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Top Current Affairs of the Week (24 – 30 December 2019)
1. Manoj Bajpayee bags best actor Asia Pacific Screen Award for Bhonsle
• Manoj Bajpayee has bagged the Best Performance by an Actor Award at the Asia Pacific Screen Awards for his role in ‘Bhonsle.’ • The Hindi feature ‘Bhonsle’ narrates the story of a police constable (Bajpayee), who tries to fight the struggles of migrants and their battles with the local politicians. • The movie was directed by Devashish Makhija. • The acclaimed actor Manoj Bajpayee won against international actors like Wang Jingchun (China), Navid Mohammadzadeh, Mohsen Tanabandeh (Iran), and Eran Naim (Israel). • Ridham Janve won the Young Cinema Award for his directorial debut film The Gold- Laden Sheep and the Sacred Mountain.
2. Floating school project in Bangladesh wins Aga Khan Architecture Award
• Bangladesh’s Floating school project (in South Kanarchor) ‘The Arcadia Education Project’ wins the Aga Khan Architecture Award. • The project involved the construction of a school in an area which is underwater during the monsoon months. • The architect (Saif Ul Haque) designed this school which remains on the ground during the dry season and floats on water when the area is submerged in water during monsoon. • He utilised only the local material-bamboo, used tyres and steel drums for constructing the amphibious structure for the school. • The school also serves as a shelter, a daycare centre and a vocational training centre for the local people.
Note:
• The Aga Khan Award for Architecture is presented in three-year cycles and has a monetary prize totalling US$1 million that is shared by multiple winning projects. • It recognizes projects, teams, and stakeholders in addition to buildings and people.
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3. 25th November: International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women
• The International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women is being observed every year on 25th November across the world to prevent & end violence against women. • The theme for this year is “Orange the World: Generation Equality Stands Against Rape”. • The colour orange in the theme symbolizes a better future without the pervasive human rights violation that affects 1 in 3 women and girls all over the globe.
4. NCC celebrates its 71st Raising Day
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• The National Cadet Corps (NCC) celebrated its 71st Raising Day all over the country with the cadets participating in marches, cultural activities and social development programs. • The NCC day which is observed every year on the fourth Sunday of November was celebrated with pomp and gaiety. • National Cadet Corps is a Tri-Services Organization, comprising the Army, Navy and Air Wing, • Many cadets have done the nation and the organization proud by their remarkable achievements in the fields of sports and adventure.
Note:
• The National Cadet Corps is the youth wing of Armed Forces, Headquarters in New Delhi
5. Sangai Festival 2019 begins in Manipur
• Manipur Chief Minister N. Biren Singh has inaugurated the week-long Manipur Sangai Festival 2019 at Hapta Kangjeibung, Imphal. • During the festival, cultural programmes, traditional games, folk dance and classical music will be performed by different communities of the State as well as from other States. • The festival will conclude on the 30th of this month.
6. Gujarat Govt. announces Rs 3,795 Cr relief package for farmers
• Gujarat Government has announced a relief package 3,795 crore rupees for farmers who suffered crop loss due to unseasonal rains. • The relief package will help more than 56 lakh farmers across the state. • According to Deputy Chief Minister Nitin Patel, total package (1,641 crore rupees) will be given through a budgetary provision and 2,145 crores under the State Disaster Response Fund. • Farmers will get assistance in the range of 4,000 rupees to 13,000 rupees.
7. The US clears sale of MK-45 naval guns to India
• The US State Department cleared the sale of sophisticated naval guns worth USD 1 billion to India. • The MK-45 guns will enhance India's naval capabilities, particularly in the Arabian Sea. • The Gun System will provide the capability to conduct anti-surface warfare and anti- air defence missions while enhancing interoperability with the U.S. and other allied forces.
8. Global Terrorism Index 2019
• According to the 2019 Global Terrorism Index (GTI), deaths from terrorism fell for the fourth consecutive year, after peaking in 2014. • Now, the number of deaths has decreased by 52% since 2014, falling from 33,555 to 15,952.
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• Afghanistan was the country most impacted by terrorism in 2018, replacing Iraq, which had held that position since 2004. • India is at seventh place in the list of countries most affected by terrorism (350 Indians killed & 540 injured in 748 terrorist incidents in 2018).
Note:
• countries most impacted by terrorism: Afghanistan(1st), Iraq (2nd), Nigeria (3rd) Syria(4th), Pakistan (5th), Somalia (6th), India (7th), Yemen(8th)
9. Rafael Nadal wins Davis Cup title 2019
• Rafael Nadal (world number-one) has clinched 6th Davis Cup title for Spain after beating Denis Shapovalov of Canada in front of a jubilant home crowd in Caja Mágica Madrid, Spain • Nadal (33-year) defeated Shapovalov 6-3, 7-6 (9-7) to clinch Spain’s 2-0 win against Canada. • It was the Spanish team's first Davis Cup title since 2011 and their sixth Davis Cup title overall. • Rafael Nadal received the Most Valuable Player (MVP) award for his performance in the tournament after he won 8 of the 8 matches he participated in. • In 2019, Nadal won the French Open and the US Open, made the Australian Open final and reached the Wimbledon semi-final.
Note:
• The 2019 Davis Cup (108th edition) is a tournament between national teams in men's tennis, sponsored by Rakuten.
10. Lakshya Sen wins Scottish Open title
• India's Lakshya Sen (18-year) has won the Scottish Open men's singles title in Glasgow. • Lakshya Sen defeated Ygor Coelho 18-21, 21-18, 21-19 to seal his fourth title in three months. • Within a month, Lakshya won his first BWF Super 100 title at the Dutch Open, with the second one coming soon after, at the SaarLorLux Open in Germany.
11. Constitution Day being celebrated today
• Constitution Day (Samvidhan Divas) is being celebrated today across the country to mark the adopting of the Indian Constitution by the Constituent Assembly on this day in 1949 (came into force on 26th January in 1950). • The government has planned year-long activities throughout the country to mark 70 years of the adoption of the Constitution. • A joint sitting of both the Houses of Parliament (Lok Sabha and the Rajya Sabha) held today to celebrate the Samvidhan Divas. • The constitution (longest written constitution of any country) replaced the Government of India Act, 1935 as the country's fundamental governing document, and the Dominion of India became the Republic of India.
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• The Chairman of the drafting committee ‘B. R. Ambedkar’ is widely considered to be the chief architect of the Indian Constitution.
Note:
• The constitution declares India a sovereign, socialist, secular, democratic republic, assuring its citizen's justice, equality and liberty, and endeavours to promote fraternity. • The Constitution empowers the people as much as the people empower the Constitution.
12. 26th November: National Milk Day
• The National Milk Day (NMD) is being observed every year on 26th November across India to mark the birth anniversary of Dr. Verghese Kurien (Father of the White Revolution). • The idea of observing National Milk Day was first mooted by Indian Dairy Association (IDA) in 2014 on the lines of World Milk Day that is observed on 1st June every year under the aegis of UN Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO). • Dr. Kurien he was conferred with many accolades such as Ramon Magsaysay Award, Padma Shri, Padma Bhushan, Krishi Ratna, World Food Prize, Padma Vibhushan, etc. • He was also given 15 honorary doctorates from various universities from across the world.
Note:
• Dr. Verghese Kurien is also known as the Milkman of India and the architect of Operation Flood. • Dr Kurien was born into an affluent Syrian Christian family in Calicut, Kerala.
13. Global prosperity index 2019
• The first-ever Prosperity & Inclusion City Seal and Awards (PICSA) Index, released in the Basque Country capital of Bilbao in northern Spain. • The Index is designed to showcase not only the quantity of economic growth of a city but also its quality and distribution across populations. • Bangalore stood at 83rd rank, while Delhi and Mumbai ranked 101 and 107 among 113 cities in the world in terms of economic and social inclusivity. • Zurich (number-1) scores strongly across all measures, particularly on the quality of life, work, housing, leisure, safety, and education - with the Swiss higher education system attaining an especially high score. • Austrian capital (number- 2) scores close to top marks on healthcare. Copenhagen, Luxembourg and Helsinki complete the top five.
Note:
• For the index, the cities were assessed on comparable data from the main focus areas by a jury of experts and business leaders. • These assessments then produced an overall score for each city's inclusive prosperity, allowing them to be ranked based on a wide range of measures.
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14. Oxford Dictionary names ‘Climate Emergency’ its 2019 Word of the Year
• Oxford Dictionaries has named “climate emergency” as its 2019 Word of the Year. • It also included ‘climate action’, ‘climate denial’, ‘eco-anxiety’, ‘extinction’ and ‘flight shame’. • The word is selected because it shows the increase in usage since 2018. • Climate emergency defines as “a situation in which urgent action is required to reduce or halt climate change.
15. National Tribal Craft Mela- 2019 being held in Bhubaneswar
• Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik has inaugurated the 8th National Tribal Craft Mela at State Tribal Museum Complex in Bhubaneswar. • As a part of Odisha Government’s ‘5Ts’ initiative, 45 Supplementary Readers prepared in 21 Tribal languages were released simultaneously by CM Patnaik. • 5Ts’ initiative is aimed at achieving progress through Transparency, Teamwork, Technology, Time and Transformation. • The objective of the National Tribal Craft Mela is to preserve, promote and popularize traditional tribal art and crafts. • It helps the artisans to look for better opportunities to develop their skills through cross-cultural interactions for the commercial viability of their products.
16. Etawah Lion Safari in Uttar Pradesh opened for public
• Etawah Lion Safari (Uttar Pradesh) which was formerly known as Etawah Safari Park has been opened for public without the lion segment. • The Safari has been inaugurated by the Uttar Pradesh Forest Minister Dara Singh Chauhan. • It is spread in 350 hectares of land and has been developed as an educative tourist destination for children as well as youths • It is one of the biggest safari parks in Asia, spread over an area of 350 hectares (860 acres). • The Etawah lion safari is the first in India to have a lion breeding centre set up with an aim to develop a research facility on Asiatic lions. • The Safari project was envisioned by then Chief Minister Mulayam Singh Yadav in 2005.
17. Thunberg, Cameroon peace activist receives International Children’s Peace Prize
• Young activist Greta Thunberg was awarded the prestigious 2019 International Children's Peace Prize along with Cameroon peace campaigner Divina Maloum. • Greta Thunberg had initiated ‘Fridays for Future’ campaign against climate change along with the school children across the world. • Maloum campaigns for the rights and education of Cameroon children preyed upon by extremist groups. • The International Children’s Peace Prize is awarded annually to a child who has made a significant contribution to advocating children's rights and improving the situation of vulnerable children. • The prize is an initiative of Marc Dullaert, founder of the KidsRights Foundation based in Amsterdam, the Netherlands.
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18. Sangram Dahiya, Varsha Varman win double trap national titles
• Sangram Dahiya (Haryana) and Varsha Varman (Madhya Pradesh) clinched double trap titles, winning gold at the 63rd National Shotgun Shooting Championship in New Delhi. • In the men's category, Sangram shot 142 out of 150 targets to clinch the gold medal. • Former world champion Ankur Mittal has won Silver and Prithvi Singh Chahal bronze. • Varsha clinches the gold ahead of state-mate Manisha Keer, winning Silver. • Both Sangram and Varsha also won the team gold for their respective States.
19. Marathon man Kipchoge, hurdle heroine Muhammad win Athlete of the Year 2019
• Eliud Kipchoge (Kenyan’s long-distance runner) & Dalilah Muhammad (American track and field athlete) won the World Athlete of the Year awards. • Kipchoge claimed the prize in Monaco after making history last month when he ran the marathon distance of 42.195 kilometres (26.219 miles) in 1hr 59min 40.2sec. • American Muhammad won her award after a magnificent year that saw her set a world record of 52.20 seconds at the US Trials in Iowa in July breaking a record that had stood since 2003. • The winners were chosen following a vote shared 50% by World Athletics, 25% by athletes, coaches and journalists and 25% by the general public.
20. ISRO launches India’s earth observation satellite ‘Cartosat-3’
• Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) has launched India’s most sophisticated Earth observation satellite Cartosat-3 and 13 US nanosatellites from Sriharikota in Andhra Pradesh. • The launch enhanced India's ability in high-resolution imaging and also reinforce India as a global launch destination for small satellites using its workhorse rocket Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle. • According to ISRO, the 1,625 kg Cartosat-3 is an advanced agile satellite to obtain panchromatic and multispectral imagery with an operational life of five years. • The advanced earth observation and imaging satellite will be used for weather mapping, cartography or army defence and other strategic applications.
21. Uttar Pradesh govt to set up state's 1st vulture conservation
• The Uttar Pradesh government will set up state's first vulture conservation and breeding centre in farenda area of Maharajganj district. • The new centre will be set up on the lines of Jatayu Conservation Centre at Pinjore in Haryana (first in the country). • It would be set up in association with Bombay Natural History Society, a wildlife research organization. • It will be the first scientific assessment of vultures in the state to find out which species is most threatened and the locations where these natural scavengers are thriving.
Note:
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• There has been a sharp decline in the population of vultures in the country which has come down from 40 million to 19,000 in a span of over three decades.
22. India to host naval drill Milan 2020 in March
• The Indian Navy will host military drill 'Milan 2020' in March which will witness the participation of several countries. • MILAN stands for ‘Multilateral Naval Exercise’. • 41 nations from South Asia, Southeast Asia, Africa and Europe that share defence cooperation with India have been invited for the drill.
23. Indian Railway Institute of Financial Management (IRIFM) Set up in Hyderabad
• The Indian Railways has set up the Institute of Financial Management (IRIFM) at Moula-Ali, Secunderabad (Hyderabad district) in Telangana. • The institute was formally inaugurated by Vinod Kumar Yadav (Chairman, Railway Board. • The new entity (IRIFM) will impart professional training in the management of railway finances). • Rail Vikas Nigam Limited conceived and constructed the project, on a 14-acre campus at a cost of Rs 85 crore.
24. Book titled “Finding The Gaps” authored by Simon Taufel released
• Former Australian cricket umpire Simon Taufel released his book titled “Finding The Gaps” in Kolkata. • Simon Taufel (retired in 2012) is a five-time ICC Umpire of the Year (between 2004 and 2008) and part of ICC’s Elite Panel of Umpires. • The Australian stood in his first One-Day International in 1999, and his first Test in 2000.
25. Uddhav Thackeray sworn in as Chief Minister of Maharashtra
• Shiv Sena president Uddhav Thackeray (59-years) took oath as the chief minister (18th) of Maharashtra state. • Maharashtra Governor Bhagat Singh Koshyari administered the oath ceremony at Shivaji Park in Mumbai. • Mr. Thackeray is the third Shiv Sena leader to hold the post after Manohar Joshi (1995–1999) and Narayan Rane (1 Feb- 17 Oct1999). • Thackeray is the candidate of Shiv Sena, Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) and Congress alliance for the post of Chief Minister of Maharashtra.
Note:
• Uddhav Thackeray is the son of Shiv Sena founder Bal Thackeray. • Mr Thackeray is married to Rashmi Thackeray and has two sons, Aditya (MLA from Mumbai) and Tejas. • He has also published photo-books Maharashtra Desh (2010) and Pahava Vitthal (2011), capturing various aspects of Maharashtra.
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26. Book titled “Hemant Karkare -A Daughter’s Memoir” by Jui Karkare Navare released
• A book titled “Hemant Karkare -A Daughter’s Memoir” by his daughter Jui Karkare Navare was released in Mumbai, Maharashtra. • The book portrays former Anti-Terrorism Squad (ATS) chief Hemant Karkare’s life as a father to Jui Karkare Navare. • The book has been published by The Write Place. • 18 security personnel lost their lives in the 26/11 terror attacks (11th anniversary). • The attack was carried out by Lashkar-e-Taiba, an Islamic terrorist organisation based in Pakistan, in 8 places of Mumbai.
27. Sri Lanka President Gotabaya Rajapaksa arrived in New Delhi today
• The President of Sri Lanka ‘Gotabaya Rajapaksa’ reached New Delhi on a three-day state visit to India. • During the visit, Gotabaya Rajapaksa will be accorded a ceremonial reception at the forecourt of Rashtrapati Bhavan tomorrow. • This will be his first official visit abroad after assuming office on the 21st of this month. • He will pay homage to Father of the Nation, Mahatma Gandhi, at Rajghat. • On the same day, the Sri Lankan President will hold talks with the Prime Minister, President Ram Nath Kovind and External Affairs Dr S Jaishankar. • A host of issues including stability in the Indian Ocean region, economic cooperation and the Tamil issue in Sri Lanka may figure during the talks between two leaders.
28. Indian Army inducts Israel made Anti-Tank Guided Missiles Spike along LoC in J&K
• The Indian Army has inducted Israel made Anti-Tank Guided Missiles Spike along the LoC in the northern command theatre in Jammu and Kashmir to bolster defence along the border with Pakistan. • Known as the "fire and forget" missiles, Spike is portable by men and are powerful enough to destroy tanks and bust bunkers within four kilometres.
29. Reliance Industries becomes first Indian company to hit Rs 10 lakh crore m- cap
• Mukesh Ambani's Reliance Industries Limited (RIL) has become the first company to touch a market capitalisation (m-cap) of Rs 10 lakh crore. • Its shares jumped to touch a record high of Rs 1,581 per piece. • A month ago, Reliance Industries became the first Indian company to cross a market capitalisation of Rs 9 lakh crore.
30. India to host 2023 Men's Hockey World Cup
• India won the bid to host 2023 Men's Hockey World Cup from 13 to 29 January 2023. • Kalinga Hockey Stadium in Bhubaneswar and Biju Patnaik Hockey Stadium Stadium in Rourkela to be the venues for the tournament.
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• Bhubaneswar has hosted some big international sporting events, including the 2017 Asian Athletics Championships, 2017 FIH Hockey World League Final, FIH Men's Series Finals in 2019.
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31. French film ‘Particles’ wins the Golden Peacock Award at IFFI 2019
• French film ‘Particles’ has won the coveted Golden Peacock Award at the 50th International Film Festival of India (IFFI) in Goa. • Particles is a 2019 French-Swiss co-produced drama film directed by Blaise Harrison and produced by Estelle Fialon. • The Golden Peacock Award carries a cash prize of Rs 40 lakhs to be shared equally between the Director and the Producer, Trophy and the citation. • The IFFI 2019 ‘Best Director Award’ was conferred to Lijo Jose Pellissery for his Malayalam film ‘Jallikattu’. • The Best Director award carries a Silver Peacock trophy, a citation and a cash prize worth Rs 15 lakh. • The Best Actor (Male) Award went to Seu Jorge for his role in Marighella and Best Actor (Female) Award went to Usha Jadhav for her role in a Marathi crime film, Mai Ghatt: Crime No. 103/2005.
32. 29th November: International Day of Solidarity with the Palestinian People
• In 1977, the General Assembly called for the annual observance of 29 November as the International Day of Solidarity with the Palestinian People. • On that day, in 1947, the Assembly adopted the resolution on the partition of Palestine. • This date is based on the call by the United Nations General Assembly for an annual observance of the resolution on the partition of Palestine.
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• Palestine is a de jure sovereign state in the Middle East claiming the West Bank (bordering Israel and Jordan) and Gaza Strip (bordering Israel and Egypt) with East Jerusalem as the designated capital.
33. Pak SC grants 6 months conditional extension to Army Chief Gen Bajwa
• Pakistan's Supreme Court granted a six-month conditional extension to Army chief General Qamar Javed Bajwa. • Current Chief of Army Staff of the Pakistan Army Mr. Bajwa (since 29 November 2016) continue as the Army chief for another six months. • Pakistan's government withdrew the 19th August orders after the top court's observations in the case and issued a fresh notification which was also rejected by the court.
Note:
• The Chief of Army Staff is appointed by the Prime Minister of Pakistan and final confirmation by the President of Pakistan.
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34. Noted Malayalam poet Akkitham wins Jnanpith Award 2019
• Noted Malayalam poet Akkitham Achuthan Namboodiri (known as ‘Akkitham’- 93 years) has been declared the recipient of the 55th Jnanpith Award (country’s highest literary honour) for the year 2019. • His work includes Irupatham Noottandinte Ithihasam, or the legend of the 20th century, which is considered to have brought modernism into Malayalam poetry. • Akkitham is the 6th Malayalam writer to be conferred this award. • Akkitham Achuthan Namboodiri is the recipient of the Padma Shri (in 2017), Kerala Sahitya Academy Award (in 1971), the Sahitya Academy Award (in 1973), and the Vayalar Award i(n 2012). • Writer Amitav Ghosh was the recipient of Jnanpith Award in 2018.
Note:
• The Jnanpith Award is an Indian literary award presented annually by the Bharatiya Jnanpith to an author for their 'outstanding contribution towards literature'. • The award was given to the authors for their most outstanding work and consisted of a citation plaque, a cash prize of Rs 1.5 lakh and a bronze replica of ‘Saraswati’.
35. 30 November: Day of Remembrance for all Victims of Chemical Warfare
• The Conference of the States Parties to the Chemical Weapons Convention decided that a memorial Day of Remembrance for all Victims of Chemical Warfare would be observed on 30 November each year. • This commemoration provides an opportunity to pay tribute to the victims of chemical warfare, as well as to reaffirm the commitment of the Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW) to the elimination of the threat of chemical weapons.
36. India successfully test-fires Spike anti-tank missiles
• The Indian Army has successfully test-fired two Spike long-range anti-tank missiles at Mhow, Madhya Pradesh. • Army Chief General Bipin Rawat and several commanders witnessed the firing of the newly acquired missiles on Wednesday. • Spike is a fourth-generation missile which can engage any target with precision at ranges up to 4-kilo metres. • The Spike long-range anti-tank missiles will bolster the Army's firepower capability.
37. Indian Navy commissions sixth Dornier aircraft squadron
• The sixth Dornier aircraft squadron ‘Indian Naval Air Squadron 314’ has been commissioned at Naval Air Enclave- Porbandar on Gujarat coast. • Deputy Chief of Naval Staff Vice Admiral M S Pawar was the chief guest on this occasion. • According to Defense Sources, the INAS 314 derives its name Raptors from the Bird of Prey family. • This squadron will operate the Dornier aircraft, a multi-role SRMR aircraft, with twin turboprop engine manufactured by Hindustan Aeronautical Limited, Kanpur. • The aircraft can be used for electronic warfare missions, maritime surveillance, search and rescue and to provide targeting data to weapon platform.