DAILY CURRENT AFFAIRS 07 – 08 December 2021
21st India – Russia Annual Summit
- President of the Russian Federation, H.E. Mr. Vladimir Putin, paid a working visit to New Delhi on 06 December 2021 for the 21st India – Russia Annual summit with Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi.
- President Putin was accompanied by a high level delegation. Bilateral talks between Prime Minister Modi and President Putin were held in a warm and friendly atmosphere. The two leaders expressed satisfaction at the sustained progress in the ‘Special and Privileged Strategic Partnership’ between both countries despite the challenges posed by the Covid pandemic. They welcomed the holding of the first meeting of the 2+2 Dialogue of Foreign and Defence Ministers and the meeting of the Inter-Governmental Commission on Military & Military-Technical Cooperation in New Delhi on 6 December 2021.
- The leaders underscored the need for greater economic cooperation and in this context, emphasized on new drivers of growth for long term predictable and sustained economic cooperation. They appreciated the success story of mutual investments and looked forward to greater investments in each other’s countries. The role of connectivity through the International North-South Transport Corridor (INSTC) and the proposed Chennai – Vladivostok Eastern Maritime Corridor figured in the discussions. The two leaders looked forward to greater inter-regional cooperation between various regions of Russia, in particular with the Russian Far-East, with the States of India. They appreciated the ongoing bilateral cooperation in the fight against the Covid pandemic, including humanitarian assistance extended by both countries to each other in critical times of need.
- The leaders discussed regional and global developments, including the post-pandemic global economic recovery, and the situation in Afghanistan. They agreed that both countries share common perspectives and concerns on Afghanistan and appreciated the bilateral roadmap charted out at the NSA level for consultation and cooperation on Afghanistan. They noted that both sides shared common positions on many international issues and agreed to further strengthen cooperation at multilateral fora, including at the UN Security Council. President Putin congratulated Prime Minister Modi for India’s ongoing non-permanent membership of the UN Security Council and successful Presidency of BRICS in 2021. Prime Minister Modi congratulated Russia for its ongoing chairmanship of the Arctic Council.
- The Joint Statement titled India-Russia: Partnership for Peace, Progress and Prosperity aptly covers the state and prospects of bilateral ties. Coinciding with the visit, several Government-to-Government Agreements and MoUs, as well as those between commercial and other organizations of both countries, were signed in different sectors such as trade, energy, science & technology, intellectual property, outer space, geological exploration, cultural exchange, education, etc. This is a reflection of the multifaceted nature of our bilateral partnership.
- President Putin extended an invitation to Prime Minister Modi to visit Russia for the 22nd India-Russia Annual Summit in 2022.
50 Years of India-Bangladesh Friendship
- India and Bangladesh are jointly observing ‘Maitri Diwas’ to commemorate 50 years of the Bangladesh Liberation War 1971 and India’s role in the neighbouring nation’s freedom struggle.
- The occasion will be observed in 18 countries across the world. Meetings, exhibitions, and seminars will be organised by either the Indian or Bangladesh missions in the UK, Australia, Singapore, Belgium, Canada, Egypt, Indonesia, Russia, Qatar, France, Japan, Malaysia, Saudi Arabia, South Africa, Switzerland, Thailand, UAE, and the US.
- Sheikh Hasina and her ruling Awami League remember with gratitude India and former prime minister Indira Gandhi’s pivotal role in the struggle for independence. Unlike the opposition Bangladesh Nationalist Party, Sheikh Hasina has made friendship with India the centre-stage of her foreign policy in the region.
Dr. Bhimrao Ambedkar Mahaparinirvan Diwas
- Bhimrao Ramji Ambedkar (14 April 1891 – 6 December 1956) was an Indian jurist, economist, and social reformer who fought economic and social discrimination against the untouchables in India’s Hindu society, and who later renounced Hinduism and inspired the Dalit Buddhist movement.
- Ambedkar served as chairman of the drafting committee of the Constitution of India, and Minister of Law and Justice in the first cabinet of Jawaharlal Nehru from 1947 to 1951. He is also referred to by the honorific Babasaheb.
More than 1.2 crore benefited under Pradhan Mantri Rojgar Protsahan Yojana
- Government is implementing Pradhan Mantri Rojgar Protsahan Yojana (PMRPY) since 2016 with the objective to incentivize employers for creation of new employment and also aimed to bring informal workers to the formal workforce. Under the scheme, Government of India is paying Employer’s contribution i.e., 12% for a period of three years to the new employees earning wages less than or equal to Rs. 15,000/- through EPFO.
- The terminal date for registration of beneficiary through establishment was 31st March 2019. The beneficiaries registered upto 31st March 2019 will continue to receive the benefit for 3 years from the date of registration under the scheme i.e., upto 31st March 2022.The scheme was estimated to benefit 20 lakh beneficiaries. As on 27th November 2021, benefit has been provided to 1.21 crore beneficiaries through 1.53 lakh establishments.
- Campaigning for increasing the awareness about the scheme was done through various modes of media, including the website of EPFO. Besides this, to increase the awareness among employers and employers’ associations, a number of seminars and meetings were also conducted.
International Civil Aviation Day
- International Civil Aviation Day is observed on 7 December every year. The day organised by International Civil Aviation Organisation; ICAO is a UN body that takes care of international standards for aviation safety. The ICAO is an autonomous UN body accountable for keeping up with the safety standards of international aviation.
- The aim behind celebrating the day is to create awareness across the world about the importance of international civil aviation to the social and economic development of States. Also, the unique role of the organisation in helping States to cooperate and realise a global transit network at the service of all mankind.
- The ICAO was established on 7th December 1944, in the interest of securing international cooperation and consistency in civil aviation matters. During the same year, the International Services Transit Agreement and the International Air Transport Agreement were also signed. In 1994, ICAO initiated International Civil Aviation Day to recognize its 50th anniversary.
- This observance was made to generate and leverage global awareness of the value of international civil aviation in the social and economic development of the countries.
- During this day, ICAO organizes various activities and events such as seminars, educational sessions, news announcements on international civil aviation topics, and many others. ICAO gets support from governments, organizations, companies, and even individuals.
Nasha Mukt Bharat Abhiyan
- The Centre has said, it has launched the Nasha Mukt Bharat Abhiyan to prevent drug addiction among children. During Question Hour in the Lok Sabha today, Minister for Social Justice and Empowerment Dr Virendra Kumar said the report published in 2019 based on a nationwide survey on the pattern of drug consumption.
- The report reveals that 272 districts are highly vulnerable to the issue. He said several NGOs who are working among the drug consumers to wean away from the habit are being provided financial grants by the Centre.
- He also said the nationwide toll-free helpline 14446 is also operational.
‘She is a Changemaker’
- National Commission for Women, NCW today launched a pan-India capacity building programme – She is a Changemaker, for women in Politics. The capacity building programme will be undertaken in association with region-wise training institutes with an objective to undertake capacity building of women political leaders and improve their decision making and communication skills.
- The official launch of training programmes under She is a Changemaker series was held today in collaboration with Rhambhau Mhalgi Prabodhini, Thane, Maharashtra. The programmes was launched by the Chairperson of NCW, Rekha Sharma. Speaking on the occasion, Ms Sharma said that increased women participation in politics is the need of the hour, and the Commission is committed towards helping them in their journey to the Parliament. She said, this programme will benefit every woman who wished to make an identity for herself in politics and help her to claim her rightful space in politics.
US Announces diplomatic boycott of 2022 Winter Olympics in Beijing
- The US has announced a diplomatic boycott of the 2022 Winter Olympics in Beijing, China. The White House said no official delegation will be sent to the games because of concerns about China’s human rights record. But it told US athletes can attend the games and will have the government’s full support.
- White House press secretary Jen Psaki said, US diplomatic representation will treat these games as business as usual in the face of Beijing’s egregious human rights abuses and atrocities in Xinjiang. Psaki added that Team USA has the administration’s full support but that the administration will not be contributing to the fanfare of the game. Psaki said, the diplomatic boycott of the games does not mean that is the end of the concerns we will raise about human rights abuses.
REVIEW QUESTIONS
- ‘Shakti Bill’, which was seen in the news recently, was launched by which state?
- Rajasthan
- Punjab
- Maharashtra
- Gujarat
ANSWER: C
- WE HUB, India’s first state-led incubator, was the initiative of which Indian state?
- Gujarat
- Telangana
- Odisha
- Kerala
ANSWER: B
- A new School of Public Health (SPH) has been launched in which Indian state/UT?
- Punjab
- Bihar
- Rajasthan
- Uttarakhand
ANSWER: C
- ‘KAPILA’ programme, which was making news recently, is associated with which sector?
- Automobile
- Aviation
- Intellectual Property Rights
- MSME
ANSWER: C
- “Disha Act” sometimes seen in news is associated with which state?
- Punjab
- Bihar
- Rajasthan
- None
ANSWER: D
- ‘Asom Mala’ programme has been launched in which Indian state/UT?
- Arunachal Pradesh
- Assam
- Sikkim
- Bihar
ANSWER: B
- Which scheme is implemented at Anganwadi centres to provide health and pre-school education services?
- PM Matru Vandana Yojana
- Integrated Child Development Scheme
- Mahila Shakti Yojana
- Beti Bachao Beti Padao
ANSWER: B
- Which Union Ministry has tied up with Zomato, to implement the PM- SVANidhi scheme?
- Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare
- Ministry of Food Processing
- Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs
- Ministry of Labour and Employment
ANSWER: C
- HQ of International Civil Aviation Organization
- Montreal
- Paris
- Vienna
- Geneva
ANSWER: A
- Which UN Organ is the parent Organization for ICAO
- UNGA
- UNSC
- UNECOSOC
- UNDP
ANSWER: C
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