04th December, 2024

1. China Opens First Atmospheric Monitoring Station in Antarctica
2. Indian Navy Day 2024: Honouring the Maritime Guardians of India
3. International Day of Banks 2024: Date, History and Significance
4. Kirti Vardhan Singh Launches Nano Bubble Tech to Purify Delhi Zoo Pond Water
5. India’s Tiger Population Doubles Since 2006, Reaches 3,682 in 2022
6. IIT Ropar’s AWaDH Celebrates 4th Foundation Day with Farmer-Centric Innovations
7. Oxford Picks “Brain Rot” as 2024’s Top Word
8. India Launches First ‘Uber Shikara’ Service in Srinagar
9. Major Dhyan Chand’s Death Anniversary: Remembering the Wizard of Hockey
10. Syed Modi 2024: Sindhu, Lakshya End Drought; Treesa-Gayatri Make History
11. RBI Lifts Supervisory Restrictions on Navi Finserv
12. Pavan Kampelli Wins Bronze in eFootball at Asian Esports Games
13. Chhattisgarh Launches ‘Bijli Sakhi Yojana’ to Empower Women in Jashpur District
14. Home Minister Amit Shah Participated in Diamond Jubilee of NAFSCOB & National Meeting of Rural Cooperative Banks
15. India and ISA Partner for Solar Energy Projects in four Indo-Pacific Countries
16. UNESCO’s Roadmap for Global Tsunami Preparedness by 2030
17. HDFC Bank Launches Pragati Savings Account for Semi-Urban and Rural India
18. WB approves USD 225.5mn for ELEMENT Project in Tripura, Nagaland
19. Canara HSBC Life Insurance launches OmniGen AI
20. NABL-QCI and CREDAI Join Hands to Boost Quality Assurance in Construction Projects
21. 52nd International Emmy Awards 2024; Vir Das became 1st Indian to Host Event
22. Dr Jaiteerth Raghavendra Joshi appointed as New Chief of BrahMos Aerospace
23. ACC Approves One-Year Extension to PESB Chairperson ‘Mallika Srinivasan’
24. India’s 1st Indigenous Antibiotic, Nafithromycin, Launched to Combat AMR
25. ADB & Mastercard Signed MoU to Boost MSME Financing across Asia-Pacific Region
26. Tata Power and Bhutan’s DGPC to Develop 5,000 MW Clean Energy Projects in Bhutan
27. ‘Manifest’: Cambridge Dictionary Word of the Year 2024
28. Masato Kanda Elected as ADB’s 11th President
29. Nand Kishore Appointed MD & CEO of SBI Funds Management
30. MC Mary Kom Appointed Brand Ambassador for Assam Rifles Half-Marathon
31. China launched world’s 1st ‘self-driving’ satellites
32. India Gets Hosting Rights for 2026 Asian Rifle and Pistol Cup
33. Nagaland CM Neiphiu Rio inaugurated Economic Empowerment Initiatives

National News

1. Indian Government Launches Nano Bubble Technology for Water Purification
   • What:
     • The Union Minister of State for Forest, Environment and Climate Change, Sh. Kirti Vardhan Singh, launched ‘Nano Bubble Technology’ at the National Zoological Park in Delhi.
   • Why:
     • The initiative is designed to improve water quality by removing algae and similar growths from pond water.
   • Tell me more:
     • The technology is being tested in the zoo for the first time as a 15-day trial.
     • Nano bubble technology is known for its ability to enhance water purification processes.
       Source: pib

2. IIT Ropar’s iHub – AWaDH Celebrates Foundation Day
   • What:
     • The IIT Ropar Technology and Innovation Foundation (iHub – AWaDH) celebrated its 4th Foundation Day with a special Farmer Engagement Session.
   • Why:
     • The session is designed to address agricultural challenges by fostering dialogue between farmers and innovators.
   • Tell me more:
     • AWaDH was established by the Department of Science & Technology, Government of India, under the National Mission on Interdisciplinary Cyber-Physical Systems.
     • The foundation has received funding of ₹110 crores from DST and ₹5 crores from Startup India.
     • AWaDH has developed over 70 technologies and supported more than 100 agri-tech and water-tech startups.
       Source: pib

3. Union Home Minister Attends NAFSCOB Diamond Jubilee
   • What:
     • Union Home Minister Amit Shah attended the Diamond Jubilee Celebrations of NAFSCOB and the national meeting of Rural Cooperative Banks in New Delhi.
   • Why:
     • The celebration aims to showcase the achievements of NAFSCOB over the past 60 years and address past challenges faced by the cooperative sector.
   • Tell me more:
     • It also seeks to reinforce the role of cooperatives in achieving inclusive development in line with the vision of ‘Sahkar Se Samriddhi’ (Prosperity through Cooperation).
     • Amit Shah highlighted the three-tier structure of Primary Agricultural Credit Societies (PACS), district, and state-level banks as essential for rural financial support.
     • The cooperative system includes 34 state cooperative banks, 352 district cooperative banks, and over 105,000 PACS, with significant contributions to rural financing.

Source: pib

State News

1. Uber Launches Water Transport Service in Srinagar
   • What:
     • Uber has launched its first water transport service in India, named Uber Shikara, on Dal Lake in Srinagar.
   • Tell me more:
     • The Uber Shikara is Asia’s first water transport service and follows similar services in European cities like Venice.
     • The rides are available for a one-hour period between 10 am and 5 pm and can accommodate up to four passengers.
     • Shikaras are traditional wooden boats used for transportation and tourism in Dal Lake.

Source: ht

2. Chhattisgarh Launches Bijli Sakhi Yojana for Women Empowerment
   • What:
     • The Chhattisgarh government has launched the ‘Bijli Sakhi Yojana’ to empower women economically in the Jashpur district.
   • Why:
     • This initiative involves women from self-help groups taking on the responsibility of meter reading for the electricity department in remote villages.
   • Tell me more:
     • The pilot project was introduced by Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai and involves 21 women who have been trained to read electricity meters.
     • These women, known as ‘Bijli Sakhis,’ can earn between ₹4,000 to ₹6,000 per month by reading meters.
     • The initiative is part of a broader vision to help women become ‘Lakhpati Didis’ (millionaire sisters) through self-help groups.
     • The electricity department pays ₹12 for each meter reading completed by a ‘Bijli Sakhi.’
       Source: ani
3. World Bank Approves Project for Forest Management in Tripura and Nagaland
   • What:
     • The World Bank’s Board of Executive Directors approved a new project to support over 700,000 people in managing forest landscapes in Tripura and Nagaland.
   • Why:
     • The initiative aims to conserve and restore forest areas while enhancing economic opportunities for local communities dependent on forests.
   • Tell me more:
     • The project is called the Enhancing Landscape and Ecosystem Management (ELEMENT) Project and has a budget of $225.5 million.
     • The ELEMENT Project will help conserve over 100,000 hectares of forest and avoid approximately 435,000 tons of carbon emissions annually.
     • It aims to create 60,000 jobs for youth and women through forest-based entrepreneurship and skills training.
     • This financing follows a previous $43 million investment by the World Bank for similar activities in Meghalaya.
       Source: wb
4. Nagaland Launches Economic Empowerment Initiatives
   • What:
     • Nagaland Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio launched several economic empowerment initiatives to boost tourism, transport, agriculture, and entrepreneurship in the state.
   • Tell me more:
     • The launched initiatives include Ura Cabs, a local taxi aggregation platform, and Nagaland Tourism Connect – Hornbill Edition, which introduces new tourism vehicles.
     • The Digital Piggery Insurance Scheme was also launched to address livestock insurance challenges for farmers in remote areas.
     • The Chief Minister’s Micro Finance Initiative (CMMFI) offers up to 42% subsidies for vehicles used for commercial purposes.
       Source: print

International News

1. China Launches First Atmospheric Monitoring Station in Antarctica
   • What:
     • China has started operations at its first atmospheric monitoring station in Antarctica.
     • The station is named the Zhongshan National Atmospheric Background Station and is located in the Larsmann Hills in East Antarctica.
   • Why:
     • The monitoring station aims to observe changes in the Antarctic atmosphere and support global efforts to address climate change.
   • Tell me more:
     • It is part of China’s strategy to expand its presence in polar regions for research and resource exploration.
     • Polar regions are considered “amplifiers” of global climate change, making this data valuable for understanding environmental impacts.
     • This development follows the opening of China’s Ross Sea scientific research station earlier this year.
     • China has five other research stations in Antarctica, built between 1985 and 2014.
       Source: RT
2. UNESCO Urges Investment in Tsunami Preparedness
   • What:
     • UNESCO marked the 20th anniversary of the 2004 Indian Ocean tsunami by urging governments to invest more in tsunami preparedness.
     • A roadmap was unveiled at an international conference in Banda Aceh, Indonesia, aiming to achieve 100 tsunami-ready coastal communities globally by 2030.

   • Why:
     • The initiative seeks to improve global readiness for tsunamis and enhance warning and mitigation systems.
   • Tell me more:
     • The four-day conference included experts and policymakers discussing progress in tsunami preparedness and challenges ahead.
     • The Banda Aceh Statement was adopted, committing to accelerate investments in tsunami warning systems.
     • UNESCO’s Tsunami Ready program has already benefited over 30 countries by training populations on tsunami preparedness.

3. China Launches World’s First Self-Driving Satellites
   • What:
     • China has successfully launched the world’s first ‘self-driving’ satellites, named Siwei Gaojing-2 03 and Gaojing-2 04.
     • These satellites were developed by the Shanghai Academy of Spaceflight Technology (SAST) and launched aboard a Long March-2C rocket.
   • Why:
     • The initiative aims to revolutionize surveying and mapping in the space sector by allowing satellites to autonomously maintain or change their flight paths without ground intervention.
   • Tell me more:
     • The satellites are equipped with synthetic aperture radar (SAR) technology, enabling high-resolution imaging regardless of weather conditions.
     • They can automatically return to orbit with an accuracy of 100 meters and perform coordinated fly-arounds with sub-meter precision.
     • The Gaojing satellites will provide critical data for various applications, including disaster monitoring, agricultural management, and military surveillance.

Source: BS

Banking and Economy

1. RBI Lifts Lending Restrictions on Navi Finserv
   • What:
     • The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has removed the lending restrictions imposed on Navi Finserv. These restrictions were initially placed on October 17 due to violations of lending norms.
   • Why:
     • The RBI lifted the restrictions after several interactions with Navi Finserv, where the company addressed deficiencies in its operations.
   • Tell me more:
     • The RBI had concerns regarding Navi Finserv’s pricing policy, particularly its Weighted Average Lending Rate (WALR) and interest spreads, which were deemed excessive.
     • Navi Finserv is a non-banking financial company (NBFC) that offers various financial services.
       Source: hbl

2. HDFC Bank Launches Pragati Savings Account for Rural Areas
   • What:
     • HDFC Bank has launched the Pragati Savings Account aimed at rural and semi-urban populations in India.
   • Why:
     • The account is designed to meet the banking needs of individuals in the agricultural sector, including farmers and self-help groups.
   • Tell me more:
     • HDFC Bank has over 4,600 branches in semi-urban and rural areas, which will help in reaching a significant portion of India’s population.
     • The Pragati Savings Account includes exclusive discounts on agricultural products through a partnership with BigHaat.
     • Customers can benefit from various offerings such as discounted loans, cattle insurance, and a MoneyBack Debit Card with cashback options.

3. ADB and Mastercard Partner to Support MSMEs
   • What:
     • The Asian Development Bank (ADB) and the Mastercard Impact Fund have signed a memorandum of understanding to support micro, small, and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs) across Asia and the Pacific.
     • The initiative will initially focus on countries including Georgia, India, Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, Thailand, and Vietnam.
   • Why:
     • The partnership aims to address the financing challenges faced by MSMEs, particularly those led by women and those involved in climate finance.
   • Tell me more:
     • Mastercard will provide a $5 million grant to financial institutions to support MSME lending.
     • This grant is expected to facilitate up to $1 billion in ADB financing over four years.
     • Nearly half of the MSMEs in Asia and the Pacific are either unserved or underserved, leading to a credit gap of approximately $2.5 trillion.

Source: ADB adb

4. Tata Power Partners with Druk Green for Clean Energy
   • What:
     • Tata Power Company has entered into a strategic partnership with Druk Green Corporation to develop at least 5,000 megawatts of clean energy generation capacity in Bhutan.
   • Why:
     • This collaboration aims to enhance Bhutan’s energy sector, which targets an overall generation capacity of 25,000 MW by 2040.
   • Tell me more:
     • The partnership plans to develop 4,500 MW of hydropower and 500 MW of solar projects.
     • Tata Power recently acquired a 40% stake in the 600 MW Khorlochhu Hydroelectric project with an investment of over ₹6,900 crores.
     • The two companies have a history of collaboration, having previously developed the 126 MW Dagachhu Hydropower Plant together.
     • Tata Power is one of India’s largest integrated power companies with an installed capacity of 14,453 MW.
       Source: BS

Science and Technology

1. India Launches First Indigenous Antibiotic to Combat AMR
   • What:
     • The Indian government launched Nafithromycin, the first indigenous antibiotic aimed at tackling Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR).
     • The antibiotic is developed with support from the Biotechnology Industry Research Assistance Council (BIRAC) and marketed by Wockhardt under the name Miqnaf.
   • Why:
     • The initiative aims to address the growing issue of drug-resistant bacteria, particularly in vulnerable populations such as children and the elderly.
   • Tell me more:
     • It seeks to improve treatment options for Community-Acquired Bacterial Pneumonia (CABP), which is a significant health concern globally.
     • Nafithromycin is designed to combat drug-resistant pneumonia and is ten times more effective than existing treatments like azithromycin.
     • The development of this antibiotic took 14 years and involved an investment of ₹500 crores, along with clinical trials conducted in the U.S., Europe, and India.
     • The drug is awaiting final approval from the Central Drugs Standard Control Organization (CDSCO) for public use.

Source: PIB

Awards

1. Vir Das Hosts International Emmy Awards
   • What:
     • Vir Das made history by becoming the first Indian to host the International Emmy Awards.
     • The event took place after he won his first International Emmy Award for his Netflix special, “Vir Das: Landing.”
   • Tell me more:
     • He has acted in Bollywood films such as “Badmaash Company,” “Delhi Belly,” and “Go Goa Gone.”
     • Vir made his American television debut with the series “Whiskey Cavalier” in 2019.
       Source: ie

Important Days

1. Indian Navy Day 2024 – December 4
   • Indian Navy Day is observed annually to commemorate the naval operations during the 1971 Indo-Pakistan war, especially the attack on Karachi.
   • Theme: Strength and Power through Innovation and Indigenization
     Source: IE
2. International Day of Banks – December 4
   • Theme: Empowering Sustainable Development Through Finance
   • This day has been observed since 2019.
     Source: N18

Sports

1. Union Minister Pays Tribute to Dhyan Chand
   • What:
     • Union Minister of Youth Affairs and Sports, Mansukh Mandaviya, paid tribute to Indian hockey legend Major Dhyan Chand on his death anniversary.
     • The tribute took place in front of Dhyan Chand’s statue at the Major Dhyan Chand National Stadium in Delhi.
   • Tell me more:
     • Major Dhyan Chand was born on August 29, 1905, and won gold medals in the 1928, 1932, and 1936 Olympics.
     • He scored 570 goals in 185 appearances for India and was known as ‘The Wizard’ for his exceptional skills.
     • In 2021, the Khel Ratna Award was renamed the Major Dhyan Chand Khel Ratna Award in his honor.

Source: ani

2. Indian Shuttlers Shine at Syed Modi Super 300 Tournament
   • What:
     • Indian shuttlers ended their title drought by winning three out of five events at the Syed Modi India International Super 300 (badminton) tournament.
   • Tell me more:
     • PV Sindhu defeated China’s Luo Yu Wu, marking her as a three-time winner of this tournament.
     • Lakshya Sen won his first title in this event, defeating Singapore’s Jia Heng Jason Teh.
     • Treesa Jolly and Gayatri Gopichand became the first Indian women’s pair to win the tournament since its inception in 2009.
     • The tournament took place at the Babu Banarasi Das Academy courts.
       Source: th
3. Pavan Kampelli Wins Bronze in eFootball at Asian Games
   • What:
     • Pavan Kampelli won the bronze medal in eFootball at the 2024 Asian Esports Games held in Bangkok. This is India’s first-ever podium finish in eFootball.
   • Tell me more:
     • Pavan, known as ‘Mr. Tomboy,’ defeated the 2022 eFootball World Finals winner, Asgard Azizi from Indonesia, with a score of 2-1.
     • He received USD 500 for his performance at the tournament.
     • The Asian Esports Games feature various esports disciplines, showcasing talent from across Asia.
       Source: et
4. India to Host 2026 Asian Rifle/Pistol Cup
   • What:
     • India will host the 2026 Asian Rifle/Pistol Cup, as announced by the National Rifle Association of India (NRAI).
   • Why:
     • The decision was made by the executive committee of the Asian Shooting Confederation (ASC) to promote major shooting events in India.
   • Tell me more:
     • India previously hosted the 8th Asian Air Gun competition in 2015 and the Asian Olympic Qualifiers in 2016.
     • A total of six International Shooting Sport Federation (ISSF) competitions have been held in India, including two World Cup Finals.
     • The most recent ISSF event took place last month in New Delhi.
       Source: BS

Memorandum of Understanding

1. India Signs Agreement for Solar Projects in Indo-Pacific
   • What:
     • A Project Implementation Agreement has been signed between the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) and the International Solar Alliance (ISA) to launch solar projects in Fiji, Comoros, Madagascar, and Seychelles.
   • Why:
     • The initiative aims to address energy issues in these countries, such as unreliable electricity supply for agriculture and healthcare.
   • Tell me more:
     • India has committed to invest USD 2 million in these solar projects.
     • The ISA will provide programmatic assistance for the implementation of these projects.
     • Proposed projects include cold storage solutions, solarization of healthcare facilities, and solar water pumping systems.
       Source: print
2. NABL and CREDAI Sign MoU for Quality Testing in Construction
   • What:
     • The National Accreditation Board for Testing and Calibration Laboratories (NABL) signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Confederation of Real Estate Developers’ Associations of India (CREDAI).
     • The MoU was signed during CREDAI’s Silver Jubilee celebration in New Delhi.
   • Why:
     • The collaboration aims to enhance the quality and reliability of temporary site testing laboratories for civil engineering projects.
   • Tell me more:
     • The project will focus on civil engineering projects, especially those over 50,000 sq. ft., where temporary site testing labs are crucial for material checks.
     • NABL will implement a recognition scheme to boost confidence in the accuracy and reliability of test results.
     • The MoU was signed by Mr. N. Venkateswaran, CEO of NABL, and Mr. Shekar G. Patel, President Elect of CREDAI.
     • NABL is a constituent board of the Quality Council of India (QCI).
       Source: pib

Appointments

1. Dr. Jaiteerth Raghavendra Joshi Becomes CEO of BrahMos Aerospace
   • What:
     • Dr. Jaiteerth Raghavendra Joshi has been appointed as the CEO and Managing Director of BrahMos Aerospace.
     • He is the first Indian to hold this position in the India-Russia joint venture known for producing supersonic cruise missiles.
   • Tell me more:
     • Dr. Joshi has been involved in training professionals in non-destructive testing techniques and served as Chairman of the Indian Society for Non-Destructive Testing (ISNT).
     • Dr. Joshi is a Fellow of the Royal Aeronautical Society in London and the Indian National Academy of Engineering.
     • He has received several awards, including the DRDO Scientist of the Year Award.
       Source: FP
2. Mallika Srinivasan’s Tenure Extended as PESB Chairperson
   • What:
     • The government has extended Mallika Srinivasan’s tenure as the Chairperson of the Public Enterprises Selection Board (PESB) by one year.
     • This extension allows her to continue beyond the age limit of 65 years, which she will reach on November 18, 2024.
   • Tell me more:
     • Mallika Srinivasan is the Chairman and Managing Director of Tractors and Farm Equipment (TAFE) Limited.
     • She was originally appointed to the PESB in April 2021 for a three-year term, which was set to end in April 2024.
     • The PESB is a non-statutory body that advises the government on appointments to top posts in CPSEs.
     • The PESB chairperson and members typically serve for three years or until they turn 65, whichever comes first.
       Source: ET
3. Nand Kishore Appointed CEO of SBI Funds Management
   • SBI Funds Management Limited has appointed Nand Kishore as the Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer.
   • SBI Funds Management is a joint venture between State Bank of India and Amundi, Europe’s largest asset manager.
     Source: et
4. MC Mary Kom Named Brand Ambassador for Assam Rifles Half Marathon
   • MC Mary Kom has been appointed as the Brand Ambassador for the Assam Rifles Half Marathon 2024 (held in Shillong in November).
     Source: TS

Miscellaneous

1. Word of the Year 2024
   • Oxford Dictionary: Brain Rot (mental decline due to monotony)
   • Cambridge Dictionary: Manifest (clear or obvious to understand)
   • Collin’s Dictionary: Brat (a badly behaved or annoying child)
   • All three dictionaries belong to United Kingdom.

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