Current Affairs Daily Digest – December 16 2021
Current Affairs Daily Digest – December 16 2021. Read and Download daily, monthly Current Affairs Daily Digest 2021 for competitive exams like UPSC, SSC, IBPS, SBI etc,. Download month wise Current affairs 2021 PDF and Current affairs quiz PDF .
1. International Tea Day: 15 December
International Tea Day is observed every year on December 15 in countries like Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Nepal, Vietnam, Indonesia, Kenya, Malawi, Malaysia, Uganda, India, and Tanzania. It is the second most used drink in the world after water. For some people, tea is an integral part of life which adds rhythm.
2. UNESCO recognises Kolkata’s Durga Puja as Intangible Cultural Heritage
UNESCO has added Durga Puja in Kolkata to its 2021 list of Intangible Cultural Heritage, giving international recognition to the biggest religious festival of the 331-year-old city and the state of West Bengal. The UNESCO’s announcement was welcomed by Bengal’s ruling Trinamool Congress (TMC) as chief minister Mamata Banerjee is widely recognized as the biggest patron of the festival.
Durga Puja is a major annual festival celebrated most notably in Kolkata, West Bengal, in September or October month. The ten-day festival is also celebrated in other parts of India as well among the Bengali diaspora.
3. A Book titled ‘Pride, Prejudice and Punditry’ by Dr Shashi Tharoor
Former union minister and Lok Sabha Member of Parliament Dr. Shashi Tharoor‘s 23rd book titled ‘Pride, Prejudice and Punditry’ was launched in Hyderabad, Telangana. There are ten sections in this book, each devoted to a particular topic such as modern Indian history, Indian Politics, etc. He has won ‘Sahitya Akademi Award’ for 2019, awarded to his book – ‘An Era of Darkness.
4. Ravinder Bhakar assumed charge of NFDC, films division and CFSI
CEO of Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC), Ravinder Bhakar has assumed charge of National Film Development Corporation (NFDC), Films Division, and Children Films Society of India (CFSI). He is a 1999-batch officer of the Indian Railway Stores Service (IRSS). He has been assigned these charges in addition to his present duties as CEO of the film certification body.
5. IIT-Delhi tie-up with IAF to improve indigenisation efforts
IIT-Delhi signed an MoU with Indian Air Force (IAF) to support requirements towards indigenous solutions in various weapon systems. Under the MoU, The IAF has identified key focus areas involving the development of technology and finding indigenous solutions towards the sustenance of various weapon systems. The partnership between IIT Delhi and IAF will also boost the efforts by Base Repair Depots (BRDs) of Maintenance Command IAF.
6. Uttarakhand’s Askot Wildlife Sanctuary declared Eco-Sensitive Zone
Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEF&CC), an area of 454.65 square kilometres around the boundary of Askot Wildlife Sanctuary in the Pithoragarh district of Uttarakhand has been declared as the Askot Wildlife Sanctuary Eco-sensitive Zone (ESZ).
The notified area extends from 0 to 22 km around the Askot Wildlife Sanctuary. The Askot Wildlife Sanctuary was established to protect the endangered flagship species Musk Deer and its habitat. The Askot Wildlife Sanctuary is also known as Musk Deer Park.
7. Nation Observes 50th Vijay Diwas on 16 December 2021
In India, Vijay Diwas (also called Victory Day) is celebrated every year on December 16. The country is celebrating the 50th Vijay Diwas in 2021. Vijay Diwas is observed to commemorate the service, valour, and sacrifices of the gallant men of the Indian Armed Forces’ victory over Pakistan in the 1971 war. On this day, we pay homage to all the soldiers who had defended the nation in the war.
8. Odisha tie-up with UNCDF to launch “Mission Shakti Living Lab”
Odisha inked an agreement with United Nations Capital Development Fund (UNCDF) to launch “Mission Shakti Living Lab” for the financial empowerment of women.
A Global Centre for Financial Health, to launch Mission Shakti Living Lab empowering women economically and drive gender equality. With the use of digital technologies and e-commerce, it will increase the income and financial well-being of women, self-help groups (SHGs) and households by helping them in the factors of planning, saving, borrow or spending better.
9. Assam’s Manohari Gold Tea auctioned for Rs 1 lakh/kg
A rare variety of Assam tea called Manohari Gold Tea set a record, as it was auctioned at a record price of Rs 99,999 per kg. Manohari Gold Tea created history by breaking its own record.
Saurav Tea Traders bought the Gold Tea, with the highest bid of Rs 99,999 per kg. It is being considered as the highest price ever for tea in a public auction.
10. India’s first Green Hydrogen Microgrid Projects in Andhra
State-run NTPC Ltd has awarded India’s first green hydrogen microgrid project in Andhra Pradesh. The project has been awarded at the Simhadri plant of NTPC Ltd. in Andhra Pradesh.
NTPC will involve in “Standalone Fuel-cell based Microgrid along with hydrogen production using electrolyzer” project at NTPC Simhadri.
11. Cabinet approved ₹76,000 crore scheme to boost semiconductor manufacturing
Union Cabinet approved a Rs 76,000-crore scheme for boosting semiconductor and display manufacturing in India. This scheme was approved in order to position India as a global hub for hi-tech production, as well as to attract large chip makers.
It would also strengthen India’s ambitions to be self-reliant in electronics manufacturing and bring huge investments.
12. Cabinet approves implementation of PMKSY for 2021-26
Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, approved implementation of Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sinchayee Yojana (PMKSY) for 2021-26.
Scheme was implemented with an outlay of Rs.93,068 crore. CCEA approved central support of Rs.37,454 crore to States. 20,434.56 crore of debt servicing has been approved for loan availed by Government of India to develop irrigation during PMKSY 2016-21.
13. Cabinet approves proposal to raise legal marriage age of women from 18 to 21 years
Union Cabinet on December 15, 2021 cleared a bill to raise women’s legal marriage age from 18 to 21 years after reviewing a proposal from a specially constituted task force. The task force had made its recommendations after holding extensive consultations with experts and young adults, especially young women.
