The 6th Edition of joint training exercise “KAZIND-22” between Indo – Kazakhstan is scheduled to be conducted at Umroi (Meghalaya) from 15 to 28 December 2022.
Exercise Kazind aims to build positive military relations, imbibe each other’s best practices and promote the ability to operate together while undertaking counter-terrorist operations in semi-urban or jungle scenarios.
New items got the GI Tag in India
The centre has granted the Geographical Indication (GI) tag to 9 new products from across the country, With this, the total number of registered GI products in India stands at 432.
The top 5 states holding maximum number of GIs are Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, Uttar Pradesh, Karnataka and Kerala.
A geographical indication is a name or sign used on products which corresponds to a specific geographical location or origin
The Newly added products are
Gamosa of Assam,
Tandur Red Gram of Telangana
RaktseyKarpo Apricot of Ladakh
Alibag White Onion of Maharashtra
Attappady Thuvara of kerala
Kanthalloor Vattavada Veluthulli of kerala
Kodungallur Pottuvellari of kerala
Vaccine to prevent cervical cancer to be introduced in India
Indian women are mostly affected by cervical cancer in the world, and the vaccine for this disease is manufactured abroad and the selling price is Rs.4 thousand per dose.
In order to prevent this, a vaccine called ‘Cervavac’ has been developed entirely indigenously and introduced in April 2023; the serum company will launch this product.
This vaccine will be administered to girls aged 9 to 14 years under the National Immunization Program, said Arora, Chairman, and National Technical Advisory Committee on Immunization.
Pradhan Mantri Kaushal Ko Kaam Karyakram (PMKKK) now named as Pradhan Mantri Virasat Ka Samvardhan (PM VIKAS) Scheme
The Minister of Minority Affairs, Smt. Smriti Zubin Irani informed that the Pradhan Mantri Kaushal Ko Kaam Karyakram (PMKKK) has now been named as Pradhan Mantri Virasat Ka Samvardhan (PM VIKAS) Scheme.
PM VIKAS aims to improve the livelihoods of the minorities, particularly the artisan communities, using the components of skill development, education, women leadership & entrepreneurship.
SURYA KIRAN -XVI Joint Training Exercise
The 16th Edition of Indo-Nepal joint training Exercise “SURYA KIRAN-XVI” between India and Nepal will be conducted at Nepal Army Battle School, Saljhandi (Nepal), from 16 – 29 December 2022.
Exercise “SURYA KIRAN” is conducted annually between India and Nepal with the aim to enhance interoperability in jungle warfare & counter terrorism operations in mountainous terrain and HADR under UN mandate.
The Rafale fighter jet arrived in India from France.
In September 2016, the Prime Minister Narendra Modi government signed a deal to purchase 36 Rafale fighter jets from France at a cost of around Rs 60,000 crore.
While 35 Rafale fighter jets manufactured by France’s Dassault Aviation have arrived in India, the last and 36th Rafale aircraft arrived in India on 15/12/2022.
International news
Nevada’s wildflower (Tiehm’s buckwheat) become the endangered species
Rare wildflower Tiehm’s buckwheat only found in a portion of Esmeralda County was designated as an endangered species announced by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.
Tiehm’s buckwheat is a small, perennial herb that grows to about 30 cm (12 in) across and up to 16 cm (6 in) tall with bluish-gray leaves, with only about 16,000 plants remaining; Tiehm’s buckwheat is thought to be on the verge of extinction.
Appointments
World Health Organization’s chief scientist was appointed
The World Health Organization (WHO) announced that Dr Jeremy Farrar will become its new Chief Scientist. And Dr Amelia Latu Afuhaamango Tuipulotu will become WHO’s Chief Nursing Officer.
Dr Farrar is Director of the Wellcome Trust, and he will join WHO in the second quarter of 2023. As WHO’s Chief Scientist, Dr Farrar will oversee the Science Division.
Awards
World’s Top 10 Restoration Flagships Award announced by UN
The United Nations (UN) has recognized Namami Gange initiative to rejuvenate India’s sacred River Ganga as one of the top 10 World Restoration Flagships to revive the natural world.
The Award was received by Shri G. Asok Kumar, Director General, Namami Gange at a function in the 15th Conference of Parties (COP15) to the Convention on Biodiversity (CBD) in Montreal, Canada on 14th December 2022.
The Namami Gange Programme was started in 2014 after Shri Narendra Modi took over as the Prime Minister after recognizing the need to rejuvenate River Ganga and committing over 5 billion dollars to ensure that the river gets clean.
National Energy Conservation Awards
The President of India, Smt Droupadi Murmu presented the National Energy Conservation Awards and the ceremony held at Vigyan Bhavan New Delhi.
These awards are presented for the best energy management practices during the year 2022; the Railway department receives totally 9 awards.
The Award Winners are
Transport Category / Railway Stations Sector:
Kacheguda Railway Station won the First Prize
Guntakal Railway station wins the Second Prize
Kanpur Central Railway Station won the certificate of Merit
Tenali Railway Station won the certificate of Merit
Rajahmudry Railway Station (SCR) won the certificate of Merit
Buildings Category / Government Buildings Sector:
Ajmer Workshop of North Western Railway won the First Prize.
Railway Hospital / Guntakal (SCR) won the certificate of Merit
Electric Traction Training Centre (ETTC), Vijayawada (SCR) won the certificate of Merit.
Divisional Railway Hospital, Pratapnagar (WR) won the certificate of Merit.
Sports news
Women’s Nations Hockey Tournament
Women’s Nations Cup hockey tournament under gone between 8 teams held in Valencia, Spain.
In this, the Indian team which placed in the ‘B’ category defeated South Africa. India reached the semi-finals after the 3 wins by defeating Chile and Japan earlier. India will face Ireland in the semi-final match.
World Cup Football Finals- 2022
The World Cup football tournament is being held in Qatar. In the 2nd semi-final match, the French team competed against the Moroccan team and the French team won the match and moved to the final round.
The final of the World Cup will be played between France and Argentina on December 18, 2022.
FINA World Swimming Championships 2022
FINA World Swimming Championships 2022 was held in Melbourne, Australia.
Lithuania’s Ruta Meilutyte, topped the overall heats in 1 minute, 3.81 seconds. The 19-year-old Lara Van Niekerk of South Africa came second in 1 minute 3.93 seconds, while Lilly King of the USA came third in 1 minute 3.94 seconds.
In that match Indian swimmer Chahat Arora set a national record in the women’s 100-metre breaststroke race in 1 minute, 13.13 seconds.
Important day
Vijay Diwas 2022
Vijay Diwas is celebrated on December 16 in India.
On December 3, the Indo-Pakistan war began in 1971 and lasted for 13 days. The war ended on 16 December, when Pakistan surrendered to India. The Thirteen Day War resulted in the complete surrender of Pakistani forces and a major victory for India, which is celebrated as Vijay Diwas Day.
Sardar patel memorial day
Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel played a prominent role in India’s freedom struggle. He was a well-educated, influential political figure and was the first Home Minister and the first Deputy Prime Minister of India, serving from August 15, 1947, to December 15, 1950.
This year is the 72nd death anniversary of the Iron Man of India, he died due to a massive heart attack, he breathed his last on December 15, 1950 , in Bombay.
