Current Affairs 19 December 2023

Ruby Thakur
December 19, 2023
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In Current Affairs for 19 December 2023, we will see the latest national and international current affairs news. These important current affairs will be beneficial for your upcoming NDA, CDS, CDS OTA, AFCAT, TA, Agniveer Army, Agniveer Navy, Agniveer Air Force, Women Military Police, INET, MNS, ACC exams, SCO, PCSL, CAPF, and SSB interviews, and direct entries for Army, Navy, and Air Force like SSC Tech, TGC, JAG, NCC, TES, 10+2 Cadet. Download a PDF file about current events at the end of this article. Let us now see the Current Affairs.

Current Affairs 19 December 2023

SwarVed Mahamandir

Prime Minister Narendra Modi has said that decades after independence, the spiritual places of the country are now witnessing development along with creating new records in economic growth.
After inaugurating the newly built SwarVed Mahamandir at Umaraha in Varanasi today, Mr Modi said, the construction of the Ram Temple is also going to be completed in Ayodhya within a few weeks.

The temple derives its name from the Swarved, a spiritual text authored by Sadguru Shri Sadafal Deoji Maharaj, the eternal yogi, and founder of Vihangam Yoga.
Addressing the devotees of Mahamandir, Mr Modi urged people to inculcate nine habits in their lives.

These include water conservation, promoting digital payment, cleanliness, local for vocal, visiting different places of the country, natural farming, promoting millets, fitness, and helping at least one poor family, he said.
This newly constructed meditation center stands tall at seven floors, accommodating an impressive 20,000 devotees at a time for meditation. The inauguration ceremony showcased the Prime Minister’s commitment to fostering spiritual well-being and cultural heritage in the holy city.

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Need To Reform United Nations Organisation

External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar emphasised on the need to reform the United Nations Organisation.
Addressing the Rotary Institute event in Bengaluru, he said that the United Nations Security Council is like an old club where the set members do not want to admit new members and are not even keen to be questioned. He pointed out that with no reforms, the UN’s effectiveness is diminishing.

He stressed that a large number of countries are urging for reforms in the UN Security Council to deal with the prevailing challenges.
He further added that India are continuously raising the issue of reforms on the global stage.
Speaking on Indo-China relations, the minister said that the bilateral ties between the two countries have become difficult and this is because China has not observed the agreements on the border. He however added that India wants better relations with China.

World Bank Report

According to the World Bank’s latest Migration and Development Report, India retained its position as the largest recipient of remittances, with an estimated 125 billion dollars in 2023.
In the South Asian region, remittance flows to India experienced notable growth, contributing to the overall positive trend.

South Asia, as a whole, witnessed a 7.2 percent increase in remittances in 2023. The top five remittance recipient countries include Mexico (67 billion dollars), China (50 billion dollars), the Philippines (40 billion dollars), and Egypt (24 billion dollars).
The Indian economy, buoyed by a tight labour market in the United States and robust employment growth in Europe, outperformed previous forecasts by reaching 125 billion dollars in remittances for the year.
The report highlights India’s significant position as the top remittance recipient, drawing attention to the evolving dynamics in the remittance landscape.

Saint Lucia Program

Tax administration plays a crucial role in a nation’s economic development and stability.
Recognizing the importance of collaboration in this domain, Tax Inspectors Without Borders (TIWB), a joint initiative of the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD), launched a significant program in Saint Lucia on 14th December 2023.

India, known for its expertise in tax matters, has been chosen as the Partner Administration, demonstrating its commitment to fostering international cooperation in tax administration.
The TIWB program in Saint Lucia is set to span 12-18 months, during which India, in collaboration with the TIWB Secretariat and the support of the UNDP Country Office, Barbados and the Eastern Caribbean, aims to empower Saint Lucia in enhancing its tax administration.
The primary focus of the program is to facilitate the transfer of technical knowledge and skills to strengthen the tax administration of Saint Lucia.
The collaborative effort will also involve the sharing of best practices, emphasizing the effective use of automatic exchange of information under the Common Reporting Standard (CRS) framework.

The launch of this pivotal program witnessed the virtual presence of key figures in the tax and finance sectors.
The TIWB program in Saint Lucia aims to address key challenges in tax administration, with a specific emphasis on the effective use of the automatic exchange of information under the Common Reporting Standard (CRS) framework.
The CRS, developed by the OECD, facilitates the exchange of financial account information among participating jurisdictions, enhancing transparency and combating tax evasion.
By leveraging India’s expertise, Saint Lucia stands to benefit significantly in terms of streamlined processes, improved compliance, and a more robust tax infrastructure.

Vijay Hazare Trophy

In a historic turn of events at the Saurashtra Cricket Association Stadium in Rajkot, Haryana emerged victorious in the 2023 Vijay Hazare Trophy, securing their first-ever title with a 30-run triumph over Rajasthan in the summit clash.
The victory marked one of the greatest campaigns in Indian domestic cricket history, as Haryana showcased their dominance by remaining unbeaten throughout the tournament.

Sumit Kumar, the all-round, proved to be the unsung hero for Haryana. With figures of 3/34 in 6 overs, he dismantled Rajasthan’s top order and his quickfire 28 not out off 16 balls bolstered Haryana’s innings.
Sumit Kumar’s outstanding all-round performance earned him the ‘Player of the Match’ and ‘Player of the Series’ awards.
Scoring 183 runs at a strike rate of over 100 and taking 18 wickets in 10 games, Sumi Kumar’s contribution was instrumental in Haryana’s triumph.

Genrobotics Ranks Top 3 In Global AI Summit

Genrobotics, a Kerala-based startup, has emerged as a frontrunner in the field of Artificial Intelligence (AI) for social change.
The company achieved significant recognition by being adjudged among the top three AI startups in India at the Global Partnership on Artificial Intelligence (GPAI) Summit 2023.
The prestigious event, organized by the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology in New Delhi witnessed Genrobotics securing its place in the spotlight.

Genrobotics clinched the ‘AI Game Changers‘ award at the summit for its groundbreaking G-gaiter Robotic Technology.
Genrobotics earned recognition for its healthcare innovation, specifically the development of G Gaiter—an advanced AI-powered robotic gait trainer.
G Gaiter is tailored for individuals contending with mobility challenges stemming from conditions like stroke, spinal injury, accidents, Parkinson’s disease, etc.
This revolutionary technology facilitates quicker recovery, minimizing the need for external assistance in the rehabilitation process. Genrobotics added another feather to its cap by securing the Medicall Made in India Innovation 2023 Golden Award for G Gaiter earlier in July.
This dual recognition underscores the significance and impact of the innovative AI-powered robotic gait trainer.

Eastern Dedicated Freight Corridor

In alignment with the government’s commitment to fortify the logistics sector, Prime Minister Narendra Modi is set to inaugurate the 402 km-long segment of the Eastern Dedicated Freight Corridor.
The dedicated section spans from New Deen Dayal Upadhyay Junction to New Bhaupur Junction, situated on the Delhi-Howrah rail route, covering districts like Chandauli, Mirzapur, Prayagraj, Kaushambi, Fatehpur, Kanpur Nagar, and Kanpur Dehat in Uttar Pradesh.

The project, executed at a cost of Rs 10,903 crores, boasts 12 stations, comprising six junction stations and six crossing stations.
The corridor crucially links the coal fields of Jharkhand and West Bengal—Eastern Coalfields Limited, Central Coalfields Limited, Bharat Coking Coal Limited, and Northern Coalfields Limited—to power plants in Northern India.
The commissioning of this corridor segment not only alleviates pressure on the Delhi-Howrah main line but also ensures the smooth operation of trains on the dedicated freight corridor.
This operational enhancement has allowed for the introduction of additional passenger train services on the Delhi-Howrah main line.
The vicinity of New Kanpur Junction is slated for the development of a multimodal logistics park. This facility is poised to offer efficient cargo transportation facilities, fostering new employment opportunities in the region.

Ketamine

More than a month after the “Friends” actor Matthew Perry suddenly passed away, the Los Angeles County medical examiner’s office released an autopsy report, saying Perry died from the “acute effects” of ketamine.
Ketamine is an anaesthetic that has been listed as a hallucinogen by the US Drug Enforcement Administration.
It’s referred to as a “dissociative anaesthetic hallucinogen” because it creates a feeling of detachment from pain and the environment.

In the US, ketamine was first used as an anaesthetic for animals in the 1960s. Around a decade later, the US Food and Drug Administration approved it for humans.
The drug’s use for treating depression and other mental illnesses is recent. Owing to its powerful effects, ketamine is consumed by those patients who haven’t responded to traditional therapies.
Ketamine is also used as a recreational drug, popularly known as K or Special K among clubgoers.
Mental illness patients usually take ketamine through an IV, nasal spray or tablet once or twice a week for six to eight weeks (some might need it for longer).
When it comes to recreational purposes, it is consumed by snorting a white crystalline powder. Ketamine can also be injected or smoked.

“During treatment sessions, they experienced pleasant visualisations, sometimes accompanied by a sense of existing outside themselves and melding with the universe. Afterwards, their daily problems seemed less weighty,”
It also noted that ketamine garnered popularity as it affects brain receptors that traditional antidepressants do not target.

“The psychedelic-like trip, many believe, is integral to the drug’s therapeutic effect,” the report said.
If taken in high doses, the anaesthetic quality of ketamine becomes more pronounced. Some may find it difficult to move and may feel numb, and can experience more graphic hallucinations. “This is sometimes called the ‘k-hole’ by users,”.
Some doctors have emphasised that if taken only for medicinal purposes and in the right doses, ketamine is safe to consume and very effective in treating mental illnesses.
“There are indications that abuse may also lead to cognitive impairment,” according to the report.
Moreover, there hasn’t been much research on prolonged ketamine treatment to determine if it’s safe or not. There is also a lack of literature on addiction and abuse among medical users.

Current Affairs 19 December 2023 Question

Swarved Mahamandir Inaugurated By PM Is Located In Which City
A. Jhansi
B. Umaraha
C. Ayodhya
D. Lucknow
ANSWER: B
WB Migration & Development Report 2023 Country Retained Its Position As
Largest Recipient Of Remittances In South Asia
A. India
B. Nepal
C. Maldives
D. Bangladesh
ANSWER: A
TIWB Is A joint Initiative Of
A. World Bank & UNDP
B. UNDP & FATF
C. UNDP & OECD
D. OECD & WB
ANSWER: C
TIWB Program Launched In Country Making India As Partner Administration
A. Maldives
B. Barbuda
C. Saint Lucia
D. Antigua
ANSWER: C
What Is The Main Focus Of The TIWB Program In Saint Lucia
A. Employment Generation
B. Strengthening Tax Administration
C. Tax Evasion
D. Promoting Digital Literacy
ANSWER: B
Who Won Vijay Hazare Trophy 2023
A. Gujrat
B. Rajasthan
C. Kerala
D. Haryana
ANSWER: D
Who Was Declared Player Of Match In 2023 Vijay Hazare Trophy
A. Harshal Patel
B. Kunal Singh Rathore
C. Sumit Kumar
D. Abhijeet Tomar
ANSWER: C
Genrobotics Earned Recognition At GPAI Summit 2023 For Which Technology
A. AI-powered transportation
B. G Gaiter Robotic Technology
C. Advanced surveillance AI
D. AI-driven social media analysis
ANSWER: B
Genrobotics Is Start Up Of Which State
A. Kerala
B. Gujrat
C. Karnataka
D. Goa
ANSWER: A
Which Ministry Organized The GPAI Summit 2023
A. Ministry of Skill Development
B. Ministry of Education
C. Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology
D. Ministry of Finance
ANSWER: C
Who Authored The Spiritual Text “Swarved,”
A. Sadguru Shri Sadafal Deoji Maharaj
B. Madhvacharya
C. Ramanuja
D. Vallabhacharya
ANSWER: A
SPECS Scheme Is Administered By Which Ministry
A. Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology
B. Ministry of Agriculture
C. Ministry of Science & Technology
D. Ministry of Commerce
ANSWER: A
Which State Government Recently Approached Supreme Court Against
Capping Of Its Borrowing Limit By The Centre
A. Himachal Pradesh
B. Kerala
C. Telangana
D. Tamil Nadu
ANSWER: B
Anand Marriage Act Has Been Implemented In Jammu & Kashmir. This Act
Gives Statutory Recognition To
A. Intercaste Marriage
B. Interfaith Marriage
C. Sikh Marriage And Wedding Rituals
D. Hindu Marriage And Rituals
ANSWER: C
Regional Anti-Terrorist Structure In News, Is Related To Which International
Organization
A. United Nations
B. Shanghai Cooperation Organisation
C. North Atlantic Treaty Organization
D. Association of Southeast Asian Nations
ANSWER: B
The EKAMRA Project, Which Was In News, Is In Which State
A. West Bengal
B. Madhya Pradesh
C. Odisha
D. Karnataka
ANSWER: C
Who Is The President Of Argentina
A. Javier Milei
B. Sergio Massa
C. Patricia Bullrich
D. Juan Schiaretti
ANSWER: A
What Is Target Year Of Ending AIDS As Public Health Set By The United Nations
A. 2025
B. 2027
C. 2030
D. 2035
ANSWER: C
Which Country Recently Hiked Its Military Spending To 30% Of Fiscal Expenditure
A. Israel
B. China
C. Russia
D. Germany
ANSWER: C
Meidias Hydria Seen In News, Is An Ancient Vase From Which Country
A. Greece
B. China
C. Japan
D. Turkey
ANSWER: A