DAILY CURRENT AFFAIRS 02 December 2021
Barbados becomes World’s Newest Republic
- Barbados has officially removed Queen Elizabeth II as its head of state and become the world’s newest republic nearly 400 years after the country became a British colony.
- The Caribbean Island nation, 55 years after its independence, got rid of the remnants of colonial rule by separating from Britain.
- Barbados, however, will continue to be one of the 54 Commonwealth nations.
- Capital: Bridgetown
- Independence: On November 30, 1966, Barbados gained its independence.
- Leadership: Dame Sandra Prunella Mason is the current President of Barbados, Mia Amor Mottley is the current Prime Minister of Barbados.
57th BSF Raising Day
- The Border Security Force (BSF) today (Wednesday, 1 December) observed its 57th Raising Day. The BSF was established as a unified Central agency on 1 December 1965, after the wars with Pakistan and China in 1965 and 1962.
- Termed as the country’s first line of defence, the aim behind the formation of BSF was to ensure the security of the country’s borders.
- Prime Minister Narendra Modi extended his best wishes on the occasion of 57th BSF Raising Day. Taking to social media, Modi wrote that the country’s first line of defence is widely respected for its courage and professionalism.
- He also hailed the force’s contribution towards securing country’s borders and several humanitarian efforts in times of crisis and calamities.
- BSF patrols about 192 kilometers of the International Border with Pakistan and also deployed, along with the Indian Army, on the Line of Control.
Nagaland Statehood Day Celebrated
- Nagaland is a state in northeastern India. It is bordered by the state of Arunachal Pradesh to the north, Assam to the west, Manipur to the south and the Sagaing Region of Myanmar to the east. Its capital city is Kohima, and its largest city is Dimapur. It has an area of 16,579 square kilometres (6,401 sq mi) with a population of 1,980,602 per the 2011 Census of India, making it one of India’s smallest states.
- Nagaland became the 16th state of India on 1 December 1963. It has experienced insurgency and inter-ethnic conflict since the 1950s, limiting its economic development.
- Agriculture is its most important economic activity, accounting for over 70% of its economy. Other significant activities include forestry, tourism, insurance, real estate, and miscellaneous cottage industries.
- It lies between the parallels of 98- and 96-degrees east longitude and 26.6- and 27.4-degrees latitude north. It is home to a rich variety of flora and fauna.
Update on Census 2021
- The intent of the Government for conducting Census 2021 was notified in Gazette of India on 28th March 2019. Due to outbreak of COVID-19 pandemic, the Census 2021 and related field activities have been postponed.
- The forthcoming Census is to be the first digital Census. Mobile App for collection of data and a Census Portal for management and monitoring of various Census related activities have been developed.
- In Census, the castes and tribes which are specifically notified as Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes as per the Constitution (Scheduled Castes) Order 1950 and the Constitution (Scheduled Tribes) Order, 1950, as amended from time to time, are enumerated.
- The State Governments of Bihar, Maharashtra and Odisha have requested to collect caste details in the forthcoming Census.
- The Government of India has not enumerated caste wise population other than SCs and STs in Census since independence.
- The names of the mother tongue and two other languages known in order of proficiency are to be recorded by the enumerator in the forthcoming Census as responded by each person.
- This was stated by the Minister of State for Home Affairs, Shri Nityanand Rai in a written reply to question in the Rajya Sabha.
National bio-fuel Coordination Committee
- Consumer Affairs, Food & Public Distribution Minister Piyush Goyal said production of ethanol from rice, maize, and wheat available with Food Corporation of India would not affect the food security or per capita availability of food grains.
- In reply to a question in the Lok Sabha, he said, that country has 253.26 Lakh Metric Tons (LMTs) of Rice and 468.52 LMTs of Wheat stocks with FCI and state agencies which is more than double the stocking norms.
- He also said that annual procurement of Rice and Wheat is also more than the requirement for a targeted public distribution system (TPDS) and other welfare schemes to maintain food security.
- He said, Ethanol Blended with Petrol Programme (EBP) approved by National bio-fuel Coordination Committee, would increase the income of farmers, and reduce imports of crude oil and pollution.
Pradhan Mantri Gramin Digital Saksharata Abhiyaan
- Under Pradhan Mantri Gramin Digital Saksharata Abhiyaan (PMGDISHA) Scheme, 5.36 crore candidates have been enrolled in the country. In reply to a question in the Lok Sabha, Electronics and Information Technology Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw said, from the enrolled 4.54 crore candidates have been trained and 3.37 crore candidates have been certified.
- He said, after a comprehensive and methodological evaluation of the scheme, the report suggested Digital literacy programme PMGDISHA bridging the digital gap in the country and transforming it into a knowledge economy and society. He also said that after an impact assessment study, Indian Institute of Public Administration (IIPA) recommended the continuation of the PMGDISHA scheme.
- Pradhan Mantri Gramin Digital Saksharata Abhiyaan is the scheme to make six crore persons in rural areas, across States/UTs, digitally literate, reaching to around 40% of rural households by covering one member from every eligible household till 31st March 2019.
- The Scheme aims to bridge the digital divide, specifically targeting the rural population including the marginalized sections of society like Scheduled Castes (SC) / Scheduled Tribes (ST), Minorities, Below Poverty Line (BPL), women and differently-abled persons and minorities.
BSNL scheduled to roll out its 4G services by Sept 2022
- Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited (BSNL) is scheduled to roll out its 4G services by September next year. In a reply to a question in the Lok Sabha, Minister of State for Communications Devusinh Chauhan said that the Government approved revival plan for BSNL and MTNL with administrative allotment of spectrum for providing 4G services with funding through budgetary allocation. BSNL has already begun necessary processes to go for a 4G tender.
- He said, a Nine hundred crore rupees incremental revenue to BSNL is expected in the first year of pan India 4G operations.
- Minister also informed, as of September this year BSNL has a liability of over 85 thousand crore and MTNL has over Thirty thousand crore rupees of liabilities. However, he said, there is no proposal under consideration for disinvestment of BSNL and MTNL.
REVIEW QUESTIONS
- Assam Rifles reports to
- Ministry of Defence
- National Security Advisor
- PMO
- Ministry of Home
ANSWER: D
- From which of the following countries has India purchased the Pilatus PC-7 trainer aircraft
- Germany
- Switzerland
- United States of America
- France
ANSWER: B
- Which one among the following is the unit raised to protect the naval assets?
- Sagar Nigrani Bal
- Sagar Prahari Bal
- Sagar Suraksha Bal
- Sagar Rakshak Bal
ANSWER: B
- On which of the following dates is the Navy Day celebrated in India?
- December 4
- February 1
- October 8
- January 15
ANSWER: A
- At which of the following places is the headquarters of a Naval Command NOT located?
- Goa
- Visakhapatnam
- Mumbai
- Kochi
ANSWER: A
- Which of the following corps deals with the supply of weaponry and ammunition to the Indian Army?
- Armoured Corps
- Army Ordnance Corps
- Corps of EME
- Army Supply Corps
ANSWER: B
- What was the name given to the operation conducted by National Security Guard in 2008 against terrorist attack in Taj hotel, Mumbai?
- Operation Vijay
- Operation Black Thunder
- Operation Black Tornado
- Operation Safed Sagar
ANSWER: C
- Indra series of exercises are jointly held biennially in the Indian Ocean by India and
- Israel
- Russia
- Singapore
- France
ANSWER: B
- Which of the following is India’s first indigenously developed nuclear powered submarine?
- INS Arihant
- INS Sindhurakshak
- INS Trikhand
- INS Vikrant
ANSWER: A
- At which of the following places is the College of Defence Management located?
- Secunderabad
- Chennai
- Dehradun
- Pune
ANSWER: A
ALSO READ:
