ₹ 24,000 every year for each handloom weaver family that is currently running a loom. The scheme plans to provide financial aid to about 85,000 families across the State for five years. • The total amount a family would get by the end of the term would be ₹ 1.2 lakh.
Three-day state-level orange festival begins in Manipur In Manipur, a three-day State-level Orange Festival begins. • Chief Minister N. Biren Singh inaugurated the festival at district headquarters Tamenglong. Tamenglong district is largest producer of orange fruit in Manipur. • On day one, “Orange growers” competition was held and prizes were distributed to top position holders. • As part of the festival, cultural show, traditional games, orange queen completion, seminar for growers will be held.
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Weekly BeeBooster 16th Dec to 22nd Dec 2019
• The state government under the sponsorship of North Eastern Council organise the festival annually to promote the fruit and encourage its growers.
Five-day music festival ‘Tansen Samaroh’ begins in Gwalior Popular classical music festival ‘Tansen Samaroh’ began with traditional style in Gwalior. The five- day festival is celebrated every year in the memory of one of the most eminent singers of Indian history, ‘Mian Tansen’. • It is the 95th year of the festival. • Tansen Samaroh, the oldest and esteemed classical music festival in India is organised by Ustad Alauddin Khan Kala Evam Sangeet Academy, under the Madhya Pradesh culture department attracts thousands of musicians and aspiring singers from all over the country. • Noted vocalist Pandit Vidyadhar Vyas will be presented the National Tansen Award for 2019. Instituted by the Madhya Pradesh government, Tansen award carries a cash prize of Rs two lakh and is given to outstanding exponents of Hindustani classical music.
Madhya Pradesh State Police launches “MP e-cop” an application to ensure women’s safety Madhya Pradesh (MP) police have launched an application named ‘MP e-cop’ to ensure the safety of women. • The MP e-cop app includes SOS (an international code signal for extreme distress) facility which will send an alert SMS (Short Message Service) to 100 and any five phone numbers fed in the app as soon as the button is pressed. • It also includes facilities to report about missing documents, mobiles, missing vehicles and missing persons, and also secret information can be shared with the police without disclosing the name.
Madhya Pradesh CM to inaugurate International Film Festival in Khajuraho The Chief Minister of Madhya Pradesh Kamal Nath will inaugurate the International Film Festival in Shilpkala village of Khajuraho. • Films from the country and abroad including Bundelkhandi will be screened at the Tapra Talkies made for the festival. • The International Khajuraho Film Festival is being organized by the Prayas Sanstha in collaboration with the State Government. • Events like interaction with film stars, film making workshop, mobile film making workshop, plays, programmes for promoting local art and culture, herbal forest fair, animal fair etc. are also organized during the Film Festival.
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Weekly BeeBooster 16th Dec to 22nd Dec 2019
Uttrakhand hosted 11th Regional Quality Conclave With the theme ‘Advance Manufacturing with Quality, Innovation & Technology Interventions’, Quality Council of India (QCI) along with PHD Chamber of Commerce and Industry (PHDCCI) organized its 11th Regional Quality Conclave (RQC) at Rudrapur. • The objective of the Conclave is to create awareness about the significance of quality culture in businesses, deliberate on how organizations could continuously improve and innovate and share technological advancement like Industry 4.0 and predictive maintenance. • The Conclave was inaugurated by Madan Kaushik, Uttarakhand Minister of Urban Development. Faggan Singh Kulaste, MoS, Ministry of Steel also attended. • The Conclave received more than 150 participants from top organizations from Uttarakhand region. District Udham Singh Nagar and Rudrapur are major industrial and educational hubs of Uttarakhand. • Many infrastructure industries, motor vehicle companies and FMCG industries have their units in Rudrapur. Through this Conclave the Quality Council of India reached out to industries in the hilly regions of the country.
Tripura gets its first SEZ Agro Based SEZ to come up in Sabroom Tripura SEZ to open Avenues for Investment and Connectivity • The Ministry of Commerce and Industry has notified the setting up of the first ever Special Economic Zone (SEZ) in Tripura on December 16, 2019. • The SEZ is being set-up at Paschim Jalefa, Sabroom, South Tripura District, which is 130 km away from Agartala. It will be a Sector Specific Economic Zone for Agro-Based Food Processing. • The estimated investment in the project will be around 1550 Crore. The developer of the SEZ will be Tripura Industrial Development Corporation (TIDC) Ltd. The SEZ is estimated to generate 12,000 skilled jobs. Rubber based industries, textile and Apparel Industries, bamboo and Agri-food Processing Industries will be set-up in the SEZ. • Setting up of the SEZ in Sabroom will open up new avenues to attract private investment considering the proximity of the Chittagong Port and construction of the bridge across Feni River in South Tripura which is underway. • After it is set up, 100 percent Income Tax exemption will be provided on export income for SEZ units under Section 10AA of the Income Tax Act for the first 5 years. Also 50 percent exemption will be provided for the next 5 years and 50 percent of the ploughed back export profit for another 5 years.
Andhra Pradesh and NMDC inked coal supply pact for proposed Kadapa steel plant
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Weekly BeeBooster 16th Dec to 22nd Dec 2019
The Andhra Pradesh government has signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with the National Mineral Development Corporation (NMDC) for iron ore supply to the proposed Kadapa steel plant. • Chief Minister YS Jagan Mohan Reddy will be laying the foundation stone for the steel plant. • The Kadapa steel plant will come up in Jammalamadugu mandal of YSR Kadapa district.
Odisha CM launches 'Jalsathi' programme Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik has launched the 'Jalsathi' programme to ensure supply of safe drinking water to all households in the state. • This programme will have inclusion of woman volunteers for piped water supply and this will boost their economic empowerment. Under the 'Jalsathi' programme, about 5,000 women will be engaged for supplying safe drinking water. • Water quality testing kits were also distributed and POS (point of sale) machines to the women volunteers - 'Jalasathis'. The 'Jalasathis' will be responsible for water quality testing, facilitating new water connections, regularising connections, reassessment of demands, meter reading, bill generation, bill delivery, collection of water charges and facilitating complaints redressal. • For implementation of the 'Jalsathi' programme, the Water Corporation of Odisha (WATCO) and Women federations in Bhubaneswar signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU).
Anti-hijacking exercise held off Cochin Port A large-scale anti-hijacking exercise was conducted off the port of Kochi by the Navy, Coast Guard, the Cochin Port Trust and other agencies. • Code-named “Apharan”, the exercise saw participation of multiple agencies, including more than 12 ships and helicopters of the Navy, Coast Guard and Cochin Port Trust. • The exercise was aimed at streamlining the response mechanism/preparedness to thwart any attempt by rogue elements to hijack a merchant vessel or attempt forced entry of a rogue/commandeered merchant vessel into the Kochi harbour. • Within the ambit of coastal security architecture, hijacking of a merchant vessel is one of the challenging scenarios, response to which requires synergy of resources, assets and efforts of all stakeholders, including the State government. • The exercise was conducted under the aegis of the Commander-in-Chief, Coastal Defence -- the chief of the Southern Naval Command.
Former HC Judge CV Ramulu appointed as Lokayukta: Telangana In Telangana, former High Court Judge Justice CV Ramulu has been appointed as the Lokayukta. Former Law Secretary V Niranjan Rao has been appointed as Upa Lokayukta. • The governor also appointed another former judge Justice G Chandraiah as Chairman of the State Human Rights Commission.
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Weekly BeeBooster 16th Dec to 22nd Dec 2019
• This is the first time that the state government has constituted the Lokayukta and Human Rights Commission since the state was formed in 2014.
National conference on ‘Uniformed Women in Prison Administration’ begins in Bhopal In Madhya Pradesh, a two-day National Conference on ‘Uniformed Women in Prisons Administration’ begins a Central Academy for Police Training in Bhopal. • Union Minister of State for Home Nityanand Rai will inaugurate the conference. • For the first time, the conference is being held in Madhya Pradesh outside Delhi. • It is to be noted that in Madhya Pradesh, women have been given 33 per cent reservation in government services.
Andhra Pradesh tops in organizing Fit India School Week The Fit India School week has so far been organized by 26,845 schools. • Andhra Pradesh tops the chart with 13,839 Fit India Schools celebrating FIT India Week. • Karnataka and Uttar Pradesh are distant second & third with 1,967 and 1,504 schools respectively. • Currently, the Fit India Flag has been obtained by 21,344 schools. Again, Andhra Pradesh leads the movement with 8,117 – the highest number of Fit India-ranked schools across India. It is followed by Karnataka with 5,989 schools. • The Fit India School Ranking system is the first-ever fitness rating for schools introduced in India. Under this, the schools are given a Fit India Flag and 3-star and 5-star rating, depending on the fitness levels of the students and teachers, infrastructure available and their participation in fitness activities. Obtaining FIT India Flag is precondition for getting FIT India school ranking. • During this week, various activities like Yoga, free-hand exercises, sports competitions, painting competitions, and essay and debate competitions on fitness were organized by the schools to emphasise on the importance of fitness in a student’s life.
NSE joins hands with Gujarat to promote MSMEs The National Stock Exchange has entered into a pact with the Gujarat government to work jointly for the promotion and development of MSMEs (Micro Small and Medium Enterprises) in the State. • The MoU will address multiple avenues for MSMEs in terms of fund raising and understanding of hedging foreign exchange fluctuations for MSMEs engaged in imports and exports business, the NSE. • Apart from this, a fund is also being created by the state government on the NSE platform to encourage investors to invest in the fast-growing SMEs in the State.
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Weekly BeeBooster 16th Dec to 22nd Dec 2019
• The Government has decided to support MSMEs financially by bearing a part of the expenses related to listing. Further, the government and the NSE will also work jointly to promote the online digital bills receivable discounting platform.
Rajasthan launches new policies for industrial development, wind energy The Rajasthan government launched new schemes and policies to promote industrial development, investment, solar energy, wind energy and small scale industries in the state. • Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot launched the Industrial Development Policy-2019, Rajasthan Investment Promotion Scheme-2019, Chief Minister's Small Scale Industries Promotion Scheme 2019, Solar Energy Policy-2019 and Wind and Hybrid Energy Policy-2019 at a function here. • Energy Minister BD Kalla, Industry Minister Parsadi Lal Meena were amongst those present on the occasion.
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Weekly BeeBooster 16th Dec to 22nd Dec 2019
Persons/events
Ravi Mittal takes charge as new I&B Secretary IAS officer Ravi Mittal took charge as the new Secretary, Information and Broadcasting Ministry. • Mr Mittal took charge from Amit Khare who has been appointed as Secretary, Department of Higher Education. • Before this, Mr Mittal, a 1986 batch IAS officer of Bihar Cadre, was working as the Special Secretary in the Department of Financial Services, Ministry of Finance.
Actor Shriram Lagoo passes away Eminent theatre personality and film actor Shriram Lagoo died due to age-related ailments. He was 92. • He played an important role in the growth of the theatre movement in Maharashtra post- Independence along with Vijay Tendulkar, Vijaya Mehta and Arvind Deshpande. His roles in Marathi plays such as Natsamrat and Himalayachi Saoli, and films such as Pinjra made him popular. • Dr. Lagoo, affectionately called in theatre circles as ‘Doctor’, was known for his progressive and rationalist views, which he expressed without fear.
Danish-French actress Anna Karina passes away French New Wave actress, Anna Karina died at 79 in a hospital in Paris, France. She was diagnosed with cancer and was undergoing treatment. Anna was born in Denmark as Hanne Karin Bayer. • Her famous movies include The Little Soldier, A Woman Is a Woman, My Life to Live , Band of Outsiders, Pierrot le Fou, and Alphaville. • She won the Silver Bear for Best Actress award in the Berlin film festival for her movie “A woman is a woman”.
Kerala NCP president Thomas Chandy dead Thomas Chandy, Kerala president of the Nationalist Congress Party and legislator in the Kerala Assembly from Kuttanad, died at his home. • The 72-year old had been battling cancer for some time. • He held the Transport portfolio in the current LDF government for a few months in 2017 before being forced to step down following allegations of land grab and lake reclamation for a resort promoted by a company in which he was a director.
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Weekly BeeBooster 16th Dec to 22nd Dec 2019
Urdu author Mujtaba Hussain to return Padma Shri award 86-year-old Urdu author Mujtaba Hussain from Hyderabad, Telangana had said he will return his Padma Shri award to protest against the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA). He stated due to the current sitiation in the country, he did not want to keep the award anymore. • The Government of India awarded him the fourth highest civilian honour of Padma Shri 2007, for his contributions to Urdu literature. • He is best known for his books America Ghaans Kaat Raha Hai, Cihrah dar cihrah, a take on US foreign policy, Japan Chalo and many other books.
Sridhar Patra appointed NALCO CMD Sridhar Patra was appointed as the chairman-cum-managing director of NALCO. • Sridhar Patra is replacing Tapan Kumar Chand as CMD. • Patra is at present Director (Finance) in the National Aluminium Company Limited (NALCO). • He has been appointed as the CMD of NALCO till the date of his superannuation, i.e. October 31, 2024.
About NALCO:
NALCO was incorporated in 1981. It is a Navratna group A CPSE that functions under the
Ministry of Mines. Indian Government holds 52% equity of NALCO. It is headquartered at Bhubaneswar, Odisha.
Actress Gita Siddharth Kak passes away Yesteryear actress Gita Siddharth Kak passed away in Mumbai. • Gita Siddharth Kak’s most well-known credits include Garm Hava (1973), Parichay (1972), Gaman (1978) among others. • Her Garam Hava won the Best Feature Film at the 21st National Film Awards. While Sathyu's effort won a National Award as Best Feature Film on National Integration, she received a souvenir at the ceremony for her role of Amina in the film.
Children’s book writer and Rajyotsava award winner Chandrakanth Karadalli passed away Chandrakanth Karadalli a renowned children’s book writer died due to cardiac arrest in Bangalore at the age of 70. • He won Karnataka Rajyotsava award in 2019 and Bala Sahitya Akademi award from the union government. • He also received ‘Good Teacher’ award from both State and Nation Government.
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Weekly BeeBooster 16th Dec to 22nd Dec 2019
• He was a retired government primary school teacher from Shahapur in Yadgir district and his works include Nalidadu Baa Navile, Puttana Kanasu, Vichara Taranga and Manadaalada Maatugalu.
Former Union minister ID Swami passed away Former Union Minister ID Swami passed away at the age of 90 in Faridabad, Haryana. He was suffering from heart disease and was admitted to the hospital. • Swami was Union Minister of State for Home Affairs in 1999 in former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee's government. • The BJP leader was two times Lok Sabha member from Karnal in Haryana.
Former SGPC chief Avtar Singh Makkar passes away Former president of Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) Avtar Singh Makkar died at a private hospital in Gurugram. The 78-year old Makkar was admitted to the hospital in critical condition. • He was one of the longest-serving presidents of the SGPC, an apex religious body of the Sikhs. • Makkar remained the SGPC president from November 23, 2005, to 4th November 2016. He was also the Vice President of the Shiromani Akali Dal.
Gitanath Ganguly, President of Mohun Bagan Athletic Club passed away Gitanath Ganguly, President of Mohun Bagan Athletic Club (AC) and retired Justice died at 83 following a cardiac arrest. • He was appointed as the President of the club in November 2018, and was the legal consultant of the club when Anjan Mitra was the General Secretary.
About Mohun Bagan Athletic Club It is a professional football club based in West Bengal, India. It was established on 15th August 1889 and is one of the oldest existing football association clubs in India and Asia.
First Amerindian to respresent West Indies cricket team, Basil Butcher, passed away Former Guyana and West Indies(Windies) batsman Basil Fitzherbert Butcher passed away at the age of 86 in Florida, United States(US) due to old age ailments. • He was the first person of Amerindian (indigenous American) descent to represent the West Indies. • He was named Wisden Cricketer of the Year in 1970.
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Weekly BeeBooster 16th Dec to 22nd Dec 2019
Indian-American computer scientist to lead National Science Foundation US President Donald Trump has picked Indian-American computer scientist Sethuraman Panchanathan to lead the prestigious National Science Foundation. • The National Science Foundation (NSF) is a US government agency that supports fundamental research and education in all the non-medical fields of science and engineering. Its medical counterpart is the National Institutes of Health (NIH). • “Dr Sethuraman Panchanathan brings to this position a wealth of experience in research, innovation, academic administration, and policy as exemplified by his long and distinguished career,” Kelvin Droegemeier, Director of the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy, said. • Panchanathan, 58, would succeed France Cordova when her six-year term as the NSF Director ends in 2020. NSF Director is a Senate-confirmed position. • Panchanathan is currently the Executive Vice President and the Chief Research and Innovation Officer at the Arizona State University (ASU). He is also the Founding Director of the Centre for Cognitive Ubiquitous Computing at the ASU.
TAFE Chairman Mallika Srinivasan appointed to Global Board of US-India Business Council Mallika Srinivasan, Chairman of Tractors and Farm Equipment Limited (TAFE) was appointed as one of the board members of the United States (US)- India Business Council (USIBC), a global board of the US Chamber of Commerce. • The appointment is to take immediate effect as she joins a prestigious list of Chief Executive Officers (CEO) and executives on the USIBC 35-member board. • Srinivasan is also on the boards of the Allis-Gleaner Corporation (AGCO), United States of America (USA) Steel Limited and TATA Global Beverages (TGB) limited. • Other members appointed to the Global board of USIBC are Shekar Ayyar from Virtual Machineware (VMware), Rajan Navani, Jetline Group of Companies and David Taghioff, Library Pictures International.
About US- India Business Council (USIBC) Founded: 1975 ; Headquarters: Washington D.C, United States ; Chairman: Nisha Desai Biswal
NCLAT restores Cyrus Mistry as executive chairman of Tata Group National Company Law Appellate Tribunal (NCLAT) has restored former Tata group Chairman Cyrus Mistry as executive chairman of Tata Group who was ousted from his position citing nonperformance in work. • He was then replaced by Natarajan Chandrasekaran. NCLAT has now held Natarajan Chandrasekaran appointment as illegal after Mistry’s restoration.
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Weekly BeeBooster 16th Dec to 22nd Dec 2019
• Cyrus Mistry took over as 6th chairman after Ratan Tata’s retirement was announced. He was ousted from the post in October 2016. The Mistry family is the single largest shareholder in Tata Sons, with an 18.4% stake. • A 2-member bench of the NCLAT headed by S J Mukhopadhyaya announced Ratan Tata’s actions against Mistry were oppressive and the appointment of a new chairman was illegal as his removal was not in accordance with Section 244 of the Companies Act, 2013. NCLAT has also rejected the conversion of Tata Sons into a private company from a public firm.
About National Company Law Appellate Tribunal NCLAT The National Company Law Appellate Tribunal (NCLAT) is a tribunal which was formed by the Central Government of India under Section 410 of the Companies Act, 2013. It also hears appeals from any direction issued, decision made, or order passed by the Competition Commission of India (CCI). Founded: 1 June 2016; Headquarters: New Delhi ; Act: Companies Act 2013.
IPS officer Atul Karwal appointed as Director of National Police Academy Atul Karwal, a 1988 batch IPS officer, has been appointed as the Director of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel National Police Academy in Hyderabad. • The Appointments Committee of the Cabinet has approved the proposal of Ministry of Home Affairs for appointment of Karwal, presently working as ADG, CRPF as Director, SVP NPA by temporarily downgrading the post to the level of Additional Director General for a period up to 05.12.2021 i.e. the date of combined deputation tenure of Karwal or until further orders whichever is earlier.
Devesh Srivastava elected as CMD of GIC Re Devesh Srivastava is elected as Chairman and Managing Director at General Insurance Corporation of India (GIC Re). • Currently, he is managing the departments of human resource and training, ReInsurance Worldwide (RIWW), corporate communications, CMD's secretariat and innovation centre.
About GIC Re GIC is the largest reinsurance company in India in terms of gross premiums accepted in
FY17, accounting for about 60 per cent of the premiums ceded by Indian insurers to reinsurers. It provides reinsurance across many key business lines including fire (property), marine, motor, engineering, agriculture, aviation/space, health, liability, credit and financial and life insurance.
Headquarters: Mumbai Founded: 1972
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Weekly BeeBooster 16th Dec to 22nd Dec 2019
Veteran cinematographer Ramachandra Babu dies Eminent cinematographer Ramachandra Babu, 72, who wielded camera for over 125 movies, passed away at a hospital. • Babu was part of the technological advancement made by the Malayalam movie industry and was behind the camera when the industry shifted from black and white to colour. • Babu had won the Kerala State Film Award for Best Cinematography four times.
Writer and critic LS Sheshagiri Rao passed away Kannada writer and critic L.S. Sheshagiri Rao passed away. His first work was Idu Jeevana, an anthology of short stories was released in 1948. • Best known for his book “Hosagannada Sahitya Charitre”, he was also known for his critical works and an English-Kannada dictionary that he compiled. • Proficient in Kannada and English, many of his works were bridges between the two languages.
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Weekly BeeBooster 16th Dec to 22nd Dec 2019
Defence
Lt. Gen. Manoj Mukund Naravane to be next Army chief Vice Chief of Army, Lieutenant General Manoj Mukund Naravane, has been appointed the next Chief of the Army Staff (COAS). • He will take over as the 28th COAS from incumbent General Bipin Rawat, whose term ends on December 31. Lt. Gen. Naravane will have a tenure till April 2022 till his superannuation. • Lt. Gen. Naravane has served as the Eastern Army Commander and Commander Army Training Command. He is from the Sikh Light Infantry and has commanded a Rashtriya Rifles battalion in Kashmir, served in the Assam Rifles and has been posted as defence attache to Myanmar. • An alumnus of the National Defence Academy and the Indian Military Academy, Lt Gen Naravane, was commissioned into the 7th battalion, the Sikh Light Infantry Regiment in June 1980. He will be the third Army chief from the Sikh Light regiment after Gen. V.P. Malik and Gen. Bikram Singh. • He has been awarded the Sena Medal (Distinguished) for effectively commanding his battalion in Jammu and Kashmir. He is also a recipient of the Vishisht Seva Medal for his services as the Inspector General Assam Rifles (North) in Nagaland and the Ati Vishisht Seva Medal for commanding of a prestigious strike corps. • He was honoured with Param Vishisht Seva Medal for his distinguished services as the General Officer Commanding in Chief of the Army Training Command.
About Chief of the Army Staff (COAS) Formation: 1 April 1955; Appointer: Appointments Committee of the Cabinet; Term length: 3 years or at the age of 62 ; Precursor: Commander-in-Chief, Indian Army
Successful launch of two BrahMos missiles from land and air platforms Defence Research & Development Organisation (DRDO), Indian Air Force (IAF) and BrahMos jointly successfully conducted two BrahMos supersonic cruise missiles tests, one each from land and air platforms. • The first missile launch was from a land based mobile launcher, where most of the components were indigenous, including the missile airframe, fuel management system and DRDO designed seeker. • The second launch of the missile was carried out by Indian Air force (IAF) from SU-30MKI platform against a sea target. The air launched BrahMos missile, designed and developed by
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Weekly BeeBooster 16th Dec to 22nd Dec 2019
BrahMos Aerospace Private Limited (BAPL), is a 2.5 ton supersonic air to surface cruise missile with ranges close to 300 km. • Earlier on May 22, 2019, IAF had successfully tested the missile against a land-based target in the Car Nicobar Islands region. The BrahMos Air Launched Cruise Missile (ALCM) promises to bolster the air combat capability of IAF from stand-off ranges. • The BrahMos missile provides Indian Air Force a much desired capability to strike form large stand-off ranges on any target at sea or on land with pinpoint accuracy by day or night and in all weather conditions. The capability of the missile coupled with the high performance of the Su-30MKI aircraft gives the IAF a strategic reach and allows it to dominate the battle fields over land and sea.
Indo-Russian military exercise concludes The air force component of ‘Ex INDRA 19’, a joint exercise between India and Russia, successfully concluded at the Air Force Station in Lohegaon in Pune. • As part of the exercise, the Indian armed forces and their Russian counterparts undertook joint air, land and sea operations. • The exercise was conducted simultaneously at Pune, Goa and Gwalior. • The exercise provided an opportunity to enhance the IAF’s operational capability, synergise joint operations and improve interoperability with Russian Federation Air Force to operate under the UN mandate. • The Russian Air Force contingent, comprising 80 personnel from various branches, interacted with their Indian counterparts and shared their branch specific work experience.
Upgraded version of Pinaka guided rocket system, QR-SAM successfully test-fired India had successfully test-fired two missiles from Chandipur in Odisha. The upgraded version of Pinaka guided rocket system was test-fired from the DRDO’s Proof and Experimental Establishment firing test range while the all-weather tracked-chassis Quick Reaction Surface-to-Air Missile (QR-SAM) tested from a mobile launcher at a launch complex of the Integrated Test Range, Chandipur, off the Odisha coast. • The Pinaka is an artillery missile system capable of striking into the enemy territory up to a range of 75 km with high precision. The test was for the Pinaka MK-II Rocket modified as a missile by integrating with the navigation, control and guidance system to improve the end accuracy and enhance the range. The navigation system of the missile is also aided by the Indian Regional Navigation Satellite System. • The indigenously developed Pinaka and QR-SAM weapon system test achieved the desired accuracy by hitting the intended target with a high degree of precision and met all mission objectives. Pinaka system has a maximum range of 75 km for Mark-II variant and can fire a salvo of 12 rockets in less than 45 seconds.
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Weekly BeeBooster 16th Dec to 22nd Dec 2019
• QR-SAM system can also engage multiple targets within a range of around 25 to 30 km with two vehicle configurations for area air defence. The specificity of QR-SAM missile is that it intended to defend Army formations operating in plains and semi-desert areas, including those enemy missiles that suddenly appear at close range.
India and US sign defence tech transfer pact, pledge to boost strategic ties at 2+2 In a major boost for the Indian defence industry, the US and India have signed a pact to enable the secure transfer of classified critical defence technology. • The Industrial Security Annex (ISA) agreement was signed by India External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo and Defence Secretary Mark Esper during the second round of 2+2 dialogue between the two countries. • The ISA sets the stage for Indian and US private companies to pursue joint development and production in the defence sector. India and the US also reached three agreements under the Defense Technology and Trade Initiative to boost the combined capacity for the co-production of critical technologies. • India and the US held the first 2+2 dialogue in New Delhi in September last year.
Curtain Raiser: Army Technology Seminar The fifth edition of ARTECH is organised by Indian Army on ‘Technologies for Non Contact Warfare’ which was organised on 23 December 2019 in New Delhi. • ARTECH Seminar was launched in 2016 as part of overall vision of ‘Make in India’ of Hon’ble Prime Minister and is conducted every year as part of events leading to Army Day celebrations. The seminar is the flagship event of Indian Army which sets the agenda for focus areas of harvesting indigenous capabilities in the Defence sector. • ARTECH platform provides an opportunity to practitioners of military operations, policy makers in Ministry of Defence, industry and academia to put forth their contemporary Defence related capabilities. It is also a forum for innovators in uniform to showcase their products and offer these to industry to refine & productionise.
The Indian Coast Guard (ICG) organised 18th National Maritime Search and Rescue Board (NMSARB) meeting in New Delhi. The annual meeting was held to discuss policy issues, formulate guidelines & procedures as well as assess the efficacy of National Search and Rescue Plan (NSRP). • The meet also reiterated the need to focus on sustainable maritime safety in Area of Responsibility (AOR). • The apex-level meeting was chaired by Director General Indian Coast Guard and Chairman NMSARB K Natarajan. It was attended by 48 Board members from various ministries, agencies, all Coastal States & Union Territories (UTs).
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Weekly BeeBooster 16th Dec to 22nd Dec 2019
• MV Asia Emerald III was awarded the SAR Award for Merchant Vessel for the year 2018-19. It saved 6 lives from a distressed fishing boat. • Anand A Ambhire from Maharashtra was awarded SAR Award for Fisherman for saving 11 lives from a sinking fishing boat. • Indian Coast Guard Ships (ICGS) Sujoy and ICGS Vikram were jointly awarded SAR Award for Government Owned SAR Unit for saving 46 lives from ROSV Sagar Sampada off New Mangalore.
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Weekly BeeBooster 16th Dec to 22nd Dec 2019
Agriculture
Government aims to provide broadband access to all villages by 2022 The government announced a new ‘mission’ aimed at providing broadband access to all villages by 2022. • National Broadband Mission aims to fast track growth of digital communications infrastructure, bridge the digital divide and provide affordable and universal access of broadband for all. • The main objective of the NBM is to provide broadband access to all villages by 2022. This mission will provide internet connectivity to 1 lakh villages. • The mission is a part of the National Digital Communications Policy, 2018 • Under the mission, the government plans to lay incremental 30 lakh route km of optical fibre cable, while also increasing tower density from 0.42 to 1 tower per thousand of population by 2024. • The mission envisages stakeholder investment of $100 billion (₹ 7 lakh crore) including ₹ 70,000 crore from Universal Service Obligation Fund (USOF) in the coming years and “address policy and regulatory changes required to accelerate the expansion and creation of digital infrastructure and services.
Land records in 90% of Indian villages have been computerized About 90 per cent of villages in India have computerized the Records of Right (RoR), the basic primary record that shows land rights and property transactions. About 53 per cent of cadastral maps showing the boundaries and ownership of land parcels have been digitised, according to the Ministry of Rural Development. • The Centre, through the Digital lndia Land Records Modernisation Programme (DILRMP), is providing financial assistance to the States for the computerisation of land records. • Karnataka was the first State to computerise land records under the ‘Bhoomi Project’, followed by Andhra Pradesh and Tamil Nadu. Subsequently, the Centre introduced the DILRMP in 2008.
AIIB announces $210 m loan for irrigation, solar energy projects in India The Beijing-based Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB) announced a total loan of $210 million for irrigation and solar energy projects in India. • The multilateral institution will give $145 million to improve irrigation services and strengthen flood risk management in West Bengal, while $65 million has been earmarked for a 250 MW solar project in Rajasthan, promoted by Hero Future Energies.
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Weekly BeeBooster 16th Dec to 22nd Dec 2019
• India is the second-largest shareholder of the bank and the largest recipient of its loan and equity commitments. The total commitments to the country stand at $3 billion, which is about a third of total of $10 billion.
Government approves launch of third phase of rural road programme In a cabinet meeting, chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the launch of Phase-3 of the Centre's flagship rural road scheme Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana (PMGSY) was approved, the government said in a statement. • To boost connectivity of villages with hospitals, schools and markets, the Centre approved the launch of Phase-3 of its rural road programme to widen and revamp 1.25-lakh km of roads in the country.
• The duration of this phase will be of five years till 2024-25.
• Construction of bridges of up to 150m in plain areas and 200 m in Himalayan and north eastern states are proposed under this phase, as against the existing provisions of 75 m and 100 m in plain areas and Himalayan and north-eastern states respectively, it said.
• States will be asked to enter into Memorandum of Understanding before launching PMGSY-III to provide adequate funds for maintenance of roads in the five-year period after construction, the government said.
• This will facilitate easy and faster movement to and from agricultural markets, schools and hospitals. It will entail an estimated cost of Rs 80,250 crore, which would be shared in the ratio of 60:40 between the Centre and states.In case of eight north-eastern and three Himalayan states the ratio will be 90:10.
• PMGSY was launched in December, 2000 with an objective to provide single all-weather road connectivity to eligible unconnected habitation of designated population size of more than 500 in plain areas and 250 in north-east, hill, tribal and desert areas as per census of 2001.Ninety-seven per cent, of all the eligible and feasible habitations have already been connected by all-weather roads under this scheme, the government said.
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Weekly BeeBooster 16th Dec to 22nd Dec 2019
Others
Thawarchand Gehlot launches Braille version of 'Exam Warriors' written by PM Modi Social Justice and Empowerment Minister Thawarchand Gehlot launched Braille version of the book ‘Exam Warriors’ written by Prime Minister Narendra Modi. • The braille version in English and Hindi has been printed by Rajasthan Netraheen Kalyan Sangh in Jaipur. • The book will benefit visually-impaired students who face mental stress during examinations. • The Rajasthan Netraheen Kalyan Sangh will propagate the braille version of the book nationwide so that students can reap the benefits of this book.
Vice President releases the book “Turbulence and Triumph – The Modi Years” The Vice President of India Shri M Venkaiah Naidu today urged people to place national interest at the center of their actions and not to indulge in violence. • Addressing the gathering after releasing the book “ Turbulence and Triumph – The Modi Years” written by Rahul Agarwal and Bharti S Pradhan at Uparashtrapati Bhavan in New Delhi, he said that while dissent was the basic quality of democracy, people must follow peaceful, democratic methods and function according to the spirit of the Constitution. • Observing that unity, safety, integrity and sovereignty of the nation were of paramount importance, the Vice President said that people must move forward in a constructive and positive manner. He said people should not do anything that would be detrimental to the image of the country.
EC Sunil Arora releases booklet ‘Crossing the Barriers…I Got Inked’ at National workshop on accessible elections held in New Delhi
The Election Commission of India organized a National Workshop on Accessible Elections. The Workshop was organized with the purpose of reviewing steps taken as yet by ECI for making Elections PwD and Senior Citizens friendly and to deliberate on steps still required to make the process more inclusive and accessible.
• The Commission also released a booklet, ‘Crossing the Barriers – I Got Inked’ on first- person accounts of voters who overcame all hurdles to participate in the largest festival of democracy.
• A comprehensive document highlighting the work done so far, recent initiatives, and recommendations from all States/UTs and various stakeholders named
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