Daily Current affairs - December 22nd, 2017 for all competitive exams
December 22 - National Mathematics Day
The famed Mathematician Srinivasa Ramanujan’s birth anniversary on December 22 is celebrated as National Mathematics Day.
- It was in 2012 that then Prime Minister Manmohan Singh declared December 22 as National Mathematics Day.
In 1917, Ramanujan was elected to be a member of the London Mathematical Society. In 1918 he also became a Fellow of the Royal Society, becoming the youngest person to achieve the feat. He passed away on April 6, 1920.
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The Representation of the People (Amendment) Bill of 2017
The Representation of the People (Amendment) Bill of 2017 has been introduced by the government in the Parliament.
- The Bill proposes to allow non-resident Indians (NRIs) to emerge as a decisive force in the country’s electoral politics on their own terms. The amendment paves the way to remove an “unreasonable restriction” posed by Section 20A of the Representation of the People Act, which requires overseas electors to be physically present in their electoral constituencies to cast their votes.
Section 20A of the Act provides for registration and inclusion of overseas electors in the electoral rolls. The Registration of Electors Rules, 1960 provide for overseas electors to register themselves in the electoral rolls of their respective constituencies on the basis of self-attested copies of their passport and valid visa, and exercise their franchise in person on production of the original passport at the time of voting at the specified polling booth.
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DARPAN Project launched by Minister of Communication Manoj Sinha
DARPAN – “Digital Advancement of Rural Post Office for A New India” Project has been launched to improve the quality of service, add value to services and achieve “financial inclusion” of un-banked rural population.
- The goal of the IT modernization project is to provide a low power technology solution to each Branch Postmaster (BPM) which will enable each of approximately 1.29 Lakhs Branch Post Offices (BOs) to improve the level of services being offered to rural customers across all the states.
So far, 43,171 Branch Post Offices have migrated under the “DARPAN”project with the aim of financial inclusion to rural population and it is targeted to complete the project by March, 2018.
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President presented National Service Scheme awards
The President Shri Ram Nath Kovind recently presented National Service Scheme Awards 2016-17.
- The objective of NSS Awards is to recognize and reward outstanding contributions towards voluntary community service made by the Universities/ Senior Secondary (+2) Councils, NSS Units/ Programme Officers and NSS Volunteers, with a view to further promote NSS.
NSS is a Centrally Sector Scheme. The Scheme was launched in the year 1969 with the primary objective of developing the personality and character of the student youth through voluntary community service. The ideological orientation of the NSS is inspired by the ideals of Mahatma Gandhi. Very appropriately, the motto of NSS is “NOT ME, BUT YOU”.
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National Highways Investment Promotion Cell (NHIPC)
The National Highways Authority of India has created a National Highways Investment Promotion Cell (NHIPC) for attracting domestic and foreign investment for highways projects.
- The cell will focus on engaging with global institution investors, construction companies, developers and fund managers for building investor participation in road infrastructure projects.
- The NHIPC will be working in close co-ordination with various connected Ministries and Departments of Government of India, State Governments, Apex Business Chambers like CII, FICCI, ASSOCHAM, and InvestIndia etc. NHIPC will also work in close co-ordination with Foreign Embassies and Missions in India and Indian Embassies and Missions situated in foreign countries.
The Government has set an ambitious target of construction of 35,000 km. of National Highways in the next five years involving an investment of Rs. 5,35,000/- crores under ‘Bharatmala Pariyojana’. Given the scale of investment required, both foreign and domestic investment from public and private sector is pivotal.
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The National Highways Authority of India was constituted by an act of Parliament, the National Highways Authority of India Act,1988. It is responsible for the development, maintenance and management of National Highways entrusted to it and for matters connected or incidental thereto. The Authority was operationalised in Feb, 1995.
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Ministry of External Affairs launches SAMEEP
With an aim to bring foreign policy to the masses the External Affairs Ministry has come up with an initiative – SAMEEP – ‘Students and MEA Engagement Programme’.
- The main objective of SAMEEP is to take Indian foreign policy and its global engagements to students across the country.
- Under this programme, all the ministry officers – under-secretary and above – will be asked to go to their hometowns, particularly their alma maters. They will be expected to interact with the students about the way the MEA works, basic elements of its policies, how diplomacy is conducted, and generally give students an idea of what a career in the MEA would look like.
All India Institute of Ayurveda becomes Fully Operational
All India Institute of Ayurveda (AIIA) has been established at Sarita Vihar, New Delhi as an Autonomous Body under Ministry of AYUSH on All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) pattern with all the infrastructure including doctors/staff.
- The Institute has been dedicated to the Nation by Prime Minister of India on 17thOctober, 2017.
Centre moots home rooftop solar grants
The Ministry of New and Renewable Energy has proposed that subsidies could be provided for encouraging rooftop solar installations in residences, according to a concept paper.
- In the paper, the Ministry examines ways to boost the country’s rooftop solar capacity, including the provision of subsidies, since the current electricity tariffs do not make it economically viable for residents to adopt rooftop solar.
- The paper also explores the idea of bringing distribution companies to the forefront of implementing rooftop solar.
Yogi Adityanath government to launch cow ‘safaris’ in 24 districts
The Aditya Nath Yogi government will launch “cow safaris” in at least 24 districts of Uttar Pradesh.
- These “cow safaris” will have a set up in at least 24 districts, mainly around metro cities and in Bundelkhand region.
- Animal husbandry minister S P Singh Baghel says cow shelters on the lines of Kanha Upvan will take a start under each of the 16 municipal corporations in the state.
Telangana plans Urdu conference
Close on the heels of the recently-concluded World Telugu Conference, the State is now busy finalising proposals for an International Urdu Conference (IUC).
- The IUC would be an attempt to bring celebrated poets, novelists, academicians and littérateurs from across the globe under one roof.
- The festival would entail seminars and discussions on various aspects of the language such as literature, there would be a conscious attempt to encourage certain forms of poetry such as qaseeda (praise).
- The intention is to focus on various genres of adab (literature) and other manifestations of the language.
- There will be attempts to bring life to some of the genres such as qaseeda. This apart, we will have cultural programmes as well. We will invite important personalities from the Urdu-speaking population from the U.S., Europe and other parts of the world.
India's First design University Opens in Haryana
India's first and only design university, 'World University of Design' opened its campus at Sonipat, Haryana.
- The University is promoted by Om Parkash Bansal Educational and Social Welfare Trust of Mandi Gobindgarh, Punjab.
- The university is currently located in a sprawling lush green picturesque campus with the state-of-the-art infrastructure and world-class facilities.
- WUD is India's first university dedicated to education in the creative domain.
ICGS Sujay commissioned into by Indian Coast guard
Indian Coast Guard Ship – Sujay – the sixth in the series of six 105m Offshore Patrol Vessel (OPV) was recently commissioned.
- Sujay means ‘great victory’. The 105 meter OPV has been designed and built by Goa Shipyard Limited.
- It is fitted with state-of-the-art navigation and communication equipment and sensors and machinery.
- The ship is based at Paradip, Odisha under the operational and administrative control of the Commander Coast Guard Region (North-East).
Loan Agreement Signed Between India & Germany for Pare Hydroelectric Plant Project
A loan agreement has been signed between India and Germany for providing additional funding of EUR 20 million for the Pare Hydroelectric Plant project under Indo-German Bilateral Development Cooperation.
- The objective of the project is the generation of hydroelectric power for the socio-economic development of the North Eastern region.
- The government of Germany signed a loan agreement with North Eastern Electric Power Corporation (NEEPCO) for providing EUR 80 million with the government of India’s guarantee for the Pare Hydroelectric Plant project.
Indian Navy Conducts Exercise Naseem-Al-Bahr with Oman Navy
Indian Naval Ships Trikand and Teg are deployed to Oman for bilateral exercise ‘Naseem Al Bahr’ or ‘Sea Breeze’. This exercise is the 11th edition.
- The bilateral relation between Indian and Oman were formally established with the signing of a 1953 Indo-Oman Treaty of friendship, Navigation and Commerce, a first between India and an Arab country.
- The first exercise of Indian Navy with Royal Navy of Oman was conducted in 1993.
Oman
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Capital
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Muscat
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Currency
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Omani rial
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Monarch
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Sultan Qaboos bin Said al Said
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India-Swiss deal inked on data sharing
In a move aimed at combating black money stashed abroad, India has signed an agreement with Switzerland that would allow automatic sharing of tax- related information from January 1 next year.
- So far, India had to ask Switzerland for specific bits of information by proving that a valid inquiry was on against the account holder. The Swiss could delay or deny the information altogether.
- A joint declaration for the implementation of Automatic Exchange of Information (AEOI) was signed last month between the two sides here and it provided that both countries would start collecting data in accordance with the global standards in 2018 and exchange it from 2019 onwards. The AEOI conforms to a norm set by global economic body the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) for tax transparency.
Switzerland
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Capital
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Bern
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Currency
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Swiss Franc
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Nawaz Sharif appoints brother Shahbaz as PM candidate for 2018 elections
Former Pakistan premier Nawaz Sharif has appointed his younger brother and Punjab chief minister Shahbaz Sharif as his party’s candidate for the post of prime minister in the 2018 general elections.
- The announcement was made as senior leaders of the ruling PML-N party met at Nawaz’s Jati Umra residence.
- According to media reports, Nawaz praised Shahbaz for his hard-working nature and devotion to public service.
Pakistan
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Capital
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Islamabad
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Currency
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Pakistani rupee
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Prime minister
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Shahid Khaqan Abbasi
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President
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Mamnoon Hussain
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Raul to step down in April next year
Cuban President Raul Castro will step down in April 2018 after his successor is chosen by a top governing council, according to a vote in the National Assembly.
- The vote by lawmakers pushed back the date of general elections, which were initially to be held at the end of February. The delay was necessary due to disruption caused by Hurricane Irma, which ravaged much of Cuba in September.
Cuba
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Capital
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Havana
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Currency
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Cuban Peso
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President
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Raul Castro
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India joins more than 100 countries to reject Donald Trump’s Jerusalem move
India joined 127 other countries in the UN General Assembly to vote for a resolution that effectively rejected United States president Donald Trump’s move to recognise Jerusalem as Israel’s capital.
- The resolution, which declared Trump’s move “null and void”, was passed 128 to 9 and 35 abstentions.
- This was the second time in a week that the US found itself isolated on this issue.
Flipkart to carve out internal Artificial Intelligence unit
India’s largest online retailer Flipkart is making an ambitious push in the area of artificial intelligence by carving out an internal unit called AIforIndia.
- He also said Flipkart is looking for AI-related acquisitions in India and in the US.
- In 2015, Flipkart had acquired the F7 Labs in the Silicon Valley to focus on areas such as AI and machine learning.
Flipkart is an electronic commerce company headquartered in Bengaluru, India. It was founded in October 2007 by Sachin Bansal and Binny Bansal.
CEO: Kalyan Krishnamurthy
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Salman Khan Tops Forbes India Celebrity List 2017
With earnings of Rs232.83 crore, actor Salman Khan has topped the Forbes India Celebrity 100 list 2017 for the second consecutive year.
- While Shah Rukh Khan featured in the second spot with earnings of Rs170.50 crore, Indian cricket team captain Virat Kohli came third with Rs100.72 crore earnings.
Lt Gen B S Sahrawat takes over as DG, NCC
Lieutenant General B S Sahrawat took over the reins of National Cadet Corps as its Director General.
- The General Officer is a third generation army officer. He is alumnus of the National Defence Academy, Khadakwasla and Indian Military Academy, Dehradun.
- He was commissioned in December 1980 in 13th Battalion (Rezang La), the Kumaon Regiment.
Rajpal is DLTA chief
Davis Cupper and former captain of the Fed Cup team, Rohit Rajpal, was unanimously elected president of the Delhi Lawn Tennis Association (DLTA).
- Eminent coach Balram Singh, who had trained Rohit Rajpal, has been serving as the secretary of DLTA.
Dwayne Bravo first to 400 T20 wickets
West Indies all-rounder Dwayne Bravo became the first man to complete 400 wickets in Twenty20 cricket.
- Bravo is well ahead with Lasith Malinga who is occupying the second spot collecting 331 wickets followed by Sunil Narine who has 307 wickets.
