Daily CurrentTitle Affairs Capsule rd Title 23 December 2020

Boeing announces Super Hornet demonstrated compatibility with Indian carriers

American aviation giant Boeing announced that its F/A-18 Super Hornet fighter has demonstrated compatibility with India’s aircraft carriers between the U.S. and India.

 The F/A-18 Block III Super Hornet would not only provide superior war-fighting capability to the Indian Navy but also create opportunities for cooperation in naval aviation between the U.S. and India.  F/A-18 can also interface with the Navy’s P-8I as a “force multiplier” and also with other platforms under induction.

National Farmers Day: 23 December

National Farmers Day (Kisan Diwas) is observed every year on December 23 in India to remember the role of Indian farmers in the economy.

 The day is observed to mark the birth anniversary of former Prime Minister Chaudhary Charan Singh.

 He brought farmer-friendly policies and worked towards the welfare of the farmers.  Chaudhary Charan Singh was the fifth Prime Minister of India and served the country as Prime Minister from 28 July 1979 to 14 January 1980.

ADB to give Rs 2100-cr loan to Tripura for urban, tourism development

The Asian Development Bank (ADB) has announced a Rs 2,100 crore loan to the Tripura government for the development of urban areas and tourism in the northeastern state.

 From the total fund of Rs 2,100 crore, Rs 1600 crore will be for urban development and Rs 500 crore for the tourism sector.  Under this, all 20 urban local bodies in Tripura would be covered and in the tourism sector, all tourism destinations, roads leading to them and tourist facilities would be covered.

51st DG level talks between BSF India and BGB begins in Guwahati

Fifty first DG level talks between Border Security Force India and Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) began in Guwahati.

 It is for the first time that the bi-annual talks between the two Border Guarding Forces is taking place in Assam.  The delegation of Border Guard Bangladesh is led by the DG BGB Maj Gen Shafeenul Islam while BSF delegation is headed by the DG Rakesh Asthana.  They will discuss various aspects and issues related to Border Management.

Centre and WB sign USD 500 million project to build Green National Highway Corridors

The Centre and the World Bank signed a USD 500 million project to build safe and green national highway corridors in Rajasthan, Himachal Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh and Andhra Pradesh.

 The project will also enhance the capacity of the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways in mainstreaming safety and green technologies.  The Green National Highways Corridors Project will support the Road Transport and Highways Ministry to construct 783 kilometres of highways in various geographies by integrating safe and green technology designs such as local and marginal materials, industrial byproducts and other bioengineering solutions.  The project will help reduce GHG emissions in the construction and maintenance of highways.

Positive Pay system for Cheques

The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has decided to introduce a new rule for cheque payments from January 1, 2021.

 It is called 'positive pay system' for cheques, under which re-confirmation of key details may be needed for payments beyond Rs 50,000.  Availing of this facility would be at the discretion of the account holder.  However, banks may consider making it mandatory in case of cheques for amounts of Rs 5 lakh and above.

ICICI Bank launches online portal ‘Infinite India’ for foreign firms expanding in India

The ICICI Bank has launched an online platform ‘Infinite India’ to support foreign companies to establish or expand business in India.

 The one-stop portal will offer banking solutions as well as value-added services such as incorporation of a business entity, corporate filings, licences and registrations, HR services, compliances and taxation among others.  Through this initiative, ICICI bank aims to strengthen its position in the multinational corporations (MNC) segment.

Rafael Nadal wins Sportsmanship Award

Former world number one player bagged the Stefan Edberg Sportsmanship Award for the third year in a row and fourth time in his career at the ATP Awards

 Nadal, who won a record-stretching 13th Roland Garros title at the French Open this year, was voted for the award by fellow players.  World No. 1 along with US Open champions Mate Pavic and were also honoured for finishing 2020 on top of the men's singles and men's doubles rankings.

Break dancing gets Olympic status to debut at Paris Games in 2024

Breaking, the official name for competitive breakdancing, will become an Olympic sport for the first time at the 2024 Paris Olympics.

 The sport was one of four to be approved for the summer games.  Surfing, skateboarding and sport climbing were also approved for Paris 2024, but all three events will also be a part of the Tokyo Olympics in 2021.